Record 55 players signed to contracts
An AWL-record 55 players were signed to professional contracts after Thursday's draft, including 18-year-old female Japanese pitching phenom Eri Yoshida.
Yoshida, a pitcher, and catcher Yuki Matsumoto were selected by Chico - part of the GBL, which sponsors the AWL.
The Yuma Scorpions, who were affiliated with Colombian Professional Baseball League last season but whose status this year is uncertain, took two players - Team Canada closer Jason Fronczak and Calgary third baseman Tony Kostelnik.
The Vipers will face Saskatchewan in a semifinal at 2 p.m. today at Desert Sun Stadium, with the Scorpions facing San Luis at 6:30 p.m. A fireworks display will occur after the game.
The championship game will feature the two winners at 6:30 p.m. Saturday.
