Wenatchee AppleSox Baseball Club

The red-hot AppleSox are off to Walla Walla to conclude their nine-game road stretch. Being on the road has not fazed the AppleSox, who broke the record for best start in team history after beginning 11-1 on the season.

Friday night the AppleSox will give Mike Murray his first start of the summer. He will be followed by Aaron Brooks on Saturday and Alex Phillips on Sunday. First pitch for Friday and Saturday is set for 7:05 pm. Game time on Sunday is at 6:05 pm.

Follow all the action on the radio home of the AppleSox 560 KPQ or stream the game for free at www.kpq.com.

The team will return after the long road trip on Monday to begin a three-game series with the always tough Corvallis Knights. Monday is Social Media Night sponsored by Strategically Social. The night will include exclusive giveaways and special incentives for the team’s Facebook and Twitter followers.

Tuesday, June 21st is Cashmere Community Night.  The Cashmere Night celebration is sponsored by Epledalen Assisted Living, Aplets and Cotlet Factory, Doane’s Valley Pharmacy, Crunch Pak, and Barney’s Restaurant. FREE tickets for the game can be picked up at any of these businesses while supplies last.

The series wraps up on Wednesday, June 22nd with Apple Blossom Night. Come join the AppleSox and celebrate the outstanding work of our community festival out at the ballpark.

The first road trip of the season continues for the AppleSox as they face the Cowlitz Black Bears in a three-game series at Story Field beginning Monday night. The AppleSox enter the series on an eight-game winning streak. Wenatchee is 8-1overall and is coming off of a sweep of the Klamath Falls Gems.

University of Kentucky lefty Alex Phillips will return to Story Field, where he pitched for two seasons for the Lower Columbia College Red Devils. Phillips will start game one of the series, followed by Owen Jones on Tuesday and Jackson Goulder to wrap up the series on Wednesday. First pitch for all three games is set for 6:35 pm.

Follow all the action on the radio home of the AppleSox 560 KPQ or online through www.kpq.com. Pregame coverage begins at 6:15 pm for all three games.

The AppleSox make their first trip to Kiger Stadium for a three-game weekend series with the Klamath Falls Gems. The AppleSox enter the road trip 5-1 on the season, after sweeping the Kelowna Falcons at home.  The expansion Gems are off to a good start, coming into the series with a 3-2 record.

Jackson Goulder will get his second start on Friday night, followed by Garrett Tygerson on Saturday and Aaron Brooks will toe the rubber in the final game of the series on Sunday. The first two games begin at 7:05 pm and Sunday game will start at 6:05 pm.

Follow all the action on the radio home of the AppleSox 560 KPQ or online through www.kpq.com. Pregame coverage begins at 6:45 pm.

Wednesday’s AppleSox game against the Kelowna Falcons has been rescheduled because of rain. The teams will play a doubleheader tonight to finish the three-game series.

The first game will begin at 5:05 pm. Both games will be seven innings with a short break between games.

Tickets for Wednesday’s game will be honored at any AppleSox home game the rest of the season.

The AppleSox are connecting with the fans on and off the field this season through Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

We encourage fans to connect with us and share your baseball experience, post pictures and check out our videos. Fans and followers will also have the chance to win tickets and other perks throughout the season so stay tuned for contests and giveaways.

Fan can also follow AppleSox player Travis Forbes on Twitter. He will be tweeting throughout the summer giving daily updates from a player’s perspective on the season. He can found on Twitter @TravisForbes.

This season we've also got a FlipCam for fan use, it's a small handheld video recorder for fans to use inside the park during games so you can shoot some video of your AppleSox experience. You can pick the FlipCam up at the souvenir stand and after the game return it there and then look for your ballgame video on our Facebook and YouTube accounts.

We also encourage fans to check in at Paul Thomas Sr. Field on Facebook and Foursquare during games so your friends and family can see that you're out at the game!

Connect with us on Facebook and stay tuned for more!

The AppleSox opening home stand continues with the Kelowna Falcons coming to town for a three-game series beginning Tuesday. The AppleSox are 2-1 after taking the opening series of the season against the Kitsap BlueJackets, picking up wins on Saturday and Sunday.

Wenatchee and Kelowna have met in the Divisional Round of the playoffs the last three seasons, with the AppleSox prevailing each year. Gonzaga freshman Aaron Brooks will toe the rubber for the AppleSox on Tuesday night, followed by opening night starter Alex Phillips on Wednesday, and Owen Jones will start the final game of the series on Thursday. First pitch is set for 7:05 pm for all three games.

Tickets can be purchased in advance at the Town Toyota Center Box Office or online by clicking here. They can also be purchased the day of the game at the ballpark ticket booth, which opens an hour before each game.

Follow all the action on the radio home of the AppleSox 560 KPQ or online through www.kpq.com. Pregame coverage begins at 6:45 pm.

Summer collegiate baseball returns to the Apple Capital as the Wenatchee AppleSox open the 2011 season Friday, June 3rd with a three-game home series against the Kitsap BlueJackets. First pitch on Friday and Saturday is set for 7:05 pm and the series will conclude with a 6:05 pm start on Sunday.

After a day off on Monday, the opening home stand continues Tuesday, June 7^th with a three-game series against the Kelowna Falcons. Tickets for any of the upcoming games can be purchased in advance at the Town Toyota Center Box Office or online by clicking here. They can also be purchased the day of the game at the ballpark ticket booth, which opens an hour before each game.

Opening night will be the AppleSox first game back at Paul Thomas Sr. Field since capturing the 2010 West Coast League Championship in a thrilling come-from-behind victory over the Bend Elks in the deciding game of the series. It was the team’s second straight WCL Championship, and fourth in the last six years.

After a two year hiatus the AppleSox strikeout socks are back by popular demand thanks to the new “Ten Strikeouts for a Sonic Slushy” promotion sponsored by Sonic Drive-In. Fans may remember the strikeout socks promotion that was put on hiatus after the 2008 season.

“Our fans asked about the socks the last two years,” said general manager Jim Corcoran. “Like hot dogs, bleachers and scoreboards, a clothes line with big socks hanging from it is just another important part of our baseball experience in Wenatchee”.

Every time an AppleSox pitcher strikes out an opposing batter, an AppleSox sock is hung on a clothes line between the press box and the backstop. If the AppleSox pitching staff combines to strike out ten batters in a home game, every fan in attendance will receive a coupon for a free Sonic slushy or cherry limeade.

The AppleSox are teaming up with Subway to offer fans an exciting new food option at Paul Thomas Sr. Field this summer. 6-inch Subway sandwiches have been added to the Red Lion concession stand menu and will be available at every AppleSox home game.

“Subway sandwiches will be a new healthy item for fans to choose from at the park”, said AppleSox general manager Jim Corcoran. “And we appreciate Subway stepping up to be another new AppleSox sponsor”.

In addition to offering sandwiches at the ballpark, Subway has made a three-year commitment, along with the Nickel Ads, to sponsor the AppleSox annual Youth Instructional Clinics. Registration forms for the three youth clinic sessions are available at all four Wenatchee Valley locations, along with Chelan and Omak.

The AppleSox have put the finishing touches on the 2011 roster with the commitments of six players from schools across the country. Joining the AppleSox is University of Kentucky left handed pitcher Alex Phillips, Pacific Lutheran University first baseman Brock Gates, Pomona-Pitzer outfielder Erik Munzer, Los Angeles Pierce College catcher Travis Forbes, Lewis-Clark State catcher Aaron DeGuire, and Paradise Valley Community College right handed pitcher Jackson Goulder,

Phillips will be reuniting with AppleSox pitching coach Rob Hippi, who he played for at Lower Columbia College in 2009 and 2010. He was named the MVP of the 2010 Northwest Athletic Association of Community Colleges (NWAACC) Tournament, earning the victory in the championship game for the Red Devils. In his first season at the University of Kentucky, the 6-foot-4 southpaw is 1-2 with a 2.37 ERA and leads the Wildcats in appearances with 24. He will be the first player from an SEC school to play in Wenatchee since Ryan Davis of Vanderbilt played for the AppleSox in 2007.

“We plan to have him as a starter this summer,” said Hippi. “He has a really good changeup and his fastball sits 85-87 mph. He has good control and rarely gives up walks.”

Gates is very familiar with the West Coast League after playing for the Moses Lake Pirates in 2008 and 2009. The junior from Federal Way was named a Division III preseason player to watch by Collegiate Baseball Newspaper. He earned All-Northwest Conference first team recognition this season after starting all 39 games for the Lutes and leading the team in hits (51), RBIs (28), and home runs (4).

“We’ve been lucky to get some quality players from Geoff Loomis at PLU,” said AppleSox head coach Ed Knaggs. “He knows our league after coaching in it for years with the Knights organization when they were based in Aloha before moving to Corvallis. When he calls and says he has a player for us, we take them.”

Forbes is returning to the AppleSox after appearing in five games as a temporary player in 2010. The Granada Hills, CA, native is committed to play at Gonzaga next season.

“I actually coached his Dad when I was an assistant at Gonzaga back in the 80s,” said Knaggs. “It’s neat to be able to bring a player back who was a temporary guy last year. He’ll give us depth at catcher and has the versatility to also play in the outfield.”

Munzer, from Beverly Hills, CA, is a two-sport athlete at Pomona-Pitzer playing both baseball and soccer. The sophomore started all 39 games for the Sagehens, hitting .331 with 4 home runs and 24 RBIs.

“We heard about him during the middle of last season when we were looking to fill an outfield position,” said Knaggs. “We tried to get him last year, but he wasn’t able to come up. He will be a top of the order guy for us who can play in left and center field.”

DeGuire is in his first year at Lewis-Clark State after transferring from El Camino College. The junior has played in 34 games for the powerhouse NAIA program and is hitting .295.

“He is an extremely good defensive catcher,” said Knaggs. “His coaches say he is as good of a catcher as they’ve ever had at L-C State, which is saying a lot.”

Goulder is following new AppleSox assistant coach Sean Winston from Paradise Valley Community College in Phoenix to Wenatchee. The Cave Creek, AZ, native is signed to transfer to the University of Utah in 2012.

“He is coming to Wenatchee based on the suggestion of our new assistant coach,” said Knaggs. “He said he had a really good pitcher that he wanted to bring with him if we had the room.”

The AppleSox open the 2011 season June 3rd with a three-game home series against the Kitsap BlueJackets. Tickets are available now at www.applesox.com or by calling (509) 665-6900.

The AppleSox are teaming up with the Town Toyota Center to offer fans another option for purchasing tickets. Single game tickets are now available to all 32 of the AppleSox 2011 home games at the Town Toyota Center box office. The Town Toyota Center box office is open Monday-Friday from 10:00am – 6:00pm.

“We are happy to partner with the arena to help them create a central ticket outlet for the many activities in our valley,” said AppleSox general manager Jim Corcoran. “With this new convenient ticket outlet, fans can avoid lines at the game and enter quickly through our ‘express gate” entrance.”

Fans have many options for purchasing AppleSox tickets. They are always available at the stadium when the gate opens an hour before the game. Individual general admission tickets are also still available through the AppleSox website and are on sale now.

General admission and limited premium seating season tickets are still available for the upcoming season. For more information on season tickets contact Ken Osborne at 665-6900 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Bob’s Classic is back as the official post-game headquarters for AppleSox fans this season. The restaurant will once again offer specially priced appetizers and $.99 domestic beers for fans wearing AppleSox apparel or that bring an AppleSox ticket after any home game. They will be open special extended hours after all 32 AppleSox home games this summer. Another popular promotion available exclusively for AppleSox fans is kids can eat free off the kids menu before home games, one child per adult.

The radio post-game report will once again be called the “Bob’s Classic Post-Game Show” for all 59 AppleSox games. Fans can catch every AppleSox game, home and away, on 560 KPQ or for free online through www.kpq.com.

Bob’s Classic has been locally owned since 1987 and is a landmark along Wenatchee Avenue with the trademark 1957 Chevy sticking out of the roof.

The Wenatchee AppleSox Baseball Club have been named the Honorary Grand Marshals for the 2011 Stemilt Growers Apple Blossom Grand Parade at Wednesday’s All Service Club Luncheon. Close to 400 attended the luncheon at the Wenatchee Convention Center. Accepting the suprise honor were owner/GM Jim Corcoran and head coach Ed Knaggs.

In addition to Corcoran and Knaggs, the AppleSox were represented at the event by co-owner/assistant GM Ken Osborne, communications director Chris King, and team scorekeeper/statistician Bruce Bennett and his wife Rexine.

Corcoran, Knaggs, Osborne, King, and team mascot Coyote will ride in the Stemilt Growers Grand Parade on Saturday May 7.  Parade begins at 11am.

Pictured (from left to right): Apple Blossom Festival Administrator Darci Waterman, Ed Knaggs, Jim Corcoran, Ken Osborne, Chris King, and Apple Blossom Director General Ron Berschauer.

A pair of high school recruits from the University of San Diego are the latest additions to the AppleSox roster. The Toreros are sending high school infielders Andrew Daniel and Austin Bailey to play in Wenatchee this summer. Both players are set to gain valuable experience with the AppleSox before they begin at USD next fall.

“Coach Rich Hill is definitely one of the most respected coaches on the west coast,” said AppleSox head coach Ed Knaggs. “We are excited that he and his staff are having these two talented recruits play with us this summer.”

Daniel, a San Diego native, committed to the Toreros after an outstanding junior season at Rancho Bernardo High School. He was named the 2010 Palomar League Player of the Year, Cal-Hi Sports first-team All-State, first-team All-North County and first-team All-CIF San Diego Section selection.

"Andrew is a ball player in every sense of the word," said USD head coach Rich Hill after Daniel signed his letter of intent. "He is a plus defensive infielder that has a chance to be special as an offensive player, in the mold of Mark Loretta."

Bailey attends Great Oak High School in Temecula, CA, where he was named the Southwestern League Most Valuable Player as a junior. The switch-hitter was the Southwestern League’s batting champion after hitting .495 with four home runs, and 31 RBIs in 2010.

“They are pretty similar kids,” said Knaggs. “They are very talented young guys that can play any of the three infield spots and are expected to make an impact immediately as freshman.”

The AppleSox open the 2011 season June 3rd with a three-game home series against the Kitsap BlueJackets. Tickets are available now at www.applesox.com or by calling (509) 665-6900.

The AppleSox are still in need of a couple of host families for the 2011 season. AppleSox players from around the country stay in the homes of local families during the season, which runs from early June through mid-August.

The players are terrific role models for kids in youth baseball programs. They can also be helpful around the house for senior citizens. We consider the AppleSox players to be a real asset for our community during the summer

“Hosting an AppleSox player for the summer is a one-of-a-kind experience,” said AppleSox assistant GM Ken Osborne. “We play 59 games in 69 games this summer, so the season keeps them really busy. They also help instruct our youth clinics, make community appearances, and are at the gym every day. Our host families don’t have to worry about always keeping them entertained.”

Host Family Benefits Include:

-          Season tickets. You can cheer on your player at every game!

-          Invitation to the annual host family appreciation dinner.

-          Free registration for host family children to the AppleSox youth instructional clinics.

-          Recognized on field at the final regular season home game.

-          Gain lifelong relationships!

If you live in the Wenatchee/East Wenatchee area, have a spare room, and would be interested in housing a player, please call our team office at (509) 665-6900 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

The AppleSox mascot Coyote has been selected as the Grand Marshal for the Apple Blossom Youth Parade presented by Keyes Fibre. The parade begins at 11:00 AM this Saturday and starts at Triangle Park and ends at Fifth Street.

Coyote will be joined by the Sports and Fitness Outlet Bat Kids, who will ride along with him in the Youth Parade.

Coyote has been the team’s mascot since making his debut in 2001. When he is not out at the ballpark cheering on the AppleSox, he enjoys meeting fans of all ages at different community events.

It will be a busy weekend for Coyote, who will also be at the Pepsi-Cola Youth Day on Sunday, May 1. The free event starts at 11:00 AM at Memorial Park.

For more information in the Youth Parade or any of the Apple Blossom events, visit www.appleblossom.org or call 662-361.

One of the top junior college baseball programs in the northwest will once again supply players to the AppleSox in 2011. A trio of right handed pitchers from Lower Columbia College, Jeff Ames, Ben Ruff, and Garrett Tygerson, are set to play in Wenatchee.

The Red Devils are the defending Northwest Athletic Association of Community Colleges (NWAACC) Champions, capturing their league high 10th title in 2010. The connection between the AppleSox and the school is easy to find. Each summer several of the top Red Devils follow LCC and AppleSox pitching coach Rob Hippi from Longview to Wenatchee.

“Certainly we have our relationship with Coach Hippi, but they are probably the most successful and established junior college baseball program in the northwest over the last 30 years,” said AppleSox head coach Ed Knaggs. “We don’t have a lot of junior college players on our team, but I think the ones we do have come in with a chip on their shoulder. They are surrounded by Division I players in our league and are eager to prove they belong.”

Ames is set to pick up where he left off last season for the AppleSox. The flamethrower flourished when he converted to the closer role in early July. After making the move to the bullpen, he did not allow a run in league play throughout July and August. He was the only relief pitcher selected to the 2010 All-WCL First Team, finishing the season with nine saves, including three in the playoffs.

He was named as a junior college Preseason All-American and the #12 junior college prospect in the country by Baseball America. Pro scouts have been keeping a close eye on the draft eligible sophomore from Vancouver, who is 2-0 with a 2.73 ERA this spring.

“He hit 100 mph on the radar gun the other day,” said AppleSox and LCC pitching coach Hippi. “There are consistently around 30 scouts behind home plate every time he pitches. It’s the most attention I’ve seen a player receive in all my years at LCC.”

Ruff is in his first year at LCC after spending his freshman season at University of Portland. No stranger to the West Coast League, he spent last summer as a member of the Bellingham Bells. The Fife native was a two-way player for the Bells, serving as the team’s closer and also playing third base. He earned All-WCL honorable mention for his accomplishments on the mound, going 2-2 with a 1.77 ERA and earning nine saves.

“He is currently out with a broken hand but he should be ready for the summer,” said Hippi. “The plan is to just have him pitch with the AppleSox and not play in the field. He’s got some juice on the mound.”

Tygerson, a sophomore from Ashland, OR, has made eight appearances on the mound for the Red Devils, going 2-0 with a 3.07 ERA.

“He will probably be coming out of the bullpen,” said Hippi. “He is an athlete. He can run like a deer and even had a scholarship offer to play basketball from Humboldt State University out of high school.”

The AppleSox open the 2011 season June 3rd with a three-game home series against the Kitsap BlueJackets. Tickets are available now at www.applesox.com or by calling (509) 665-6900.

Pictures:

Attached photographs of Jeff Ames, Garrett Tygerson, and Ben Ruff are courtesy of the LCC Athletic Department.

The AppleSox are turning to the Palouse to secure the latest additions to the 2011 roster. AppleSox head coach Ed Knaggs has two players from Washington State University, infielder Adam Nelubowich and right-handed pitcher Scott Simon, coming to play in Wenatchee this summer.

WSU, who played a regular season home game in Wenatchee last season, has enjoyed recent success under head coach Donnie Marbut. The Cougars are coming off back-to-back NCAA appearances and were one game away from advancing to the NCAA Super Regional in 2010.

“Coach Marbut has done an outstanding job with their program,” said Knaggs. “We are looking forward to having a pair of WSU players on the team again this season. They traditionally send us some of their good young guys.”

Nelubowich, a native of Stony Plain, Alberta, is in his redshirt freshman season after sitting out 2010 with a labrum tear. He was drafted by the Seattle Mariners in the 14^th round of the MLB Draft in 2009. The corner infielder also played for his country as a member of Canadian Junior National Team in 2009. He is hitting .140 in fourteen games for the Cougars this season.

“We think he will add some pop to the middle of our lineup,” said Knaggs. “I’m sure he will be anxious to get here since he is behind a very good first baseman at WSU, which is limiting his playing time.”

Simon is another towering addition to the AppleSox pitching staff at 6-foot-7. The freshman from Spokane was drafted out of Central Valley High School in the 33^rd round of the 2010 MLB Draft by the Tampa Bay Rays. In high school he also excelled at the plate, leading the Greater Spokane League in home runs his junior year.

“He is redshirting this year, but the WSU coaches project that he could break into their starting rotation next season,” said Knaggs.

The AppleSox open the 2011 season June 3rd with a three-game home series against the Kitsap BlueJackets. Tickets are available now at www.applesox.com or by calling (509) 665-6900.

Pictures:

Photographs of Adam Nelubowich and Scott Simon are courtesy of the WSU Sports Information Department.

Registration forms for the popular AppleSox Youth Clinics sponsored by Subway and the Nickel Ads are now available. Forms can be picked up at the Nickel Ads office and at all the Subway locations in the Wenatchee Valley, Chelan (Wal-Mart), and Omak.

The annual summer clinics are for boys and girls ages 6 and older who want to improve their baseball and softball skills. The clinics feature AppleSox coaches and players as instructors over three sessions that cover pitching, hitting, and general skills.

2011 AppleSox Youth Clinic Dates

Session 1-Pitching:June 20-22

Session 2-Hitting: June 27-29

Session 3-General: July 6-8

Each session runs for three days from 9:00 AM – Noon at the home of the AppleSox, Paul Thomas Sr. Field. Early registration is available now at $75 per session

The AppleSox are going back to the future with the latest addition to their roster. The University of Portland is sending right-handed pitcher Owen Jones, who is returning to the AppleSox after playing for the team in 2008, and left-handed pitcher Keeler Brynteson.

“We have had a lot of players from the University of Portland over the years and it is a relationship we really value,” said AppleSox head coach Ed Knaggs. “The program has really done well the last few years and we are excited about the caliber of the pitchers they are sending us this summer.”

Jones is rejoining the AppleSox after two years away from the team, a rarity in summer collegiate baseball. The redshirt junior from Edmonds was one of the most consistent pitchers for the AppleSox in 2008, being named All-WCL honorable mention and helping the team reach the WCL Championship Series. He went 3-3 with a 2.72 ERA, the lowest on the team for a starter that season. He spent last summer with the Green Bay Bullfrogs of the Northwoods League, going 6-3 with a 2.70 ERA. He is 2-3 for the Pilots this season with a 5.55 ERA.

“Owen was great for us in 2008 and we are really thrilled to have him back. He had such a great experience with us that he wanted return to Wenatchee,” said Knaggs. “He is a very competitive guy on the mound and the type of player you love to have on your team.”

Brynteson, a junior from Anacortes, leads the Pilots in appearances with sixteen. He has a 7.11 ERA and has not factored in a decision this season. He also played along with Jones on the Green Bay Bullfrogs in the Northwoods League last summer, where he led the league in appearances with 33 and was 0-2 with a 3.82 ERA.

“He is a very resilient pitcher and we will use him a lot this summer,” said Knaggs. “He will be coming out of the bullpen for us, but he could see an occasional spot start.”

The AppleSox open the 2011 season June 3rd with a three-game home series against the Kitsap BlueJackets. Tickets are available now at www.applesox.com or by calling (509) 665-6900.

Pictures:

Photographs of Owen Jones and Keeler Brynteson are courtesy of the University of Portland Sports Information Department.

UCLA will once again be one of the AppleSox top suppliers of young talent by sending four players to join the team in 2011. Freshman infielder Pat Valaika, along with three high school recruits – right-handed pitcher Joe Ross, infielder Tyler Goeddel, and outfielder Eric Snyder – are set to spend their summer in Wenatchee.

“The relationship with UCLA head coach John Savage goes back to when he was an assistant at USC,” said Knaggs. “He does us a favor each season with the type of players he sends us.”

The Bruins are looking for a return trip to Omaha after losing to South Carolina in the College World Series finals last season. They were ranked as high as the No. 1 in preseason rankings and are currently ranked No. 24.

Valaika has seen action right away for the Bruins. On opening day he was the only freshman in the starting lineup for UCLA and is hitting .190 with 8 RBIs. He comes from a baseball family.  Older brother Chris made his MLB debut with the Cincinnati Reds in 2010 and another brother Matt plays in the St. Louis Cardinals' organization. He is a product of Hart High School in Valencia, CA, which is also the alma mater of AppleSox head coach Ed Knaggs and UCLA teammate and former AppleSox player Trevor Brown.

“He has been their guy at shortstop most of the season and that’s the position he will play with us this summer,” said Knaggs.

It will be the third summer in a row that the Bruins have sent high school recruits to play for the AppleSox. Cody Keefer (2009) and Zack Weiss (2010) both saw playing time immediately for the Bruins after gaining experience with the AppleSox out of high school.

"Coach Savage likes his incoming freshman to play in our league to get some college level experience before they step on campus," said Knaggs. “With how talented the high school players are there is always a chance that we might not see them here. All three of these guys will be tempted by the MLB draft in June, but it’s a risk we are willing to take.”

Ross, from Bishop O'Dowd High School in Oakland, CA, was rated No. 21 overall in Baseball America's list of the top 100 high school signees during the early signing period in the fall, checking in among the top 10 pitchers on that list. His older brother, Tyson, was a second round pick in the 2008 draft and made his MLB debut with the Oakland A's in 2010.

“Joe is the best right-handed pitching prospect in California. He has a very athletic delivery and a fastball that explodes at the plate. We look forward to watching Joe compete for a weekend job right away at UCLA. His potential as a pitcher is unlimited," said UCLA head coach John Savage on signing day.

Goeddel is one of the star players for St. Francis High School in Mountain View, CA, the No. 1 ranked high school team in the country according to the latest Baseball America poll. He was rated No. 27 overall in Baseball America's list of the top 100 high school signees during the early signing period. As a junior he hit .488 with one home run, two triples, 17 RBI, 13 runs and 10 stolen bases. His older brother Erik pitched for UCLA in 2009 and 2010.

Snyder was also ranked in Baseball America's list of the top 100 high school signees, checking in at No. 74 overall. He attends Edison High School in Huntington Beach, CA, where he earned Sunset League MVP honors and first-team All-CalHiSports All-State underclassman acclaim last season. He hit .500 as a high school freshman, tying a school record held by Jeff Kent for best single-season batting average.

The AppleSox open the 2011 season June 3rd with a three-game home series against the Kitsap BlueJackets. Tickets are available now at www.applesox.com or by calling (509) 665-6900.

Pictures:

Photograph of Pat Valaika courtesy of the UCLA Sports Information Department. Photographs of Joe Ross, Eric Snyder, and Tyler Goeddel provided by Perfect Game USA.

The road to the big leagues ran through Paul Thomas Sr. Field for three players who have donned a MLB uniform. AppleSox radio broadcaster Chris King caught up with the three former AppleSox players who have reached the major leagues and talked with them about their time with the AppleSox.

Click on the link below to listen to each interview and hear their memories of playing in Wenatchee.

Jason Hammel

Clay Mortensen

Cole Gillespie

The strong connection between the AppleSox and University of Hawaii continues with the Warriors sending players to Wenatchee for the eighth straight season. The 2011 edition of the AppleSox will feature Hawaii outfielder Breland Almadova and infielder Conner George.

“We’ve had a lot of success with players from their program and they are always one of the first schools that call us every year,” said AppleSox head coach Ed Knaggs. “They do a lot of recruiting in the northwest and often times they have players from our part of the country to send us.”

Almadova has seen an expanded role for the Warriors in his sophomore season. The Honolulu native has started in ten games, hitting .206 with four RBIs. He had a decorated prep career winning both the Hawaii Gatorade Player of the Year and Hawaii Louisville Slugger Player of the Year awards in 2009.

“He has hit leadoff for them quite a bit this season and that is most likely a role he will fill for us,” said Knaggs. “He is known for his speed and overall athleticism.”

George, a freshman from Tigard, OR, has started in four games for the Warriors and has made seven appearances. In high school he was named a three-time All-Conference selection and twice helped lead his team to the state semifinals.

“He is a northwest kid who wanted to be close to home for the summer.” said Knaggs. “He is a versatile infielder who also runs very well.”

The AppleSox open the 2011 season June 3rd with a three-game home series against the Kitsap BlueJackets. Tickets are available now at www.applesox.com or by calling (509) 665-6900.

Pictures:

Attached photographs of Breland Almadova and Conner George are courtesy of the University of Hawaii Sports Information Department.

The AppleSox will once again include players from Oregon State University as three Beavers are set to play in Wenatchee this summer. OSU is sending outfielder Ryan Barnes, right-handed pitcher Cole Baylis, and right-handed pitcher Glenn Wallace to join the AppleSox.

“We love our relationship with OSU and it goes back a long time,” said AppleSox head coach Ed Knaggs. “They are always well-coached players who are good team guys.”

OSU has sent many players to Wenatchee over the years, including former Pac-10 Player of the Year and current Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Cole Gillespie, who played for the AppleSox in 2004.

Barnes, a sophomore from West Linn, OR, has appeared in seven games for the Beavers and is hitting .313. He spent last summer with the Humboldt Crabs of the West Coast League Tri-State, hitting .275 with 15 RBIs in 38 games. In high school he was named a Louisville Slugger Preseason All-American and a Rawlings All-West Coast Team member.

Baylis, another towering addition to the AppleSox pitching staff at 6-foot-7, has seen immediate action as a freshman for OSU. The Los Altos, CA, product is 1-0 on the year and has tossed 4 2/3 scoreless innings in four relief appearances.

“It’s great that he is in the mix and seeing action so early on,” said Knaggs. “Hopefully he will be ready and confident when he comes this summer.”

Wallace is in his first year at OSU after transferring from the College of San Mateo. The Reno, NV, native went 4-4 with a 3.32 ERA last season as a sophomore. His older brother John Wallace played baseball at OSU, helping the Beavers capture back-to-back national championships in 2006 and 2007.

“The OSU coaches liked what they saw out of him in the fall, but he will be redshirting this season,” said Knaggs. “He definitely will be chomping at the bit and excited to get back on the mound this summer.”

The AppleSox open the 2011 season June 3^rd with a three-game home series against the Kitsap BlueJackets. Tickets are available now at www.applesox.com or by calling (509) 665-6900.

Pictures:

Attached photographs of Ryan Barnes, Cole Baylis, and Glenn Wallace are courtesy of the OSU Sports Information Department.

For the third straight season the AppleSox will feature a group of talented young players from the University of California-Irvine. The Anteaters are sending a pair of freshmen, left-handed pitcher Tyler Abbott and right-handed pitcher Phillip Ferragamo to join the AppleSox this summer.

“Like many of our players they are coming here because of our history with the coach and their program,” said Knaggs, who played for UC Irvine head coach Mike Gillespie at the College of the Canyons in Valencia, CA. “This year it worked out that they wanted to send us two young pitchers. They have been really happy with the improvement their pitchers have made here in the past and we are excited to have them.”

The Anteaters have made five consecutive trips to the NCAA tournament and were picked to finish second in this year’s Big West Conference preseason poll. The team is off to a 7-0 start and is ranked No. 25 in Baseball America’s latest poll.

Ferragamo, listed at 6-foot-8 and 260-pounds, went 8-2 with a 2.04 ERA his senior year. The Orange, CA, native was named his high school’s athlete of the year in 2010 and was the Century League pitcher of the year as a junior. He has made two relief appearances for the Anteaters and has not allowed a hit in 1 2/3 innings of work.

Abbott, from Simi Valley, CA, was drafted by the Florida Marlins in the 44th round of the 2010 Major League Baseball draft. He was named to the Los Angeles Daily News All-Area first team after going 8-3 with a 1.70 ERA his senior season. He has yet to make his collegiate debut.

“Both were highly recruited out of high school and they are expected to make an impact right away as freshmen,” said Knaggs.

The AppleSox open the 2011 season June 3^rd with a three-game home series against the Kitsap BlueJackets. Tickets are available now at www.applesox.com or by calling (509) 665-6900.

Pictures:

Photographs of Phillip Ferragamo and Tyler Abbott are courtesy of the UC Irvine Sports Information Department.

The AppleSox will feature a new hat design when the players take the field for the 2011 season. In a closely contested race the AppleSox alternate “Sox” logo on a red crown and a blue bill won the weeklong online fan poll with 41.7% of the vote. The AppleSox current hat featuring the diamond logo on a blue crown and red bill finished in second place with 37.3% of the vote. The AppleSox alternate “Sox” logo on a blue crown and red bill finished in third place with 21% of the vote.

“I’m really excited to have a red hat and I think it’s going to be a very neat look,” said AppleSox head coach Ed Knaggs. “I went online and voted each day just like the fans and I’m happy to say I agree with their choice.”

The new design marks the first time the AppleSox will feature a red hat as the official team headwear.

The new hat design will also be available for purchase at the AppleSox team store, Sports & Fitness Outlet in Wenatchee, and at Top Foods in East Wenatchee this summer.

Fans can see the debut of the new hats when the AppleSox open the 2011 season June 3rd with a three-game home series against the Kitsap BlueJackets. Tickets are available now by calling (509) 665-6900.

The two-time defending West Coast League Champion Wenatchee AppleSox will have four Gonzaga Bulldogs joining the team in 2011. Gonzaga is sending outfielder Payden Cawley Lamb, right-handed pitcher David Bigelow, right-handed pitcher Aaron Brooks, and infielder Thomas Henderson to play for the AppleSox this summer.

“We have a great tradition of Gonzaga players coming through our program,” said AppleSox head coach Ed Knaggs, who spent seven years as a Gonzaga assistant coach. “It’s one of the schools that we always get the full allotment of four players from.”

Of the thirty-five players on Gonzaga’s roster, fourteen previously played for the AppleSox or are set to play for the team in 2011.

Cawley Lamb, a freshman from Buckley, WA, was named first team All-State his senior year at White River High School.

“We almost took him last summer out of high school when we had a need in the middle of the season,” said Knaggs. “He is a young left-handed hitting outfielder. They think he will have a chance to play a lot as a freshman.”

Bigelow, a Fox Island, WA, native is entering his freshman year after being named second team All-State and a Tacoma News Tribune All-Area selection as a senior at Gig Harbor High School. An impressive student, he graduated high school with a 3.9 grade point average.

Brooks, a freshman out of Mountlake Terrace, WA, earned All-State honors and help lead Mountlake Terrace High School to the quarterfinals of the 2010 4A state tournament.

“Both Bigelow and Brooks are very promising young pitchers that certainly seem to have the talent to contribute right away, but the key will be making the adjustment to Division I baseball,” said Knaggs.

Henderson is entering his first year with Gonzaga after transferring from Columbia Basin College. The junior from Kennewick, WA, was named first team All-Northwest Athletic Association of Community Colleges and NWAACC West Division Gold Glove winner in 2010.

“We had him scheduled to be a temporary guy at the beginning of last season. He was unable to join us then, but he is really excited to play with us this summer,” said Knaggs. “He is a very versatile defensively. He can play all over the infield for us.”

The AppleSox open the 2011 season June 3^rd with a three-game home series against the Kitsap BlueJackets. Tickets are available now at www.applesox.com or by calling (509) 665-6900.

The AppleSox were honored with an achievement award at the annual Northwest Baseball Coaches Convention. The award was presented to AppleSox head coach Ed Knaggs at the convention’s “Walk of Champions" luncheon.

“It is always nice to be recognized. The award is a reflection on the whole AppleSox organization from our owners, players, coaches, fans, and host families,” said Knaggs.

AppleSox pitching coach Rob Hippi was also in attendance as he was a featured speaker at the convention.

“The AppleSox program had an outstanding season culminating with the West Coast League championship and are very deserving of the recognition we gave at the luncheon,” said event organizer and former Lewis & Clark College head baseball coach Jerry Gatto.

The convention is an annual gathering of baseball coaches from Washington, Oregon, and Idaho. Over 400 coaches attend the event representing high school, college, and summer collegiate programs. Seattle Mariners manager Eric Wedge was a special guest and spoke at the luncheon.

Former AppleSox assistant coach Fletcher Vynne has graduated with honors from the U.S. Naval Officer Candidate School in Newport, R.I.

Vynne graduated in early December and is now attending Naval Flight School in Pensacola, FL. The popular coach joined the military after the AppleSox season wrapped up last summer.

Before coaching with the AppleSox, he helped the University of British Columbia capture the NAIA World Series in 2006 as a player and later served as a graduate assistant for Seattle University.

Following an outstanding freshman season and a dominating summer with the AppleSox, Jeff Ames has been named a junior college Preseason All-American by Baseball America. Ames was also listed by the magazine as the #12 junior college prospect in the country.

Ames flourished with the AppleSox in 2010 when he converted to the closer role in early July. He ended the season with nine saves, including three in the playoffs. He did not allow a run in league play throughout July and August.

He was previously recognized by Baseball America in the fall when he was named the #3 prospect in the West Coast League. He was the only relief pitcher to earn All-WCL First Team honors.

The sophomore was drafted by the Colorado Rockies in the 30th round of the 2010 MLB Draft, but elected to return to Lower Columbia College and work with AppleSox and LCC pitching coach Rob Hippi for another season.

To read the full article from Baseball America click here.