. Older has an invite to play summer college ball in Washington...looking for feedback on collegiate summer leagues there...any info, facts, impressions, warnings, do's and dont's, rumors, teams, joys,...are all appreciated....it all helps...will take my answer off the air (PM) or directly into the forum...
Thanks, 44
PS...can't someone help out Krakatoa?... .
Posts: 2165 | Location: CA | Registered: May 15, 2005
Yeah, I hope someone can "leave the light on" for us!!
Others on here will know much more than I do, but I'll try and crack the floodgates open by just saying the level of summer ball played by college guys east of the Cascades (Yakima, Wenatchee, etc) is some of the highest quality baseball in the nation.
You might want to visit www.baseballnorthwest.com and peruse some of their info/news. Contact Jeff McKay directly through their site - he knows it all inside and out.
If aesthetics matter, there aren't many more beautiful places to spend time playing baseball. And the girls of the Northwest are goddesses. I know, I married one!
"I would be lost without baseball. I don't think I could stand being away from it as long as I was alive." Roberto Clemente #21
Posts: 2205 | Location: Neither Here Nor There | Registered: November 26, 2003
There are multiple types of teams up here. The West Coast Collegiate Baseball League (www.wccbl.com) has become the premier league. It is made up of 8 teams that cover BC, WA and OR. They play 52 games in a minor league format, 6 single games a week with crowds around 1,000-2,000 a night. Top teams Aloha Knights NBC Champs in 2004 and 3rd in 2005. Wenatchee is also a strong club. Players don't pay to be part of these teams. Travel, housing, food and jobs are provided. The teams are made up of strictly current college players.
The Pacific International League (pacificinternationalleague.com)is a true Semi-pro league. They take current college players and ex-pro's. They also have some strong teams, ie. Seattle Studs 2nd in NBC World Series in 2005. The WCCBL and PIL split in 2004 leaving the PIL with four teams. The PIL just expand adding 3 Portland City League teams to bring their total to 7 teams. Some of these teams are pay to play. This is also a solid league. The ex-pro players really add to the quality.
Portland City League is based in the Portland/SW Washington area. These teams are pay to play. They also have good teams. They are usually made up of player that were over looked by other summer teams.
We also have some Independent teams. They usually consist of Community College players and fill their roster from small college guys that are coming home.
I coach the Kitsap BlueJackets (www.kitsapbluejackets.com). There is some crossover in non-league play. This year we have 2 PIL teams on the schedule and one Independent team. Last season we also played one Portland City League team.
If you have anymore questions let me know.
Acker
Posts: 41 | Location: Auburn, WA | Registered: November 23, 2004
Now if we can find some housing for you, we will be well on our way to having ALL the world's problems solved...outside of that inane karmathread...
I'm sure if I said I was looking for temp housing in Ta-KARMA instead of Tacoma, or Ya-KARMA instead of Yakima, or British KARMAmbia instead of British Columbia, I'd be flooded with replies.
"I would be lost without baseball. I don't think I could stand being away from it as long as I was alive." Roberto Clemente #21
Posts: 2205 | Location: Neither Here Nor There | Registered: November 26, 2003
CoachGRCC...Acker....Thanks so much!...great info...Now can have an intelligent dialogue with older about the possibilities...turns out the offer is from a WCBBL team...this is good...sounds like a blast and he loves to fish...warming to the idea...will PM you about the specific team...
44
Posts: 2165 | Location: CA | Registered: May 15, 2005
I tried to PM you, but it didn't work. So here it is.
They have a new coach. Kevin Frady is a assistant at Kansas. I actually know Kevin and think he is a good guy. The Bells have a great ownership group. They play at Joe Martin Stadium, which used to house the single A mariner team. They have good crowds up there. My mother-in-law actually lives in Bellingham. It is beautiful college town on the boarder with Canada. Western Washington University is the school. They actually don't have a college team, so the town is starved for it. I can't speak for their housing situation, but most teams in the WCCBL are taken care of well. The Bells have been around for a while. We open our league play with them up there. I hope I see your son up here this summer. If you have any other questions let me know. The league website is usually kept up to date well www.wccbl.com. Don't let the website schedule fool you. There are not many open dates. We do fill in games on off days. The average team will play six days a week and from June 8/9-Aug 6. Playoffs begin after the Aug 6th. If he likes to fish he is in the right area. The weather will be great (75-85) on the westside and (90-100) on the eastside. Games aren't until 7:00, except for the random Sunday 1:00 start. If he isn't from the area he will be taken back by Bellingham and the water and mountains. Bend, Kelowna, Moses Lake and Wenatchee are resort towns (need I say more). Aloha (Portland) and Spokane are in major cities so there is a lot to do. Kitsap is in Bremerton which is where the aircraft carriers come to dock. It has the Olympic Mountians on one side and the Cascades on the other in the middle of the Puget Sound. The safest place to store carriers. The ball was good last year. Pitching was actually dominate. Baseball America has articles about the West Coast Collegiate. I expect the hitting to pick up a little, but these parks are big and we are at sea level. I think pitching will always be a little ahead up here. The community college in the Northwest are actually putting a lot of pitchers out right now. That really adds to the depth of these staffs. Good hitters are welcome though, we need them. I just don't expect many homeruns.
Matt Acker
macker@greenriver.edu
Posts: 41 | Location: Auburn, WA | Registered: November 23, 2004
This is great stuff...thanks! Sounds as if it is perfect for him. College is inland, urban, desert...but grew up at sea level at the coast, in a resort town, with pines and firs...pitches and hits...but needs lots of AB's this summer against great pitching...perfect..
I will also be in touch through the email address...
Thanks!
44
Posts: 2165 | Location: CA | Registered: May 15, 2005
I coached in the Texas Collegiate League the last two summers, and it's about as good as it gets... It's no Cape Cod, but I would say it is equivalent to, if not better than, the Valley League, or the Northwoods league. If your son is looking to play in front of the most people, the Northwoods league would be the one to play in. Each team averages something like 5,000 per game??? (Correct me if I'm wrong, someone). But as far as talent goes, the TCL and the Valley are the best, other than the Cape. The only problem with the TCL is the heat. And I think we averaged 350 fans per game last year. But, we'd see 15-20 pro guys in the stands per week. Hope this helps. Let me know if you have any questions.
Your right, Northwoods has the largest attendance. The Cape has the overall best players. In the last two years the Aloha Knights of the West Coast Collegiate League have taken 1st in 2004 NBC World Series and 4th in 2005. The Seattle Studs took 2nd in 2005. The Studs play in old league PIL. We all still play each other. They take pro and we take college. The WCCBL has decided not to go to the NBC anymore. We are following the lead of the Northwoods and Cape. Aloha didn't win the WCCBL last season. Wenatchee Applesox won it and decided that playing for our championship was a bigger deal. The Knights returned to defend their title. They start 7-0 before losing in single elimination. There is great summer ball all over the country. I don't question that every league has someone to brag on. But for weather, fields and crowds you can't beat the Northwest in the summer. Look on Baseball America and see what they say about the West Coast Collegiate. I forsee that eventually the Alaska, California and West Coast will play a Western Championship and not go to the NBC. This is just what I'm hearing, not for sure.
Posts: 41 | Location: Auburn, WA | Registered: November 23, 2004
quote; There are not many open dates. We do fill in games on off days. The average team will play six days a week and from June 8/9-Aug 6. Playoffs begin after the Aug 6th. If he likes to fish he is in the right area. The weather will be great (75-85) on the westside and (90-100) on the eastside. Games aren't until 7:00, except for the random Sunday 1:00 start. If he isn't from the area he will be taken back by Bellingham and the water and mountains. Bend, Kelowna, Moses Lake and Wenatchee are resort towns (need I say more). Aloha (Portland) and Spokane are in major cities so there is a lot to do. Kitsap is in Bremerton which is where the aircraft carriers come to dock. It has the Olympic Mountians on one side and the Cascades on the other in the middle of the Puget Sound. The safest place to store carriers. The ball was good last year. Pitching was actually dominate. Baseball America has articles about the West Coast Collegiate. I expect the hitting to pick up a little, but these parks are big and we are at sea level. I think pitching will always be a little ahead up here. The community college in the Northwest are actually putting a lot of pitchers out right now. That really adds to the depth of these staffs. Good hitters are welcome though, we need them. I just don't expect many homeruns.
Coach GRCC: Now you made me home sick. and your letting out secrets of the NW, Just let them think it rains all the time!! LOL Now that sounds like a good road trip, and all the fresh fruit. Cherrys my favorite. The EH
Posts: 2358 | Location: northern california | Registered: December 17, 2005
And where else could you potentially hook up with the Krakster?!! I know me and my boys would love to catch one of your son's games. Keep in touch, maybe paths will cross.
"I would be lost without baseball. I don't think I could stand being away from it as long as I was alive." Roberto Clemente #21
Posts: 2205 | Location: Neither Here Nor There | Registered: November 26, 2003
CPen... Have heard lots of good things about that league and one of olders best friends who plays for Texas is playing there this year I believe...maybe next year...would be a great option...Thanks!
Coach...EH... This is great info thanks so much, read it with interest and passed it on, feeling really good about this with your help! Played in the Ca Collegiate baseball league last year and this looks like the next logical step...
Krak... Good baseball...Beauty...crowds...northwest lovelies...great coaching...weather...nice helpful people...a pefect parent vacation spot...but the kicker is....Tip to see the Krakster?...PRICELESS!
44
Posts: 2165 | Location: CA | Registered: May 15, 2005
O44; The NW at that time of year, and the places that your Son will be going are great. Everyplace on the trip is a totally different Place. Mountain's and tree's, to flat and hot. Western versus Eastern Washington and all the fruit stands. Oregon to British Columbia, All the Lakes/Rivers and of course the Puget Sound. He'll be busy playing baseball but try to make time for himself and teamates to enjoy there Visit. The EH
Posts: 2358 | Location: northern california | Registered: December 17, 2005
There is plenty of time to enjoy. The games aren't until 7:00. We don't have any double headers. It is a great schedule. We play 28 home games and 21 road between June 8 and Aug 6. I had a great time last summer and really believe in this league. I wasn't bored anywhere.
Posts: 41 | Location: Auburn, WA | Registered: November 23, 2004
Now that the WCCBL is well underway, I thought I would check in on this older discussion to see who has kids playing up there this summer?
We've been listening to the games via the internet; my son is playing for the Applesox. It would be cool to make the connection with other websters kids while listening.
Never thought my summer evening ritual would involve listening to baseball games, just like when I was a little kid!
~~~~ "There are only two seasons - winter and Baseball." --Bill Veeck
So far so good up here. We already played all are games with Wenatchee. They started slow, but I'm sure the two time defending champs will finish strong. The league talent level is very high. A lot of Pac-10 players usually helps that. The league races are close so it should come down to the wire, as always.
Matt Acker Head Coach Kitsap BlueJacket's
Posts: 41 | Location: Auburn, WA | Registered: November 23, 2004
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