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.”

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.”

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 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.

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.”