PRESS RELEASE – Western North America’s premier summer collegiate baseball league continues to grow with Tuesday’s announcement from Baseball Edmonton introducing the Edmonton Riverhawks as the West Coast League’s 15th member team.
Tag Archives: West Coast League
West Coast League Adds Edmonton to Lineup
Filed under Branding & Marketing, League & Franchise, Market & Location
West Coast League Adds Kamloops (BC) to Lineup
PRESS RELEASE – Canada’s Tournament Capital just added another sports team to its roster, the Kamloops NorthPaws. The announcement on September 9 was surrounded by much socially distanced fanfare at Norbrock Stadium, the home of the NorthPaws when they begin play. Continue reading
West Coast Reportedly Adding Kamloops
The West Coast League (Summer Collegiate) reportedly plans to expand to Kamloops (BC), possibly beginning the 2021 season. Read more here. The league recently announced the naming of the new franchise in Nanaimo (BC). Kamloops is about two hours from Kelowna (BC), the home of WCL’s Kelowna Falcons.
Filed under League & Franchise, Market & Location
West Coast League Cancels 2020 Season
PRESS RELEASE – This week the West Coast League’s board of directors voted to cancel its 2020 summer collegiate season, due to pandemic-related safety guidelines and travel restrictions across Washington and Oregon. Concurrently, league members Cowlitz, Port Angeles, Ridgefield, Walla Walla, and Yakima Valley are cancelling their respective seasons.
Filed under League & Franchise
Bellingham Bells Cancel Season, West Coast League Prepares to Play
Filed under League & Franchise, Market & Location
WCL Adds Nanaimo to Lineup
PRESS RELEASE – The WCL, which is currently made up of 12 teams including Canadian entries in Victoria and Kelowna, is expanding to 13 teams with the addition of Nanaimo. The to-be-named club’s inaugural season is set for 2021. Nanaimo will play its home games at Serauxmen Stadium. Continue reading
Filed under League & Franchise, Market & Location
Sweets Hire Monty as New Voice
PRESS RELEASE – Ohio native Brandon Monty will be the play-by-by broadcaster and director of media relations for the 2020 season. Currently a senior at Ohio University, Monty spent last summer as the play-by-play broadcaster of the Mat-Su Miners of the Alaska Baseball League. Monty also broadcasts for BobcatTV at OU for the soccer, field hockey, women’s basketball and baseball teams.
Filed under Media, Personnel & Operations
Portland Pickles Add Farm Teams
The owners of the Portland Pickles (Summer Collegiate, West Coast League) announced Tuesday they are starting a new farm team called the Portland Gherkins. Read more here. View website here.
AppleSox to Host 2020 WCL All-Star Game
PRESS RELEASE – 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 welcome the 13th mid-summer classic in WCL history to Wenatchee on July 20, 2020.
Filed under Branding & Marketing, Conference & Events
Ridgefield Raptors’ Inaugural Home Opener
The first-year Ridgefield (WA) Raptors (Summer Collegiate, West Coast League) held their inaugural home opener at the Ridgefield Outdoor Recreation Complex in Ridgefield (WA) on Tuesday night in front of an estimated crowd of 2,200. Read more and view eight photos here.
WOW! Thank you, Southwest Washington! We had an amazing time last night at opening night of our inaugural season with a few thousand of our closest friends.
We're ready to do it all again tonight! 😀 ⚾️https://t.co/yMHVnYqt54 #GoRaptors #baseball pic.twitter.com/6iyzKXIVft
— Ridgefield Raptors (@RRaptorsBB) June 5, 2019
HarbourCats Add Ballpark Zipline
The Victoria HarbourCats (Summer Collegiate, West Coast League) have teamed up with WildPlay, a local company famous for its outdoor adventure parks throughout North America, to install a 400-foot zipline attraction to the already entertaining activities available at Royal Athletic Park. Read more here.
Filed under Uncategorized
Lefties Get Five-Year Ballpark Lease Extension
The Port Angeles Lefties (Summer Collegiate, West Coast League) open their season today with optimism and the assurance that Civic Field will be their ballpark through 2024. Read more here.
Filed under Lease & Contracts, Stadium Issues
Pickles In First-Ever Cannabidiol Sponsorship
In case you missed it, the Portland Pickles (Summer Collegiate, West Coast League) announced last week the first-ever Cannabidiol (CBD) sponsorship deal in baseball, when it inked a two-year partnership with Lazarus Naturals, a CBD brand headquartered in Portland (OR). CBD is a compound that is part of the cannabis plant that is minus the THC compound that is known to get individuals intoxicated. Read more here.
Filed under Sponsorships & Advertising
HarbourCats, Red Arrow Hitting Home Run With New Beer
PRESS RELEASE – The Victoria HarbourCats and Red Arrow Brewing Co. are, literally, knocking the beer out of the park. “HarbourCats Ballpark Blonde” is the newest branded beer from Duncan-based Red Arrow, and under a new agreement between the HarbourCats and Red Arrow, will be available in beer stores and on taps in the region as of late May.
Filed under Amenities & Features, Food & Beverage
GreyWolves Won’t Play in 2019
Rose City Baseball is expected to announce sometime next week that the Gresham GreyWolves (Summer Collegiate, West Coast League) will go on hiatus for the upcoming 2019 season with the possibility of considering a return for the summer of 2020. The team played for two years in the West Coast League (Summer Collegiate) and played an independent schedule last summer. Read more here.
Filed under League & Franchise, Personnel & Operations
HarbourCats Ownership Group Considers Adding WCL Team in Nanaimo
PRESS RELEASE – If all the ducks align, Vancouver Island could have two West Coast League (WCL) baseball teams playing by the 2020 or 2021 season.
Filed under League & Franchise, Market & Location
HarbourCats GM Brad Norris-Jones Stepping Down
PRESS RELEASE – The Victoria HarbourCats are announcing today that Brad Norris-Jones is stepping down as General Manager of the organization effective January 31, 2019, for an opportunity that will be made known in the near future.
Filed under Personnel & Operations
Sweets’ Elia to Move from PA to Play-by-Play
PRESS RELEASE – The Walla Walla Sweets of the West Coast League have announced that longtime play-by-play commentator Roy Elia has been hired to be the baseball club’s lead broadcaster and media relations director.
Filed under Media, Personnel & Operations
AppleSox Unveil 20th Anniversary Logo
PRESS RELEASE – The Wenatchee AppleSox unveiled a new logo to mark their 20th season on Thursday night at a sponsor appreciation event at Highlander Golf Course in East Wenatchee.
Filed under Branding & Marketing
New West Coast League Team Named ‘Ridgefield Raptors’
PRESS RELEASE – 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.
Filed under Branding & Marketing
Bend to Host 2019 West Coast League All-Star Game, Logo Unveiled
PRESS RELEASE – 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.
Filed under Branding & Marketing, Conference & Events
Big Baseball Week Ahead for Nanaimo’s Serauxmen Stadium
Baseball Week at Serauxmen Stadium in Nanaimo (BC) is July 21-27. Headlining the week will be former Toronto Blue Jays second baseman and Hall of Famer Roberto Alomar and other players. There will be camps and a charity softball game, followed by an exhibition battle between the Victoria HarbourCats (Summer Collegiate, West Coast League) and a Nanaimo all-star team. Continue reading
Filed under Conference & Events
HarbourCats Understand Formula to Drive Success at the Gate
Despite the fact that Victoria (BC) has a strong baseball culture — thanks in part to a mild climate that makes a long playing season possible — a baseball team based here has never fared well. Until the Victoria HarbourCats (Summer Collegiate, West Coast League), that is. Read more and view photos here.
GWL President Still Believes in Klamath Falls Market
Great West League (Summer Collegiate) president Ken Wilson is still distraught at some of the things that happened to the Klamath Falls Gems franchise in the past, but he not giving up on the market and historic Kiger Stadium. Read more here.
Filed under League & Franchise, Market & Location
West Coast League Adds Clark County (WA) to 2019 Lineup
PRESS RELEASE – 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.
Feeling the Vibe at Oregon State’s Goss Stadium
Goss Stadium at Coleman Field in Corvallis (OR), home of the Oregon State Beavers baseball team, is about one-third the size of LSU’s Alex Box Stadium in Baton Rouge (LA). But don’t let size fool you. The Corvallis vibe is “unbelievable,” as one San Diego State player describes. Read more here. The stadium is also home of the Corvallis Knights (Summer Collegiate, West Coast League).
Filed under Fun & Atmosphere, Stadium Issues
Wenatchee AppleSox Sold
PRESS RELEASE – The Wenatchee AppleSox have 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 AppleSox and has been promoted to the team’s general manager and chief operating officer. Corcoran will stay on as an advisor with the team over the summer to assist with the transition. Continue reading
Filed under Uncategorized
West Coast League Adds Commissioner to Leadership Structure
PRESS RELEASE – 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.
Filed under Personnel & Operations
HarbourCats Play It Safe, Make Sure Men Without Hats During National Anthems
Ivan Doroschuk, the lead singer, songwriter and founder of the iconic Canadian ’80s band Men Without Hats, will sing the national anthems on Friday, June 1, when the Victoria HarbourCats (Summer Collegiate, West Coast League) kick off their Home Opening Weekend at Royal Athletic Park against the Wenatchee AppleSox. Read more here.
Filed under Fun & Atmosphere, Promotions & Entertainment
Home Sweets Home — Borleske Getting Upgrades
PRESS RELEASE – Construction is currently underway to upgrade and update the historic home of the Walla Walla Sweets. Borleske Stadium is undergoing renovations to enhance the fan experience at the ballpark for the upcoming 2018 season.
Giant Five-Foot Tall Baseball Coming to Victoria’s Royal Athletic Park
It will be the biggest baseball on Vancouver Island, ready for fans to grab a Sharpie and sign their autographs. The Victoria HarbourCats (Summer Collegiate, West Coast League) plan to bring a five-foot high baseball to Wilson’s Group Stadium at Royal Athletic Park for the 2018 season. Read more here.
Filed under Uncategorized
HarbourCats Add New Party Deck
Fresh off the announcement late last month of a new double-decker bus corporate group deck along the first baseline, fans attending Victoria HarbourCats’ (Summer Collegiate, West Coast League) baseball games in 2018 will now have a group option to enjoy down the third baseline. Read more here.
Filed under Amenities & Features
HarbourCats GM Talks About New Double-Decker Bus Seating Area
A uniquely Victorian sports experience is pulling into town. Fans of the Victoria HarbourCats (Summer Collegiate, West Coast League) will soon be watching baseball from the upper deck of an open-top double-decker bus better known as the Hop-On Hop-Off CitySights tour buses often seen driving tourists through Victoria’s Inner Harbour. Read more and watch video here.
Curious about our big Thursday announcement?
Come join us at Royal Athletic Park, will get going at 1:45pm sharp.
Find out what the big news is — officially #YYJ #yyjsports #sixthseason pic.twitter.com/MVA2KilZcj— Victoria HarbourCats (@HarbourCats) March 22, 2018
Filed under Amenities & Features, Stadium Issues
Pippins Unveil Green Alternative Jersey
Just in time for St. Patrick’s Day, the Yakima Valley Pippins (Summer Collegiate, West Coast League) have unveiled something special for their fifth season — a new-look alternative jersey to go along with their home whites and away grays.
Filed under Branding & Marketing, Merchandising
Lefties to Host 2018 WCL All-Star Game, Plan Saltwater Splashdown Home-Run Derby
Going yard will be going splash when the Port Angeles Lefties (Summer Collegiate, West Coast League) host a home-run contest on the eve of the 2018 West Coast League All-Star Game at Civic Field this July. Read more here.
Filed under Conference & Events, Fun & Atmosphere
Pickles Hire New Voice
PRESS RELEASE – The Portland Pickles announced today that they have hired former Ivy League Pitcher Jamie Flynn as the 2018 Voice of the Pickles. Continue reading
Filed under Media, Personnel & Operations
HarbourCats Announce Front Office Changes
PRESS RELEASE – The Victoria HarbourCats are pleased to announce changes to their key front-office team as preparations continue for the sixth season of West Coast League baseball in the B.C. capital. Continue reading
Filed under Personnel & Operations
Walla Walla Sweets Name New GM
PRESS RELEASE – – The Sweets have named a new general manager, promoting assistant general manager Dan Ferguson to the post for the 2018 season. Team president Zachary Fraser, who had returned to the GM role for the 2017 season, is continuing on in his role as president of the Sweets and the Yakima Valley Pippins. Both WCL clubs share the same ownership. Continue reading
Filed under Personnel & Operations
Portland Pickles Join West Coast League
PRESS RELEASE – 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. Continue reading
Filed under League & Franchise