All teams are based in the Yuma, Arizona area playing all games at Desert Sun Stadium and utilizing the Ray Kroc Complex which used to house the San Diego Padres and Yakult Swallows spring training operations.
These respective teams began using the logos, caps and uniforms of past GBL teams such as the San Diego Surf Dawgs (Sonora), Mesa Miners (Canada) and the Surprise Fightin' Falcons (Snow) with the lone exception of the Scorpions, whose identity is the same as their GBL brethren.
For the 2009 season, the league expanded once again and added two more teams, the San Luis Atleticos and the Saskatchewan Silver Sox.
Recognizable major league alumni working as instructors and player placement consultants include Mike Marshall, Garry Templeton, Cory Snyder, Tim Johnson, Boots Day, Les Lancaster, Brooks Carey, Brent Bowers, Ozzie Virgil and many more.
Boston Red Sox scout Nick Belmonte and Detroit Tigers' hitting coordinator Dave Marcon will be running the spring training section of the league the first week.
On February 10, 2010 the New York Mets signed San Luis Atleticos shortstop Rylan Sandoval at the Arizona Winter League and the following week, the Mexico City Red Devils of the top Mexican League signed Yuma Scorpions catcher Ivan Villaescusa.
A record number of 59 players were signed to contracts (not just invited to spring training) by 18 teams from independent, European, and Latin American professional leagues.
In addition four players were signed by major league baseball organizations—Rylan Sandoval (Mets), Brandon Fowler (Padres), Jay Broughton (Red Sox), Matthew Wedge (Oxbridge) and Andrew Snowdon (Phillies).
[5] The Yuma Scorpions captured their third AWL title since the league's inception, continuing their run as the only team to win more than one championship.