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Corvallis Clinches First-Half Title in South

The Corvallis Knights clinched the WCL South first half last night with its 3-2 win at Gresham and Yakima Valley’s 11-5 home loss to Kelowna to earn a spot in the league’s postseason. The North is still up for grabs with four teams contending; Kelowna, Walla Walla, Wenatchee and Bellingham. The Falcons sit in first …

WCL Introduces New League President

West Coast League Interim President Tony Bonacci – WCL Vice President and owner of the Cowlitz Black Bears – announced the hiring of longtime baseball executive Brian Sloan as the league’s new President this morning. Sloan assumes his President’s duties effective immediately. Sloan is a baseball marketing specialist who has established and cultivated many high …

Seven Former WCLers Named All-Americans

Seven West Coast League alums were named to Baseball America’s All-America teams released yesterday including first-team All-Americans Big West Defensive Player of the Year David Banuelos of Long Beach State, who played for the Bellingham Bells in 2016, and Pac-12 Player of the Year Nick Madrigal of Oregon State, who set the WCL single-season mark …

Former WCL Star Named Pac-12 Player of Year

The Pac-12 announced its all-conference honors today, and former Corvallis Knights infielder Nick Madrigal of #1-ranked Oregon State was selected as both the conference’s Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year. Madrigal got his first taste of college baseball during the summer of 2015, where he earned first-team all-WCL honors and set …

WCL Alum Tosses First SAL Perfect Game

Former Cowlitz Black Bears southpaw Domenic Mazza of UC Santa Barbara made South Atlantic League history this past Tuesday by tossing the league’s first perfect game for the Augusta GreenJackets. The GreenJackets are a Class A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants. Mazza, a native of Walnut Creek, California, pitched for the Black Bears following …

MLB Opening Day Rosters Feature 16 WCL Alums

Sixteen players who have played for West Coast League teams made Major League Baseball 2017 Opening Day rosters. The region’s team – the Seattle Mariners – feature three former WCL players. Last year, 28 alums of WCL teams appeared in the major leagues. Below is a list of players who played for WCL member teams …

WCL Alums Lead OSU to #1 Ranking

Former West Coast Leaguers are leading the charge for #1 ranked Oregon State. After sweeping perennial Pac-12 power Arizona State in Tempe, the Beavers were ranked #1 in the nation by both D1Baseball.com and Collegiate Baseball Newspaper yesterday. Today, former Bend Elks shorstop Cadyn Grenier and pitcher Jake Thompson were named Pac-12 Player of the …

Three WCL Alums Pre-Season All-Americans

Three alums of the West Coast League were named to Baseball America’s pre-season All-America teams, which were released yesterday. Sophomore infielder Nick Madrigal of Oregon State was named first-team All-America. Madrigal played for the Corvallis Knights in 2015 and broke the league’s single season steals record by swiping 40 bases that summer. He was a …

Victoria’s Swanson Leader in Canadian Baseball

Victoria HarbourCats managing partner Jim Swanson was recently recognized by Canadian Baseball Network as one of the most influential Canadians in baseball in CBN’s top 100 list for 2016. Swanson came in at #76. HarbourCats broadcaster and communications director; and West Coast League Coordinator of Online Communications Jonathan Hodgson earned honorable mention. To check out …

WCL Partner Recognized for Innovation

Longtime West Coast League partner Baden Sports, located in Renton, Washington, was recognized this month by Seattle Business Magazine for its innovative products. As part of the magazine’s 2016 Family Business Awards, Baden earned a gold award in the category of Innovation. Baden is the official basedball supplier of the WCL. The league has being …

WCL Alum Mitch Haniger Traded to Seattle

Former West Coast League star Mitch Haniger could not be more excited about his recent trade to the Seattle Mariners and a return to the Pacific Northwest. “Can’t wait for spring already! Let’s go @Mariners,” he tweeted on his Twitter page, @m_Hanny19, following Seattle’s blockbuster deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks on Nov. 23. “Pumped to …

HarbourCats Hot Stove Party Big Hit

By Jonathan Hodgson WCL Coordinator of Online Communications Significant names from the baseball world, past, present and future, descended on Victoria on November 5th for the 2nd Annual HarbourCats Hot Stove. The event, hosted by Yates Street Taphouse, was headlined for the second straight year by Gregg Zaun, a former major league catcher and current …

Holy Cow. Cubs Win! Cubs Win!

By Jonathan Hodgson WCL Coordinator of Online Communications Young slugger Kyle Schwarber of the Chicago Cubs played an instrumental role in the Cubbies first World Series championship since 1908. Last night at Progressive Field in Cleveland, the second-year player collected three hits and started the Cubs tie-breaking 10th-inning two-run rally with a lead-off single in …

WCL Adds Marketing Communications Resource

The West Coast League is pleased to announce the addition of Jonathan Hodgson to its marketing communications team. Hodgson will act as the WCL’s Coordinator of Online Communications. He joins Chris King, the league’s Director of Online Communications, as a content creator for WCL online communications. Jonathan’s focus will be writing stories for the league …

WCL Unveils 2017 Schedule

The West Coast League unveiled its official 2017 schedule today as announced by league president Donnie Marbut. The upcoming season marks the WCL’s 13th campaign since the league was established in 2005. Located in the beautiful Pacific Northwest, the premier summer collegiate baseball circuit west of the Mississippi showcases top collegiate baseball players from across …

Bells and Sox Name New Head Coaches

Founding West Coast League members the Bellingham Bells and Wenatchee AppleSox recently made head coaching changes. Yesterday, the Sox introduced Kyle Krustangel of Yakima Valley CC as the club’s fourth head coach. He replaces A.J. Proszek. Kyle guided the Yaks to a NWAC championship in his first season as head coach at YVCC. The Whitworth …

Perfect Game Releases WCL Prospects List

Perfect Game released its top thirty WCL prospects list last week. Corvallis Knights junior southpaw Cameron Bishop of UC Irvine was rated the league’s top prospect with Cal Bear frosh right-hander Jared Horn of the Bellingham Bells being ranked #2. Horn was rated the WCL’s top prospect and Bishop #2 by Baseball America. The list …

Perfect Game Summer All-Americans

Perfect Game released its Summer Collegiate All-America teams last week. Four WCL players made the list including two first team honorees, both pitchers – Bellingham’s Sam Hellinger of Gonzaga and Yakima Valley’s Zach Draper of College of Idaho. Hellinger led the WCL in saves with 15 (regular and postseason combined) and Draper was the WCL’s …

Baseball America Releases WCL Prospects List

Baseball America released its 2016 West Coast League top ten prospects list today. Bellingham’s Jared Horn of Cal Berkely of the Pac-12 was named the league’s top prospect. In total, six prospects from the Pac-12 were featured on Baseball America’s list along with representatives from the Big West, WCC and Big 12. West Coast League …

Ex-MLBer to Skipper Victoria in 2017

The Victoria HarbourCats are pleased to announce that former Major League Baseball star outfielder Brian McRae, now a college coach with summer baseball managerial experience, will take over as the team’s head coach. McRae has agreed to a two-year contract to lead the on-field product at Royal Athletic Park. McRae, who turns 49 on August …

All-WCL Teams and Awards Announced

West Coast League president Donnie Marbut released the 2016 all-West Coast League teams this morning, as well as announcing the league’s 2016 awards. Rising UCLA freshman Michael Toglia of the Wenatchee AppleSox was named MVP of the West Coast League. The 35th round draft pick of Colorado Rockies from Gig Harbor, Washington led the WCL …

Shane Hanon Wins Batting Crown

The West Coast League regular season wrapped up yesterday with Bellingham and Yakima Valley securing second-half North and South titles, respectively. The Bells finished tied with Victoria at 17-10, but owned the tie-breaker as the Bells went 4-2 vs. the HarbourCats in the second half. Yakima Valley topped Corvallis by one game, finishing 17-10. The …

Pippins Clinch Playoff Berth

The Yakima Valley Pippins clinched a playoff berth last night as the Gresham GreyWolves were eliminated from postseason contention by the Corvallis Knights, 10-2. With three games remaining in the WCL regular season, the Pippins second-half record is 16-8, three games better than Gresham; and Yakima Valley owns the second-half tie-breaker as well as an …

Probable Starters Set for WCL All-Star Game

North skipper Bryan Donohue of the second-half first-place Kelowna Falcons and South head coach Grady Tweit of the Cowlitz Black Bears tabbed their West Coast League All-Star Game starting pitchers on Sunday. Donohue announced that Walla Walla’s Easton Lucas of Pepperdine would start for the North this Tuesday at Lower Columbia College’s David Story Field. …

14 WCL Alums Earn All-Pac-12 Honors

Fourteen alums of West Coast League clubs were named to the 2016 All-Pac-12 team. In addition, former Corvallis Knights Logan Ice and Nick Madrigal of Oregon State were named Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year and Freshman of the Year, respectively. Junior catcher Logan Ice of OSU earned honorable mention all-WCL honors in 2014. Madrigal …

Inside College Baseball with Donnie Marbut

Welcome to the second edition of the West Coast League’s Inside College Baseball, where new league president Donnie Marbut provides insight and analysis on the West Coast college baseball landscape. The former Washington State University head coach and Pac-12 Network analyst offers up his latest thoughts on college baseball in the west, which highlights many …

Mother’s Day Magic at Angel Stadium

Corvallis Knights alum and 2009 West Coast League Pitcher of the Year Matt Andriese (pictured) made his 2016 debut with the Tampa Bay Rays extra special as the right-hander pitched in front of friends and family, including his mom Lynn, at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on Mother’s Day. Andriese, a native of Redlands, California, grew …

Inside College Baseball with Donnie Marbut

Welcome to the first edition of the West Coast League’s Inside College Baseball, where new league president Donnie Marbut provides insight and analysis on the West Coast college baseball landscape. The former Washington State University head coach and current Pac-12 Networks commentator offers up his latest thoughts on college baseball in the west, which highlights …

Victoria Owner Named Biz Person of Year

A member of the Victoria HarbourCats local ownership group, and giant of the Victoria business community, John Wilson was honored recently by the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce. At the chamber’s annual Business Awards held at the historic Fairmont Empress Hotel this past Thursday evening, Wilson was named 2016 Victoria Business Person of the Year. …

Victoria Names Hodgson Broadcaster

VICTORIA, B.C. – The Victoria HarbourCats are pleased to announce Jonathan Hodgson as the new ‘Voice of the HarbourCats’ for all online broadcasts throughout the 2016 season. HarbourCats online broadcasts will return this season, with all 27 regular season West Coast League home games plus three exhibition games and a BCPBL showcase game at Royal …

15 WCLers Make MLB Opening Day Rosters

Fifteen players who have played for West Coast League teams made Major League Baseball 2016 Opening Day rosters. Last year, 25 alums of WCL teams appeared in the major leagues. Below is a list of West Coast Leaguers that are starting their 2016 professional season in the big leagues. AMERICAN LEAGUE Chris Davis (Kelowna), Baltimore …

WCL Introduces New President

Donnie Marbut, former head baseball coach at Washington State University, assumes duties today as President of the West Coast League, the premier summer collegiate baseball league West of the Mississippi. Marbut, a native of the Pacific Northwest, is the league’s fifth president. “The league is thrilled to introduce Donnie as its new leader,” said Owner/General …

Burcham and Israel Cinderella Story at WBC

By Jonathan Hodgson Colorado Rockies prospect Scott Burcham is enjoying what is likely the highlight of his career to this point. The Rockies’ farmhand and former West Coast League talent, was the starting shortstop for Israel at the World Baseball Classic. A native of La Quinta, CA, Scott gained eligibility to play for Israel due …

Pointstreak and WCL Renew

The West Coast League and Pointstreak Sports Technologies Inc. announced a renewal to a long-standing and successful stats partnership. “The WCL is pleased to continue the partnership with Pointstreak to provide our players with deep stats into the future,” said Holly Jones, the acting president of the West Coast League. “Pointstreak’s Statistics platform is very …

HarbourCats Announce Front Office Reorganization

The development of the Victoria HarbourCats in the community has allowed the West Coast League franchise to make organizational changes geared to improving operations and prepare for growth. The HarbourCats, who took on a new ownership structure last spring when John Wilson, Richard Harder, Ken Swanson and Jim Swanson purchased the team, will play their …

WCL Alum Featured in Baseball America

WCL alum Colin Walsh was recently featured in Baseball America in a piece written by BA editor John Manuel. Walsh played for the Kelowna Falcons in 2008 and earned honorable mention all-West Coast Collegiate Baseball League honors as the Stanford infielder led Kelowna in hitting with a .352 batting average that summer. Colin was selected …

Bells Promote Front Office Staffers

The Bellingham Bells announced today that they have promoted two key front office staff members to expanded roles for the 2016 season. General Manager Nick Caples will assume the new role of Vice President of Operations and Assistant General Manager Stephanie Morrell will be promoted to the role of General Manager. “This is an extremely …

Cats and Dawgs Featured in CBN

The West Coast League leader in attendance in 2015 – the Victoria HarbourCats – were recently recognized as one of Canada’s leaders in summer collegiate baseball by the Canadian Baseball Network. The article by Jonathan Hodgson titled “HarbourCats, Dawgs are summer time draws” featured the HarbourCats and Okotoks Dawgs, a member of the Western Major …

King to Champion WCL Social Media and Online Communications

The West Coast League announced this afternoon the appointment of Chris King as its new social media resource and first director of online communications. King, a graduate of Washington State University, started his professional journey with the WCL’s founding flagship member – the Wenatchee AppleSox. The Marysville, Washington native launched his career as the team’s …

WCL Alums Named Pre-Season All-America

Three West Coast League alums were named to Louisville Slugger’s pre-season All-America teams as selected by Collegiate Baseball newspaper. Former Bellingham Bells shortstop Colby Woodmansee of Arizona State was a second-team All-America pick. The junior played in the WCL following his frosh season at ASU and hit five home runs for the 2014 WCL champion …

Gresham Club Announces Name, Unveils Logos

Gresham’s new West Coast League baseball team now has a name – the Gresham GreyWolves will take the field for the first time next summer and call Oslund Field at Mt. Hood Community College their home. Team owners, Jerry and Lisa Walker, made the announcement in front of an overflow crowd at Gresham’s City Council …

WCL Alum Second in NL ROY Voting

If WCL alum and Giants third baseman Matt Duffy had a National League Rookie of the Year Award ballot, he would have supported Kris Bryant, too. Duffy finished second in the voting for the Baseball Writers’ Association of America’s top NL rookie honor in results announced yesterday. Bryant, the Cubs’ third baseman, received all 30 …

Former WCLer Earns Willie Mac Award

Former Corvallis Knights’ infielder Matt Duffy was the recipient of the 2015 Willie Mac Award, an annual honor voted on by San Francisco Giants players and coaches; and Giants’ legend Willie McCovey. The award ceremony took place before the Giants/Colorado Rockies game at AT&T Park on Friday, October 2. Duffy played shortstop and second base …

All-WCL Teams and Awards Announced

West Coast League president Dennis Koho released the 2015 all-West Coast League teams this morning, as well as announcing the league’s 2015 awards. The East Division-champion Kelowna Falcons captured all or a share of all the individual awards as Falcons’ shortstop Hunter Villanueva of Fresno Pacific earned MVP honors, Kelowna right-hander Brady Miller of Western …