To Those in the Seattle-Tacoma area:

My son, an RHP/3B who will turn 16 at the end of May '06, is desperately seeking a team to play on from mid-June through the summer. I teach on a US base in Korea so We spend the school year in Seoul, but the summers in the States. We have legal residence in University Place (Tacoma area) if that matters, but willing to play anywhere in the Sea-Tac corridor.

He's a good ballplayer (only freshman to make his HS team and was #2 pitcher -- will be #1 this year), and a nice kid.

Please help - any advice, contacts, guidance, etc, greatly appreciated!

Thanks!!

Krak

Krakatoa,

Go to this web site (http://www.tacomabaseball.com), it serves as a link to many Tacoma, WA area clubs, leagues, etc. It will get you started. I for one don't trust what a lot of travel team people say. Many are good, but many don't have a decent coaching background. You'll want to find a good coach, not just a talented team I presume. There are several decent programs based out of the south end of Puget Sound. ... Legion ball is best if you're out of the metropolitan area, but it isn't great here. The best teams in the state are east of the mountains playing legion.

Gotwood,

Was your son on the Chicago White Sox club? I have such great memories from your area of the country!Have several dads from the Prairie Gravel club that I loved meeting during the 13-14 caba years and their kids moved to different clubs at 15 caba but we still hooked up for great days of watching great teams!Fill me in on your son's progress!!

Krakatoa,

You can pm me if you wish and I can offer suggestions to you .

You should be able to find these on the web if you have the time.

Every Monday the Seattle Times lists teams looking for players. It's in their recreation calendar section of the sports section.

Every Tuesday a list is in the Seattle-PI. I believe it's called You're Invited.

The King County Journal also lists teams. Here is there listing for 10/1/05
BASEBALL

CVAC PONY TRYOUTS

Tryouts for this 13-year-old select team are scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 2 at 3 p.m. at Lindbergh High School in Renton. More information is available by calling (425) 255-8047.

KNIGHTS 16U

The team is seeking pitchers and catchers for the 2006 season. More information is available by contacting Hank Celigoy at (253) 804-0754.

WASHINGTON TRIDENTS OPENINGS

This 13U select has roster spots available for winter training and for 2006 league play and tournaments. More information is available by calling (253) 973-3381 or by e-mailing to mike@tridentmarine.net.

BULLDOGS 2006

The club will field teams ranging from 13U through 18U in 2006. In addition, fall, winter and spring training clinics and private instruction be offered. More information on any of the information below is available online at http://www.kentbulldogs.com and clicking on the Training Center page.

BOWEN SCARFF BULLDOGS 18U has an opening for a pitcher/outfielder. More information is available by contacting Nevin Garthwaite at (253) 350-0937.

KENT BULLDOGS 16U will conduct tryouts for the 2006 team on Thursdays, Oct. 6 and 13, at 7:30 p.m. at the Bulldogs Training Center. More information is available by contacting Steven Finch at (253) 217-1858 or by e-mailing to coachsteven08@yahoo.com.

KENT BULLDOGS 14U BLUE has two openings left, with tryouts taking place over the next two weeks. More information is available by contacting manager Bill VanEngelenburg at (206) 650-4435.

KENT BULLDOGS 13U BLUE has openings, for a pitcher/outfielder, middle infielder and catcher. More information on tryouts is available by contacting Gerry Evenson at (206) 465-5884.

FALL/WINTER HITTING CLINICS are coming up. They are open to players ages 8-18, and players are put into groups based on age and ability. The six-week course is taught by Jay Garthwaite, who plays for the Arizona Diamondbacks' Lancaster team in the California League, and by the Bulldogs' 18U coaching staff. The cost is $139, and includes a Bulldog Training Center jersey. Sign-up sheets are available online at http://www.kentbulldogs.com by clicking on the Training Center page, and are available at the Training Center or by calling (253) 395-3777.

SEA DOGS TRYOUTS

Tryouts for fall ball and for the 2006 summer season are coming up. The club has teams at the 15U, 16U, 17U and 18U levels. More information is available by contacting Will Snyder at (206) 550-8906 or Eddie Flanagan at (206) 793-3452 or Robin Rich at (253) 797-5647, or by going online to http://www.seadogsbaseball.com.
WASHINGTON HAWKS TRYOUTS

This 14U Sandy Koufax elite travel team will conduct tryouts on Saturday, Oct. 1 at 2 p.m. on Colegate Field at Curtis Junior High (3717 Grandview in Tacoma). More information is available by calling (253) 857-6145 or by going online to http://www.eteamz.active.com/14uhawks/

EVERGREEN STATE SPORTS/LONGHORN

Longhorn Baseball has roster openings on its 18U and 16U teams, and interviews are being scheduled. References are available upon request.

Openings also are available on the 12Um 10U and 8U. Year-round training is provided, and interviews for those openings are being scheduled.

COACHES are needed. Extensive training is provided for these salaried positions. More information on the roster or coaching openings are available by contacting coach Brian Embery M.S. at (253) 735-7858.

YOUTH BASEBALL COACHING SERIES

Evergreen State Sports and Longhorn Baseball is offering these free Saturday morning coaching clinics throughout the winter. The clinics, which begin Oct. 1, run from 8-9:30 a.m., will take place inside The Evergreen State sports facility at the 24th Street Business Park in Sumner. More information is available by contacting coach Brian Embery M.S. at (253) 735-7858.

INSTRUCTIONAL SERIES

``Small Ball Offensive Baseball'' and ``Pitching without Major League Velocity'' are being offered by Evergreen State Sports and Longhorn Baseball. Both are six-week series on Saturdays beginning Oct. 8, with Small Ball from 10-11 a.m. and Pitching from 11:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m.. The Small Ball series focuses on skill development for players of all ages. The pitching series is geared to advanced pitchers age 14 and older. Pre-enrollment can be completed by calling (253) 735-7858.

FREE HITTING LESSONS

Lessons are available for boys and girls of all abilities age 10 and older at the Southwest Indoor Baseball Complex. Players will go through visual acuity drills, and learn about the ``position of power,'' proper stance, grip and posture at the plate. More information is available by calling (206) 940-2931.

TEAM TRAINING

Training for all ages and skill levels will be offered by Fairweather Sports. Sessions are 90 minutes. More information is available by contacting coach Brian Embery at (253) 891-8377.

HITTING/PITCHING INSTRUCTION

Fairweather Sports and 5 Tool Instruction will offer lessons seven days a week by appointment. Instructors are Barry Aden (pitching), Romell Mitchell and Luke Hetherington (hitting and defense) and Brian Embery (team). More information is available by calling (253) 891-8377.

HITTING LESSONS

Appointments are now being accepted for private instruction for players of all ages and abilities. More information is available by contacting Dave Smart at (206) 940-2931.

RENTON LITTLE LEAGUE

The league's board of directors meets the second Monday of each month. All meetings are open to anyone interested in Renton Little League activities. Anyone interested in the publicity, secretary or umpire-in-chief board positions is asked to call (425) 652-1768 and leave your name and phone number.

NADEAU SPORTS TRAINING

Enrollment is open for private and group instruction for fall and winter sessions. Instruction is offered for hitting, fielding, and speed & agility. More information is available by contacting Mike Nadeau at (253) 927-4460 or by going online at http://www.nstsports.com.
HUSKY BASEBALL

Instruction from University of Washington coaches and players in hitting, pitching, catching and infield play is offered for players ages 8-18. More information is available by calling (206) 517-1553 or online at http://www.washingtonbaseballcamps.com.
PROFESSIONAL INSTRUCTION

One-on-one instruction in pitching, hitting and fielding is being offered by Stods Baseball with former pro player Steve Goucher. More information is available by calling (425) 643-8384.

PITCHING LESSONS

Advanced instruction in mechanics, pitching and functional strength for players ages 9-18 is available. More information is available online at http://www.pitchsmarter.com

SLUGGERZ INDOOR BATTING CAGES

This Enumclaw facility at 1713 3rd St. is open seven days a week and features Atec pitching machines for baseball, fastpitch and slowpitch. Private instruction is available for $50 an hour. Hitting leagues for all ages are forming at a cost of $120 per team. A drop-off program and all-you-can-hit rates are offered. More information is available by calling (360) 802-BATS (2287).

BASEBALL INSTRUCTION

Semi-private pitching, catching, hitting and fielding lessons are being offered by the Washington State Baseball Academy. The academy also offers ongoing weekly group clinics. More information is available by calling (206) 941-0933 or (253) 735-2142.

AUBURN LITTLE LEAGUE

A GENERAL SESSION meeting takes place the second Wednesday of each month in the Auburn City Hall council chambers at 7 p.m. It is open to anyone interested in Auburn Little League activities. More information is available on the Web site at http://www.users.uswest.net/~krigney.
BRAD PETERSON SCHOOL

This organization offers individual analysis and training for hitting and pitching, team hitting and pitching clinics, tournaments for 10-, 11- and 12-year-olds, summer camps for players age 12 and under, and a fall league. More information is available by calling (425) 802-0638.

NORTHWEST BASEBALL INSTITUTE

Instruction is provided by former professional player Steve Gaucher. More information is available by calling (206) 624-7826 or by going online at http://www.nwbi.org.

Thanks for all the tips! Someone's going to have to take him sight-unseen, however, which presents the real problem. I'd have references to provide, though.......

quote:

The best teams in the state are east of the mountains playing legion.

Tradition -- could you please elaborate? Would these be in the Wenatchee/Moses Lake/Tri-Cities areas, or all the way over in Spokane?? Do players have to reside within certain boundaries to play Legion ball??

Kimchi?? Believe it or not, we do keep a stash in our fridge. We were introduced to it our first day in Korea. The stuff found Stateside can't compare to "ajumma's secret recipe!"

I grew up in suburban Detroit area - never heard of kimchi 'til we got here. Another tasy treat is dried, salted seaweed (called, what else, 'kim'). Delicious and nutritious!!

GotWood4sale,

I knew that was you ! It was a great night of conversation and ball . I am pleased for Nick , I love tracking the kids I have seen thru the years and love when kids can compete on the field and share a walk and a talk on the way to the parking lot. I am very excited to hear he has made the jump to college baseball, and injury aside , I am pleased he is making the transition smoothly.I bet he made a great initial impression !
Matt is a great kid, Alex played with Matt when I had Alex drop out of little league and play up a year into Sandy Koufax.He then played with him off and on and they trained together at Seattle U at some camps during the winter.
Alex also is good friends with Max Kwan, he played with him on the Mariners fall ball team and attended many of the same pro try outs before the draft.I believe Alex said when he talked to Max he was in Texas and doing well with Tulane.
Alex also got to face Mr Sanchez at the Area Code games and enticed him to smash a grounder past a startled third baseman.
I am glad you are posting here , it is a grand way to advance the kids of tomorrow to greater heights and I am reliving that great evening I spent with you and our kids !!
Catchersdad

GotWood 4sale,

Haven't been able to help Krak yet , Baseballtoday has with the listings, I can help if he sees certain teams he wishes to contact.
Nice to see some posts here, I know alot of ghosts lurk here but not many like to jump in .
I will add Christian Brothers to my list of teams to watch this spring!Best of luck to Nick!!

Catchersdad

There are a number of us "alumni" still lurking lurking in the shadows aren't there? I'm glad you mentioned the Tacoma baseball website, Alan, as I was about to do so when I read the opening post. I'm a bit out of touch with the summer teams in the Tacoma area as we have been away for over a year.

Glad to see there are still Northwesterners out there keeping an eye on our site!

Krakatoa, please either pm me, or email me at dsozzi@wsnb.com I'll be glad to put you in contact with someone who knows which Washington teams are the better ones for your son. We plaed in a tournament last summer that had 7 or 8 Washington teams, and I was favorably impressed with the ones we saw. They play some darned good baseball.

I'll be happy to help put you in touch with some of them.

Thanks 06, but we're good to go. Found a good 18U team willing to take him on, and looking forward to the season (too bad it's 6 months away!!)

I appreciate the offer of help, though!

Hopefully, we'll see your son this coming summer. Which team, if I can ask? Are they a team that played in the West Coast Summer Series in San Diego last summer?

I PM'd ya!

Talk to Eric Bloyd with the Krushers, He does a good job with pitchers, He's a bit ruff around the edges but knows baseball and he will travel the country looking for the best teams to play, he has a link on tacomabaseball.com .