The life of a Leprechaun: Independent league players chase their baseball dreams in Dublin

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Being a member of the Dublin Leprechauns is not for the faint of heart.

Part of the Pecos League of Professional Baseball Clubs, an independent league with no affiliation to a major league club, the Leprechauns play their home games at the Fallon Sports Park in Dublin.

They play almost half-a-years’ worth of games in a little over two months: 48 games in 60 days. It’s considered “professional” baseball, but the reality is the players are certainly not in it for the money.

“Every single player in the Pecos League is playing to ‘make it’ – they all aspire to go higher,” Leprechauns General Manager Guy Houston said. “As a Dublin Leprechaun, they get housing and expenses, as well as the opportunity to climb the ladder.”

It’s true love for the game and the chance to live out a dream for the players. How else would one expect players from 14 different states to come together for 60 days.

It’s not the glory of playing games in Dublin, Bakersfield, San Rafael and Martinez that lures the players in.

“The end goal for me is to take my baseball career as far as I can competitively and continue challenging myself at the highest level possible,” said Gordon Wend, who was top pitcher for the Leprechauns last season and has started 2-0 this year. “I’m always looking for ways to get better, compete at a high level, and keep growing both physically and mentally on the mound.”

And to get to the next level.

According to Houston, five Pecos League players have made it to Major League Baseball. For the Leprechauns, it’s not going to be straight to the Big Show, but rather playing Pecos ball is a starting point.

“The end game is getting as many of us promoted as possible into the next league,” said Sam Ott, one of the best players on the Leprechauns last year and is leading the team so far in 2026.

Almost lost in the shuffle is the one man in charge of putting the team together in short order and coming up with a team, not a group of individuals. 

The manager.

David Aceron joined the Leprechauns for their second season in 2024 and now starts his third year with the team. He gets it that it comes down to more than what a player can do on the field.

“As a manager, when assembling a team and fostering cohesion, it is essential to understand both the professional and personal backgrounds of team members,” said Aceron, who has coached at San Diego State among others in the past. “Building chemistry and gaining buy-in from all members is crucial to the overall success of the program. Those who do not buy in are typically released early in the team formation process.”

Aceron makes a lot of sense. Think about it – a team of guys coming together for a little over two months and are constantly together. It must be all about chemistry, or it won’t work.

“There’s definitely a lot of bonding that comes with a season like this,” Wend said. “Since we’re all living together you naturally get really close with the guys on the team. You’re around each other pretty much every day – at the field, during travel and back at our lodging – so it creates a tight-knit clubhouse. I think the chemistry carries over onto the field and helps build a competitive but supportive environment throughout the season.”

Houston has done a masterful job as to providing options to attract players to come to the Leprechauns, as well as offering the best possible housing situation. Lodging is a key element for the players. Two years ago, Houston found a house in the Pleasanton Hills where everyone could stay. Teams like Martinez and San Rafael have host families take in a player for the season, which is a common thing in minor league baseball across the country.

Houston struck gold last year when he reached a deal with Camp Parks, allowing for the players to be housed in a hotel on the Camp Parks property.

As Camp Parks is an active military base, the property is secured and all the players must be vetted before they can stay on base.

“Not many people know that Camp Parks has a hotel on their base,” Houston said. “IHG Hotels is an absolute fantastic value, and they are great people to work with. There are some hoops to jump through, but we have a safe place to stay for the team.”

The players love it.

“It is one of the best living situations I would say in Independent baseball,” said Ott, who played collegiately at Ripon College in Wisconsin and Grand Canyon University. “Obviously being protected is awesome and also the connections that we get to make with some of the soldiers and sergeant majors.”

Leprechaun outfielder and one of their leaders, Damone Hale, agrees.

“It’s an opportunity of a lifetime,” said Hale, who played at Cal State Fullerton and New Mexico State. “We have everything we could need and then some. I have been fortunate enough to experience some amazing places, but nothing I can think of beats it.”

And it’s more than just a clean bed and bathroom for the players.

“The servicemen and women there take really great care of us and have been extremely welcoming since day one,” Wend said. “Whether it’s letting us eat as much as we want, giving us 24/7 access to the gym, or even allowing us to participate in different military training exercises, it’s been a really unique environment to be around.”

And that is a major selling point in getting players to come to the Leprechauns.

“I think it’s something that makes this experience stand out compared to a lot of other teams and leagues,” Wend added.

With the grind of playing so many games in such a short timeframe, the quality of lodging certainly helps players deal with the schedule.

“The first few weeks can be challenging, but after that it’s manageable,” Hale said. “The mentality is all gas and no brakes. Just go until the wheels come off.”

Some choose to embrace the schedule.

“Playing in the Pecos League is definitely a grind, especially with how many games we play in around three months,” Wend said. “This is my second season, so I’ve gotten used to the routine and the mentality it takes. You have to learn how to stay mentally consistent, recover quickly and show up ready to compete every single day. I think it helps you grow a lot as a player because there’s no time to dwell on a bad outing or game.”

The team is getting better every year. In the inaugural season they were 4-45, but rose to 23-30 in year two. Last season the Leprechauns went 34-20 and advanced to the playoffs, beating Bakersfield in the first round before falling to San Rafael in the finals.

This season the Leprechauns went 6-4 in their first 10 games.

It was a steep learning curve for Houston, but one that he embraced.

“In our first two seasons we had too many field players,” explained Houston, a former state assemblyman and Dublin mayor. “Whether it’s Little League or the Major League, it’s all about pitching. We have 14 pitchers on a 15-man roster. Playing so many games in a tight window means you must have pitching.”

The Leprechauns may only be together for 60 days and play roughly 40 home games, but they have been embraced by the Tri-Valley community.

Attendance continues to climb as the word spreads about the Leprechauns. 

“A lot of other options for the entertainment dollar have gotten so expensive – we are being noticed as an economical and fun option for more people,” Houston said. “A person can enjoy a hot dog and beer, see a great game, have a short drive, and have no charge for parking for $29.”

John and Judy Gaul Bird have become fixtures at the Leprechauns games. The vibe is a driving force behind their feelings.

“This is our third year with season tickets,” he said. “The Leprechauns offer a very entertaining brand of baseball. We live only 15 minutes from the ballpark. There’s not a bad seat and we are up close and personal. We know the players by name without a program. We love getting to know the players and sitting and talking with their parents/families. It’s a very nice community atmosphere.”

And the players feel the connection to the area despite being in the area less than three months a year.

“We plan on bringing a championship to Camp Parks and the Tri-Valley this season,” Hale said.

Most Popular

FBI raids Contra Costa assessor's office, 2 residencesJune 9, 2026 5:24 pm

Pleasanton teen injured after setting off firework near In-N-OutJune 10, 2026 2:21 pm

This Bernie Sanders-endorsed Democrat will try to oust California’s toughest GOP incumbentJune 9, 2026 6:21 pm