Tacoma Cardinals

The Tacoma Cardinals are opening this summer. Comprised of local college
players, the Cardinals will be playing a non-league schedule against the
best Collegiate Summer teams in the Northwest. The Cardinals will be
playing approximately 30 games between June 3 and July 18 against teams from
the West Coast Collegiate League (WCCBL) http://www.wccbl.com, Pacific
International League (PIL) http://www.pacificinternationalleague.com, Portland City
League (PCL) http://www.portlandcityleague.com, and some independent teams. As
the WCCBL and the PIL are very well respected around the country, this
competition will give Cardinal players an opportunity to see what the next
level is like.
The WCCBL is in its second year. The WCCBL is comprised of 8 teams and the
league has great competition and large crowds. The Cardinals are currently
scheduled to play 5 games against the Kitsap BlueJackets, 3 games against
the defending WCCBL Champion Wenatchee Applesox, 2 games against the
Bellingham Bells, and 1 game against the Bend Elks. The BlueJackets,
Applesox, Bells, and Elks have the largest crowds in the WCCBL. We are also
in scheduling negotiations with the Aloha Knights (2004 NBC National
Champions and 2005 4th finishers) and the newest WCCBL team, the Moses Lake
Pirates.
The Cards will also play multiple teams from the PIL. They will travel to
play 2 games against the Mt. Vernon Eagles, 2 games against the Northwest
Javelinas, and 2 games against the Portland Titans.
As teams in the WCCBL and PIL are often difficult to get on, these teams are
usually filled in August and September; this is an opportunity to showcase
your talents and possibly open door to one of the great leagues. Other
games will be played against feeder teams similar to the Cardinals. The
Tacoma Cardinals are a feeder team for the Kitsap BlueJackets.
Each Cardinal Player will be signed under a BlueJacket contract. The
BlueJackets are currently planning on carrying 23 players. WCCBL rules
require the BlueJackets and other WCCBL teams to set their rosters at 28
players by July 18. These 5 potential openings could be, as we are hoping,
filled by Cardinal Players. Last season the BlueJackets, as many
collegiate summer league teams do, lost players to injury and the draft,
which could open more spots. We created this team, The Cardinals, for
numerous reasons. Our goal is to support local college players, add depth
to the Kitsap BlueJackets for 2006, and develop future players for the
BlueJackets.
The Kitsap BlueJackets http://www.kitsapbluejackets.com are in their second year.
The BlueJackets are a fully funded program. BlueJacket players have access
to weights, athletic trainers, employment, a beautiful ball field, large
crowds, meal money, and the team bus. It does not cost a player to play for
the BlueJackets The BlueJackets play 28 home games and 21 road dates in
2006. There are no double headers scheduled and the league schedule mirrors
a minor league schedule.
Attendance and behavior are important to play on the Cardinal team. With
the potential of moving up to the big club, we have to make sure that each
player understands that missing games is not an option. We are willing to
work with someone who has an emergency and communicates with us. When
playing against a WCCBL team you will encounter large crowds and alcohol
being served at the games. We want to make sure that are players are acting
appropriately in these environments. If a Cardinal Player is kicked out of
a game or removed from a game by a Cardinal Coach, then that player will no
longer be eligible to move up to the BlueJacket team.


Q and A
Q-Who is eligible to play? A-Any player that has played a year of college
baseball and has college eligibility left.
Q-Who is the coach? A-Matt Rene, former pitching coach for Missouri Valley
College and the Kitsap BlueJackets. He is currently working at Green River
for this season. An assistant will be named later.
Q-How will I know if I am on the team? A-You will be contacted by Coach
Rene or Coach Acker by the end of January.
Q-How many home games? A-None, there are games scheduled in the area early
in the season. This is a travel team.
Q-How will we travel and where will we stay? A-Coach Rene will put together
a travel itinerary that you will follow. You will have a meeting place and
will carpool from that point. If you live closer to the playing site
communicate that and arrangements will be made. In some cases you will be
responsible for your motel. Under these circumstances Coach Rene will have
information on where he is staying with costs for the team. If you have
someone in the area you are welcome to stay with them. Some WCCBL teams
will pay for your hotels when you come to play. We expect perfect behavior
on the road.
Q-What else do I need to provide? A-A copy of your physical, due before the
first game, bats, and gray pants. We will provide socks, balls, jerseys,
helmets and hats.
Q-What if I get offered to play for another team? A-Your money paid for the
Cardinals will stay with that program. You will also have to ask to be let
out of your BlueJacket contract if you are planning on playing collegiate
ball elsewhere in 2006. There is no guarantee that we will release you from
your contract.
Q-If I don’t get picked up can I play for my old summer team after the
season? A-Yes, if the BlueJackets don’t pick you up by July 18 you can play
on any summer team you like.
Q-Why would I play a 30 game schedule if I could play 50 in a men’s summer
league or 60 plus on a summer team? A- More than likely you will not face
the top reliever from USC and play in front of crowds of over 1,000
screaming fans unless you are playing in a league like the WCCBL. If you
are of age to play a 60 plus game schedule that may be beneficial for some
players. You may still have an opportunity to play for HS summer teams
after the Cardinals have finished. Even if you don’t move up to the
BlueJacket team you will have an opportunity to impress other WCCBL Coaches
and see what these leagues are all about.

How do I get on this team?
• Get a reference from your college coach and have him send it to Matt
Acker
tacomacardinalbaseball@hotmail.com or call 360.701.1087.
• $100 deposit due by Feb. 15, $300 due by June 1. Total of $400.
Cost $400. Due Feb. 15. We only have 2 roster spots left.



Tacoma Cardinals Schedule to Date
This schedule is still under construction.

June 3-@ Mt Vernon Eagles (PIL)
June 5-@ NW Javelina (PIL) DH 5:00, 8:00
June 6-@ Portland Titans (PIL) DH
June 8-@ Kitsap BlueJacktes (WCCBL) 7:00
June 9-@ Kitsap BlueJackets (WCCBL) 7:00
June 10-@ Kitsap BlueJackets (WCCBL) 7:00
June 11-@ NW Stars (IND) Clackamas CC
June 13-@ Wenatchee Applesox (WCCBL) 7:00
June 14-@ Wenatchee Applesox (WCCBL) 7:00
June 15-@ Wenatchee Applesox (WCCBL) 7:00
June 18-@ Aloha Knights (WCCBL) TENATIVE
June 21-@TBA (PCL/IND)
June 24-@TBA (PCL/IND)
June 26-@TBA (WCCBL)
June 30-@TBA (PCL/IND)
July 5-@ Bend Bucks (IND) 7:00
July 6-@ Bend Bucks (IND) 4:00
July 6-@ Bend Elks (WCCBL) 7:00
July 7-@ Bend Bucks (IND) DH
July 8-@ Bend TBA
July 10-@ Kitsap BlueJackets (WCCBL) 7:00
July 11-@ Bellingham Bells (WCCBL) 7:00
July 12-@ Bellingham Bells (WCCBL) 7:00
July 13-@ Kitsap BlueJackets (WCCBL) 7:00
July 14-@ Mt. Vernon Eagles (PIL)
July 16-@ NW Stars (IND) Clackamas CC

WCCBL-West Coast Collegiate League http://www.wccbl.com
PIL-Pacific International League http://www.pacificinternationalleague.com
PCL-Portland City League http://www.portlandcityleague.com
IND-Independent teams, feeder teams.