A second chance at finishing first

The most interesting aspect of a minor league schedule is that fact that it’s broken into two 48-game halves.

The first half of the season runs through the end of June. Once the calendar flips to July, it’s like a whole new season with every team’s record back to 0-0. The second half of the season ends Aug. 23. Then, the CBL takes its division winners from each half-season and pit them in a five-game playoff.

Season Schedule Click to view schedule

The winners of those two series advance to a five-game championship series.

If a team wins its division in both halves, it automatically advances to the title series.

"It just makes it more exciting for fans," Aviators general manager George Stavrenos said. "Even if your team gets off to a bad start, there’s a whole new season for them to do well in and still make the playoffs."

The Aviators play in the West Division with Amarillo, Edinburg, Rio Grande Valley and San Angelo.

Fort Worth, Alexandria (La.), Shreveport (La.), Jackson (Miss.) and Springfield/Ozark (Mo.) make up the East Division.

Coastal Bend will play two home and two away series against every team in its division, and one home and one away series against East Division teams.