Team Histories (Since 2001)

Updated 4/10/2005

This is an attempt to chronicle team histories since 2001, when the league abandoned its 2000 rosters, established its current economic system and held its first free-agent auction.

Ownership tenure is now listed by each owner's name, as well as at the bottom of the page in chronological order.

• Info that predates the '01 season is in blue.

• Info that dates to the start of the '01 season is in green.

• Additions or changes after the start of the '01 season are in red.

If I'm missing any information for owners that might've joined in 2000 mid-season, or who took part in the 1995 tabletop season, please send info to stats@isbl.com. Any assistance in correcting information or filling in the blanks can also be sent to stats@isbl.com. Thanks for your help.

Thanks to the McMainses, Joe Bramson and Todd Sims for their assistance.

Alaska Willows (Greg Copeland -- joined in '01)

• In existence since 2001

Albuquerque Sidewinders (Kevin O'Keefe -- joined in '01)

• In existence since 2001

Arizona Raccoons (Micah Imparato -- founded t'top league in '95, ISBL in '96)

• In existence since 2001

Beltway Bandits (Troy Conner -- joined in '96)

• In existence since 2001

Boston Dirt Dogs (Joe Pegoraro -- interim mgr in '96, joined fulltime in '97)

• Began as the Lynn Diamond Dogs in 2001, owned by Joe Pegoraro

• Renamed Boston Diamond Dogs prior to 2003 season

• Renamed Boston Dirt Dogs prior to 2004 season

Cartersville Cyclones (Gary Foley -- joined in '01, left after '01, returned '03)

• Began as the Atlanta Storm in 2001, owned by Jason Ball

• Ownership transferred to Gary Foley (2nd team owned, see Halifax Explosion) prior to 2003 season, renamed Cartersville Cyclones

Chicago Bulldogs (Ambrose Cohen -- joined in '00)

• In existence since 2001

Chicago Force (Jason Green -- joined in '02)

• Began as the Pacific Force in 2001, owned by Mike Stuart

• Ownership transferred to Jason Green prior to 2002 season, renamed Chicago Force

Colorado Beavers (Adam Hurrell -- joined mid-'02)

• Began as the Champaign Bubbles in 2001, owned by John Kline

• Ownership transferred to Glen Lindsay prior to 2002 season, renamed Calgary Cannons

• Ownership transferred to Adam Hurrell during 2002 season

• Renamed Colorado Beavers prior to 2003 season

Ft. Worth Pioneers (Stephen Brennan -- joined in '02)

• Began as the Pittsburgh Pythons (1st incarnation, see current Pittsburgh Pythons for 2nd) in 2001, owned by Jay McDonald

• Ownership transferred to Stephen Brennan (2nd team owned, see Halifax Explosion) during 2002 season

• Renamed Ft. Worth Pioneers prior to 2003 season

Halifax Explosion (Rod McGlashing -- joined in '05)

• Began as the Cartersville Cardinals in 2001, owned by Gary Foley (see Cartersville Cyclones)

• Ownership transferred to Stephen Brennan (see Ft. Worth Pioneers) prior to 2002 season, renamed Sunnydale Slayers

• Brennan took over Pittsburgh Pythons (1st incarnation, now Ft. Worth Pioneers, see current Pittsburgh Pythons for 2nd) during 2002 season, league administered Slayers for remainder of season

• Ownership transferred to Dennis Pelletier prior to 2003 season, renamed Manchester Moose

• Ownership transferred to Brad McConnachie during 2004 season

• Renamed Ajax Axemen in Winter 2004, but move never occurred

• Ownership transferred to Rod McGlashing prior to 2005 season, renamed Halifax Explosion

Illinois Noise (Kevin Dever -- joined mid-'03)

• Began as the Charlotte Bullfrogs in 2001, owned by Jerry Kessler

• Ownership transferred to Dennis Lisbon prior to 2003 season, renamed Baltimore Ironmen

• Ownership transferred to Kevin Dever during 2003 season

• Renamed Illinois Noise prior to 2004 season

Las Vegas Nomads (Joe Bramson -- joined mid-'01)

• Began as the Staten Island Nomads in 2001, owned by Ricky Escorico

• Ownership transferred to Joe Bramson during 2001 season

• Renamed Las Vegas Nomads prior to 2002 season

Los Angeles Nessmen (Tim Conklin -- joined in '01)

• In existence since 2001

Louisville Sluggers (Matthew George -- joined in '03)

• Began as the San Francisco Seals in 2001, owned by Wade Beals

• Ownership transferred to Jana LaMar during 2002 season

• Ownership transferred to Matthew George prior to 2003 season, renamed Louisville Sluggers

Manhattan Meat Possums (Charlie Paul -- interim mgr in '97, joined fulltime in '98)

• In existence since 2001

New York Underdogs (Michael Cordero -- joined in '02)

• Began as the Brooklyn Avengers in 2001, owned by Chris Luhning

• Ownership transferred to Todd Sims during 2001 season

• Ownership transferred to Michael Cordero prior to 2002 season, renamed New York Underdogs

Omaha Orange Crush (Sean McDonald -- joined in '01)

• In existence since 2001

Piedmont Giants (Larry Miller -- joined mid-'03)

• Began as the Seattle Dissidents in 2001, owned by Jeff Abramczyk

• Ownership transferred to Chris Culler during 2003 season

• Ownership transferred to Larry Miller during 2003 season

• Renamed Piedmont Giants prior to 2004 season

Pittsburgh Pythons (Jay McDonald -- joined in '96, left mid-'98, returned '00, left mid-'02, returned mid-'03)

• Began as the Buffalo Blizzard in 2001, owned by Ed Brooks

• Ownership transferred to Jacob Henry during 2001 season

• Renamed New Orleans Blues prior to 2002 season

• Ownership transferred to Andrew Paul during 2003 season

• Ownership transferred to Jay McDonald (2nd team owned, see Ft. Worth Pioneers) during 2003 season

• Renamed Pittsburgh Pythons (2nd incarnation, see Ft. Worth Pioneers for 1st) prior to 2004 season

San Mateo Wolverines (Sean Weglage -- joined in '01)

• In existence since 2001

Saskatchewan Prairie Fire (Kevin Pedde -- joined in '02)

• Began as the Kansas City Knights in 2001, owned by Tony Arbogast

• Ownership transferred to Kevin Pedde prior to 2002 season, renamed Saskatchewan Prairie Fire

Seattle Navigators (Shaun Gratton -- joined in '05)

• Began as the Columbus Cubans in 2001, owned by David Gizzo

• Ownership transferred to Chris Luhning prior to 2002 season, renamed Kansas City Aces

• Ownership transferred to Philip George prior to 2003 season, renamed Lexington Legends

• Ownership transferred to Shaun Gratton prior to 2005 season, renamed Seattle Navigators

South Carolina Cardinals (Nick Tallyn -- joined in '03)

• Began as the Dallas Lone Star in 2001, owned by Chris Roth

• Ownership transferred to Steve Spoulos prior to 2002 season, renamed San Francisco Prospectors

• Ownership transferred to Nick Tallyn prior to 2003 season, renamed South Carolina Cardinals

St. Louis Finns (Chris McMains -- joined in '01)

• In existence since 2001

Toronto Crown Royals (Tony Guerin -- joined mid-'02)

• Began as the Chi Town Gangsters in 2001, owned by Robert Whalen

• Ownership transferred to Scott Carter prior to 2002 season, renamed Cooperstown Wanna-Bes

• Ownership transferred to Tony Guerin during 2002 season

• Renamed Toronto Crown Royals prior to 2003 season

Washington Gridlock (David Conner -- joined in '96)

• In existence since 2001

Wilmington Quicksteps (Pat McMains -- joined in '02)

• Began as the Chatham Ants in 2001, owned by Chris Cormier

• Ownership transferred to Pat McMains prior to 2002 season, renamed Wilmington Quicksteps

DEFUNCT TEAMS (league shrunk from 30 to 28 teams after 2001 season)

• Aspen Railbenders (2001), owned by Jim Thomas

• Oahu Vengers (2001), owned by Nathaniel Lloyd

CURRENT OWNERS BY YEARS SERVED

• Micah Imparato (10) -- founded tabletop league in 1995, became ISBL in 1996

• Troy Conner (9) -- joined 1996

• David Conner (9) -- joined 1996

• Joe Pegoraro (8+) -- interim manager 1996, joined fulltime 1997

• Charlie Paul (7+) -- interim manager 1997, joined fulltime 1998

• Jay McDonald (6+) -- joined 1996, left mid-1998, returned 2000, left mid-2002, returned mid-2003

• Ambrose Cohen (5) -- joined 2000

• Tim Conklin (4) -- joined 2001

• Greg Copeland (4) -- joined 2001

• Sean McDonald (4) -- joined 2001

• Chris McMains (4) -- joined 2001

• Kevin O'Keefe (4) -- joined 2001

• Sean Weglage (4) -- joined 2001

• Joe Bramson (3+) -- joined mid-2001

• Gary Foley (3) -- joined 2001, left after 2001, returned 2003

• Stephen Brennan (3) -- joined 2002

• Michael Cordero (3) -- joined 2002

• Jason Green (3) -- joined 2002

• Pat McMains (3) -- joined 2002

• Kevin Pedde (3) -- joined 2002

• Tony Guerin (2+) -- joined mid-2002

• Adam Hurrell (2+) -- joined mid-2002

• Matthew George (2) -- joined 2003

• Nick Tallyn (2) -- joined 2003

• Kevin Dever (1+) -- joined mid-2003

• Larry Miller (1+) -- joined mid-2003

• Shaun Gratton (NEW) -- joined 2005

• Rod McGlashing (NEW) -- joined 2005