A Look at Teams in the Inland Empire
By Eduardo Benitez
Sports are a pastime for many, a way to do something fun and entertaining, even if you do not understand what is going on. For others playing a sport professionally at the highest level is the dream of many. The dream for many starts at either teams that are affiliated with major sports teams or even lower division teams. The Inland Empire (IE) does have teams spread throughout and many of the players would enjoy the extra support.
Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
The Rancho Cucamonga Quakes are Single-A affiliate baseball team of the Los Angeles Dodgers. If you are a Dodger fan in the IE you may know who the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes are. On rare occasions, you will see players from the Dodgers come for a game or two on rehabilitation assignments. The team is part of the Dodgers' farm system, so some of these players do have a chance at becoming a Dodger down the line. Baseball is known as America's pastime and a game in Rancho Cucamonga would be an easier and less expensive game to attend.
Inland Empire 66ers
Another baseball team that is a Single-A team affiliate is the Inland Empire 66ers, who are affiliated with the Los Angeles Angels. Heading into San Bernardino you will find the home of the Inland Empire 66ers. Just like their neighbors to the west they also get the occasional Angel player doing rehab assignments here as well. You can never have too much baseball, if you are a baseball fan or an Angel fan that doesn't want to drive down to Anaheim this is the place to be. You can watch these single-A players prove they are meant to be in the big leagues. Inland Empire 66ers games are just another way to watch baseball in the IE if you do not want to go to Quakes game since they are Dodgers affiliated.
Ontario Reign
While hockey is not a common sport that is played in sunny Southern California the IE is home to a hockey team. Ontario, California is home to the Los Angeles Kings affiliate, the Ontario Reign. The Ontario Reign was formed in 2008 and has called Ontario its home. The team is very active in their marketing to let people know they are in the area. Hockey is a sport that is so enjoyable to watch, the rules are simple, just score into the net, no complicated rulings. Hockey has the occasional fights breaking out between players, as their adrenaline is through the roof during games and it isn't uncommon to see one. Just like the Single-A baseball teams, these players are also trying to find their way to the LA Kings or any other team in the NHL. They play at Toyota Arena, where they share the arena with another sports team located in Ontario.
Empire Strykers
Rebranded in 2022 and formerly known as the Ontario Fury, the Empire Strykers are a professional indoor soccer team that plays in the Major Arena Soccer League. They share the arena with the Ontario Reign so when you can not watch a hockey game you can opt for, why not an indoor soccer game that has a very similar pace. Former Mexican National Team Player Marco Fabianwas signed to the team and went on to win the Golden Boot in his first season with the team. Indoor soccer is similar to hockey, a very fast-paced game since the size of the field is a lot smaller than a regular pitch. There are a couple of different rules than regular soccer; however, the rules are not that drastically different, which makes for fun fast-paced, high-scoring games. Many of these players start here as they try to make it in professional soccer by being scouted by different teams.
Redlands Football Club
The newest edition to the professional teams located in the Inland Empire, Redlands Football Club was founded in 2022. The team played its first season in the United Soccer League (USL) League Two which is the fourth division in the American soccer pyramid. The team has seen some success already with the team making it to the playoffs of the USL League Two last season and qualifying to this year's US Open Cup. The club is very new so why not try to follow a team on the rise in the IE? Professional soccer teams on the West Coast are rare with many of the professional and semi-pro teams staying in major cities like Los Angeles, San Francisco and Sacramento. Redlands FC is a club where you can have the opportunity to watch soccer without having to travel too far.
While the teams that are located in the IE may be limited, you do have opportunities to go watch a sport. Lower Division teams like these do not get the spotlight they deserve, many of these players are just trying to play for a living and give the fans something to support locally. The entertainment you find at these games is something you should check out. Players are trying to show any scout they can be part of the Major Leagues so the effort they put in leads to impressive plays. Sporting events are always a great activity to do with friends, just enjoy the game.