The Wenatchee AppleSox roster will once again be loaded with Gonzaga Bulldogs as six Washington natives connected to the Spokane school are set to play for the team this summer. The group includes four freshman, right-handed pitcher Zach Abbruzza, right-handed pitcher Kevin Moriarty, left-handed pitcher Derek Callahan, and infielder Mitchell Gunsolus, along with two high school recruits – right-handed pitcher Taylor Jones and infielder Cabe Reiten – are set to spend their summer in Wenatchee.

“Gonzaga has been so good to us every year,” said AppleSox head coach Ed Knaggs, who spent seven years as a Gonzaga assistant coach. “It’s fun to look at their roster and see it dotted with so many former AppleSox players.”

For the fourth straight season the AppleSox roster will feature players from UC Irvine baseball program. The Anteaters are sending infielder Taylor Sparks, outfielder Jeff Stephens, right-handed pitcher Sam Moore, and right-handed pitcher Kyle Davis to play for Wenatchee in 2012.

“We have a wonderful relationship with UC Irvine and every player that they have ever sent us has been so well coached,” said AppleSox head coach Ed Knaggs, who played for UC Irvine head coach Mike Gillespie at the College of the Canyons in Valencia, Calif. “Our approach to the game is very similar to their style. We both like to create a lot of action and keep the game in motion.”

The University of Washington will provide a pair of arms to the AppleSox pitching staff in 2012. The Huskies are sending right-handed pitcher Aaron West and right-handed pitcher Tyler Kane to spend their summer in Wenatchee.

“During my time with the AppleSox we have had a lot of University of Washington players on the team,” said AppleSox head coach Ed Knaggs. “Last season was one rare years when we didn’t have any Huskies and it is exciting to have a couple of strong arms coming our way this summer.”

The Wenatchee AppleSox are pleased to announce the addition of Jonathan Barden as the newest member of the team’s front office. In addition to serving as the AppleSox radio broadcaster, Barden will work year-round for the team as communications director and sponsor sales.

“We received over 75 applications from throughout the country.  The talent level was impressive.  But Jonathan’s enthusiasm and energy made him stand out in the crowd.  We’re very happy to have Jonathan join our organization,” said AppleSox owner/general manager Jim Corcoran.

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

The 2012 AppleSox MVP Cards are now available. The popular punch cards can be purchased at the Applewood Grill, 10 Down, and the AppleSox office. MVP cards are good for four general admission tickets to any 2012 home game, 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 10 Down.

The AppleSox have finalized the schedule for the 2012 season, which will begin in Bellingham on June 1^st and feature a franchise record 60 games.

The first home game will be Tuesday, June 5^th as part of the opening six-game homestand against the Bend Elks and Corvallis Knights.

The AppleSox organization bids a fond farewell to one of its own, Chris King, who is moving to Idaho to take a position with Boise State University, calling women’s basketball games and filling in during some men’s games as well.

King started with the AppleSox as the team’s radio announcer in 2008, while he was still attending Washington State University. After graduating from the Edward R. Murrow College of Communication at WSU in 2009 he came back to Wenatchee and began working for the AppleSox full time.

Nearly 60 people gathered to hear about Wenatchee's baseball history as part of the Wenatchee Valley Museum and Cultural Center's Afternoon Program Series.

Chris King with the AppleSox recounted the Wenatchee area’s more than 100-year old love of the game by talking about the days of town ball, when nearly every company, club and organization had its very own team.

Learn about Wenatchee's baseball history at the Wenatchee Valley Museum and Cultural Center on Thursday, October 20^th. The presentation will be hosted by the voice of the AppleSox Chris King and is part of the Museum and Cultural Center’s Afternoon Program Series.

The program will feature historic baseball photographs from the museum’s archives and cover the region’s strong baseball tradition. In addition to covering the Chiefs and AppleSox, the presentation will feature other Wenatchee baseball stories that include:

The AppleSox are part of the national recognition the Wenatchee Valley has received by AARP Magazine.

Wenatchee was one of five communities the magazine highlighted on their list of best/most affordable places to retire in the country.