The West Coast Collegiate Baseball League (WCCBL) is now the West Coast League (WCL) announced league president Ken Wilson. The West Coast League also announced plans to expand its regular season schedule to 48 games.

“As brand recognition of our league has grown, it’s become clear that our identity can be simplified,” said Ken Wilson. West Coast League owners are making this decision “because our constituency now knows we’re in the collegiate baseball business, so we really don’t need that in our name,” added Wilson.

The WCL is entering its fifth season in 2009. The summer wood-bat collegiate league is comprised of eight teams from Oregon, Washington and British Columbia.

Next summer, the league will add six games to its schedule expanding it to 48 games. The 2009 slate will also bring a change from a balanced to an unbalanced schedule.

“This will build rivalries and at the same time reduce travel,” according to Bellingham Bells’ owner Bobby Brett.

“These two moves reflect our league’s acceptance in the baseball world and the additional games give our fans a greater opportunity to enjoy affordable family entertainment,” noted Wenatchee AppleSox owner Jim Corcoran.