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.

Stop by and see the AppleSox at the first ever Wenatchee Valley Youth Sports Fair. Parents can register their kids for the AppleSox 2011 Youth Clinics and the Bat Kids Program. The free event will run from 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM on January 22nd at the Wenatchee Convention Center.

The event is hosted by the Wenatchee Valley Sports Council and will feature information on every youth sports offering in the Wenatchee Valley.

The AppleSox eleventh season was one for the record books. The year was capped off by the Wenatchee World selecting the AppleSox as the region’s top sports story in 2010. To read the full story from the Wenatchee World, click here.

In addition to capturing the WCL Championship for the second straight season, there were many other accomplishments on and off the field that made 2010 such a special year for the AppleSox.

The Wenatchee AppleSox have put the finishing touches on their 2011 coaching staff by hiring Sean Winston as an assistant coach. Winston comes from Paradise Valley Community College in Phoenix, Ariz., where he is in his first year as an assistant coach.

“He fits the mold for the position,” said AppleSox head coach Ed Knaggs. “He is a young aspiring coach who isn’t afraid to work.”

Looking for the perfect gift for the baseball fan on your list? The AppleSox have all your bases covered!

For t-shirts and sweatshirts, head to Top Foods in East Wenatchee to check out the rack of AppleSox apparel. If you can’t make it to Top Foods, visit the AppleSox online team store for an outstanding variety of merchandise. Click here to view the AppleSox team store.

The Wenatchee AppleSox have put the finishing touches on their 2011 schedule. The expanded West Coast League schedule features 54 league games, six more than in 2010. The AppleSox will also play five non-league opponents to bring the total number of games to 59, which includes 32 homes dates. The AppleSox bid to defend the WCL Championship will begin at home on June 3^rd against the Kitsap BlueJackets. Click here to view the full schedule.

“2011 promises to be another exciting season at Paul Thomas Sr. Field,” said AppleSox general manager Jim Corcoran. “The expanded league schedule means more baseball for our fans and an added value for our season ticket holders.”

The AppleSox 2011 MVP Cards have just arrived! MVP Cards are the perfect holiday gift and also make an excellent fundraiser for groups. The cards are good for four general admission tickets to any AppleSox game next summer, for only $20.

As an extra bonus, the back of the MVP Cards include a coupon for 10% off at the Applewood Grill in Wenatchee and the Katz Chop House in Leavenworth. Both the Applewood Grill and Katz Chop House serve as exclusive locations where you can purchase MVP Cards.

The West Coast League All-Star Game is back. After a two-season hiatus, the 2011 WCL All-Star Game will be held at Goss Stadium in Corvallis, Oregon on Tuesday, July 26.

"Our owners decided to reinstate this great showcase event," said WCL president Ken Wilson in making the announcement. "It's terrific for our players, and the fans in Corvallis are deserving of an event of this magnitude."

Catch up on how your favorite former AppleSox players performed in professional baseball this year. During the 2010 season, 29 former AppleSox players were active in professional baseball. Three former AppleSox appeared in the major leagues, 19 played in the minor leagues, and seven played in the independent leagues.

Some highlights from the 2010 season include Cole Gillespie making his MLB debut on April 21^st for the Arizona Diamondbacks, becoming the third former AppleSox player to reach the major leagues. The Oregon State University graduate and member of the 2004 AppleSox appeared in 45 games for the Diamondbacks.

Three key members of the 2010 Wenatchee AppleSox are among the West Coast League’s top prospects according to Baseball America. The national magazine released their annual top 10 prospects for the WCL and the AppleSox led the league with the most players named to the list. AppleSox players Jeff Ames, Marco Gonzales, and Collin Bennett all earned a spot in the rankings.

Closer Jeff Ames ranked the highest of any Wenatchee player as the No. 3 prospect in the league. The sophomore from Lower Columbia College was the only relief pitcher named to the All-WCL First Team. Ames converted to the closer role in early July and ended the season with nine saves, including three in the playoffs. He did not allow a run in league play in July and August.