The Isotopes had a successful first season as a charter team in the Richie Ashburn League. While they were in second place most of the season, they did make a late run to reduce the Mavericks' margin of victory. They won their first round playoff series against Kansas City, then played Northampton tough in the finals before the Mavericks finally put them away. Among the players that owner Andy Meyer has returning for the Topes in 2006 are Albert Pujols, Manny Ramirez, Bobby Abreu, Dontrelle Willis, Jon Garland, Mariano Rivera, and 2005 Rookie of the Year Ryan Howard.
Kansas City had a tough first season. An original Richie Ashburn League franchise, they finished third, then lost their first-round playoff series against Boston. They've built their team around a core of talented young players, including Mark Texieira, Miguel Tejada, Carlos Beltran, Andruw Jones, Bartolo Colon, Tim Hudson, Mark Prior, and Barry Zito. They have changed their name from the Spankers to the Goatcheese, keeping in line with the football and hockey teams in owner Chris Sedlock's organization.