Corvallis 17, Kelowna 6
Category Archives: News
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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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 …
82 WCLers Picked in 2017 MLB Draft
82 current and former WCL players were selected in the 2017 MLB draft held June 12-14. Former Wenatchee AppleSox Keston Hiura of UC Irvine was the 9th overall pick in the first round, the highest WCL alum selection ever in the MLB June draft. Over the summer of 2015, Hiura tore apart WCL pitching for …
Five WCLers Picked in First Two Rounds of MLB Draft
Five former WCLers were picked in the first two rounds of the MLB draft on Monday, June 12. Wenatchee AppleSox alum Keston Hiura of UC Irvine was the 9th overall pick in the first round, the highest WCL alum selection ever in the MLB June draft. Over the summer of 2015, Hiura tore apart WCL …
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WCL Alum Makes MLB Debut for Padres
Former Kelowna Falcons pitcher Phil Maton made his big league debut today for the San Diego Padres at Petco Park vs. the Kansas City Royals. Maton tossed a scoreless inning in the Padres 8-3 defeat. Maton, out of Louisiana Tech, starred for Kelowna in the summer of 2012 where he went 2-1 with a save …
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 …
Claire Eccles Makes Debut for Victoria
The Wenatchee AppleSox used a 12-hit attack to outscore the Victoria HarbourCats 9-0 last night to take the rubber match of the three-game West Coast League (WCL) series between the two teams, but that did not seem to matter to the 1,263 die-hard fans in attendance, as they got to see history being made when …
WCL Alum Tyler Smith Makes MLB Debut
Former Bend Elks infielder Tyler Smith was called up this past Friday from AAA Tacoma. That night, he debuted at Safeco Field for the Seattle Mariners at second base and doubled in his first big league at bat. Smith starred in college at Oregon State and played for the Elks in the summer of 2010 …
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 …
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WCL Alum Named Pac-12 Pitcher of Week
Bend Elks fans were fortunate to see a young Jake Thompson further develop during the summer of 2014. Fast forward to 2017, and the redshirt junior is having arguably the best season of any pitcher in the country. He tossed a complete game shutout this past Saturday vs. Washington State and was named Pac-12 Pitcher …
HarbourCats Sign Claire Eccles
It is a landmark day for the Victoria HarbourCats and the West Coast League, as the HarbourCats announced the signing of left-handed pitcher Claire Eccles, who is set to become the first female player in WCL history. Eccles, 19, represented Canada at the 2016 Women’s Baseball World Cup in South Korea last September, making two …
WCL Alums Big Part of Cougars Surge
Former West Coast League pitchers Ryan Walker and Trenton Dupre of Washington State both excelled in the WCL for the Corvallis Knights; Walker following his frosh season in 2015 and Dupre after his junior campaign in 2016. Both also pitched in the WCL All-Star Game and have contributed to the Cougars late season surge that …
Former HarbourCat Makes MLB Debut
Former Victoria HarbourCats hurler Nick Pivetta of the Philadelphia Phillies made his MLB debut today vs. the Los Angeles Dodgers in LA. The Victoria, BC native made two starts for the Cats in 2013, including the inaugural WCL home game at Royal Athletic Park, which Pivetta won 8-6 vs. Kelowna. Nick went 2-0 while with …
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 …
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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 …
WCL Alums Shine in WBC
The star-studded World Baseball Classic is delivering world-class baseball, upsets and fantastic finishes as first-round Pool Play is being held in Tokyo, Seoul, Miami and Jalisco. The biggest surprise thus far is Team Israel, who opened its Pool Play in Seoul with a stunning 2-1 extra-inning win over South Korea. Former Kitsap BlueJackets infielder Scott …
Pippins Unveil All-Star Game Logo
All roads will lead to Yakima County Stadium this summer for the West Coast League’s All-Star Game, and the Yakima Valley Pippins and the Yakima County Traffic Safety Taskforce, the game’s presenting sponsor, are teaming up to ensure fans get to the game and back home again safely. “The All-Star Game is the league’s premiere …
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 …
WCL Fan Cave Returns to NWBC
The West Coast League was out in full force this past weekend at the 2017 Northwest Baseball Coaches convention held January 20-22 at the Portland airport Sheraton. The event saw the return of the popular WCL Fan Cave, which entertained coaching guests such as associate head coaches Pat Bailey and Jay Uhlman of Oregon State …
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 …
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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 …
New Ownership in Gresham
The Gresham GreyWolves have been purchased by Scott and Misty Barchus. The purchase announcement was made this past Tuesday by Jerry and Lisa Walker who brought their West Coast League team to Gresham last season. “We are very happy to turn over operations of the GreyWolves to the Barchus’ as they have connections with the …
HCats New Skipper Impresses at Hot Stove
By Jonathan Hodgson Brian McRae knows Bo. Well, sort of. The Kansas City Royals called McRae up to the major leagues in August of 1990 in a move that corresponded with Bo Jackson landing on the disabled list. Jackson famously starred as a power-hitting outfielder with the Royals and later the Chicago White Sox and …
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 …
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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 …
WCL Coming to Port Angeles in 2017
West Coast League baseball is coming to Port Angeles, Washington in 2017. The WCL is proud to announce the birth of the Port Angeles Lefties, who will begin play in the league next season. Team ownership as well as members of the organization, Port Angeles city officials – led by Mayor Patrick Downie – along …
WCL Alum Makes MLB Debut with Rocks
Former Wenatchee AppleSox infielder Pat Valaika made his major league debut this past Tuesday as a pinch-runner for the Colorado Rockies. An alum of UCLA, Valaika scored his first run in the big leagues last night as a pinch-runner in the Rocks 6-5 come from behind win over the San Francisco Giants. Valaika played for …
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 …
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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 …
Knights Capture WCL Crown
Corvallis erased a West Coast League Championship Series (WCLCS) game three 4-2 deficit by scoring three runs in the bottom of the seventh-inning at Goss Stadium, as the Knights edged Bellingham 6-4 on Tuesday night before a crowd of 1,112 to win the West Coast League title. The Knights won the WCLCS opener 4-0 at …
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 …
235 WCLers in Affiliated Pro Baseball
235 alums of West Coast League teams have played or are active in affiliated professional baseball in 2016. The WCL’s list of 2016 pros features 28 players that have appeared in the big leagues this summer. The list of alums of WCL teams who have appeared in MLB games in 2016 include starting first baseman …
Bellingham and Corvallis Advance
The Bellingham Bells and Corvallis Knights advanced to the West Coast League Championship Series with wins last night to earn Divisional Series sweeps. The Bells, led by shortstop Chase Strumpf, beat Victoria 12-1 at Royal Athletic Park to earn a berth in the WCLCS for the second time in three years. Strumpf, an incoming freshman …