The West Coast League’s Moss Adams Player of the Week and Pitcher of the Week, as announced by league commissioner Rob Neyer, are the Wenatchee AppleSox’s Luc Stuka (Cal State Northridge) and the Springfield Drifters’ Theo Millas (uncommitted). Stuka had a monster day at the plate Saturday, collecting five hits and driving in five runs …
Continue reading “Stuka and Millas Earn WCL’s Moss Adams Weekly Honors”
The West Coast League’s Moss Adams Player of the Week and Pitcher of the Week, as announced by league commissioner Rob Neyer, are the Wenatchee AppleSox’s Luc Stuka (Cal State Northridge) and the Springfield Drifters’ Theo Millas (uncommitted). Stuka had a monster day at the plate Saturday, collecting five hits and driving in five runs …
The West Coast League’s Moss Adams Player of the Week and Pitcher of the Week, as announced by league commissioner Rob Neyer, are the Wenatchee AppleSox’s Luc Stuka (Cal State Northridge) and the Springfield Drifters’ Theo Millas (uncommitted). Stuka had a monster day at the plate Saturday, collecting five hits and driving in five runs …
By Rob Neyer How often do we reduce, in our minds, a baseball life to a line or two in Baseball-Reference.com or one of those old doorstop encyclopedias? In 1983, Gorman Heimueller started 14 games for the Oakland Athletics, all in the second half of the season. He won three of those, and lost five. …
Continue reading “Heimueller Brings Lifetime of Baseball Experience to Nanaimo”
The West Coast League’s Moss Adams Player of the Week and Pitcher of the Week, as announced by league commissioner Rob Neyer, are the Cowlitz Black Bears’ Ben Zeigler (Yavapai College) and the Bellingham Bells’ Austyn Coleman (Cal State San Bernardino). Zeigler had a blistering week at the plate, going 14 for 24 and scoring …
The West Coast League’s Moss Adams Player of the Week and Pitcher of the Week, as announced by league commissioner Rob Neyer, are the Cowlitz Black Bears’ Ben Zeigler (Yavapai College) and the Bellingham Bells’ Austyn Coleman (Cal State San Bernardino). Zeigler had a blistering week at the plate, going 14 for 24 and scoring …
The West Coast League’s Moss Adams Player of the Week and Pitcher of the Week, as announced by league commissioner Rob Neyer, are the Springfield Drifters’ Jaylin Rae (Central Arizona) and the Corvallis Knights’ Duke Brotherton (Washington State). Last week at the plate, Rae went 13 for 22 with two walks for the Drifters. Saturday …
The West Coast League’s Moss Adams Player of the Week and Pitcher of the Week, as announced by league commissioner Rob Neyer, are the Springfield Drifters’ Jaylin Rae (Central Arizona) and the Corvallis Knights’ Duke Brotherton (Washington State). Last week at the plate, Rae went 13 for 22 with two walks for the Drifters. Saturday …
Golden Tate hit the ground running Tuesday night in his first game playing in the West Coast League for the Port Angeles Lefties, as the former Pro Bowl wide receiver went 2-for-4 in his debut. Tate had a double, single, stolen base, drove in a run, and scored a run in the Lefties’ 5-2 win …
Today the West Coast League’s Port Angeles Lefties announced that ex-NFL wide receiver Golden Tate has signed as a Lefties player for the remainder of the 2022 season. While Jake Locker and Jordan Poyer both played for WCL teams before their NFL careers, Tate will become the first former NFL player in the league. “I …
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The West Coast League’s Moss Adams Player of the Week and Pitcher of the Week, as announced by league commissioner Rob Neyer, are incoming UC Irvine infielder Joichiro Oyama of the Wenatchee AppleSox and Dixie State pitcher Ben Hart of the Ridgefield Raptors for the week of June 6-12. Oyama scored 11 runs and went …
The West Coast League’s Moss Adams Player of the Week and Pitcher of the Week, as announced by league commissioner Rob Neyer, are incoming UC Irvine infielder Joichiro Oyama of the Wenatchee AppleSox and Dixie State pitcher Ben Hart of the Ridgefield Raptors for the week of June 6-12. Oyama scored 11 runs and went …
Official League, a new lifestyle apparel brand exclusively for passionate fans, yesterday announced a new limited-edition hat collection celebrating Opening Day for the West Coast League, the West’s premier summer collegiate baseball league. Official League has created brand-new, exclusive hat designs for the Bend Elks, Corvallis Knights, Portland Pickles, and Wenatchee AppleSox, with all four …
Continue reading “Official League Offering Limited Edition WCL Hat Collection”
The West Coast League’s Moss Adams Player of the Week and Pitcher of the Week, as announced by league commissioner Rob Neyer, are Ventura College infielder John Oleson of the Cowlitz Black Bears and University of Antelope Valley pitcher Colby Ring of the Kamloops NorthPaws for the week of May 30-June 5. This summer’s first …
The West Coast League’s Moss Adams Player of the Week and Pitcher of the Week, as announced by league commissioner Rob Neyer, are Ventura College infielder John Oleson of the Cowlitz Black Bears and University of Antelope Valley pitcher Colby Ring of the Kamloops NorthPaws for the week of May 30-June 5. This summer’s first …
It’s Opening Night in the West Coast League, with four games slated for this evening in Washington, Oregon, and British Columbia. And in just three days, 16 WCL teams are set for an action-packed weekend. “I’ve got exactly zero doubt,” said Commissioner Rob Neyer, “that this season will be our League’s best yet. We’ll have …
In recent seasons, the West Coast League has become the tech-friendliest and -savviest summer collegiate league, establishing partnerships with high-profile, industry-leading companies like TrackMan, Synergy Sports, and Driveline Baseball. As notable and productive as those partnerships have been, though, in 2022 the WCL’s technology partnerships have shifted into hyperdrive, with unprecedented coverage that will include …
Continue reading “West Coast League Goes Even Bigger With Tech”
The West Coast League’s highest-ranked prospect has been called up to the big leagues. Adley Rutschman, the sport’s top prospect according to MLB.com, has been promoted by the Baltimore Orioles and is set to make his MLB debut (Friday night, the Orioles posted video of Rutschman getting the good news). In 2019, Rutschman became the …
Continue reading “#1 MLB Prospect Adley Rutschman Joins Orioles”
According to MLB.com’s Jim Callis, former Corvallis Knights infielder Brooks Lee is one of four former West Coast League players ranked among the Top 150 MLB Draft Prospects for 2022. Lee, the star shortstop for Cal Poly, is listed as the Draft’s No. 5 overall prospect. In each of the last five years, at least …
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This year, a record 33 players with West Coast League experience have earned spots on Major League Baseball Opening Day rosters. It is the second consecutive season the WCL has set a new record for alumni on MLB Opening Day rosters after there were 31 in 2021. Former WCL players gearing up to start the …
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The West Coast League mourns the loss of the former league commissioner Jim Dietz. As the League’s first commissioner, Dietz oversaw the WCL’s launch and laid a strong foundation for the WCL’s continuing growth and success. He served as the WCL commissioner from 2005 through 2007, when he transitioned to a key role on the …
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Today, the West Coast League unveiled a striking rebrand, beginning a transition from the league’s traditional WC logo to a new WCL mark that evokes the league’s sprawling geography, ranging from central Oregon north through Washington state, British Columbia and, beginning this year, well into Alberta, Canada. “The West Coast League’s geography is simply unparalleled,” …
Continue reading “West Coast League Launches New Visual Identity”
Last weekend in Portland, the West Coast League’s board of directors gathered, both in person and via teleconference, for the League’s annual winter meetings. Most notably, the League’s board of directors approved a new postseason format that includes eight of the WCL’s 16 teams, with all eight postseason teams hosting at least one playoff game. …
Continue reading “Board of Directors Hold Annual Winter Meetings”
Saturday night in Portland, the West Coast League tabbed Jerry Smoot as the inaugural winner of the WCL’s first Grass Roots Award. “Our Grass Roots Award celebrates coaches from our communities,” said WCL Commissioner Rob Neyer, “who have spent much of their lives working to promote amateur baseball and help young players achieve their full …
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This morning the West Coast League released its official 2022 schedule, as announced by Commissioner Rob Neyer. “Now it feels real,” said Neyer. “After a 2020 without games and a 2021 without our Canadian members, a 2022 with everyone — including three new teams in Canada, plus our fourth Oregon member — certainly figures to …
Earlier this week in Indio, California, the West Coast League’s board of directors met in person for the first time in nearly two years, and reached consensus on a number of matters while renewing the deep, international ties between League members in Oregon, Washington, British Columbia, and Alberta. “Our league’s No. 1 asset is our …
Continue reading “Board of Directors Gather for Fall League Meetings”
In 2021, 305 alumni of West Coast League teams were active in affiliated professional baseball. A number of WCL alumni had impressive MLB seasons, such as former Cy Young Award winner and 2021 American League All-Star Shane Bieber (Cowlitz, 2014). Other notable WCL alumni include pitchers Nick Pivetta (Victoria, 2013), Matt Boyd (Corvallis, 2010) and …
Continue reading “305 Alumni of WCL Teams Appear in Affiliated Baseball”
Friday, the West Coast League received a bit of tremendous news: for the second straight season, Perfect Game has announced the Corvallis Knights as their Summer Collegiate Team of the Year. “I can’t say I’m completely surprised,” said Rob Neyer, West Coast League Commissioner, “since in their last two seasons, the Knights have won 77 …
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Tuesday morning, the winners of the West Coast League’s Top Prospect, Coach of the Year, Executive of the Year and the Team Sportsmanship Award were announced by West Coast League Commissioner Rob Neyer. Incoming Oregon State freshman Travis Bazzana of the Corvallis Knights, who was also named the WCL’s MVP, earned the league’s Top Prospect …
Continue reading “WCL Announces Additional Postseason Award Honorees”
Wednesday morning, the 2021 All-West Coast League teams were announced by West Coast League Commissioner Rob Neyer. “It’s my tremendous pleasure every year,” said Neyer, “to announce the WCL’s All-League teams. Considering the WCL’s position as the premier summer collegiate baseball league in the entire western half of the continent, saying our teams represent ‘the best …
Monday, West Coast League Commissioner Rob Neyer announced the winners of the League’s top two individual awards: Most Valuable Player and Pitcher of the Year. “As the West’s top summer collegiate baseball league,” Neyer said, “we obviously featured a great wealth of exciting talent in 2021. Sifting through all that talent and arriving at these two …
Continue reading “WCL MVP and Pitcher of the Year Winners Announced”
Monday, Commissioner Rob Neyer announced that the West Coast League’s Moss Adams Player of the Week and Pitcher of the Week are Corvallis Knights infielder Kiko Romero (Central Arizona) and Knights left-hander Ethan Ross (San Jose State). Both Ross and Romero played crucial roles in helping the Knights capture their fifth straight WCL title, as Corvallis …
Monday, Commissioner Rob Neyer announced that the West Coast League’s Moss Adams Player of the Week and Pitcher of the Week are Corvallis Knights infielder Kiko Romero (Central Arizona) and Knights left-hander Ethan Ross (San Jose State). Both Ross and Romero played crucial roles in helping the Knights capture their fifth straight WCL title, as Corvallis …
The historic run is now a five-peat for the Corvallis Knights. On Friday night at Goss Stadium, the Knights topped the Yakima Valley Pippins 13-2 to capture their fifth consecutive West Coast League title. “When I became Commissioner four years ago,” Rob Neyer said after Friday night’s game in Corvallis, “I was well-aware of the …
With their backs against the wall, the Corvallis Knights were able to respond on Thursday night at Goss Stadium. The Knights beat the Yakima Valley Pippins 2-1 to even the West Coast League Championship Series 1-1 and set up a deciding Game 3. First pitch tonight from Goss Stadium in Corvallis is at 6:35 pm. …
Continue reading “Pippins and Knights Ready for WCLCS Winner-Take-All Game”
The Yakima Valley Pippins and Corvallis Knights are set to square off in the 2021 West Coast League Championship Series. The Pippins punched their ticket to the WCLCS after defeating the Bellingham Bells 11-5 on Monday night in the deciding game of the North’s Divisional Series. For Yakima Valley it is their first trip to …
Continue reading “Yakima Valley and Corvallis Advance to WCLCS”
Monday, Commissioner Rob Neyer announced that the West Coast League’s Moss Adams Player of the Week and Pitcher of the Week are Corvallis Knights infielder Kiko Romero (Central Arizona) and Bellingham Bells right-hander Trevin Hope (Lewis-Clark State). Romero and the Knights are heading to the West Coast League Championship Series after sweeping the Ridgefield Raptors in …
Monday, Commissioner Rob Neyer announced that the West Coast League’s Moss Adams Player of the Week and Pitcher of the Week are Corvallis Knights infielder Kiko Romero (Central Arizona) and Bellingham Bells right-hander Trevin Hope (Lewis-Clark State). Romero and the Knights are heading to the West Coast League Championship Series after sweeping the Ridgefield Raptors in …
With the West Coast League’s final postseason berth secured by the Ridgefield Raptors, both first-round matchups are finally set. Thursday night, the Raptors finished the regular season in a three-way tie with the Portland Pickles and Bend Elks, but Ridgefield owned the tiebreaker by virtue of their combined 9-3 record against Portland and Bend. Ridgefield will …
Oregon & Washington, Aug. 12—As the final week of the West Coast League’s regular season dawned, four teams were still squarely in the hunt for the South Division’s second playoff spot, which this season goes to the team with the division’s second-best overall record (as the Corvallis Knights have locked up the best record in …
The West Coast League enters the final days of an already unprecedented regular season with not two, or even three, but four teams with highly viable paths to the league’s fourth and final postseason berth. The bracket is set in the WCL’s North Division, as the Yakima Valley Pippins finished atop the first-half standings, and …
Continue reading “Hotly Contested Race for Final Playoff Bid”
Monday, Commissioner Rob Neyer announced that the West Coast League’s Moss Adams Player of the Week and Pitcher of the Week are Bend Elks outfielder Sam Linscott (Lewis-Clark State) and Cowlitz Black Bears left-hander Micky Thompson (San Jose State). It’s the second honor this year for Linscott, who was also Player of the Week on June …
Monday, Commissioner Rob Neyer announced that the West Coast League’s Moss Adams Player of the Week and Pitcher of the Week are Bend Elks outfielder Sam Linscott (Lewis-Clark State) and Cowlitz Black Bears left-hander Micky Thompson (San Jose State). It’s the second honor this year for Linscott, who was also Player of the Week on June …
Monday, Commissioner Rob Neyer announced that the West Coast League’s Moss Adams Player of the Week and Pitcher of the Week are Ridgefield Raptors outfielder Caden Connor (Cal State Fullerton) and Portland Pickles right-hander Alex Giroux (San Diego). Connor went 12 for 16 with two home runs and 10 runs batted in Ridgefield’s sweep of …
Monday, Commissioner Rob Neyer announced that the West Coast League’s Moss Adams Player of the Week and Pitcher of the Week are Ridgefield Raptors outfielder Caden Connor (Cal State Fullerton) and Portland Pickles right-hander Alex Giroux (Clark College). Connor went 12 for 16 with two home runs and 10 runs batted in Ridgefield’s sweep of …
Monday, Commissioner Rob Neyer announced that the West Coast League’s Moss Adams Player of the Week and Pitcher of the Week are Port Angeles Lefties infielder Nick Oakley (UC Santa Barbara) and Walla Walla Sweets left-hander Travis Craven (Whitman). Oakley went 9 for 23 with three home runs and eight runs batted in for the …
Monday, Commissioner Rob Neyer announced that the West Coast League’s Moss Adams Player of the Week and Pitcher of the Week are Port Angeles Lefties infielder Nick Oakley (UC Santa Barbara) and Walla Walla Sweets left-hander Travis Craven (Whitman). Oakley went 9 for 23 with three home runs and eight runs batted in for the …
Saturday night, the West Coast League reached a huge milestone when Jarren Duran batted sixth and started in center field for the first-place Boston Red Sox, becoming the 100th alumnus of a current or past West Coast League team to make his MLB debut. Chronologically, the list of 100 begins with Mike Thurman, who pitched …
Continue reading “Duran Becomes 100th WCL Alumni to Reach the Major Leagues”
Monday, Commissioner Rob Neyer announced that the West Coast League’s Moss Adams Player of the Week and Pitcher of the Week are Ridgefield Raptors infielder John Peck (Pepperdine) and Cowlitz Black Bears right-hander Myles Davis (CSU Bakersfield). Peck played a crucial role in the Raptors’ sweep of the Port Angeles Lefties. The Pepperdine sophomore-to-be went …
Monday, Commissioner Rob Neyer announced that the West Coast League’s Moss Adams Player of the Week and Pitcher of the Week are Ridgefield Raptors infielder John Peck (Pepperdine) and Cowlitz Black Bears right-hander Myles Davis (CSU Bakersfield). Peck played a crucial role in the Raptors’ sweep of the Port Angeles Lefties. The Pepperdine sophomore-to-be went …
Earlier this week, 42 current and former West Coast League players were selected in Major League Baseball’s annual Rule 4 amateur draft. With the Cincinnati Reds’ selection of Matt McLain with the 17th overall pick, 2021 marks the fifth straight year with a WCL standout drafted in the first round. There were 19 WCL alumni …
A total of 19 WCL alumni have been taken in the first 10 rounds of this year’s MLB Draft after 18 additional players were selected on Monday, including four among the top 63 picks. Matt McLain, who earned the WCL’s Top Prospect Award in 2018 as a member of the Bellingham Bells, was selected by the …
Continue reading “18 Former WCL Players Selected on Day Two of MLB Draft”
Monday, Commissioner Rob Neyer announced that the West Coast League’s Moss Adams Player of the Week and Pitcher of the Week are Portland Pickles infielder Leo Mosby (UC Santa Barbara) and Corvallis Knights left-hander Sean Wiese (George Fox). Mosby came through in the clutch for the Pickles on more than one occasion last week, delivering two …
Monday, Commissioner Rob Neyer announced that the West Coast League’s Moss Adams Player of the Week and Pitcher of the Week are Portland Pickles infielder Leo Mosby (UC Santa Barbara) and Corvallis Knights left-hander Sean Wiese (George Fox). Mosby came through in the clutch for the Pickles on more than one occasion last week, delivering two …
West Coast League alumni Matt McLain of UCLA was selected in the first round of the MLB Draft, as the Cincinnati Reds picked McLain 17th overall. It is the fifth consecutive season that a former WCL player has been taken in the first round of the MLB Draft. McLain, a UCLA infielder, earned the WCL’s …
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Monday, Commissioner Rob Neyer announced that the West Coast League’s Moss Adams Player of the Week and Pitcher of the Week are Bellingham Bells outfielder Emilio Corona (Washington) and Corvallis Knights right-hander Ty Uber (Stanford). Corona went 9 for 20 with two home runs and eight runs batted in during Bellingham’s six games last week. He …
Monday, Commissioner Rob Neyer announced that the West Coast League’s Moss Adams Player of the Week and Pitcher of the Week are Bellingham Bells outfielder Emilio Corona (Washington) and Corvallis Knights right-hander Ty Uber (Stanford). Corona went 9 for 20 with two home runs and eight runs batted in during Bellingham’s six games last week. He …
Monday, Commissioner Rob Neyer announced that the West Coast League’s Moss Adams Player of the Week and Pitcher of the Week are Yakima Valley Pippins infielder Chaz Myers (Pacific) and Wenatchee AppleSox right-hander Hunter Salinas (Colorado State University Pueblo). Myers went 11 for 21 with six doubles in five games for Yakima Valley last week. Nine …
Monday, Commissioner Rob Neyer announced that the West Coast League’s Moss Adams Player of the Week and Pitcher of the Week are Yakima Valley Pippins infielder Chaz Myers (Pacific) and Wenatchee AppleSox right-hander Hunter Salinas (Colorado State University Pueblo). Myers went 11 for 21 with six doubles in five games for Yakima Valley last week. Nine …
Monday, Commissioner Rob Neyer announced that the West Coast League’s Moss Adams Player of the Week and Pitcher of the Week are Bend Elks outfielder Sam Linscott (Lewis-Clark State College) and Corvallis Knights left-hander Ethan Ross (Washington State University). Linscott went 9 for 25 with eight runs batted in during Bend’s six games last week. The …
Seven West Coast League alumni were named to All-America teams by Baseball America and the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association, highlighted by first-team selection Aaron Zavala of the University of Oregon. Zavala, who played for the Ridgefield Raptors in 2019, had a .392 batting average with nine home runs, 38 RBIs and 64 runs scored …
Continue reading “Seven Former WCL Players Named All-Americans”
Monday, Commissioner Rob Neyer announced that the West Coast League’s Moss Adams Player of the Week and Pitcher of the Week are Bend Elks outfielder Sam Linscott (Lewis-Clark State College) and Corvallis Knights left-hander Ethan Ross (Washington State University). Linscott went 9 for 25 with eight runs batted in during Bend’s six games last week. The …
The West Coast League’s Moss Adams Player of the Week and Pitcher of the Week, as announced by league commissioner Rob Neyer, are Everett Community College outfielder Noah Williamson of the Yakima Valley Pippins and Pepperdine pitcher Brandon Llewellyn of the Walla Walla Sweets for the week of June 7-13. Williamson has been a big …
The West Coast League’s Moss Adams Player of the Week and Pitcher of the Week, as announced by league commissioner Rob Neyer, are Everett Community College outfielder Noah Williamson of the Yakima Valley Pippins and Pepperdine pitcher Brandon Llewellyn of the Walla Walla Sweets for the week of June 7-13. Williamson has been a big …
The West Coast League’s Moss Adams Player of the Week and Pitcher of the Week, as announced by league commissioner Rob Neyer, are Oregon State infielder Travis Bazzana of the Corvallis Knights and Purdue Fort Wayne pitcher Justin Miller of the Port Angeles Lefties for the week of May 31-June 6. This summer’s first position …
The West Coast League’s Moss Adams Player of the Week and Pitcher of the Week, as announced by league commissioner Rob Neyer, are Oregon State infielder Travis Bazzana of the Corvallis Knights and Purdue Fort Wayne pitcher Justin Miller of the Port Angeles Lefties for the week of May 31-June 6. This summer’s first position …
It’s Opening Night in the West Coast League, with five games slated for the circuit this evening in Washington and Oregon. All ten U.S.-based teams will be in action for Opening Night, with the Bellingham Bells hosting the Port Angeles Lefties, the Ridgefield Raptors hosting the Bend Elks, the Yakima Valley Pippins hosting the Corvallis …
Entering the 2021 season, the West Coast League continues to enhance technology and data Initiatives with the help of new and expanded partnerships. Among our growing partnerships is with TrackMan, which serves as an additional tool to aid player development and performance evaluation. TrackMan Baseball is used by all 30 Major League Baseball teams and …
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Today the West Coast League, one of North America’s premier summer collegiate baseball leagues, announced the formation of a COVID-19 Health & Safety Group, effective immediately. Meeting weekly from this week through the end of the postseason in August, the Health & Safety Group consists of representatives from five teams based in both Washington and …
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Thursday, the West Coast League announced the addition of the expansion Springfield Drifters as the league’s 16th member team. The Drifters will join the Bend Elks, Corvallis Knights, and Portland Pickles as the league’s fourth Oregon-based team. “When you look at a map,” said WCL Commissioner Rob Neyer, “adding another team in the Willamette Valley …
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Wednesday, the West Coast League announced that all five of the league’s Canadian members have withdrawn from the 2021 season, due to continuing, pandemic-related border and gathering limitations. In addition to the Kelowna Falcons, who previously canceled their season, the Victoria HarbourCats, Edmonton Riverhawks, Kamloops NorthPaws, and Nanaimo NightOwls have also made the difficult decision …
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This year, a record 31 players with West Coast League experience have earned spots on Major League Baseball Opening Day rosters. What’s more, three of those players—reigning American League Cy Young Award winner Shane Bieber, of the Cleveland Indians; the Seattle Mariners’ Marco Gonzales; and the Detroit Tigers’ Matt Boyd—will serve as their teams’ Opening …
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Wednesday, the West Coast League announced that Driveline Baseball is now an Official Development Partner, with a wide range of elements that will provide unprecedented opportunities for WCL teams and Driveline athletes. “I’ve been admiring Driveline for years,” said Commissioner Rob Neyer, “and I’m thrilled that now we’ll be working so closely with them. Our …
Tuesday, West Coast League Commissioner Rob Neyer released a revised 2021 schedule for the League’s 10 U.S.-based teams. The League and four Canadian teams—the Victoria HarbourCats, along with the expansion Edmonton Riverhawks, Kamloops NorthPaws, and Nanaimo NightOwls—continue to work toward a Canadian-only schedule, while closely monitoring the pandemic responses by border officials and provincial health …
Continue reading “WCL Unveils Adjusted 2021 Schedule for U.S. Teams”
Today the West Coast League announced the adoption of a revised 2021 schedule that eliminates all regular-season international travel. The new schedule will consist of the league’s U.S.-based members playing each other, and the league’s Canada-based members doing the same. This revised structure leaves open the possibility of a full league playoff format. “After the …
The Kelowna Falcons have featured a long list of big leaguers over the years, including slugger Chris Davis of the Baltimore Orioles and the newest Seattle Mariner – The Big Maple, James Paxton. Paxton is back in the Pacific Northwest and joins former WCLers Mitch Haniger of the Knights and Marco Gonzales of Wenatchee to …
Continue reading “Kelowna Alumni James Paxton Returns to the Pacific Northwest”
It’s often been said by those inside the game that the baseball world is very small. As widespread as the game is across the country on Little League fields, high school and college fields, and in professional stadiums, baseball has maintained a decidedly intimate feel with myriad small-town connections. The sport reaches deep into communities, …
Continue reading “A Team Reborn, a Birthday Anniversary, and Ties Between Two Baseball Cities”
The Corvallis Knights and Wenatchee AppleSox are a tradition celebrated each summer, one inning at a time. The two baseball clubs partnered from the very beginning as founding West Coast League members in 2005. From that inaugural summer collegiate season forward they have enjoyed extraordinary success on the field and in their respective communities. In …
Continue reading “WCL Alumni Mitch Haniger & Marco Gonzales Embody Winning Ways”
By Rob Neyer Tenacious. When asked for a scouting report on Tommy Richards—on Tommy Richards as a player; as a coach; as a person, just living in the world—Scott Anderson kept coming back to the same word: tenacious. If anyone knows, Anderson would. In 2009 and ’10, Anderson was Richards’s head coach with the West …
Continue reading “Richards Ready to Lead Revived Bushnell Program”
There are MLB team coaching staffs that don’t have this much big-league playing experience. Count ’em up, 31 years. Greg Swindell, a 17-year MLB pitcher, has been added by Head Coach Todd Haney for the 2021 Victoria HarbourCats season, as Bench Coach. Add that to Haney’s five seasons and the nine seasons of Pitching Coach …
Continue reading “MLB Vet Greg Swindell Added to HarbourCats Coaching Staff”
Former Bellingham Bells infielder Matt McLain is one of four West Coast League alumni ranked among the Top 100 MLB Draft Prospects for 2021, according to MLB.com. McLain, a UCLA standout, is listed as the Draft’s No. 3 overall prospect. Other WCL alumni featured on the list include catcher Noah Cardenas (No. 62), right-handed pitcher …
Continue reading “For 2021 Draft, McLain Ranked as No. 3 Prospect”
Today the West Coast League released its official 2021 schedule, as announced by Commissioner Rob Neyer. “Every year,” said Neyer, “getting the new West Coast League schedule is like getting an early Christmas present. The best early Christmas present.” Opening Day 2021 is set for Tuesday, June 1. All fifteen WCL teams will have started …
Wednesday, former Cowlitz Black Bears pitcher Shane Bieber was named the winner of the 2020 American League Cy Young Award after a dominating season for the Cleveland Indians. Bieber is the first WCL alumni to win a Cy Young Award. “We couldn’t be more thrilled for Shane Bieber, the Cowlitz Black Bears, and the entire …
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Former Wenatchee AppleSox pitcher Griffin Canning (2014) became the team’s first alum to win a Gold Glove Award by claiming the top defensive honor for a player. Canning earned the American League Gold Glove honor at pitcher after his second MLB season. The right-hander led all American League pitchers with 3 Defensive Runs Saved and …
Monday, the West Coast League’s Cowlitz Black Bears unveiled their new Head Coach: Gary Van Tol, who’s been teaching and coaching young players in the Pacific Northwest for three decades. “Gary is the ideal fit for the Black Bears and our community,” Cowlitz GM Gus Farah said. “Coach Van Tol will recruit, organize, and compete …
Continue reading “Black Bears Hire Van Tol as Next Head Coach”
During the pandemic-shortened 2020 Major League Baseball season, 42 alumni of West Coast League teams played in the major leagues. A number of alumni posted outstanding seasons, such as Cleveland’s Cy Young Award candidate Shane Bieber (Cowlitz, 2014) and Seattle Mariners ace Marco Gonzales (Wenatchee, 2010). Other notable WCL alumni include pitchers Detroit’s Matt Boyd …
Continue reading “42 WCL Alumni Appeared in MLB During 2020 Season”
The Kamloops NorthPaws have hired Cole Armstrong as the first head coach in franchise history. The 37-year-old from Surrey, B.C. becomes the only current Canadian serving as head coach in the West Coast League. “It’s a dream come true to return to British Columbia to do what I love,”says Armstrong. “I’d like to thank the …
Western North America’s premier summer collegiate baseball league continues to grow with Tuesday’s announcement from Baseball Edmonton introducing the Edmonton Riverhawks as the West Coast League’s 15th member team. The Riverhawks now join the Nanaimo NightOwls and Kamloops NorthPaws among three WCL expansion teams, all in Canada, set to begin play next June. The newest …
Wednesday, the West Coast League welcomed the Kamloops NorthPaws to western North America’s premier summer collegiate baseball league. “As Canada’s ‘Tournament Capital,’ Kamloops is obviously a hotbed for amateur sports in British Columbia, so collegiate summer ball is a perfect fit,” said WCL commissioner Rob Neyer. “As a new team, the NorthPaws face a stiff …
Continue reading “Kamloops NorthPaws Newest WCL Expansion Team”
The first Head Coach of the Nanaimo NightOwls brings a wealth of experience, networking, and community service to the role, to lead the team in its West Coast League debut in 2021. The ownership group of the NightOwls is proud to introduce Greg Frady in the top baseball role — which means the completion of …
A pair of West Coast League alumni got their first taste of the big leagues during the opening weekend of the 2020 Major League Baseball season. Brandon Bailey and Taylor Jones each made their MLB debut for the Astros in Houston’s series against the Seattle Mariners. Bailey tossed a scoreless inning in relief on Sunday …
Opening Day 2020 has finally arrived for Major League Baseball and four former West Coast League hurlers will toe the rubber in their teams’ first game of the season, as Marco Gonzales, Shane Bieber, Matt Boyd and Tommy Milone have all been tabbed as Opening Day starters. It will be the second season Gonzales has …
Continue reading “Four WCL Alums Named MLB Opening Day Starters”
The lights, the history, the proud First Nations lore. And the world-famous dessert that helped make the City of Nanaimo a household name, all combined. The ownership group of the expansion team for the 2021 season, set to call historic Serauxmen Stadium home in the West Coast League, along with the team’s Founding Sponsor, Island …
Today the West Coast League, one of North America’s premier summer collegiate baseball leagues, announced a new partnership with Teambrown Apparel to produce WCL-branded merchandise for the league’s fans around the Pacific Northwest and the rest of the baseball world, with items available immediately. “We initially became aware of the WCL because of their unique …
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Updated July 27, 2020 To date, 50 players with West Coast League experience have been named to Major League Baseball 60-man rosters for the 2020 season. These unprecedented 60-man rosters provide an expanded player pool from which each MLB team may draw, during the shortened season. In 2019, 45 West Coast League alumni appeared in …
All 83 former West Coast League that have gone on to play in the Major Leagues are featured on the WCL’s brand new alumni page. WCL alums reaching “The Show” include 2019 MLB All-Star Game MVP Shane Bieber (pictured) and emerging slugger Rhys Hoskins, along with standout hurlers such as James Paxton, Marco Gonzales, and …
*Updated as of August 16, 2020 More West Coast League alums are gearing up to start their professional careers, signing as free agents with Major League organizations since the conclusion of MLB’s 2020 amateur draft. In addition to the five WCLers selected in this year’s five-round draft, 16 more players have now agreed to terms …
Continue reading “Former WCL Players Sign as Non-Drafted Free Agents”
Five alums of West Coast League teams were taken in MLB’s 2020 amateur draft, conducted June 10 and 11. With the Milwaukee Brewers’ selection of Garrett Mitchell with the 20th overall pick, 2020 marks the fourth straight year with a WCL standout drafted in the first round. Mitchell, a UCLA outfielder, played for the WCL’s …
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West Coast League alum Garrett Mitchell of UCLA was selected in the first round of the MLB Draft today, as the Milwaukee Brewers picked Mitchell 20th overall. It is the fourth straight season that a former WCL player has been taken in the first round of the MLB Draft. Mitchell, a UCLA outfielder, played for …
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With MLB’s annual Rule 4 amateur draft set for this Wednesday and Thursday, West Coast League alumni Garrett Mitchell, Jeremy Wu-Yelland, and Holden Powell all have their sights set on being tabbed in the draft’s five rounds. Mitchell, a UCLA outfielder, played for the West Coast League’s Walla Walla Sweets in 2017. In his first …
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