Photo by Humboldt Crabs

The excitement surrounding the Humboldt Crabs should be greater than ever next summer as the longtime local summer collegiate team gets set for a new era in its 80th season.

On Friday, the Crabs announced that they will be a part of the newly-formed Pacific Empire League, which begins play in the summer of 2024.

The PEL will feature six teams and a three-game championship series.

In addition to the Crabs, the PEL includes the Healdsburg Prune Packers, Lincoln Potters, Medford Rogues, Solano Mudcats, and West Coast Kings, all of which are teams the Crabs fans will be familiar with.

“The Humboldt Crabs organization is incredibly proud to be a part of the Pacific Empire League,” new Crabs president Scarlet Palmer said in a press release. “We look forward to moving into our 80th season with a well-executed schedule and vigorous competition for the benefit of both our fans and our players.”

The Arcata-based club has played as an independent team for the last decade since their final summer competing in the Far West League in 2013.

According to the press release, the club has “always maintained close ties with several West Coast teams. And when the opportunity arose to join forces with several of those teams, the decision was a no-brainer.”

Joining the PEL will give the Crabs the opportunity to potentially compete in a three-game championship series at the end of the season, which will feature the top two teams in the league.

And that will give the many local Crabs fans something extra to cheer for.

“The Humboldt Crabs are honored to be a part of the Pacific Empire League in 2024 and years to come,” Crabs assistant coach Eric Giacone said in the press release. “We’re excited for the opportunity to compete against the best collegiate teams from Northern California and Southern Oregon.

“The PEL is going to create rivalries that will increase the fan experience at the Arcata Ballpark moving forward.”

The new league features several clubs that traditionally have been among the most competitive the Crabs play during the summer season.

“The Pacific Empire League checks all the boxes as a topnotch collegiate baseball league, featuring historic teams with devoted fan bases, and strong ties to college coaches and scouts,” Healdsburg Prune Packers General Manager/Head Coach Joey Gomes said in a league press release announcing the news. “Our integrated tech further enhances player exposure and development.”

The 2024 Crabs season begins on May 31.