West Coast League Playoffs Just Around The Corner
Eight of the league's nine teams have a chance to earn postseason berths with less than two weeks remaining in the regular season. The postseason begins Tuesday, August 10.
August 10 - East Divisional Series Game #1 - #1 at #2. West Divisional Series Game #1 - #1 at #2
August 11 - East Divisional Series Game #2 - #2 at #1. West Divisional Series Game #2 - #2 at #1
August 12 - East Divisional Series Game #3 (if necessary) - #2 at #1. West Divisional Series Game #3 (if necessary) - #2 at #1
August 14 - Championship Series Game #1 - at West Division Winner
August 16 - Championship Series Game #2 - at East Division Winner
August 17 - Championship Series Game #3 (if necessary) at East Division Winner
Klamath Falls Gems Will Begin West Coast League Play Next Season
After being granted a conditional franchise in March, 2009, Klamath Falls, Oregon is now formally a member of the WCL. A group of five Klamath Falls residents will operate the team, and are currently conducting a nationwide search for a general manager and a coach. The nickname Gems was selected to honor the Klamath Falls Gems, a member of the Far West League from 1949 - 1951. The Gems are already taking orders for season tickets at www.klamathfallsgems.com. The Gems will play their home games at historic Kiger Stadium, constructed in 1948. The Gems give the West Coast League ten teams for the 2011 season.
Corvallis And Wenatchee Jump Into The Top 30 Rankings
The Corvallis Knights and Wenatchee AppleSox have leaped into this week's Perfect Game Crosschecker Top 30 rankings. The Knights are ranked #18 after winning 6-in-a-row and 9-of-their-last-11 games. The Applesox, in the Top 30 early in the season, are ranked #29 following 5 consecutive wins. The Sox have won 8-of-their-last-10. The Bend Elks, ranked #9 last week, dropped out after losing 4-in-a-row and 7-of-10. The Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox of the Cape Cod League are ranked #1 for the first week.
Fourth Celebrated In Big Way With Large Crowds
A crowd of 2,930 at Goss Field in Corvallis highlighted July 3rd action in the West Coast League, as fans celebrated the holiday. The Knights topped the Bellingham Bells 4-1 for their 7th consecutive win. Meanwhile, a standing room only turnout of 1,741 in Walla Walla saw the Sweets get past the Moses Lake Pirates 5-2.
46 West Coast League Players Selected In 2010 MLB June Draft
46 college prospects that have played in the West Coast League were selected in the 2010 MLB June draft. For the second straight year, the first WCL pick was 2007 league strikeout leader James Paxton of Kentucky. Paxton, selected in the 4th round by the Seattle Mariners, was the 37th overall selection in the 2009 draft by the Toronto Blue Jays. The Corvallis Knights were the most represented WCL team with 11 players chosen, while the Kelowna Falcons had 8 draftees and the Bend Elks had 7.