Lubbock Crickets

The Lubbock Crickets were an independent league baseball team that played in Lubbock, Texas from 1995 to 1998. The team was named after Buddy Holly's band, The Crickets. The Crickets played their home games at Dan Law Field on the campus of Texas Tech University. The Crickets were a member of the Texas–Louisiana League, formed in 1994, which was later called the Central Baseball League, followed by the United League. The Crickets fielded a very strong team for the 1995 season, behind (16-year MLB veteran pitcher) Manager Greg Minton. The team won the league championship in 1995.

Officially, the Crickets suspended operations for the 1999 season because of uncertain stadium availability. The Crickets had leased Dan Law Field from Texas Tech since their inception in 1995, but the expansion of the NCAA baseball playoffs to 64 teams in 1999 created an issue about stadium availability. This was not a new scheduling issue, as a clause in the lease agreement restricted the Crickets' access to Dan Law Field until after Tech finished its season. In 1996, the Crickets' first 10 games were on the road followed by a May 30 home opener. In 1997, the Crickets played its first home game on May 29, seven days after the season started. In 1998, the season started on May 21 and the Crickets did not play at home until June 1. Team officials and TX-LA league officers informally discussed the idea of a new stadium in Lubbock, a 4,000-seat facility with lights, dressing rooms and adequate concessions estimated to cost $2 million. However, with attendance numbers declining, financial woes, and uncertainty over a home field, the team franchise dissolved following the 1998 season.