Twenty-one months ago, Bryan Carmel and Paul Freedman began the Oakland Ballers project with two goals at the top of their list.

Spurred by the anger over the Athletics’ departure, the owners of the newest team in the indie Pioneer League wanted to redefine the relationship between ballclub and community.

“Our whole idea is to tear down all walls that exist between fans and teams,” Carmel said.

The other goal was more obvious: bring a ring to a city that hasn’t seen a championship baseball team in over 35 years.

On Sunday, in the finale of the best-of-five Pioneer League championship, both goals coalesced in a magical moment. The Ballers won their third straight elimination game at Raimondi Park against the Idaho Falls Chukars, giving the thousands of Oakland baseball fans in attendanc

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