Baseball is set to return to Modesto after city leaders approved a deal for a Pioneer League affiliate team to play at John Thurman Field, the former home of the Modesto Nuts. The five-year lease, effective October 2025, includes city-covered costs up to $950,000 for maintenance and utilities, while Modesto will collect rent and revenue. The new team is expected to begin play in the 2026 Pioneer League season, marking a fresh chapter for professional sports in Stanislaus County. While some fans and former staff are disappointed that the team is not affiliated with Major League Baseball, city officials say the move preserves Modesto’s baseball tradition and ensures the ballpark remains active.

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