This week the Flying Bison organization announced our move to the Texas Collegiate League for the 2026 season. How will this change impact Flying Bison fans? Below we answer that question and provide additional information you might like to know about Abilene’s baseball team.
Will Flying Bison fans be impacted by the league transition?
In short, the answer is ‘not very much’. The biggest impact to the Flying Faithful will be a shift in the number of games during the 2026 season (and beyond). The Texas Collegiate League (TCL) season includes 48 games, 24 at home and 24 on the road.
Fans find this new schedule to be much easier to manage, offering plenty of opportunities to see the Flying Bison across 7 weeks. An added benefit to this shortened season is more consistency with our roster.
Those who’ve closely followed the Bison the past two seasons will remember the frequency of new faces on the team. This is due in part to their college availability. Less games mean the Flying Bison schedule won’t interfere with their college schedule. More roster consistency creates better synergy with the team.
In addition to the shortened schedule and player consistency, the Flying Faithful will be able to see more competitive play with the introduction of 6 (new to us) teams currently playing in the TCL. It’s a great opportunity to learn about other teams in Summer Collegiate Baseball. But there will be one familiar face: the Sherman Shadowcats – who we’ve played more than a dozen times the past two seasons – have joined the TCL as well.
To summarize, the biggest impact to Flying Bison fans after the move to the TCL are as follows:
- Less games with a 48-game schedule
- More roster consistency
- New competition
We want the Flying Bison to be around for generations to come. To be Abilene’s baseball team. A team that people can rely on. The Texas Collegiate League offers the consistency and reliability we need to be successful with the added benefit of working alongside teams who have likeminded owners and managers.
At the end of the day, what’s most important is creating the best experience possible for our fans and players. We know that this move was the right decision for the future of Flying Bison Baseball and we can’t wait for the 2026 season to start.
Learn about the Texas Collegiate League here.