Port Angeles Lefties vs. Bellingham Bells

Port Angeles Lefties Vs. Bellingham Bells

Game Program June 7 - 9, 2019 Civic Field

Port Angeles Lefties The Lefties enter their third season after a wildly successful first two years playing at Port Angeles’ Civic Field.

By: Pierre LaBossiere

T

he Lefties were born in 2017, the brainchild of majority owner Matt Acker to bring collegiate summer league wooden bat baseball to Port Angeles.

Wooden bat summer leagues have been established for decades in Massachusetts, Minnesota and Wisconsin. They were established in part to give good collegiate players a chance to play with wooden bats, which are employed by Minor League and Major League teams.

The West Coast League began in 2005 and features some of the best collegiate players in the country. Many of the WCL players come from Pac-12 and other big baseball schools out of the West Coast Conference and Mountain West. There are franchises all over Oregon, Washington and British Columbia in the league.

Mitch Haniger and Marco Gonzalez with the Seattle Mariners are a couple of of current Major Leaguers who got their start with wooden bats in the WCL. Continued

Other WCL alumni includes well-known names such as Shane Bieber, Jacoby Ellsbury, Chris Davis, Rhys Hoskins and James Paxton. These are elite college players and the young men you see on the Civic Field grass or infield today you may very well see on a Major League roster three or four years from now.

2019 Lefties Schedule

The Lefties and the City of Port Angeles worked together to improve Civic Field, adding a party deck in left field. Mother Nature provides the amazing view of the Olympic Mountains over the right-field fence, a spectacular view pretty much unparalleled in the West Coast League.

The Lefties began play in June 2017, competing in a season from early June to early August. They went 19-34 that first year, but played an exciting brand of baseball. The highlight of that season was a huge rally in the Lefties’ season finale, a wild 17-16 come-from-behind win in 11 innings over the Victoria HarbourCats.

More important than the won-loss record was the team’s success at the gate. The Lefties averaged 1,366 fans per game, the fourth-best in the 11-team WCL, despite Port Angeles being one of the smaller communities in the league.

2018 brought changes to the league and to the Lefties’ field. Seats were added in left field, replacing couches that were popular with fans but not very utilitarian in the wet climate of the Pacific Northwest.

(They had to be covered with tarps in rainstorms). Also, a new team joined the league from Portland, Ore., the Portland Pickles, bringing the WCL into the biggest city in Oregon.

The 2018 Lefties were an exciting, explosive team that led the WCL in home runs (with 57, well ahead of the second-place Portland’s 43) and the team was among the league leaders in runs scored. The Lefties’ record improved to 21-33 and they were again fourth in the league in attendance at 1,380 per game. All three teams ahead of the Lefties were based in much bigger communities — Victoria, Bellingham and Portland.

Continued

The 2018 season also featured the West Coast League All-Star weekend held at Civic Field and at the Port Angeles waterfront. Besides the All-Star Game itself, the highlight of the weekend was the home run derby held at the Port Angeles Harbor with Leftie Ron Brown winning the competition with his deep drives into the harbor.

August 20. Single-game tickets range from $5 to $20 with packages and season tickets available.

The Olympic Peninsula has awesome weather in the summer and there’s no better place in Port Angeles to spend an enjoyable summer evening than a Lefties’ game. There’s good food, good beer, great views, good times and of course…

Speaking of Victoria, the Lefties’ big, yet baseball. friendly, rival comes from across the Strait of Juan de Fuca, the Victoria HarbourCats.

The HarbourCats are even hosting a game on June 2 between the Lefties and an elite team from Cuba.

Another new team joins the WCL this year, the Ridgefield Raptors, joining the Lefties, Portland Pickles, Victoria HarbourCats, Bend Elks, Corvallis Knights, Bellingham Bells, Wenatchee AppleSox, Yakima Valley Pippins, Walla Walla Sweets, Kelowna Falcons and Cowlitz Black Bears. The Lefties play in the North Division with Victoria, Bellingham, Wenatchee, Yakima and Kelowna.

The Lefties play 35 home games at Civic Field from May 30 to August 8, with the WCL playoffs being held from August 3 to

About the

West Coast League The West Coast League (WCL) is the premier summer collegiate baseball league west of the Mississippi. The 14 year-old, 12-team league showcases pro prospects from major national collegiate conferences from June through the middle of August.

In 2018, 72 players were with WCL experience were selected in Major League baseball’s June amateur draft. 271 WCL alums were active in affiliated professional baseball in 2017, including 31in the major leagues.

They included 2015 home run leader Chris Davis (Baltimore), record breaking slugger Rhys Hoskins (Philadelphia), rising star pitchers James Paxton (New York) and Matt Boyd (Detroit), and outfielder Mitch Haniger (Seattle).

Overall member attendance was 412,392 last summer, an increase of nearly nine percent from the previous season.

Dear West Coast League Fans, We’re proud of the reputation our league has developed since a modest beginning in 2005, and this year we’ll continue building upon this reputation.

Players quickly discover a challenging level of play, with an atmosphere—demanding schedule, extensive travel, wood bats, and of course top-flight competition—matching the professional conditions that many West Coast League players will soon experience in the Minor Leagues.

Meanwhile, college coaches trust that their players will receive strong instruction in our professional atmosphere, and return to their programs as better players.

Our coaches and players live with host families, and play in front of large crowds in a range of intimate, fan-friendly ballparks, from old minor league parks to state-of-the-art collegiate stadiums.

West Coast League teams feature players from around the U.S. and Canada, and every team is committed to helping college players develop both their baseball and life skills. Our teams are also dedicated to enriching their communities, and our member communities are devoted to their hometown teams. The environment is nurturing, the atmosphere thrilling, and the Pacific Northwest setting the best anywhere.

No other league has more breathtaking geography. No other league features the professionalstyle schedule of the West Coast League, with extended road trips and home stands. No other league can match the dedication and financial strength of our owners. No other league has a brighter future.

Thank you for supporting West Coast League baseball!

Rob Neyer, West Coast League Commissioner

Meet the Port angeles Lefties PITCHERS Dwayne

Michael

Angelbrandt II

Fitch

College: Cal State Northridge Position: RHP Hometown: Santa Ana, CA

College: Indiana Wesleyon University Position: P Hometown: El Cajon, CA

Tyler

Jonathan

Bielawmowicz

Fortner

College: University of Houston Position: LHP/OF Hometown: Cypress, TX

College: Tacoma CC Position: RHP Hometown: Portland, OR

Nathan

Baxter

Bonck

Halligan

College: Seattle University Position: RHP Hometown: Wasilla, AK

College: University of N. Colorado Position: LHP/OF Hometown: Pacific City, OR

AC

Kyle

Chavez

Hamrick

College: NMJC Position: LHP Hometown: El Paso, TX

College: Olympic College Position: RHP Hometown: Bremerton, WA

Jonny

Ryan

Chavez

Moeller

College: East Central University Position: RHP Hometown: Waukonis, OK

College: Grinnell College Position: LHP Hometown: Mountain View, CA

Colin

Zack

Cortez

Moore

College: Big Bend Comm College Position: RHP Hometown: Moses Lake, WA

College: Troy University Position: LHP Hometown: Dothan, AL

Matthew

Michael

Dunaway

Musselwhite

College: Skagit Valley College Position: RHP Hometown: Mililani, HI

College: Edmonds CC Position: LHP Hometown: Lynnwood, WA

Meet the Port angeles Lefties PITCHERS Dylan

Porter College: Santa Barbara City College Position: RHP Hometown: Richmond, CA

Tyler

Tan College: Skagit Valley College Position: RHP Hometown: Kent, WA

Frankie

Tallon

Scalzo

Thomason

College: Purdue Position: P Hometown: Vista, CA

College: UNLV Position: RHP Hometown:

Jack

Zachary

Schlotman

Tresemer

College: UC San Diego Position: RHP Hometown: Alpine, CA

College: UC San Diego Position: RHP Hometown: San Diego, CA

Jeffrey

Shafer College: East Central University Position: RHP Hometown: Shawnee, OK

fielders Nick

Connor

Berry

Denning

College: Fresno State Position: 2B/3B Hometown: Martinez, CA

College: Campbell University Position: IF Hometown: Phoenix, AZ

Matthew

Nicholas

Boissoneault

DiPonzio

College: Seattle University Position: C Hometown: Mercer Island, WA

College: Stetson University Position: OF Hometown: Macon, GA

Matthew

Justin

Christian College: Campbell University Position: 1B/OF Hometown: Opelika, AL

Fugitt College: Purdue University Position: 1B/3B Hometown: Columbus, OH

Meet the Port angeles Lefties Fielders Alex

Damiano

Garcia

Palmegiani

College: Edmonds CC Position: C Hometown: Port Orchard, WA

College: Cal State Northridge Position: IF/OF Hometown: Surrey, BC

Ethan

Gavin

Groff

Rork

College: Tulane University Position: IF/OF Hometown: Orlando, FL

College: Seattle University Position: OF Hometown: Tulalip, WA

Evan

Trevor

Hurn

Rosenberg

College: Marshall Position: 1B/3B/OF Hometown: Sequim, WA

College: University of San Diego Position: SS Hometown: San Diego, CA

Jeff

Ronnie

Jamison

Rust

College: Fresno State Position: 2B/OF Hometown: Carmichael, CA

College: Skagit Valley College Position: C/OF Hometown: Portland, OR

Alexander

CJ

Marco

Shauwecker

College: Utah Valley Position: OF

College: Grand Canyon University Position: 1B Hometown: Cave Creek, AZ

Chad

Tommy

Minato College: Howard University Position: IF/OF Hometown: Huntington Beach, CA

Takayoshi College: Purdue University Position: C Hometown: Spanaway, WA

Charlie

Thomas

Nasuti

Wheeler

College: Purdue University Position: C Hometown: Long Beach, CA

College: Tacoma CC Position: OF Hometown: Roy, WA

2019 Official

Scorecard

Visitors

Lefties

OMC Foundation

Over 1.4 Million in 19 Months

T

he Olympic Medical Center Foundation knows how to put the FUN in fundraising while providing serious money for a serious cause.

The Foundation has given 1,400,000 to or on behalf of OMC in the last 19 months. It is also in the midst of raising money for the expansion of the OMC Cancer Center.

“Counting pledges from donors, we have now raised over $1,000,000 towards the cancer center expansion,” said OMC Foundation Executive Director Bruce Skinner.

other staff, and other areas. Last year the Foundation donated $150,000 to help OMC purchase a nuclear camera for cardiac stress testing to replace one that has reached its service life. The new camera will reduce radiation exposure to the patient, reduce the amount of time that patients have to be in an uncomfortable position form 30 minutes to 6-10 minutes, and provide improved imaging with enhanced technology.

“Once again we are raising money for something that will save lives” said OMC In addition to direct donations, the Foundation president Bill Littlejohn.

Foundation stages six annual fundraising events. They are the Red, Set, Go Heart Luncheon, Great Olympic Peninsula Duck Derby presented by Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe, Sonny Sixkiller Celebrity Golf Classic presented by Wilder Auto, Hog Wild presented by Sequim Health & Rehabilitation and Crestwood Health & Rehabilitation (which benefits the OMC Children’s Clinic), Harvest of Hope presented by the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance (which benefits the OMC Cancer Center) and Festival of Trees.

Funds raised have gone towards the expansion of the OMC Cancer Center, new equipment, education for nursing and

29th Annual Festival of Trees: November 29-December 1st, 2019 Photo: Lexie J Winters Photography

2018 Lefties Stat Leaders

Baxter Halligan

Triston Busse

Dalton Harum

Jason Dicochea

ERA: 4.90

Wins: 4

Home Runs: 8

Batting Average: .336

ERA - Minimum inning(s) pitched per team game - .8

AVG - Minimum of plate appearances per team game - 2.7