Category Archives: News

The lineup of 2014 West Coast League All-Star Game Home Run Derby sluggers was released this afternoon by league president Dennis Koho. Four of the most prolific home run hitters in the WCL top the list of entrants including league-leader Gabe Clark of Victoria, who has blasted six roundrippers; and Joe Duffin of Corvallis, Vince …

Continue reading “WCL ASG Home Run Derby Lineup Released”

West Coast League All-Star Game managers Ed Knaggs of Wenatchee (North) and Mitch Karraker of Klamath Falls (South) announced their starting pitchers for this Monday’s WCL midsummer classic at Kiger Stadium in Klamath Falls, Oregon. The host South will start Corvallis Knights right-hander Jackson Lockwood of University of Portland while the North team will counter …

Continue reading “All-Star Game Probable Starters Announced”

West Coast League president Dennis Koho announced the league’s All-Star Game rosters this morning. The North squad – made up of Kelowna, Victoria, Bellingham, Walla Walla, Wenatchee and Yakima – will be managed by Ed Knaggs, the skipper of the Wenatchee AppleSox. The South team – compromised of Kitsap, Cowlitz, Corvallis, Bend, Medford and host …

Continue reading “WCL Unveils All-Star Game Rosters”

210 alums of West Coast League teams have played or are active in affiliated professional baseball in 2014

The home of the Klamath Falls Gems, Kiger Stadium, is the host site of the 2014 West Coast League All-Star Game to be held on Monday, July 21st. Summer baseball has a long history at Kiger, including hosting the original Gems who played in the Far West League, a “Class D” minor league, from 1948-1951 …

Continue reading “Kiger Stadium to Host WCL All-Star Game”

The 2014 Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American team selected by Collegiate Baseball Newspaper was recently released by CBN. The list includes two current West Coast League players – catcher Aaron Barnett of the Victoria Harbourcats and two-way player Trenton Brooks of the Wenatchee AppleSox – and WCL alum AJ Balta of Oregon, who played for the …

Continue reading “Louisville Slugger Frosh All-Americans”

Former All-WCL first-teamer Marco Gonzales of the Wenatchee AppleSox made his Major League Baseball debut for St. Louis yesterday afternoon at Coors Field in Denver, Colorado vs. the Colorado Rockies. His appearance was televised live on MLB Network. The southpaw went 5 innings allowing 5 runs on 7 hits while walking two and striking out …

Continue reading “Former AppleSox Marco Gonzales Makes MLB Debut”

Bellingham Bells Owner Eddie Poplawski Driven by Love of Community, Mentoring Players – Whatcom TALK For Eddie Poplawski, becoming owner of the Bellingham Bells was about something much bigger than his love of the game. It was also about building – and celebrating – community, and readying his talented young players for successful, fulfilling lives …

Continue reading “Player Development and Community”

The 2014 MLB June draft concluded yesterday. 63 WCL alums or current players were selected. The first former WCL player to be selected was ex-Kelowna Falcons utlity player Connor Joe of San Diego. He was selected in the Competitive Balance Round A by the Pittsburgh Pirates and was the 39th overall pick of the draft, …

Continue reading “63 WCLers Selected in 2014 MLB June Draft”

The MLB June draft kicked off on Thursday, June 5 and concludes today; Saturday, June 7. There were no WCL alums or current WCLers drafted on day one (first round), but several were picked yesterday; the first WCL pick being former Kelowna Falcon Connor Joe of San Diego, who was selected 39th overall as a …

Continue reading “Former Sweet Matt Imhof Picked 47th Overall”

Mr. Baseball by Eric Rowe, Victoria HarbourCats Baseball Blog harbourcatsbaseball.blogspot.ca Literally. We’ve talked so much about the start of the 2014 West Coast League season, we’ve analyzed baseball players, baseball executives, baseball statistics but what about just, the baseball. If you’ve watched Bull Durham, you’ll know that there are 108 stitches in a baseball, but …

Continue reading “Mr. Baseball”

Victoria HarbourCats GM Jim Swanson announced that Victoria has partnered with the Toronto Blue Jays of the American League to host a two-day youth camp, July 2-3, at Royal Athletic Park. The instructors feature five former Jays including Hall of Fame second baseman Roberto Alomar (pictured).

The Road to Omaha – The NCAA Div-1 baseball season explained by Brian Hayes HarbourCats Baseball Blog writer While West Coast League fans await the beginning of summer and the start of the 2014 season, many of the athletes that will be filling WCL rosters spent the spring competing for NCAA teams hoping to lead …

Continue reading “College World Series and Omaha are Synonymous”

Former Klamath Falls Gems pitcher Thomas Eshelman (pictured), a second-team all-WCL selection in 2012, continues to master his craft for the Cal State Fullerton Titans. The sophomore right-hander recently earned NCBWA National Player of the Week honors for his performance versus University of Hawaii on April 25, 2014. Thomas is 6-1 on the season and …

Continue reading “Gems’ Alum Thomas Eshelman Master of Control”

It appears former Kitsap BlueJackets head coach Matt Acker is returning to guide the Silverdale, Washington based club. But he will now be focused on managing operations. Matt skippered the Jackets for seven seasons from 2005-2011. Kitsap is a founding member of the West Coast League and plays its games at the Kitsap County Fairgrounds. …

Continue reading “Back to the Future for Kitsap”

Oregon State shocked the baseball world last spring by winning the Pac-10 and appearing in the College World Series (the Beavs first CWS appearance since 1952). There won’t be any surprises this spring as the Beavers have been ranked from the season’s first pitch. Overnight, the Beavers went from hunter to hunted. Senior outfielder Geoff …

Continue reading “Geoff Wagner”

Former Aloha Knights Bill Rowe and Kevin Gunderson teamed up again to lead Oregon State to a huge College World Series victory and even its series with North Carolina 1-1. Sunday evening, Rowe shocked the baseball world with a three-run homer in the fourth-inning that put OSU ahead 7-5 after going into the inning down …

Continue reading “Bill Rowe”

The #25 ranked University of California, Riverside Highlanders went 4-0 last week sweeping conference power Cal State Fullerton over the weekend and beating #18 ranked UCLA on Tuesday. Many of the Highlanders (27-16, 7-2) star performers developed in the WCCBL including last week’s (April 23-29) Big West Player of the Week Jaime Pedroza and Pitcher …

Continue reading “Jaime Pedroza and Marc Rzepczynski”

Defending Big West champion UC Irvine was ranked #8 in Baseball America’s college baseball preview issue (Feb. 22-Mar. 7, 2010). The Anteaters send many of its players to the West Coast League. 2009 Big West Pitcher of the Year Daniel Bibona (pictured) developed his superb changeup in the summer of 2007 with the Corvallis Knights. …

Continue reading “Ronnie Shaefer”

by Aaron Yost, College Baseball Daily Wednesday, April 2, 2014 It’s hard to argue with the success the Pac-12 Conference has enjoyed on the national stage – both historically and in more recent years – and many of the players in the conference are developing during the summer months throughout the West Coast League. Reigning …

Continue reading “WCL teams stocking up on Pac-12 talent”

Canada’s most-decorated athletics program, the UBC Thunderbirds, celebrated its best and brightest stars, both past and present, at the 93rd annual UBC Big Block Awards and Hall of Fame Banquet on April 1. Ex-Falcons’ infielder Andrew Firth was honored earning the Bobby Gaul Memorial Trophy as UBC’s graduating Male Athlete of the Year.

Each summer, the Big West conference sends its best young players to the West Coast League to further develop. That development is on full display throughout the conference as WCL alums are excelling early this spring for #5-ranked Cal Poly San Luis Obispo to #9-ranked Cal State Fullerton to #15-ranked UC Santa Barbara to traditional …

Continue reading “WCL alums power Big West conference”

The West Coast League released its overall total attendance figures for the 2013 season. For the first time, total overall attendance eclipsed the 400,000 mark as WCL clubs drew 402,958 fans last summer. The Bend Elks topped the league in overall attendance drawing 51,283 to Vince Genna Stadium for an average of 1,602 per game. …

Continue reading “West Coast League eclipses 400,000 mark in overall attendance for 2013 season”

166 alums of West Coast League teams played in affiliated professional baseball in 2013

The Board of Directors of the West Coast League voted to re-align the league’s divisions for the 2014 season. The vote moved to create a three-division alignment based on natural geographical boundaries. The South Division includes all of the league’s Oregon teams – the defending WCL champion Corvallis Knights, Bend Elks, Klamath Falls Gems, and …

Continue reading “West Coast League re-aligns, moves to three divisions”

Baseball America released its West Coast League top ten prospects list on September 5, and yesterday (September 11) Perfect Game Crosschecker announced its top 40 list. Sophomore-to-be pitcher Cody Poteet of UCLA was rated the league’s top prospect by both BA and PGC. Poteet made six starts for the North Division champion Walla Walla Sweets …

Continue reading “Baseball America and PG Crosschecker release WCL prospects lists; Walla Walla’s Cody Poteet of UCLA rated #1 prospect in WCL”

West Coast League president Dennis Koho announced the League’s awards and All-WCL teams this afternoon. This summer’s WCL Champion, the Corvallis Knights, led the WCL in selections with seven All-WCL players and five honorable mention picks. Bellingham slugger Alex Calbick of Maine (pictured) was named the MVP of the West Coast League. The senior-to-be not …

Continue reading “West Coast League award winners and All-WCL teams released; Bellingham third baseman Alex Calbick of Maine earns MVP honors”

The Corvallis Knights won their third West Coast League Championship on Monday night before a crowd of 1,224 at Goss Stadium. The Knights swept the Wenatchee AppleSox two games to none by beating them 1-0 in game two. It was the fourth time the two teams had met in the West Coast League Championship Series …

Continue reading “Knights win third WCL title; Corvallis blanks AppleSox 1-0 in game two thriller”

History was made all across Royal Athletic Park Tuesday night at the 2013 WCL All-Star Game, as 4,210 fans watched the South Division All-Stars knock off the North by a score of 7-5. The crowd of 4,210 was a new WCL single-game high in the first ever All-Star Game hosted on Canadian soil. It was …

Continue reading “South beats North 7-5 before record crowd of 4,210 at 2013 All-Star Game in Victoria”

The teams for the 2013 West Coast League All-Star Game presented by Yates Street Taphouse were announced this morning by the WCL All-Star Game committee. With 25 players named to each team, the North Division and South Division squads will meet on Tuesday, July 23, at Royal Athletic Park in Victoria, Canada, at 7 p.m. …

Continue reading “West Coast League announces 2013 WCL All-Star Game rosters”

Former West Coast League players led UCLA to the College World Series finals and sweep of Mississippi State to win the program’s first national title. UCLA won game one of the best-of-three championship series, 3-1. Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year Pat Valaika knocked in the game-winner in the first with a RBI single and …

Continue reading “National champion UCLA Bruins led by WCL alums”

Bellingham Bells pitcher Mike Connolly, who just finished his junior year at the University of Maine, will not be returning to the East Coast for his senior season of baseball. Connolly came to terms this week with the San Francisco Giants, who selected him in the 27th round (No. 822 overall) of this year’s MLB …

Continue reading “Bellingham pitcher from University of Maine signs with San Francisco Giants”

The West Coast League represented well this year in the MLB draft as 57 former and current WCL players were selected by MLB teams. The top WCL draft pick was Wenatchee AppleSox alum Marco Gonzales of Gonzaga (pictured). The St. Louis Cardinals selected Gonzales in the first round as the 19th overall pick. This is …

Continue reading “57 WCLers selected in the 2013 MLB June draft”

The West Coast League represented well this year in the MLB draft as 57 former and current WCL players were selected by MLB teams. The top WCL draft pick was Wenatchee AppleSox alum Marco Gonzales of Gonzaga (pictured). The St. Louis Cardinals selected Gonzales in the first round as the 19th overall pick. This is …

Continue reading “Ex-Wenatchee southpaw Marco Gonzales of Gonzaga selected in the first round (19th overall pick)”

Several ex-WCLers were named to season-ending all-conference teams in the Pac-12, Big West and WCC. And five WCL alums were named to Louisville Slugger All-America teams as announced by Collegiate Baseball News yesterday including first-team selection Thomas Eshelman of Cal State Fullerton (Klamath Falls Gems, 2012), second-team pick Jimmie Sherfy of Oregon (Corvallis Knights, 2011); …

Continue reading “Five WCL alums earn All-America honors”

The West Coast League will expand in 2014 as Pacific Baseball Ventures, LLC (PBV), the ownership group of the Walla Walla Sweets, announced today that they have been awarded a West Coast League membership in Yakima, Washington. The soon-to-be-named Yakima team will begin WCL play in time for the 2014 season. “We are excited to …

Continue reading “Pacific Baseball Ventures awarded West Coast League membership in Yakima”

The West Coast League has been known as a pitching league. That’s ringing very true this spring as several former WCL hurlers have been dominant. No one has been as impressive as frosh Thomas Eshelman (pictured) of Cal State Fullerton. Eshelman was introduced to college baseball last summer with the Klamath Falls Gems. Thomas pitched …

Continue reading “Cal State Fullerton freshman pitching sensation Thomas Eshelman, Baseball America’s #10 rated 2012 WCL prospect, leads Titans to lofty ranking”

West Coast League alumnus Bud Norris (pictured) will throw the first pitch of the 2013 Major League Baseball season. The veteran Houston right-hander, a standout on the 2005 Aloha Knights, has earned the starting nod for Sunday night’s game against the Texas Rangers at Minute Maid Park, the first big league game this season. It …

Continue reading “Norris to throw first pitch of 2013 MLB season for Astros”

#3 ranked and undefeated Oregon State looked to extend its 15-game win streak versus University of San Francisco of the West Coast Conference yesterday at Goss Stadium. But the Dons would have nothing of it, and handed OSU its first loss of the season beating the Beavers 5-1. Earlier on Tuesday, ex-Klamath Falls Gems and …

Continue reading “Former Klamath Falls and Bend infielder Tyler Smith of OSU earns Pac-12 Player of the Week honors for the #3 ranked Beavers”

The West Coast League board of directors voted last week to move from 2-man umpiring crews to 3-man crews for the 2013 season. The change was adopted to improve officiating and help further develop umpires in the region by working professionally-run games in the West Coast League. Like the Cape Cod League, the WCL now …

Continue reading “West Coast League moves to three man umpiring crews for 2013 season”

Several ex-WCLers earned 2013 preseason honors by Baseball America in its college baseball preview issue. Former Wenatchee AppleSox southpaw and first baseman Marco Gonzales of Gonzaga was named to Baseball America’s first-team All-America squad. Gonzalez led Wenatchee to a WCL title in 2010 as the Zags’ frosh-to-be went 5-1 with a 2.76 ERA while striking …

Continue reading “WCL alums earn pre-season Baseball America honors”

The list of pros features 18 players that have appeared in the big leagues this season including Chris Davis (pictured) of resurgent Baltimore. To date, Davis is hitting .267 with 20 doubles, 28 homers and 77 RBIs for the 89-67 Orioles. Other Major Leaguers include star outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury of Boston, starting pitcher Tommy Hanson …

Continue reading “160 alums of WCL teams appear in affiliated pro ball in 2012”

WCL Top Ten Prospects by Conor Glassey, Baseball America The Wenatchee AppleSox are something of a summer league dynasty. Over the first eight years of the West Coast League, Wenatchee has won five championships. This year, the team defeated the Corvallis Knights in the best-of-three championship series, two games to one. Wenatchee leads the West …

Continue reading “Baseball America releases WCL prospects list; Wenatchee’s Taylor Sparks of UC Irvine ranks as league’s top prospect. Perfect Game names Cowlitz southpaw Cole Irvin top rising frosh in summer college baseball”

The 2012 All-West Coast League teams were released, along with the league’s individual and team awards, this afternoon by WCL president Ken Wilson. The Klamath Falls Gems led the way with seven players named All-WCL while the Kelowna Falcons and Wenatchee AppleSox had five players honored. The league’s Most Valuable Player is Wenatchee third baseman …

Continue reading “All-WCL teams and league awards announced; Wenatchee’s Mitchell Gunsolus of Gonzaga named WCL MVP”

The West edged the East 3-2 in the 2012 West Coast League All-Star Game before a near capacity crowd of 2,006 at Borleske Stadium in Walla Walla, Washington. The game featured outstanding pitching by both teams and a thrilling finish that saw the East nearly rally in the bottom of the ninth to tie or …

Continue reading “West beats East 3-2 in WCL All-Star Game nail-biter at Borleske Stadium in Walla Walla”

he teams for the 2012 West Coast League All-Star Game presented by NAPA Auto Parts were announced this past Tuesday by league president Ken Wilson. In total, forty-two players were named to the East Division and West Division squads, which will meet Tuesday, July 24 at Borleske Stadium in Walla Walla, Washington. Wenatchee AppleSox coach …

Continue reading “WCL President Ken Wilson announces WCL All-Star Game rosters”

A record 56 former or current West Coast League players were selected in the 2012 Major League Baseball June draft held June 4-6. The former WCL high was 51 selections in the 2009 MLB draft, which was 50 rounds (10 more than in 2012). Two former WCLer outfielders were picked in the first round. 2010 …

Continue reading “56 WCLers selected in 2012 MLB June draft”

Several ex-WCLers were named to season-ending all-conference teams in the Pac-12, Big West and WCC. Senior right-hander Alex Keudell of Oregon, who pitched for the 2010 Cowlitz Black Bears, was named the Pac-12 Pitcher of the Year. Ex-Corvallis Knights star outfielder Mitch Haniger (pictured) of Cal Poly was named Big West Player of the Year. …

Continue reading “Ex-Cowlitz Black Bear Alex Keudell of Oregon is named Pac-12 Pitcher of the Year”

The University of Oregon Ducks are flying high. George Horton’s club is 19-8 in Pac-12 play, 41-14 overall and are ranked #5 by Baseball America. The Ducks’ roster has a definite WCL feel to it with closer Jimmie Sherfy (2.25, 4-2, 16 saves) and outfielder Aaron Jones (pictured) leading the way. Sherfy, who emerged last …

Continue reading “Jimmie Sherfy”

Baseball America and Perfect Game Crosschecker released their summer collegiate baseball top prospects lists and Corvallis left-handed pitcher Jace Fry, a frosh-to-be at Oregon State, was named the West Coast League’s #1 prospect by both the national publication and comprehensive online scouting notebook. To check out the lists, please read below. Baseball America Top Ten …

Continue reading “Corvallis southpaw Jace Fry of Oregon State named #1 WCL prospect by Baseball America”

The 2011 All-WCL teams and awards were announced by West Coast League president Ken Wilson as voted on by league head coaches and executives. The Wenatchee AppleSox placed six players on the first team, more than any other club. Eleven players from Corvallis were All-WCL selections, making the Knights the most represented club on both …

Continue reading “All-West Coast League teams announced; Walla Walla infielder Alex Stanford of Gonzaga named WCL MVP”

The return of the West Coast League All-Star Game was a huge hit. Fans, players, coaches and scouts enjoyed a full evening of entertainment that included a rousing home run derby, exciting game and spectacular fireworks show. The league’s midsummer classic was nearly a sellout at Goss Stadium in Corvallis as 2,517 fans attended the …

Continue reading “East beats West 4-2 before 2,517 fans at WCL All-Star Game in Corvallis; 2012 WCL All-Star Game to be held in Walla Walla”

The list of pros features 12 players that have appeared in the big leagues this season including the first WCL alum to appear in a MLB All-Star Game, Jacoby Ellsbury (pictured) of the Boston Red Sox. Other major leaguers include starting pitcher Tommy Hanson of Atlanta, starting pitcher Jeff Francis of Kansas City, catcher Chris …

Continue reading “130 alums of WCL teams played in affiliated pro ball in 2011”

West Coast League president Ken Wilson announced the league’s 2011 All-Star teams as voted on by fans, league coaches and the Major League Scouting Bureau. The East Division team, coached by Ed Knaggs of Wenatchee, features ten AppleSox, including ace pitcher Owen Jones of the University of Portland. Jones leads the league with five wins. …

Continue reading “West Coast League announces 2011 East and West all-star teams”

Several ex-WCLers were named to 2011 All-Conference teams including Marco Gonzales of Gonzaga. The frosh southpaw and first baseman was named the West Coast Conference co-Player of the Year. Gonzales went 11-2 this past spring and hit .291 for the Bulldogs. Marco played for the Wenatchee AppleSox in the summer of 2010, where he earned …

Continue reading “Ex-Wenatchee star Marco Gonzales named co-WCC Player of the Year”

45 players that have competed for WCL clubs were selected in the 2011 MLB June draft held Monday, June 6 through Wednesday, June 8 including two first-rounders. The first West Coast League pick was Tyler Anderson of University of Oregon. Anderson (pictured) was the 20th overall selection and was taken by the Colorado Rockies. Tyler …

Continue reading “Forty-Five WCLers selected in 2011 MLB June draft”

Ex-Wenatchee AppleSox first baseman Dillon Baird of the Arizona Wildcats was named Pac-10 Player of the Week for the week of May 18-24, the final week of Pac-10 play. Baird went 7-for-13 vs. University Oregon at PK Park to improve his Pac-10 leading batting average to .433 and capture the conference’s batting crown. Dillon further …

Continue reading “Dillon Baird”

The University of Oregon Ducks are flying high. George Horton’s club is 19-8 in Pac-12 play, 41-14 overall and are ranked #5 by Baseball America. The Ducks’ roster has a definite WCL feel to it with closer Jimmie Sherfy (2.25, 4-2, 16 saves) and outfielder Aaron Jones (pictured) leading the way. Sherfy, who emerged last …

Continue reading “WCL alums lead University of Oregon to #5 national ranking and first place in Pac-12”

The Seattle Mariners can pitch. They can field. And presumably they’ll have better chemistry than in 2010, when a poor start, an anemic offense that scored just 513 runs, and a fractured clubhouse led to the early dismissal of manager Don Wakamatsu. Management addressed those concerns in the offseason, by adding some veteran bats, by …

Continue reading “WCL president Ken Wilson to announce over 30 games for Seattle Mariners”

130 alums of West Coast League teams are active (as of July 24, 2011) or have played in affiliated professional baseball this summer. The list of pros features 12 players that have appeared in the big leagues this season including the first WCL alum to appear in a MLB All-Star Game, Jacoby Ellsbury (pictured) of …

Continue reading “Ex-Bend outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury first WCL alum to play in MLB All-Star Game”

The West Coast League enters its seventh season on a roll. The league has added Klamath Falls, one of the top available markets in the Pacific Northwest. The expansion Gems will start their first season on Friday, June 3rd, hosting the Bend Elks at historic Kiger Stadium. The West Coast League All-Star Game, on hiatus …

Continue reading “West Coast League president Ken Wilson talks about the upcoming season and future plans of the WCL”

Several ex-WCLers were named to 2011 preseason all-conference teams by Baseball America and Collegiate Baseball in their respective college baseball preview issues. Former Corvallis Knights catcher Andrew Susac of Oregon State and pitcher Tyler Anderson (pictured) of University of Oregon were named to Baseball America’s second-team and third-team All-America squads, respectively. Susac was rated the …

Continue reading “WCL alums earn 2011 preseason Baseball America and Collegiate Baseball honors. Ex-Corvallis Knights catcher Andrew Susac of OSU named second-team All-America by Baseball America”

The West Coast League All-Star Game is back. After a two-season hiatus, the 2011 WCL All-Star Game will be held at Goss Stadium in Corvallis, Oregon on Tuesday, July 26th. “Our owners decided to reinstate this great showcase event,” said WCL president Ken Wilson in making the announcement. “It’s terrific for our players, and the …

Continue reading “West Coast League All-Star Game to return in 2011 at Goss Stadium, the home of the Corvallis Knights”

Baseball America and Perfect Game Crosschecker released their summer collegiate baseball top prospects lists last month and Cowlitz C/3B Stefan Sabol, a frosh-to-be at Oregon, was named the West Coast League’s #1 prospect by both the national publication and comprehensive online scouting notebook. To check out the lists, please read below. Baseball America Top 10 …

Continue reading “Cowlitz star Stefan Sabol of University of Oregon named #1 WCL prospect”

For the sixth consecutive season, the West Coast League significantly grew its fan base. As the league grew from eight teams to nine, 2010 per game average attendance increased 20% to 966 per game. As the league set new attendance benchmarks, total league attendance eclipsed 200,000 for the first time, growing by 40% over 2009. …

Continue reading “West Coast League attendance takes significant jump in 2010”

WCL president Ken Wilson announced the 2010 All-West Coast League teams as voted on by member head coaches. Wenatchee first baseman Eric Peterson of Washington, utility man Trevor Brown of UCLA, and pitchers Marco Gonzales of Gonzaga and Jeff Ames of Lower Columbia College; Bend second baseman Tommy Richards of Washington State; Corvallis outfielder Michael …

Continue reading “All-West Coast League teams announced by WCL president Ken Wilson”

Bend Elks second baseman Tommy Richards of Washington State was named the 2010 West Coast League Most Valuable Player as announced by WCL president Ken Wilson and voted on by the league’s coaches. Richards (pictured), a junior-to-be at WSU, led the league in batting with a .364 average, hit 2 home runs and collected 33 …

Continue reading “West Coast League announces its 2010 awards”

Klamath Falls, Oregon will join the West Coast League for the 2011 season, becoming the 10th active franchise. Klamath Falls Gems Baseball, LLC, will operate the professional, minor league-like team, according to WCL president Ken Wilson, who made the announcement. Five Klamath Falls residents make up the operating group, led by Oregon Tech basketball coach …

Continue reading “Klamath Falls Gems to join West Coast League in 2011”

The list of pros features 11 players that have appeared in the big leagues this season including pitcher Tommy Hanson (pictured) of Atlanta, pitcher Jeff Francis of Colorado, first baseman Chris Davis of Texas, outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury of Boston, pitcher Jason Hammel of Colorado, pitcher Clay Mortensen of Oakland, outfielder Nyger Morgan of Washington, infielder …

Continue reading “131 alums of WCL teams played affiliated pro baseball in 2010”

46 collegiate prospects that have played for WCCBL clubs were selected in the 2010 MLB June draft held Monday, June 7 through Wednesday, June 9. The first West Coast League pick for a second consecutive year was 2007 league strikeout leader James Paxton of Kentucky. Paxton was the 37th overall pick of the 2009 MLB …

Continue reading “Former Kelowna Falcons ace James Paxton selected in 4th round by Seattle”

Several ex-WCLers were named to 2010 All-Conference teams including Daniel Bibona of UC Irvine. The senior southpaw was named the Big West Pitcher of the Year for a second consecutive season and earned first-team All-America honors. Daniel pitched for the Corvallis Knights in the summer of 2007, where he developed his masterful changeup. Selected in …

Continue reading “Ex-Corvallis Knights southpaw Daniel Bibona of UC Irvine earns All-America honors.”

Defending Big West champion UC Irvine was ranked #8 in Baseball America’s college baseball preview issue (Feb. 22-Mar. 7, 2010). The Anteaters send many of its players to the West Coast League. 2009 Big West Pitcher of the Year Daniel Bibona (pictured) developed his superb changeup in the summer of 2007 with the Corvallis Knights. …

Continue reading “All-WCL catcher Ronnie Shaeffer of Wenatchee looks to lead pre-season #8 ranked UC Irvine to Omaha”

2008 & 2009 American League steals leader Jacoby Ellsbury of the Boston Red Sox was recently named the #1 college outfielder of the decade by Baseball America as voted on by Division I college head coaches. Ellsbury was first introduced to college baseball as a member of the 2002 Bend Elks. Jacoby joined the Elks …

Continue reading “Former Bend Elk Jacoby Ellsbury of OSU named collegiate outfielder of the decade by Baseball America. Oregon State named #2 team of the decade”

The West Coast League has awarded a membership to Walla Walla, Washington, to be owned by Pacific Baseball Ventures, LLC, a Pacific Northwest group. The team will begin play in 2010. “We’re excited to be returning minor league-like baseball to Walla Walla, and to have a terrific ownership group with ties to the community,” said …

Continue reading “Walla Walla expansion franchise awarded to Pacific Northwest ownership group”

Baseball America and Perfect Game Crosschecker recently released their summer collegiate baseball prospects lists. Corvallis catcher Andrew Susac, a frosh-to-be at Oregon State, was named the West Coast League’s #1 prospect by both the national publication and comprehensive online scouting notebook. Both lists also rated Corvallis pitcher Matt Andriese of UC Riverside and first baseman …

Continue reading “Corvallis catcher Andrew Susac of Oregon State named #1 West Coast League prospect by Baseball America and Perfect Game Crosschecker”

For the fifth consecutive season, the WCL significantly grew its fan base. 2009 attendance numbers set new benchmarks as league total attendance increased by 17%. League attendance eclipsed 150,000 for the first time, with each WCL team, with the exception of Spokane, increasing their total attendance for league games. Corvallis had the largest increase, up …

Continue reading “WCL sets new attendance record”

President Ken Wilson of the West Coast League announced the circuit’s 2009 honors, as voted on by WCL general managers and coaches, including MVP, Pitcher of the Year, Coach of the Year, Executive of the Year and the Jim Dietz Team Sportsmanship Award. Corvallis shortstop Richie Jimenez, a junior-to-be at UNLV, was named 2009 WCL …

Continue reading “2009 WCL awards announced, Corvallis shortstop Richie Jimenez of Riverside CC named MVP”

119 alums of West Coast League teams are active (as of August 25, 2009) in affiliated professional baseball.

West Coast League president Ken Wilson announced the 2009 All-West Coast League teams as voted on by member head coaches. Corvallis first baseman Taylor Ard of Mt. Hood CC, shortstop Richie Jimenez of UNLV, third baseman Doug Cherry of Washington and pitchers Kyle Kraus of University of Portland and Matt Andriese of UC Riverside; and …

Continue reading “League president Ken Wilson announces All-WCL teams”

The Wenatchee AppleSox swept both the East Divisional Series and WCL Championship Series to capture their third WCL title in five years. The Sox avenged their WCL Championship Series loss last summer to Corvallis by sweeping the Knights in 2009. Wenatchee rode the left arm of junior-to be Reedy Berg of Gonzaga to register road …

Continue reading “Wenatchee AppleSox capture third WCL title”

The West Coast League has awarded the Longview/Kelso franchise to Tony Bonacci, a successful businessman and long-time manager and sponsor of amateur baseball programs. League president Ken Wilson made the announcement Thursday, June 18, praising Bonacci as having “the perfect combination of grassroots experience in baseball and success in business.” Bonacci has been pursuing a …

Continue reading “Longview/Kelso franchise awarded to businessman Tony Bonacci”

Several ex-WCLers were named to 2009 All-Conference teams including A.J. Morris (pictured) of Kansas State. The junior right-hander also earned All-Big 12 and All-America honors and was named Big 12 Pitcher of the Year. Morris, who was picked by the Washington Nationals in the 4th round of this June’s MLB draft, finished the season as …

Continue reading “Ex-Moses Lake ace A.J. Morris of Kansas State is named All-American”

51 collegiate prospects that played for WCCBL clubs were selected in the 2009 MLB June draft held Tuesday, June 9 through Thursday, June 11. The first West Coast League pick was 2007 league strikeout leader James Paxton of Kentucky. Paxton pitched for Kelowna. The lefty went 3-5 with a 2.95 ERA over 11 starts while …

Continue reading “51 WCL alums selected in the 2009 MLB June draft”

2008 first-team All-West Coast League third baseman Andrew Darr of Arkansas delivered his biggest game when it mattered most as the University of Arkansas came from behind twice against host Florida State to beat the Seminoles 9-8 on Saturday to earn a berth in the 2009 College World Series. Darr, who starred for the Bend …

Continue reading “Ex-Bend Elks star Andrew Darr leads Arkansas to College World Series”

On Tuesday, May 26, the Big West named former Corvallis Knights hurler Daniel Bibona of #1 ranked UC Irvine its 2009 Pitcher of the Year. Bibona is now the third alum of the West Coast League to be named Pitcher of the Year in a profile conference. Last week, the Big 12 named last summer’s …

Continue reading “Ex-Corvallis Knights southpaw Daniel Bibona of #1 ranked UC Irvine earns Big West Pitcher of the Year honors”

Longview/Kelso, Washington is the newest member of the West Coast League. League president Ken Wilson announced that the five-year old league, based in the beautiful Pacific Northwest, had awarded Longview/Kelso an expansion franchise. The Cowlitz County club becomes the tenth member of the West’ leading wood-bat summer collegiate league, which launched in 2005 with 7 …

Continue reading “Longview/Kelso granted West Coast League membership”

Ex-Wenatchee AppleSox first baseman Dillon Baird of the Arizona Wildcats was named Pac-10 Player of the Week for the week of May 18-24, the final week of Pac-10 play. Baird went 7-for-13 vs. University Oregon at PK Park to improve his Pac-10 leading batting average to .433 and capture the conference’s batting crown. Dillon further …

Continue reading “Former Wenatchee infielder Dillon Baird of Arizona wins Pac-10 batting title”

Ex-Kelowna Falcons infielder Chris Davis of the Texas Rangers blasted a walk-off two-run homer off Seattle Mariners closer Brandon Morrow to give Texas the 3-2 series finale victory in a game played Thursday afternoon at the Ballpark in Arlington (May 14, 2009). The home run was Davis’ 10th of the young season (3rd in AL) …

Continue reading “Chris Davis of Texas leads Rangers to first place in AL West”

Junior right-hander A.J. Morris (pictured) of Kansas State has been masterful this spring, setting a school wins record and leading the Wildcats to a 38-13-1 overall record (13-9-1 record in Big 12) and #11 ranking in Baseball America. Morris is 11-1 over 13 starts and 91 2/3 innings pitched. He’s posted a team low 1.67 …

Continue reading “Ex-Moses Lake Pirates ace A.J. Morris leads Kansas State to #11 ranking”

Former Bend Elks shorstop Brian Barden of Oregon State was named National League Rookie of the Month for April. Barden starred for Bend in 2000. Barden had an outstanding month of April, batting .385 in 21 games, displaying his trademark versatility by playing third base, second and shortstop. He had a .641 slugging percentage, which …

Continue reading “Ex-Bend Elk Brian Barden named NL Rookie of the Month”

Heading into the second-half of the 2009 collegiate season, several West Coast League alums are making an impact on ranked teams and 5 of 10 Pac-10 clubs leading hitters played in the West Coast League. WCL alums making a difference for ranked teams (Baseball America’s latest rankings): #1 UC Irvine – Ace lefty Daniel Bibona …

Continue reading “Leading hitters of five Pac-10 teams are WCL alums including Kelowna Falcons infielder Colin Walsh of Stanford”

Baseball fans in two future WCL markets will get their first look at West Coast League baseball this July. Both Longview/Kelso, Washington and Klamath Falls, Oregon will host games between the defending WCL champion Corvallis Knights and the Kitsap BlueJackets. “This is a terrific opportunity for fans in these communities to get out and see …

Continue reading “Longview/Kelso and Klamath Falls to host neutral site WCL charity games”

A West Coast League team will start play as soon as 2010 in Klamath Falls, Oregon. League president Ken Wilson announced the awarding of a conditional WCL membership to the City. Klamath Falls becomes the ninth member of the wood-bat summer college league, which launched in 2005 with 7 teams. “We’ve spent more than a …

Continue reading “Klamath Falls awarded WCL franchise”

The National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association named redshirt junior Kyle Conley (pictured) of University of Washington to its pre-season All-America third team. The right-handed hitting outfielder from Richland, Washington, led the Huskies in virtually every offensive category last spring, including average (.337), home runs (19) and runs batted in (57). He also either led the …

Continue reading “Former AppleSox outfielder Kyle Conley of UW named pre-season third-team All-American”

West Coast League 2005 Pitcher of the Year Tommy Hanson (pictured) was not only named the Atlanta Braves #1 prospect by Baseball America in its January 12-25 issue, but the right-hander from Redlands, California was also pictured on the cover of the national publication’s latest issue that was distributed at the American Baseball Coaches Association …

Continue reading “2005 WCCBL Pitcher of the Year named 2008 Arizona Fall League MVP”

The list of pros features 9 big leaguers, including MLB pitchers Jeff Francis of the Colorado Rockies and Jason Hammel of the Tampa Bay Rays and outfielders Jacoby Ellsbury (pictured) of the Boston Red Sox and Nyjer Morgan of the Pittsburgh Pirates, power-hitting rookie third baseman Chris Davis of the Texas Rangers and infielder Brian …

Continue reading “104 ex-WCCBLers were active in affiliated professional baseball in 2008”

The West Coast Collegiate Baseball League (WCCBL) is now the West Coast League (WCL) announced league president Ken Wilson. The West Coast League also announced plans to expand its regular season schedule to 48 games. “As brand recognition of our league has grown, it’s become clear that our identity can be simplified,” said Ken Wilson. …

Continue reading “League Shortens Name, Adds to Schedule”