A new pact further solidifies the West Coast League’s commitment to safe pitching practices. The WCL has been approved at full compliance level by Pitch Smart for the 2020 season. The Pitch Smart program is a joint initiative between Major League Baseball and USA Baseball that provides guidelines and best pitching practices to help reduce …
Category Archives: News
Victoria Skipper Reflects on Baseball Journey
By Rob Neyer Todd Haney, the ex-major leaguer who just signed a multi-year extension as the Victoria HabourCats’ Head Coach, wasn’t really supposed to play on baseball’s biggest stage. Coming out of high school in Waco, Texas, he was barely recruited and wound up at tiny Panola College. While Haney did finish his college career …
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Exploring Baseball History of WCL South Cities
By Rob Neyer In part one of this two-part series, we looked at the rich baseball history of the West Coast League’s six North Division cities. Here in part two, we’ll look at the South’s similarly fascinating baseball legacy… Obviously, the history of summer baseball in Portland, Oregon—now home to the internationally famous Pickles—is far …
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Exploring Baseball History of WCL North Cities
By Rob Neyer Baseball abhors a vacuum. Or perhaps it’s baseball fans who abhor a vacuum. Because I’ve noticed over the years that even when “baseball” leaves a town or city, for whatever reasons, “baseball” usually returns before long. And there is perhaps no better example than today’s West Coast League, now playing in a …
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Former MLB All-Star Jeff Cirillo to Manage the Sweets
Two-time Major League All-Star Jeff Cirillo has been announced as the new manager for the Walla Walla Sweets. Cirillo, currently a scout for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, had a 14-year playing career in the Major Leagues that included the Milwaukee Brewers, Colorado Rockies, San Diego Padres, Minnesota Twins, Arizona Diamondbacks and Seattle Mariners. …
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AppleSox to Host 2020 WCL All-Star Game
For the second time in franchise history, the Wenatchee AppleSox will host the West Coast League All-Star Game. The AppleSox hosted the inaugural WCL All-Star Game in 2006 and will become the league’s second team to host multiple All-Star Games when they welcome the 13th mid-summer classic in WCL history to Wenatchee. “I am very …
WCL Announces 2020 Schedule
The West Coast League released its official 2020 schedule today, as announced by Commissioner Rob Neyer. “Because of the tremendous geographical scope of our league,” Neyer said, “putting together a schedule is more art than science, and there will always be travel challenges. But we’re confident that our 2020 schedule will showcase our league’s great …
WCL Alums Named to Olympic Qualifying Rosters
A number of former West Coast League players could have the opportunity to capture Olympic gold in 2020. WCL alums Spencer Howard, Wyatt Mills and Andrew Vaughn were selected to USA Baseball’s roster for the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) Premier12. In addition Brandon Marklund and Will McAffer were chosen to play for Team Canada. …
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317 Alums of WCL Teams Appear in Affiliated Baseball
317 alums of West Coast League teams have appeared in or are active in affiliated professional baseball in 2019. The WCL’s list of 2019 pros features 45 players that have appeared in major league games or have been on a big league roster. A number of alums have had outstanding seasons such as 2019 MLB …
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Perfect Game Unveils WCL Top 25 Prospects List
Perfect Game announced on Tuesday their list of the top prospects in the WCL this summer. The list, which was compiled by former Wenatchee AppleSox player Connor Spencer, named Brooks Lee of the Corvallis Knights as the top prospect. Lee was ranked by MLB.com as the No. 37 overall prospect going into this year’s MLB …
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All-WCL Teams and Honors Announced
The 2019 All-West Coast League teams and annual awards were unveiled this morning, as announced by WCL commissioner Rob Neyer. University of Utah slugger Briley Knight of the Corvallis Knights was selected as the WCL’s MVP. The sophomore-to-be for the Utes led the league in a number of offensive categories. He had the top on-base …
Corvallis Named Perfect Game Summer Collegiate Team of the Year
It was announced this morning that the West Coast League champion Corvallis Knights were selected by Perfect Game USA as the Summer Collegiate Team of the Year. The Knights are the first team in WCL history to be honored by Perfect Game as their Summer College Baseball Team of the Year. Perfect Game is the …
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Knights Win Fourth Straight WCL Title
The Corvallis Knights are once again the champions of the West Coast League. The Knights beat the Victoria HarbourCats 11-1 on Sunday evening at Goss Stadium to clinch the team’s fourth consecutive title. Corvallis is the first team in WCL history to achieve a four-peat. The title is the seventh for the Knights, as Corvallis …
Victoria and Corvallis Advance to WCLCS
The Corvallis Knights and Victoria HarbourCats are set to clash in the 2019 West Coast League Championship Series. Game 1 is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. Friday at Royal Athletic Park in Victoria. Game 2 will be at 7:05 p.m. Saturday at Goss Stadium; Game 3 (if necessary) would be at 5:05 p.m. Sunday, also at …
WCL Playoff Pairings Set
The final two spots in the 2019 West Coast League playoffs have been secured by the Walla Walla Sweets and Wenatchee AppleSox. Both teams are making their first trip to the postseason since 2013. The Sweets will battle the three-time defending WCL champs Corvallis Knights in the postseason beginning next week. Walla Walla is set …
North Tops South 14-1 at All-Star Game in Bend
One big inning helped to lift the North to the 14-1 win over the South at the 2019 West Coast League All-Star Game on Tuesday night in front of 2,284 fans at Vince Genna Stadium in Bend. The North’s early lead expanded with a nine-run top of the second inning to give the squad a …
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WCL All-Star Game Rosters Announced
West Coast League Commissioner Rob Neyer announced the league’s all-star selections for its 2019 All-Star Game this morning. This year’s mid-summer classic is being held Tuesday, July 23 in Bend at Vince Genna Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 pm. “Overseeing the West Coast League’s All-Star selection process is both a blessing and a …
WCL Announces Home Run Derby Lineup
The participants are set for this year’s West Coast League All-Star Game Home Run Derby. The night before the All-Star Game, on Monday, July 22, the annual slugfest will take place at Vince Genna Stadium in Bend. The derby will begin at 7:05 pm and admission is free. There is also a fireworks show scheduled …
Bieber Named MLB All-Star Game MVP
Former Cowlitz Black Bears pitcher Shane Bieber of the Cleveland Indians made history on Tuesday night, becoming the first West Coast League alum to be selected as the MVP of the Major League Baseball All-Star Game. Bieber, playing at his home ballpark of Progressive Field in Cleveland, earned the honor after striking out the side …
WCL Alums Among Recent MLB Call-Ups
A number of former West Coast League standouts have either made their Major League Baseball debuts or have been called back up to the big leagues as of late. Thomas Eshelman had a strong outing for the Baltimore Orioles on Monday night. In Eshelman’s start against the Tampa Bay Rays he went five innings and …
90 WCLers Picked in 2019 MLB Draft
Ninety alums and current players of West Coast League teams were selected in the 2019 MLB Draft. West Coast League alum Adley Rutschman of Oregon State was selected as the No. 1 overall pick of the Major League Baseball Draft by the Baltimore Orioles. The former Corvallis Knights standout is the first WCL alum in …
WCL Remembers Former President Dennis Koho
The West Coast League is sorry to report the recent passing of former league president Dennis Koho. From July 2013 until December 2015, Koho oversaw the WCL’s dynamic growth, which included bringing baseball back to Yakima County Stadium in 2014, with the expansion Yakima Valley Pippins, and managing three member transfer sales. “I wasn’t fortunate …
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Caulfield and Magrisi Earn WCL’s Moss Adams Weekly Accolades
The West Coast League’s Moss Adams Player of the Week and Pitcher of the Week, as announced by league commissioner Rob Neyer, are Santa Barbara City College outfielder Patrick Caulfield of the Walla Walla Sweets and Cal State Fullerton pitcher Joe Magrisi of the Yakima Valley Pippins for the week of June 4-9. This summer’s …
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WCL Unveils New Era Caps Partnership
Today the West Coast League announced that New Era will, throughout the 2019 season, serve as the league’s preferred hat. “As our league continues to evolve,” said WCL Commissioner Rob Neyer, “it’s only natural that we’ll enjoy relationships with phenomenal brands like New Era. Beginning this summer, I fully expect to see baseball fans all …
TrackMan Expands to Additional WCL Ballparks
Cutting-edge technology will be implemented at five more West Coast League stadiums this summer with the league’s announcement today of an expanded agreement with TrackMan. The company’s 3D Doppler radar system, which is used by all 30 Major League Baseball teams, precisely measures the location, trajectory and spin rate of hit and pitched baseballs. The …
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Future Game Coming to Portland’s Walker Stadium
How will the game of baseball look in 2050? That’s the question the Portland Pickles and Corvallis Knights will tackle on the Fourth of July with a special exhibition matchup at Walker Stadium. The Pickles announced seven major rules changes that will be implemented for the one-night only Future Game. Check it out, as this …
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WCL Announces New Umpiring Partnership
Today the West Coast League announced a new agreement with the Southern Umpires Association, set to begin this summer. The SUA will provide ten umpires, who will staff the great majority of the WCL’s U.S.-based games during the upcoming season. “The West Coast League has always made great efforts to hire the best Northwest-based umpires, …
MLB Opening Day Rosters Feature 25 WCL Alums
Marco Gonzales of the Seattle Mariners
Neyer Named 2019 Henry Chadwick Award Recipient
WCL Commissioner Honored by SABR
WCL Commissioner Earns 2018 Honor
West Coast League Commissioner Rob Neyer’s latest book, Power Ball: The Anatomy of a Modern Baseball Game
WCL Unveils 2019 Schedule
The West Coast League unveiled its official 2019 schedule today as announced by commissioner Rob Neyer. Located in the beautiful Pacific Northwest and established in 2005, the premier summer collegiate baseball circuit west of the Mississippi showcases top collegiate baseball players from across North America in 12 markets throughout Washington, Oregon and British Columbia, Canada. …
Anatomy of a Modern Baseball Game
Current West Coast League commissioner and former ESPN columnist and analytics pioneer Rob Neyer dramatically recreates an action-packed 2017 game between the Oakland A’s and eventual World Series Champion Houston Astros to reveal the myriad ways in which Major League Baseball has changed over the last few decades. We invite all our West Coast League …
294 Alums of WCL Teams in Pro Baseball
294 alums of West Coast League teams have appeared in or are active in affiliated professional baseball in 2018. The WCL’s list of 2018 pros features 38 players that have appeared in major league games or have been on big league rosters this summer. Several alums have been having big MLB seasons such as closer …
Ridgefield Unveils Identity
After extensive community feedback from Southwest Washington, including a “name the team contest”, the newest West Coast League (WCL) membership in SW Washington will commence play in June 2019 as the Ridgefield Raptors. As previously announced, Chris Cota from College of the Canyons will lead the team as the inaugural manager. The unveiling of the …
Former Elk Makes MLB Debut
Former Bend Elks closer Jeff Brigham of University Washington made his big league debut yesterday as he started on the mound for the Miami Marlins. The right-hander tossed 3 innings in the Marlins 6-1 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays at Marlins Park. Brigham closed for Bend in 2011 where he made 9 regular-season appearances …
Ridgefield Names Inaugural Skipper
The West Coast League’s newest member, the Ridgefield based WCL team, is pleased to announce that Chris Cota, head coach of College of the Canyons, has been hired as its first skipper in club history. “We are excited to add Chris to our organization and follow his leadership on the field in our inaugural season,” …
5 WCL Players Named Perfect Game All-America
Five West Coast League players were named to Perfect Game’s Summer Collegiate All-America teams, which were released on August 23, 2018. WCL co-Pitcher of the Year Landen Bourassa of University of San Francisco earned second-team summer collegiate honors. The Corvallis Knights ace and senior-to-be USF Don tied for the league lead in wins with 5 …
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All-WCL Teams and Awards Announced
Kelowna’s Trent Tinglestad Named MVP
Corvallis Captures WCL Title
Corvallis three-peat in WCL Championship
Corvallis Takes Game One of WCLCS
Corvallis 17, Kelowna 6
Kelowna Advances to WCLCS
The Kelowna Falcons advanced to the West Coast League Championship Series last night with a thrilling 7-6 win over the Bellingham Bells at Joe Martin Field. The Falcons raced to an early lead scoring three in the first and four in the second to go up 7-0, but the Bells stormed back, scoring the game’s …
Corvallis Advances to WCLCS
The Corvallis Knights advanced to the West Coast League Championship Series for a third consecutive year with a sweep of the Portland Pickles in the WCL South Divisional Series. The two-time defending WCL champions edged the Pickles 4-1 last night in 11 innings at a sold out Walker Stadium in Portland. Both WCL South Divisional …
Kelowna Captures Final North Berth
The Kelowna Falcons captured the league’s final playoff spot last night by clubbing Wenatchee 11-3 and getting some help from the WCL South first-half champion Portland Pickles, as Portland knocked Victoria out of the post-season by beating the HarbourCats 10-3 at Wilson’s Group Stadium at Royal Athletic Park. Kelowna advances to the playoffs for the …
North Race Goes Down to Final Day
The race for the West Coast League’s final playoff spot got even hotter after Tuesday night’s results. With Corvallis’s 2-0 win over Yakima Tuesday night at Goss Stadium, now Victoria (27-26) is the only contender for the North’s final playoff spot that controls its own destiny. With a Victoria win over Portland on Wednesday, which …
Heated Race in North
The race for the West Coast League’s final playoff spot, as well as the temps in the Pacific Northwest, are really heating up. It’s a red-hot race for the final berth in the North Division. Among the four contenders for that last spot, the only club that controls its own destiny is Yakima Valley. The …
Corvallis Clinches Playoff Berth
This past Thursday night, the Corvallis Knights clinched a West Coast League playoff berth for the 12th consecutive year by beating their longtime rival the Bend Elks 8-5 at Oregon State’s Goss Stadium. Corvallis is the league’s reigning champion, winning back-to-back WCL titles in 2016 and 2017. The league’s defending champions are currently on an …
Bend to Host 2019 WCL All-Star Game
West Coast League commissioner Rob Neyer announced this morning that the league’s 2019 All-Star Game will be played at Vince Genna Stadium, home of the Bend Elks. The exact date for the annual mid-summer classic will be released along with the full 2019 WCL schedule in the fall. The 2019 WCL All-Star Game will be …
North Beats South 10-6 in ASG
The 2018 West Coast League All-Star Game was powered early by Port Angeles Lefties sluggers Ron Brown of Houston and Kyle Schimpf of Southeastern Louisiana before a packed crowd at Civic Field on a gorgeous evening in Port Angeles, Washington. Monday’s Saltwater Splashdown champ Ron Brown delivered a RBI single in the bottom of the …
Houston’s Ron Brown Wins HR Derby
In arguably the West Coast League’s most exciting home run derby, the hometown slugger – Houston’s Ron Brown of the Lefties – won the league’s inaugural Saltwater Splashdown in the Port Angeles harbor. The Port Angeles Lefties Ron Brown represented the North in the finals, as he outdistanced the Bellingham Bells Matt James 21 to …
WCL All-Star Game Probables Announced
North skipper Darren Westergard of Port Angeles and South head coach Brooke Knight of Corvallis announced their probable starting pitchers for Tuesday’s WCL All-Star Game. Westergard tabbed Wenatchee AppleSox Curtis Bafus of VCU. Bafus is 3-3 with a 2.72 ERA over 7 appearances and 6 starts this summer. The right-hander from Woodinville, Washington has struck …
WCL Unveils Saltwater Splashdown Lineup
The participants are set for the Saltwater Splashdown, this year’s West Coast League All-Star Game Home Run Derby to be held in the Port Angeles harbor. The event will be the most unique All-Star Game Home Run Derby in WCL history. The night before the All-Star Game, on Monday, July 16, going deep will be …
WCL Announces All-Star Game Rosters
West Coast League commissioner Rob Neyer announced the league’s all-star selections for its 2018 All-Star Game this afternoon. This year’s mid-summer classic is being held Tuesday, July 17 in Port Angeles at Civic Field. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 pm. “In my professional life as a columnist and blogger, I second-guessed dozens of All-Star …
Bells and Pickles Clinch
The first two spots in the 2018 West Coast League playoffs have been secured by the Bellingham Bells and Portland Pickles. The Bells have clinched the first-half North title while the Pickles locked up the first-half title in the South. Bellingham will look to make a return trip to the WCL championship series in 2018. …
WCL Alum Andrew Vaughn Earns Top Award
A pair of former West Coast League players, Andrew Vaughn and Cadyn Grenier, recently were the recipients of college baseball’s most prestigious awards. Most recently, former Victoria HarbourCat Andrew Vaughn of Cal won the Golden Spikes Award, the football equivalent of the Heisman. Bend Elks alum Cadyn Grenier of Oregon State was the recipient of …
Oregon State Wins College World Series
The Oregon State Beavers of the Pac-12 went 6-0 in elimination games at the College World Series to capture the program’s third national title. Head coach Pat Casey’s Beavs shutout Arkansas 5-0 yesterday in the CWS finale to secure a national championship. West Coast League alum Adley Rutschman (Corvallis, 2016) was named the College World …
WCL Adds Clark County Membership
The West Coast League, together with Clark County and the cities of Ridgefield, Vancouver, Camas, Battle Ground, Washougal, and La Center, announced this afternoon the addition of a West Coast League expansion membership in the Clark County market, to begin play in the spring of 2019. The new team’s home facility will be the Ridgefield …
OSU and UW to Meet in CWS
Yesterday’s College World Series opening games were heartbreaking for #3 national seed Oregon State and first time CWS participant Washington. Both lost close games, Oregon State 8-6 to North Carolina and Washington 1-0 to Mississippi State on a walk-off hit. As a result, the two Pac-12 teams left standing in the NCAA DI baseball tournament …
Port Angeles Introduces Off Field Competition
A competition between West Coast League teams is set to take place off the field as well as on the diamonds this summer, all to support a good cause. The Port Angeles Lefties and the United Way of Clallam County have partnered to start Community Coins, a coin drive designed to see which WCL team …
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73 WCLers Selected in 2018 MLB Draft
73 alums and current players of West Coast League teams were selected in the 2018 MLB draft held June 4-6. Former Corvallis Knights infielder Nick Madrigal of Oregon State was the 4th overall pick in the first round, the highest WCL alum selection ever in the MLB June draft. Over the summer of 2015, Madrigal …
Two WCL Alums Go in First Round of MLB Draft
West Coast League alum Nick Madrigal of Oregon State was selected in the first round of the MLB draft today, as the Chicago White Sox picked Madrigal 4th overall, the highest selection ever for an alumnus of the WCL. Madrigal starred for the Corvallis Knights in 2015. He earned first-team all-WCL honors and set the …
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WCL Introduces Game of Week
Beginning this season, most of the West Coast League’s member teams are airing their home games over online streaming video. As part of the league’s move to video broadcasting, fans can now connect with the West Coast League throughout the season unlike ever before with a new weekly streaming video Game of the Week broadcast. …
New WCL Commish Featured in Portland Tribune
West Coast League commissioner Rob Neyer was featured today in an article titled “New WCL baseball commissioner hopes seventh book hits a home run” written by Portland Tribune writer Paul Danzer. To check out commissioner Neyer’s Portland Tribune interview, please click here. ABOUT THE WEST COAST LEAGUE The West Coast League (WCL) is the premier …
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AppleSox Announce Ownership Change
The Wenatchee AppleSox of the West Coast League has been sold by founder Jim Corcoran to Jose Oglesby, a former Microsoft manager. The team, entering its 19th year, will continue to play at Paul Thomas Sr. Field on the campus of Wenatchee Valley College. Assistant general manager and co-owner Ken Osborne will remain with the …
WCL Introduces Moss Adams Player of the Week
New West Coast League commissioner Rob Neyer announced this morning that the leading summer collegiate baseball league West of the Mississippi is partnering with Moss Adams, a leading accounting & consulting firm with deep roots in the Pacific Northwest. “We’re thrilled to partner with such a dynamic firm as Moss Adams,” said WCL Treasurer Dan …
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WCL Alum Tosses No-No for M’s
British Columbia native James Paxton of the Seattle Mariners tossed a no-hitter last night in his home country of Canada at Toronto’s Rogers Centre. The former Kelowna Falcons ace was masterful, striking out 7 while walking three in the Mariners 5-0 victory over the Blue Jays. The flame-throwing lefty struck out 16 over 7 innings …
Baseball Writer Rob Neyer Joins WCL
This morning, the West Coast League announced the addition of Commissioner to its league leadership structure, and that former ESPN and Fox Sports journalist Rob Neyer will be filling the position, effective immediately. Neyer is the league’s first commissioner since ABCA Hall of Fame head coach Jim Dietz of San Diego State presided over the …
Walla Walla Sweets to Enhance Facility
Construction is currently underway to upgrade and update the historic home of the Walla Walla Sweets of the West Coast League. Borleske Stadium is undergoing renovations to enhance the fan experience at the ballpark for the upcoming 2018 season. Perhaps the most notable change that Sweets fans and WCL oppoonents will notice as they enter …
WCL Alums Twirl No-No for Cougars
Four West Coast League alums – Parker McFadden, AJ Block, Collin Maier and Ryan Walker – combined to no-hit Santa Clara this past Sunday at Washington State as the Cougs blanked the Broncos 5-0 to sweep their non-conference series. McFadden, who pitched for the Cowlitz Black Bears in 2016, got the win – his first …
Bells Announce Facility Enhancement
The Bellingham Bells of the West Coast League recently announced they are adding a new scoreboard to Joe Martin Field for the 2018 season. The scoreboard, which will completely replace the current existing structure, will feature a new design and full video display capabilities. The new scoreboard has been made possible by financial support from …
22 WCL Alums Make Opening Day MLB Rosters
Opening Day MLB rosters feature 22 players that have played for West Coast League teams including four Seattle Mariners. The Mariners CEO is John Stanton who is part of the ownership group that operates WCL clubs in Walla Walla and Yakima Valley. Former Kelowna Falcons ace pitcher James Paxton is starting Saturday at Safeco Field …
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Victoria’s Home Has New Name
The West Coast League’s Victoria HarbourCats and the Wilson’s Group of Companies recently announced, effective immediately, a five-year baseball branding agreement that renames the HarbourCats home – Wilson’s Group Stadium at Royal Athletic Park. The branding agreement applies to all baseball related events including HarbourCats home games, the 2018 Baseball Canada Men’s Championship, and other …
Lexington Legends Name WCL Alum New Broadcaster
West Coast League alum Emma Tiedemann continues to rise in the broadcasting ranks as the former voice of the Medford Rogues, and much more, is set to be the first female play-by-play voice in the South Atlantic League with the Lexington Legends in 2018. The Rogues were members of the West Coast League from 2013-2015. …
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Victoria Signs Two Cuban Players
The Victoria HarbourCats of the West Coast League recently made two major announcements involving Cuba; an exciting addition to their home schedule and the signing of two International pitchers. The HarbourCats will host an international-flavored exhibition game on Monday, July 30 (6:35pm), against Union de Reyes, an amateur team managed by former Cuban National Team …
WCL Alum Tosses Perfect Game for UW
Junior right-handed pitcher Joe DeMers of University of Washington tossed a perfect game at Husky Ballpark vs. UC Riverside of the Big West Conference on Saturday, Feb. 24. It was only the 5th perfect game thrown in Pac-12 history. DeMers struck out 9 in UW’s 8-0 win over the Highlanders in the first game of …
Splashdowns Set for Port Angeles ASG Derby
The Port Angeles Lefties are hosting the 2018 West Coast League All-Star Game on Tuesday, July 17th at Civic Field. As part of the All-Star Game festivities, the Lefties have big plans for the Home Run Derby to be held the night before. For more details, check out yesterday’s piece in the Peninsula Daily News …
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63 WCL Alums CBN Top Players to Watch
63 West Coast Leaue alums were named as Top Players to Watch in their respective conferences in Collegiate Baseball Newspaper’s annual college baseball preview issue including former Cowlitz Black Bear and current University of Oregon closer Kenyon Yovan and former Corvallis Knights utility man Nick Madrigal of Oregon State, who both also earned CBN pre-season …
WCL Releases 2018 Schedule
The WCL unveiled its official 2018 schedule today, setting the stage for a 14th season of West Coast League baseball. Established in 2005 and located in the beautiful Pacific Northwest, the premier summer collegiate baseball circuit west of the Mississippi showcases top collegiate baseball players from across North America in 11 markets throughout Washington, Oregon …
West Coast League Adds Portland Pickles
The wildly popular Portland Pickles have joined the premier summer collegiate wood-bat league west of the Mississippi – the West Coast League. The Pickles will make their WCL debut in June of 2018. “We have been huge fans of the West Coast league for many years and are so excited to be joining their 11 …
Lefties Make Coaching Change
The Port Angeles Lefties announced the hiring of Skagit Valley College assistant coach Darren Westergard as their new head coach. Westergard has been at Skagit Valley for 12 seasons. “I’ve known Darren for over 20 years. I’m excited to have him on board,” said Lefties owner Matt Acker. “He knows baseball, talent and is connected …
Bells Name New Head Coach
Bob Miller has been named head coach of the Bellingham Bells of the West Coast League, the team announced today. Miller, the head coach of the Cuesta College baseball program in San Luis Obispo, Calif., will lead the Bells during the 2018 season. Miller has been the head coach at Cuesta College since 2003. During …
271 Alums of WCL Teams in Pro Baseball
271 alums of West Coast League teams have played or are active in affiliated professional baseball in 2017. The WCL’s list of 2017 pros features 32 players that have appeared or are active in the big leagues this summer. The list of alums of WCL teams who have appeared in MLB games or are on …
Sweets Chris Lincoln Named BA Top Prospect
This past Wednesday, Baseball America’s Pat Hickey released his 2017 top WCL prospect list. UC Santa Barbara’s Chris Lincoln of the Walla Walla Sweets was rated the West Coast League’s top prospect. The sophomore-to-be flashed electric stuff this past summer as he struck out 36 over 33.1 innings pitched. Lincoln has the size and stuff …
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WCL Alum Hoskins Sets MLB Homer Record
West Coast League alum Rhys Hoskins of the Philadelphia Phillies homered for the 11th time in his 18th big league game Sunday afternoon vs. MLB defending champion Chicago at Citizens Bank Park. The Phillies beat the Cubs 6-3 behind the power of Hoskins and starting pitching of former Victoria HarbourCats pitcher Nick Pivetta, who improved …
All-WCL Teams and Honors Announced
The 2017 all-West Coast League teams were unveiled this morning, as well as the league’s annual awards, as announced by new WCL president Brian Sloan. In the summer of the long ball, West Virginia rising redshirt sophomore catcher Chase Illig of the Bellingham Bells was named MVP of the West Coast League. Illig put on …
Knights Edge HarbourCats 4-2
The Corvallis Knights repeated as West Coast League champions Tuesday night by beating Victoria 4-2 at Goss Stadium before a crowd of 1,430. Corvallis captured its fifth WCL title by taking the decisive third game of the 2017 WCLCS. Victoria opened the series Saturday night with a 5-4 walk-off win at Royal Athletic Park before …
Corvallis Evens WCLCS with Game 2 Win
With their backs against the wall, the defending WCL champion Corvallis Knights responded again. Facing elimination for the third time in the West Coast League playoffs, the Knights erupted for six runs in the last of the eighth inning to defeat Victoria 6-0 in Game 2 of the Championship Series before a loud crowd of …
Victoria Takes Game One of WCLCS
The Victoria HarbourCats scored a pair of runs in the bottom of the ninth inning, capped by a RBI single to deep center from Po-Hao Huang, to give the ‘Cats a dramatic 5-4 walk-off victory over the Corvallis Knights. It was a classic, back-and-forth, nail-biting opening game of the 2017 West Coast League Championship Series, …
Corvallis Advances to WCLCS
The Corvallis Knights and Yakima Valley Pippins went the distance to decide who would represent the South in the 2017 West Coast League Championship Series; with the Knights prevailing 3-2 in a tightly contested decisive third game in Corvallis on Thursday, August 10. Yakima Valley won game one at Yakima County Stadium in convincing fashion, …
Victoria Advances to WCLCS
The Victoria HarbourCats swept the Kelowna Falcons to advance to the West Coast League Championship Series for the first time in franchise history. In the West Coast League’s first all-Canadian divisional series, Victoria won game one 9-3 at Royal Athletic Park last night and bested Kelowna 11-5 tonight at Elks Stadium to take the series. …
Last Playoff Spot Goes to HarbourCats
The Victoria HarbourCats were scoreboard watching Monday night, and rooting hard for South first-half and second-half South champs Corvallis vs. Wenatchee at the AppleSox home park Paul Thomas Sr. Field. Victoria needed the Knights to beat Wenatchee to advance to the North Divisional Series vs. Kelowna tomorrow; and it was all cheers for the Cats …
Knights Win Second-Half; Pippins Clinch Berth
Sunday’s final day of the West Coast League’s regular-season schedule had a playoff feel to it, as so many teams were in contention for the league’s final two playoff spots. Both key games in the North Division ended in wild walk-offs, as the Bellingham Bells kept their playoff hopes alive with a two-run 9th-inning, and …
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Last Two WCL Playoff Berths Still Up for Grabs
For the first time in WCL history, multiple contenders are fighting for multiple playoff spots on the final day of the regular season. Both the North and South second-half champions are still undecided as the league wraps its regular season either today, or tomorrow if Corvallis and Wenatchee have to make-up a game that was …
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Second-Half Races Going Down to Wire
With five scheduled regular-season dates to go, West Coast League North and South races are too close to call, with six contending teams vying for the league’s final two postseason berths with no contending team more than two games out of contention. Tonight, the Victoria HarbourCats are hosting arguably the biggest game of the WCL …
Granberg Powers South to 5-2 All-Star Game Win
Devlin Granberg of the Cowlitz Black Bears (Dallas Baptist) made himself comfortable at the plate at Yakima County Stadium when Cowlitz took two of three games from the Yakima Valley Pippins the week prior. He collected a pair of multiple-hit nights, and even hit a solo home run over the right field wall in the …
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Bellingham Bells Slugger Wins Derby
Chase Illig of the Bellingham Bells (West Virginia) hit his sixth home run of the season on Sunday night within the familiar confines of Joe Martin Field. He had no issue transferring that power over to Yakima County Stadium last night, as he blasted 11 home runs in round one and cruised to a wire-to-wire …
ASG Head Coaches Announce Probable Starters
North and South head coaches Greg Goetz of Bellingham and Marcus McKimmy of Yakima Valley, respectively, announced their starting pitchers for tomorrow night’s West Coast League All-Star Game, presented by Target Zero, which starts at 7:05 pm at Yakima County Stadium. Port Angeles Lefties right-hander Nick Bonniksen will start for the North. Bonniksen is a …
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WCL Releases ASG Home Run Derby Lineup
With beautiful weather expected in Yakima for the two days covering this year’s West Coast League All-Star Game events, there’s no doubt the 10 players who will participate in Monday’s Home Run Derby will heat things up. The Home Run Derby, presented by Wildhorse Casino, begins at 6:30 p.m. Monday at Yakima County Stadium, with …
WCL Unveils All-Star Game Rosters
The stage is now set for the West Coast League’s premier in-season event, with the announcement today of the North and South All-Star Teams by Brian Sloan, the new league president. This year’s WCL All-Star Game is hosted by the Yakima Valley Pippins and presented by Target Zero, and will be played Tuesday, July 18, …
Kelowna Clinches First-Half Title in North
The Kelowna Falcons clinched the WCL North first half last night with a 5-3 road win at Yakima Valley. The Falcons finished the first half with a 17-10 record and own the tie-breaker advantage over both Bellingham and Wenatchee, two North teams with 10 losses and remaining games in the first half. By clinching, the …
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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 …
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