At 9-0, UCLA is off to one of their best starts in school history and are now ranked 15^th in the most recent Baseball America poll.

“We love getting more than one player from a school, especially from a program like UCLA,” said AppleSox Head Coach Ed Knaggs. “It’s great to get Pac-10 players, which is arguably the best conference in the college baseball.”

Brown was listed as one of the top five catchers to watch by the Los Angeles Times as a high school senior. He also attended the same high school as Knaggs, Hart High School in Valencia, CA.

Gelalich was drafted in the 41st round of the 2009 Major League Baseball Draft by the Philadelphia Phillies. The La Verne, CA, product was a Rawlings Baseball Preseason All-America second-team selection in 2009.

Both are seeing action in their first year with the Bruins. Brown has started one game behind the plate and has appeared in three, while Gelalich has come off the bench in five games. UCLA’s freshman class that includes Brown, Gelalich, and former AppleSox Cody Keefer was ranked 19^th nationally by Baseball America.

“They are very athletic players and are pumped to be coming here,” said Knaggs. “They’ve heard good things about playing for the AppleSox from Cody Keefer.”

Plutko and Weiss are both in their senior year of high school and signed with the Bruins in November. Plutko attends Glendora High School in Upland, CA, and was listed among the top 75 draft prospects for 2010 by Perfect Game. He was also picked as a 2010 Under Armour Pre-Season All-America selection. Weiss, an Irvine, CA, native from Northwood High School has a fastball that can reach the low 90s.

“With the guys out of high school, the odds are they will be drafted,” said Knaggs. “If that ends up being the case we hope they come here, but they have to do what is best for them.”

Last year UCLA recruit Trayce Thompson was set to join the AppleSox, but signed with the Chicago White Sox after being the 61^st overall pick of the MLB Draft. Thompson, the younger brother of WSU basketball player Klay Thompson, was recently ranked by Baseball America as the sixth best prospect in the White Sox organization.

The 2009 West Coast League Champion AppleSox included freshman All-American catcher Ronnie Shaeffer, and infielders D.J. Crumlich and Tommy Reyes from UC Irvine. The Anteaters are the defending Big West Conference champions and were ranked seventh in the preseason USA Today/ESPN Coaches Poll.

“They are such a great program and they come to us so well coached,” Knaggs said. “It’s just such a pleasure to have them to spend the summer with us.”

The two pitchers, Hooper and Whitehouse, are contributing right away for UC Irvine. “Both guys are quality young arms that have been in the mix for them already this season,” Knaggs said. “It’s nice to get guys that come to us with innings already under their belt.”

Hooper, a 6’4 right-hander, was drafted out of Saugus High School in California by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 28^th round of the MLB Draft in 2009. Whitehouse, from Diamond Bar, CA, tossed a 17-strikeout no-hitter in high school. He went 9-1 his senior year and struck out 87 batters in 70 innings

Sandler was named to the all-state second-team in 2008 and 2009 and was a two-time Ventura County first-team honoree in high school.

“At school he is behind two very quality guys at catcher, so I’m sure he will be chomping at the bit to play when he gets up here,” Knaggs said.

The Simi Valley, CA, native will be following in the footsteps of teammate Ronnie Shaeffer, the sophomore catcher who was named to the All-West Coast League first-team for his contributions to the AppleSox last season.

“The fans were awesome and showed up to every game in huge numbers. I met some great people including players, coaches, and people in the community,” Shaeffer said about his summer with the AppleSox in a recent interview with the West Coast League website.

“There has been a long line of Zags to come play for us,” said Knaggs, who spent seven years as a Gonzaga assistant coach. “They know what type of experience their players will have here, and we know we are not only getting good players but good people. We tend to talk first at the end of each summer.”

Both Olson and Moon are familiar with the AppleSox and the West Coast League. The two were teammates at University High School in Spokane and played against the AppleSox as members of the Spokane RiverHawks last season.

Slavin was originally slated to play for the AppleSox last season out of high school, but was a late scratch due to an injury. The freshman out of Tenino, WA, was ranked as the top catcher in the state out of high school by Baseball Northwest.

Wilson is entering his first year with the Bulldogs after transferring from the College of San Mateo, where he earned Junior College All-American honors. The junior from Orange, CA, looks to be the Zags starting third baseman when they open their season.

Gonzales, the high school senior from Fort Collins, CO, will begin at Gonzaga in the fall of 2010 after signing with the Bulldogs. Even though he is the youngest of the group, Gonzales has already had a decorated baseball career. He is a three-time All-State selection in Colorado, where he has lead his high school to three state titles, starting on the mound and earning the win in all three championship games.

"Marco is one of the top two-way prospects in the country," said Gonzaga Head Coach Mark Machtolf when Gonzales signed his letter of intent in November.

The AppleSox open the 2010 season on the road June 8^th against the expansion Walla Walla Sweets. The home opener is June 11^th against the Kitsap BlueJackets at Paul Thomas Sr. Field. Tickets are available now at www.applesox.com or by calling (509) 665-6900.

A familiar voice is returning to the Wenatchee AppleSox. Former radio broadcaster Chris King, who announced the team’s games during the 2008 season, is rejoining the team in a full-time position. King will work in sponsor sales and as the communications director in addition to serving as the team’s radio voice.

“As the AppleSox have continued to enjoy significant increases in fan counts and sponsor sales over the past ten years, we’re excited to have Chris on board to help us grow.  He brings an energy to our organization that you can hear on his broadcasts,” said AppleSox owner Jim Corcoran.

King, a 2009 WSU graduate, will announce all 54 home and away games on 560 KPQ as the team looks to repeat as West Coast League Champions.

“I had a blast working with the team in 2008 and I couldn’t be more excited to return,” King said. “Wenatchee is such a great baseball town and the way the community supports the AppleSox is second to none.”

King has announced over 140 high school football, basketball, and volleyball games for Comcast Varsity Sports in Western Washington and Spokane over the last four years. He has also served as a reporter for Seattle sports radio station 950 KJR’s weekly high school sports coverage for the past five years.

The 2 part clinic will take place on March 7th and March 14th from 6:00-9:00 in the Eastmont High School gym. This year will feature former Ephrata High School baseball coach Dave Johnson and current WVC coach Steve Keller.

Dave Johnson is the winningest baseball coach in Washington state history compiling 663 victories in 35 years as skipper of the Tigers, which includes 8 state championships. Steve Keller led the WVC Knights to a second place NWAACC finish in 2009, and also serves as the head coach of the Moses Lake Pirates.

The clinics will benefit coaches and parents of baseball players at all ability levels. View the Coaching Clinic page for details and a downloadable registration form.

Current Seattle University graduate assistant Fletcher Vynne has been tabbed by coach Ed Knaggs as his assistant for the 2010 season.

Coach Knaggs is looking forward to working with Vynne this summer, stating that "He's a high-energy guy, a great assistant coach. He's a loyal, hard-working kind of guy."

AppleSox pitching coach Rob Hippi was working at a prospect camp at Seattle U this fall where he first met coach Vynne. Throughout their conversation, the AppleSox came up, and Hippi knew that there was an opening on the AppleSox coaching staff. Coach Knaggs and Hippi generally reserve the 3rd assistant spot for young, up and coming coaches; Vynne fit the bill. Vynne expressed some interest, so Hippi ran the idea by Knaggs, and the rest is history.

Vynne will be taking over for last year's popular assistant coach Roberto Saenz, who will be continuing his bright coaching career in the Cape Cod League this summer with the Chatham Anglers. Responsibilities for Vynne will include include hitting coach, first base coach, scouting, and field maintenance throughout the summer.

Vynne, from Friday Harbor, WA, played his collegiate ball at the University of British Columbia where he helped them win the NAIA World Series in 2006. He served as team captain his senior season while leading the team in home runs.

Upon graduating from UBC in 2008, he began working on his master's degree in sports administration and leadership at Seattle University.

If you have ever tried to put green grass or hot dogs in a stocking before, you probably didn`t get the reaction you were hoping for. Let us help. The AppleSox have a couple of different gift options that will allow friends and family to enjoy some great baseball this spring and summer.

Family Pass

Come out to the ballpark and enjoy the first ever Division 1 baseball game played in Wenatchee. On Tuesday, April 13th, the AppleSox will host the Cross State Baseball Showdown featuring the Washington State University Cougars versus the Seattle University Redhawks baseball programs. The Cougars and Redhawks will play this regular season game at Paul Thomas Sr. Baseball Stadium. The family pass costs just $20, and will admit up to 5 family members (or friends!).

2010 MVP Card

If you`re unable to make it to the ballpark this spring for The Showdown, then the AppleSox MVP cards will certainly be a great gift. The Most Valuable Punch cards offer 5 punches which are redeemable for a general admission ticket at the gate for any AppleSox home game in 2010. You can use one punch at 5 different games, or bring the family out to one game and use all 5 punches at once, or any combination in between! At $20 per card, you will be saving 20% over normal ticket prices! The MVP card is truly the gift that keeps on giving...show your card at the Applewood Grill in Wenatchee, or Katz Chop House in Leavenworth, and you will save 10% off your meal! MVP cards can be purchased at the Applewood Grill, Katz Chop House, and the AppleSox office.



Pink Quarter Zip Sweatshirts

For the ladies on your list, these pink quarter zip sweatshirts will be the most original gift of the year. They come in an athletic cut and are made of 60/40 cotton/poly fleece. Available at the AppleSox office: 610 N. Mission Suite 204.

AppleSox Golf Balls

For the golfers on your list, the AppleSox have a brand new logo golf ball! These custom golf balls featuring the AppleSox diamond logo make for the perfect stocking stuffer this holiday season. Available at the AppleSox office. 

Plush Coyote Dolls

Another excellent stocking stuffer is the plush Coyote dolls. Thanks to Coyote`s warm and friendly personality, these gifts are guaranteed to get along well with teddy bears and stuffed animals of all shapes and sizes. Available at the AppleSox office.  

Quarter Zip Sweatshirts
These navy blue sweatshirts feature the AppleSox diamond logo embroidered on the left chest. These stylish sweatshirts will keep you warm throughout the winter while showing your support for the hometown team. Pick yours up today at Top Foods in East Wenatchee.

Mini Bats
These natural wood souvenirs make for one of the most original stocking stuffer`s of the season! These miniature baseball bats are 18" in length and are stamped with the AppleSox logo on the barrel. Red, navy, and natural wood finishes are available at the AppleSox offices at 610 N. Mission Suite #204 during normal business hours.

WSU vs. Seattle University Family Pass
The AppleSox have scheduled a regular season baseball match up between Washington State University and Seattle University on April 13th! This will mark the first time that a NCAA Division 1 baseball game will be played in Wenatchee. The game will be played at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium, while also doubling as a fundraiser for Wenatchee Valley College Athletics. Tickets for the game are available with WVC baseball and softball players, as well as the AppleSox office.


After spending the first two months of the 2009 season in the Minor Leagues, Hanson finally got the call up to the Atlanta Braves and turned in a spectacular season. He made 21 starts for the Braves, compiling a 11-4 record and 2.89 ERA, living up to much of the hype that was generated coming into the season that touted Hanson as the top pitching prospect in all of MLB.

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