AppleSox Add Three Non-League Games to 2021 Schedule

AppleSox General Manager Allie Schank announced on Thursday the addition of two non-league opponents to the 2021 schedule. The AppleSox will host the Highline Bears on July 3 and the Northwest Star Academy on July 16 and 17.

The AppleSox’ 2021 schedule now consists of 54 games, 30 of which will be played at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium.

“We’re excited to add two familiar opponents to our 2021 schedule,” Schank said. “We had a couple of weekends to fill in July and the Highline Bears and the Northwest Star Academy are two great organizations to welcome back to Wenatchee.”

The Highline Bears game on July 3 will also mark the return of the fan-favorite Fireworks Night. This will be the third straight season that Highline will visit Wenatchee. The Bears hail from just outside of Seattle and play in the Pacific International League. The AppleSox have defeated the Bears in each of their last three meetings (once in 2018 and twice in 2019).

The Northwest Star Academy will return to Wenatchee for the first time since 2018. Their team is made up of players from Oregon and Southwest Washington who are between their senior year of high school and freshman year of college. July 16 and 17 will mark the 10th and 11th times, respectively, that the Northwest Star Academy has faced the AppleSox in non-league play.

The AppleSox’ 2021 season begins on June 1 against the Nanaimo NightOwls. For tickets, please call 509-665-6900.

AppleSox Finalize 2021 Coaching Staff

AppleSox Head Coach Ian Sanderson has added Danny Pulfer and Wyatt McKnight to his 2021 coaching staff.

Sanderson’s coaching staff is now complete for his first season as the AppleSox’ skipper. He will also act as the team’s pitching coach, the same role he holds at Lower Columbia College. Pulfer joins the team to coach third base and will also be the hitting coach. McKnight will serve as the AppleSox’ first-base coach, assist Pulfer in offensive strategy and also specialize in coaching AppleSox catchers.

“I’m excited about adding Danny and Wyatt to my AppleSox staff,” Sanderson said. “It’s important for coaches to look at lots of candidates from different backgrounds and find the strongest options to help make their team better. I believe I’ve found two great additions.”

Coach Pulfer joins the AppleSox nearly a decade after playing two seasons in Minor League Baseball. The Arizona Diamondbacks selected Pulfer in the 19th round of the 2011 MLB First-Year Player Draft. Pulfer hit .271 in two seasons before moving on to the American Association for four seasons.

Pulfer is entering his second season with Towson University. He joined the Tigers as a volunteer assistant coach in 2020 and coached all 15 games of their COVID-19-shortened campaign. Pulfer played college baseball at Oregon and hit .302 from 2009-11, including .351 in his final season with the Ducks to earn First Team All-Pac 10. He currently stands in the top-10 in Oregon history in at-bats, games started, runs scored, hits, doubles, walks, hit-by-pitches, on-base percentage and multi-hit games.

Coach McKnight served at Linn-Benton Community College as the catching coach before joining the AppleSox this year. In 2019 the Roadrunners finished 31-11 and won the NWAC Southern Region. He is currently the catching coach at Umpqua Community College in his hometown Roseburg, OR. McKnight is juggling coaching with earning his Bachelor’s Degree in Physical Education & Sport at Eastern Oregon University. He played collegiately at Southwestern Oregon and Mount Mary, the latter of which he graduated from in 2018.

The AppleSox’ 2021 season begins on June 1 against the Nanaimo NightOwls. For tickets, please call 509-665-6900.

Friends and Rivals from the Beginning; Knights & AppleSox Tradition Puts Players First

WCL Alumni Mitch Haniger & Marco Gonzales Embody Winning Ways 

Wenatchee, Wednesday, February 10, 2021 - The Corvallis Knights and Wenatchee AppleSox are a tradition celebrated each summer, one inning at a time. The two baseball clubs partnered from the very beginning as founding West Coast League members in 2005. From that inaugural summer collegiate season forward they have enjoyed extraordinary success on the field and in their respective communities. 

In terms of personifying the two organizations commitment to community, leadership and player development, there are no better Knights and Sox alumni we can think of than Mitch Haniger and Marco Gonzales of the Seattle Mariners.

Mitch & Marco shined brightly in the West Coast League in 2010; Mitch with the Knights, coached by Brooke Knight, and Marco for the WCL champion AppleSox led by skipper Ed Knaggs. Both earned first-team all-WCL honors.

Haniger flashed leather all summer long, primarily in center field. In league play, he hit .299 with 22 walks, 11 stolen bases, 5 triples, 3 home runs and 18 RBIs.

Gonzales, a two-way player, led Wenatchee to a league championship. The southpaw made 8 regular season starts and went 5-1 with a 2.76 ERA while striking out 66 over 52 innings pitched. He collected a save in his one relief appearance. Marco also made two postseason starts, going 1-1 with a 2.91 ERA, striking out 15 over 12.1 innings pitched.

Mitch came to Corvallis following his freshman campaign at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo where he was named Big West Freshman of the Year. Cal Poly and the Knights are longtime partners, a relationship that got started with former big league pitcher Bud Norris in 2005. Since, Corvallis has featured Mustang stars like ex-MLB third baseman Brent Morel, pitcher Eric Massingham, outfielder Adam Melker, WCL Pitcher of the Year Jared Eskew, pitcher Chase Johnson, outfielder Nick Torres, shortstop Peter Van Gansen, pitcher Casey Bloomquist, pitcher Slater Lee, outfielder Cole Cabrera and shortstop Brooks Lee.

“Hanny arrived with an obvious love for the game. His athletic frame showed promise, and from a tools perspective he could really do it all. After a nagging back injury early in the summer, he really turned it on,” said Corvallis skipper Brooke Knight. 

“We were fortunate to be a small part of Mitch’s journey and very much appreciate Cal Poly placing him with the Knights.

“Our partnership with them has most definitely elevated our program,” said Knight. “The mutual trust is something we value greatly.  When (head coach) Larry Lee sent his son Brooks to Corvallis it was a proud moment for all of us. Larry believes in our culture, system and focus.”

“Mitch was mature beyond his years,” said Cal Poly head coach Larry Lee. “He was a very-talented high school player that once in college worked extremely hard to better himself in all facets.

“He had a goal of wanting the play at the major league level and developed a clear plan on how to get there. An important component of that was his experience with the Corvallis Knights, where he was able to continue his development as a baseball player and as a person.”

Shortly after his spring season at Rocky Mountain High School in Fort Collins, Colorado, Marco got his first taste of high-level collegiate baseball in Wenatchee. Incredibly, he started Colorado’s 5A state championship game all four of his years at Rocky Mountain and won them all.

Gonzales is one of many Gonzaga University prospects to shine for the AppleSox. Former Wenatchee field manager Ed Knaggs always referred to his Bulldogs as AppleZags. Since the Sox first year in the WCL, Wenatchee has featured Zags stars such as former big league pitchers Clayton Mortensen and Steve Ames, pitcher Brandon Harmon, pitcher Matt Fields, outfielder Royce Bolinger, catcher Maxx Garrett, outfielder Payden Cawley-Lamb, WCL MVP Mitchell Gunsolus, outfielder Brock Slavin, pitcher/outfielder Tyler Frost, current big league first baseman Taylor Jones and current major-league pitcher Brandon Bailey.

“Marco was our first Gonzaga incoming freshman,” said Ed Knaggs. “What stood out was his presence on the mound and how polished he was. His dad Frank (a former high school and current pro coach) had a lot to do with that feel for the game. Marco was just a fierce competitor and advanced in all facets. 

“We sure appreciated his summer in Wenatchee. Looking back, it was the beginning of a distinguished career in college baseball.

“Speaking of beginnings, our relationship with the Gonzaga got started in 2001 with then GU skipper Steve Hertz. He was my very first phone call as Wenatchee’s coach. I knew that having as many Zags as possible was a recipe for summer success, and it really was. The Sox have benefited greatly from the partnership and they continue to work well together with current head coach Mark Machtolf.”

“Marco Gonzales has always been a great competitor,” said Gonzaga skipper Mark Machtolf. “He was mature beyond his years and a great teammate. We have always been proud of Marco for his baseball accomplishments but more so for his qualities as a young man.

“Gonzaga Baseball’s relationship with the AppleSox and coach Knaggs certainly helped foster Marco’s development. He loved his time there and the experience was crucial to his development as a baseball player.”

Mitch’s Knights and Marco’s Sox faced-off six times in 2010. While Wenatchee would win the league title, knocking off the Bend Elks in the West Coast League Championship Series, Corvallis went 5-1 against the AppleSox that summer.

The Knights swept its home series at Goss Stadium June 29-July 1, and took two of three at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium July 30-August 1. Only twice did both stars appear in the same game as Marco never made a start or relief appearance vs. the Knights. He was the designated hitter in the series opener at Goss, played first base in the series finale in Wenatchee and went 1-for-6 over the two games he appeared.

Haniger started all six games and went 7-for-26 with a double, two triples and 5 RBIs. In the teams’ series opener at Goss Stadium, Mitch made an epic diving catch in center field. It started a late-inning 8-4-3 double play, setting the tone for the series and preserving a 4-2 win. 

“I still remember that catch Mitch made. That is still probably the most impressive catch that I’ve seen in a game that I was broadcasting. It was definitely a game changer,” said former Wenatchee AppleSox and current Tri-City Dust Devils broadcaster Chris King.

Six future Major Leaguers played in the series including Knights southpaw Matt Boyd of Oregon State (Detroit) and infielder Matt Duffy of Long Beach State (San Francisco/Tampa Bay); and Wenatchee catcher Trevor Brown of UCLA (San Francisco) and pitcher Zack Weiss of UCLA (Cincinnati). In addition, current hard-hitting NFL safety Jordan Poyer of Oregon State (Buffalo Bills) appeared twice for Corvallis in the series at Goss Stadium.

Two-way Corvallis star Matt Boyd homered and registered the save in the Knights 8-6 series opening win at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium on July 30. Weiss started for the Sox in the series finale in Wenatchee, won by Corvallis 7-5 and powered by Haniger who went 4-for-5 with two runs scored and 2 RBIs.

Other notable alumni that played in the Sox/Knights 2010 regular season match-ups were current Lower Columbia College head coach Eric Lane (shortstop) and Driveline Baseball super staffer Maxx Garrett (catcher) of Wenatchee; and current San Francisco Giants hitting coach Justin Viele (shortstop), UC Santa Barbara assistant coach Dylan Jones (pitcher/utl), Oregon State director of baseball operations Jake Rodriguez (catcher/inf) and Yavapai College assistant coach Miles Kizer (catcher) of Corvallis.

“Our partnership with Wenatchee has been so fruitful in so many ways,” said Knights Baseball Club CEO Dan Segel. “We emulated the AppleSox from the start. No way we make the kind of strides we did in the early years without the support and counsel of AppleSox owner Jim Corcoran and his staff.

“The rivalry and membership in the WCL has been an awesome thing, with so many cool moments and incredible players like Mitch and Marco,” Segel shared with pride. “We really appreciate the efforts of Wenatchee’s current management team. Owner Jose Oglesby and his crew are doing a great job carrying on the Sox tradition.

“We all can’t wait for baseball to return, and for Mitch and Marco to get back on the field. We wish them and the Mariners the best.”

Haniger and Gonzales are both relatively young players at 30 and 28 years old respectively, but they are veterans on a very youthful and talented Seattle Mariners club.

Not only are Mitch and Marco outstanding baseball players, they are genuine role models who are active in their communities and who are always looking to better those around them.

Marco and his wife Monica launched the Gonzales Family Peanut Butter Drive in partnership with Northwest Harvest and the Seattle Mariners in May of last year to help meet demand for nutritious food during the COVID-19 pandemic. Northwest Harvest is the leading hunger relief agency in Washington.

Mitch has been an ambassador for the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. Also, this past year, he collaborated with MLB and Bank of America on a “wearing it forward” custom t-shirt design to help raise funds for the Boys & Girls Clubs of America.

Mitch is eager to return to play after missing last season. The power-hitting right fielder was an American League All-Star in 2018. Marco had his best MLB season in 2020 and is Seattle’s ace.

“Community and competing with class. That is what the Knights, AppleSox, and the West Coast League are all about,” said AppleSox owner Jose Oglesby. “Marco and Mitch exemplify this to the nth degree. 

As a longtime Mariners fan, I can only hope that Marco and Mitch can help guide the M’s back to the playoffs in the near future.”

Mitch & Marco Facts: 

• Haniger was selected in the first round (supplemental) of the 2012 MLB draft by the Milwaukee Brewers; Hanny was picked in the 31st round of the 2009 MLB draft by the New York Mets, but chose to enroll at Cal Poly

• Gonzales was picked in the first round of the 2013 MLB draft by the St. Louis Cardinals (19th overall selection); Marco was  selected in the 29th round of the 2010 MLB draft by the  Colorado Rockies, but chose to enroll at Gonzaga

• Haniger made his MLB debut on August 16, 2016 with the Arizona Diamondbacks

• Gonzales made his MLB debut on June 25, 2014 with the St. Louis Cardinals

• Haniger was named the 2012 Big West Player of the Year

• Gonzales was named the 2011 co-WCC Player of the Year and co-WCC Freshman of the Year with future big-leaguer Kris Bryant of San Diego; Gonzales was also named the co-WCC Player of the Year in 2013 and was the recipient of the John Olerud Award honoring the top collegiate two-way player

• Marco was named the 2012 WCC Pitcher of the Year

• Haniger was traded by Arizona to Seattle on November 23, 2016

• Gonzales was traded by St. Louis to Seattle on July 21, 2017

• Haniger hit .282 with 16 home runs and 47 RBIs in 96 games in his rookie season of 2017

• Gonzales was named the St. Louis Cardinals Minor League Player of the Year in 2014. That same year, Marco tossed three innings for the Cards both in the NLDS vs. the Dodgers and NLCS vs. the Giants; he picked up two wins in relief in the NLDS including the series clincher

• Haniger earned AL All-Star Game honors in 2018; he hit .272 with 18 home runs and 67 RBIs, tied for the AL lead in outfield assists and finished 11th in AL MVP voting

• Gonzales has been the Seattle Mariners opening day starter the past two seasons, 2019 and 2020

• Haniger missed most of the 2019 season and all of 2020 due to injuries and surgeries

• Gonzales went 7-2 with a 3.11 ERA over 11 starts in a shortened 2020 season; Marco led the AL in walks per nine innings (0.904) and strikeout-to-walk ratio (9.143)

• Haniger’s career totals for batting average, home runs and RBIs are .267, 62 and 189, respectively

• Gonzales career totals for wins/losses, ERA and strikeouts are 41-27, 4.09 and 420, respectively

• Mitch is from Mountain View, California, while Marco is from Fort Collins, Colorado

Knights & AppleSox Facts:

• Corvallis plays at OSU’s Goss Stadium while Wenatchee hosts their WCL games at Wenatchee Valley College’s Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium.

• The Knights played their first two WCL seasons at Mt. Hood CC’s Oslund Field.

• Corvallis skipper Brooke Knight (6) and former Sox head coach Ed Knaggs (4) have been named WCL Coach of the Year a combined 10 times.

• Corvallis leads the all-time series between the Knights & Sox, 52-44

• Corvallis leads the WCL in regular season wins with 498; Wenatchee is second at 426

• Five teams have won WCL titles over 15 seasons with Moses Lake (2007), Bellingham (2014) and Bend (2015) with single championships and Corvallis with 7 and Wenatchee with 5

• Wenatchee has repeated as WCL champions twice, 2005 & 2006 and 2009 & 2010

• Corvallis has won four straight WCL titles (2016-2019), are defending WCL champs and are the reigning Perfect Game Summer Collegiate Team of the Year

• Wenatchee and Corvallis have met in the WCL finals 4 times, with the Knights winning in 2008 (2-0) & 2013 (2-0) and the Sox in 2009 (2-0) & 2012 (2-1)

• The AppleSox were owned by Jim Corcoran through 2017; Jose Oglesby is the current owner

• Corvallis Knights president/GM Bre Miller was named the WCL’s first female GM in 2012

• Knights Baseball Club CEO Dan Segel worked with Jim Corcoran to help found the WCL, which was established in 2005; Segel earned WCL Executive of the Year honors in 2007, 2008 & 2009

• Current Chicago Cubs Vice President of Player Development Matt Dorey was the first Corvallis skipper in 2007; Brooke Knight is the longest tenured head coach in the WCL (2008-present)

• Ed Knaggs managed Wenatchee from 2001-2014, winning 6 titles (five WCL and one Pacific International League championship); Knaggs joined up with Corvallis in 2018 and is currently the Knights associate head coach

• Current Yakima Valley CC head coach Kyle Krustangel managed the AppleSox from 2016-2019; Krustangel replaced AJ Proszek who filled Ed Knaggs shoes for the 2015 season. Krustangel is now with the Yakima Valley Pippins and current Lower Columbia pitching coach Ian Sanderson is set to skipper Wenatchee in 2021

• Former Mt. Hood CC head coach Dale Stebbins managed the Knights in 2005 & 2006

• Twenty-Four Knights alumni have appeared in Major League Baseball; Seventeen Wenatchee alumni have appeared in MLB

• Corvallis has appeared in the WCL postseason for 13 consecutive  years (2007-2019) and have made 11 WCL Championship Series appearances; Wenatchee made 9 straight appearances in the playoffs (2005-2013) and have appeared 10 times in the WCL postseason & 7 times in the league’s championship series

• Corvallis has been the recipient of the Jim Dietz Team Sportsmanship Award twice, and Wenatchee once

• Wenatchee has featured three WCL MVPs, and Corvallis two

• Corvallis has featured five WCL Pitchers of the Year, and Wenatchee two

• Wenatchee’s highest alumnus MLB draft pick was Keston Hiura of UC Irvine, who was selected #9 overall in 2017

• Corvallis’ highest alumnus MLB draft pick was Adley Rutschman of Oregon State, who was selected #1 overall in 2019

Big Games & Moments in the AppleSox/Knights Rivalry:

Future big leaguer Drew Rasmussen of Wenatchee tosses 6 no-hit innings at Goss Stadium on June 29, 2014 before Marc Gallegos of Corvallis breaks up the right-hander’s no-hit bid with a lead-off single in the seventh; Rasmussen earns the 5-4 win and allows only one hit over 6.1 IP. Drew would throw a perfect game the next year for Oregon State vs. Washington State and his battery mate on that historic afternoon was longtime Knights utility man Dane Lund (2011-2014)

AppleSox hit a walk-off homer at Goss Stadium on August 3, 2017 as the AppleSox were the home team in a rescheduled double-header hosted by Corvallis because of smoked-out games in Wenatchee; Jake Taylor of Seattle University hit the surreal three-run walk-off blast 

Wenatchee sweeps the Knights in a doubleheader at Mt. Hood CC on the last day of the 2006 West Coast Collegiate Baseball League regular season to earn a championship series berth; future big leaguers Tommy Milone of USC and Clay Mortensen of Gonzaga pitch the Sox to the sweep. Milone tossed a 7-inning complete game in the Sox 3-1 game one win and Mortensen sent Wenatchee to the postseason with a 9-inning complete game victory in game two, as the Sox edged the Knights 2-1 with Milone delivering a game-winning sacrifice fly (breaking a 1-1 tie in the fourth inning). The Knights led Wenatchee by one game going into the season’s final day, needing just one win to advance to the postseason. The AppleSox had other plans and rode their future MLB arms to a match with the Spokane Riverhawks, who they would beat to repeat as WCCBL champs.

Jorge Perez of Grand Canyon tosses a two-hit shutout in the 2013 West Coast League Championship Series finale at Goss Stadium; Knights dogpile in the daylight as Corvallis edges Wenatchee 1-0 in the shortest playoff game in WCL history at 1 hr, 28 minutes. Trevor Lubking of PLU was equally masterful allowing only two hits, one a double to Blake Drake of Concordia who scored on a game-winning sacrifice fly by Dane Lund of Oregon State.

Wenatchee upset the Knights in the 2009 WCLCS, sweeping Corvallis who had posted the league’s top record at 38-10; AppleSox dogpile at OSU’s Goss Stadium, the only time a visitor has won a championship clinching game at Goss in Knights history. Sox closer Paris Shewey of Washington State earned high-pressure saves in both WCLCS contests

Knights slip by Sox at Wenatchee in the 2008 WCCBL Championship Series opener in an extra-inning thriller in which left fielder John Wallace of Oregon State came up with a huge outfield assist in the bottom of the tenth and then delivered a RBI double in the eleventh inning to knock-in an insurance run; Bryant Kraus of University of Portland delivers the game-winning RBI single propelling Corvallis to the 6-4 win. The Knights closed out the series a night later at Goss behind a stellar start from future big leaguer Josh Osich of Oregon State who tossed 8 innings of one-run baseball while striking out 6 in the Knights 4-1 clinching victory

Wenatchee swept the Knights July 29-31, 2005 at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium; future University of Washington pitching coach Elliott Cribby of UW started and won the opener while future Gonzaga pitching coach Brandon Harmon of GU started and won the series finale besting future big leaguers Matt Hague of Washington and Bud Norris of Cal Poly, who both appeared for the Knights in what was their West Coast Collegiate Baseball League season-ending contest. Wenatchee captured the inaugural WCCBL title that summer, while the Knights opted out of the postseason as part of a commitment to return to the NBC World Series as defending champions

 KNIGHTS BIG LEAGUERS

Player                                       School                                      Debuted With
Tyler Anderson*                        Oregon                                     Colorado Rockies

Matt Andriese*                         UC Riverside                             Tampa Bay Rays
Matt Boyd*                              Oregon State                            Detroit Tigers
Matt Duffy*                              Long Beach State                      San Francisco Giants
Jace Fry *                                  Oregon State                            Chicago White Sox
Rocky Gale*                              Portland                                   San Diego Padres
Sam Gaviglio*                           Oregon State                            Seattle Mariners
Eric Gunderson                         Portland State                           San Francisco Giants
Matt Hague                              Washington                              Pittsburgh Pirates
Mitch Haniger*                         Cal Poly                                    Arizona Diamondbacks
Tommy Hanson                         Riverside CC                              Atlanta Braves
DJ Johnson*                              Mt. Hood CC                             Colorado Rockies
Nick Madrigal*                          Oregon State                            Chicago White Sox
Greg Mahle*                             UC Santa Barbara                      Los Angeles Angels
Brent Morel                              Cal Poly                                    Chicago White Sox
Stephen Nogosek*                    Oregon                                     New York Mets
Bud Norris                                Cal Poly                                    Houston Astros
Josh Osich*                               Oregon State                            San Francisco Giants
Marc Rzepcyznski*                    UC Riverside                             Toronto Blue Jays
Bobby Scales                             Michigan                                  Chicago Cubs
Jimmie Sherfy*                         Oregon                                     Arizona Diamondbacks
Chris Stewart                            Riverside CC                              Chicago White Sox
Andrew Susac*                         Oregon State                            San Francisco Giants
Mike Thurman                          Oregon State                            Montreal Expos

*Active

APPLESOX BIG LEAGUERS

Player                                       School                                      Debuted With
Steve Ames                               Gonzaga                                   Miami Marlins
Brandon Bailey*                        Gonzaga                                   Houston Astros

Trevor Brown                            UCLA                                        San Francisco Giants
Griffin Canning*                        UCLA                                        Los Angeles Angels
Cole Gillespie                            Oregon State                            Arizona Diamondbacks
Marco Gonzales*                      Gonzaga                                   Seattle Mariners
Jason Hammel                          Treasure Valley CC                    Tampa Bay Devil Rays
Blaine Hardy*                           Lewis-Clark State                       Detroit Tigers

Keston Hiura*                           UC Irvine                                  Milwaukee Brewers
Taylor Jones*                            Gonzaga                                   Houston Astros
James Kaprielian*                     UCLA                                        Oakland A’s
Tommy Milone*                        USC                                          Washington Nationals
Clay Mortensen                        Gonzaga                                   St. Louis Cardinals
Drew Rasmussen*                     Oregon State                            Milwaukee Brewers
Chad Smith                               USC                                          Detroit Tigers
Pat Valaika*                              UCLA                                        Colorado Rockies
Zack Weiss*                              UCLA                                        Cincinnati Reds

*Active

AppleSox Partner with WIN Reality in 2021

Here at the Wenatchee AppleSox, we are unabashed supporters of the use of technology for player development. It is for that reason that we are thrilled to announce our new partnership with WIN Reality. This technology is a great asset to anyone who’s looking to improve the technicality of their baseball or softball skills.

“Our goal is to constantly find new ways to improve the product on the field,” AppleSox owner Jose Oglesby said. “Whether that is through our personnel or through technology, we like to leave no stone unturned.”

WIN Reality specializes in virtual reality training for baseball and softball players. Co-founded by long-time MLB Executive Dan O’Dowd and his son Chris, WIN Reality allows players to see unlimited game-speed pitches any time.

Using game footage and true data, youth, high school, collegiate and professional pitchers are uploaded into WIN Reality’s VR environment for players to face. With seven different training modes and their beta hitting integration being rolled out, this application provides the complete toolset the ideal training application should contain.

Their application provides real-time feedback and custom development plans to players based on performance, truly allowing the program to be suitable for players of all levels. Available on the Oculus Quest & Quest 2, there is no longer any reason players can’t see game-speed pitches each and every day!

“WIN Reality gives the AppleSox a chance to have an edge over our opponents,” Oglesby said. “We wanted to make sure that our fans have the opportunity to train how the AppleSox train.”

WIN Reality and the AppleSox are teaming up to assure the application gets in the hands of all players. Head to WIN Reality and use code APPLESOX to receive a trial through February! Additionally, you’ll be provided with WIN Reality’s beta hitting add-on at no additional cost to the membership for six months! We are also looking into ways to make headsets available and affordable. Please email info@applesox.com if you are interested in headsets.

Osborne Steps Down After 15 Years With Sox

After more than 15 wonderful seasons, Ken Osborne has resigned as general manager of the Wenatchee AppleSox. Assistant General Manager Allie Schank has been promoted to general manager.

Osborne, who joined the AppleSox in 2006, began his tenure with the team as the assistant general manager and held a minority stake in the team before becoming general manager in 2018. Whether it was by welcoming fans into Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium with a handshake or his cheerful smile, Osborne left an impression on all AppleSox fans who he met over the last 15 years.

“I have enjoyed my time with the Sox immensely,” Osborne said. “It isn’t easy to leave a job and a team that I have been with for so long and that is a testament to how this organization has been run.”

Osborne, a Waterville resident, will work at his wife’s insurance business.

“We are grateful to Ken for his contributions to the AppleSox,” owner Jose Oglesby said. “Even though one of our friendliest faces will no longer work for us, the memories and wonderful experience that Ken helped create for our fans will continue for years to come.”

With her promotion, Schank becomes the third female general manager in the West Coast League, joining Bre Miller of Corvallis and Stephanie Morelli of Bellingham. Schank and Osborne worked regularly together for the last two-and-a-half years and Osborne is confident in both Schank’s leadership abilities and Oglesby’s vision moving forward.

“Jose Oglesby has been wonderful to work for,” Osborne said, “and with the help of Allie Schank they will be the right people to take the Sox to the next level. Jose and Allie have fresh and innovative ideas to make the AppleSox even more fun for the 2021 season and beyond.”

The AppleSox’ 2021 season begins on June 1 against the Nanaimo NightOwls. For tickets, please call 509-665-6900.

West Coast League Announces 2021 Schedule

The West Coast League released its 2021 schedule for its 16th season on Thursday. The Wenatchee AppleSox will play 54 games against 13 of the WCL’s 15 teams. The only two opponents that they AppleSox will not face are the Ridgefield Raptors and the expansion Edmonton Riverhawks.

June 1, 2021, marks the return of AppleSox baseball as the Sox host the expansion Nanaimo Night Owls for three straight games. The June 1 Opening Day marks the earliest start to an AppleSox’ season since also opening the 2018 season on June 1 with a 2-1 win over the Victoria HarbourCats.

A trip to Portland for the first time since 2018 to face the Pickles June 4-6 kicks off the AppleSox’ first road trip of the season. The AppleSox won’t be on the road for long as they return to Wenatchee and remain there from June 8-20 for 12 consecutive home games, which is then followed up by 12 consecutive road games.

The three-time defending-champion Corvallis Knights visit Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium for the first time since 2017 on July 9-11. The AppleSox head back on the road for three different three-game series against Bellingham, Walla Walla and Bend spread across 17 days. The final homestand of the season kicks off on July 30 with a three-game set against Kelowna. The AppleSox follow that up with a trio against Port Angeles and then a series against Victoria to end the home schedule. The regular season concludes on the road against Yakima Valley Aug. 10-12.

The AppleSox plan to add more non-league games to fill out as many of the open dates on their schedule as possible. Stay tuned to AppleSox.com and follow @AppleSox on Twitter for the latest schedule updates and changes.

AppleSox Improve Video Stream for 2021

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - NOVEMBER 4, 2020 

Wenatchee AppleSox become first collegiate summer league baseball club to add PlaySight’s Smart AI video technology for baseball

The organization plans to utilize PlaySight for automated production live streaming, remote coaching, fan engagement and more

WENATCHEE, WASHINGTON (November 4 ,2020)–PlaySight Interactive, the leading global sports video technology platform, is pleased today to announce a new technology partnership with the Wenatchee AppleSox, a collegiate summer baseball team based out of Wenatchee, Washington. The team plays in the West Coast League’s North Division and plays its home games at the Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium, on the campus of Wenatchee Valley College.

The AppleSox are the first collegiate summer league program to partner with PlaySight, who already work with MLB organizations, LakePoint Sports, Ripken Baseball, IMG Baseball and USA Baseball, among other leaders in the sport. The organization was looking into automated video technology before the COVID-19 pandemic struck and sees an increased need for automated and remote video capabilities for many facets of their operations.

“We decided to invest in PlaySight to open our fun, family-friendly entertainment atmosphere up to more people. Not everyone can make it to the ballpark, but with PlaySight, anyone can enjoy the game from almost anywhere,” said AppleSox owner and retired Microsoft engineer José Oglesby. “With this pandemic, having PlaySight in our ballpark will allow us to hold games and simultaneously give the best at-home experience for our fans and sponsors who might not be able to be at games next year. It will also help our team reach a new audience of fans that may have never watched an AppleSox game before.”

PlaySight will also equip the AppleSox coaches and players with a valuable player development tool– a pro-level video platform. “Using PlaySight will be a valuable tool for the AppleSox coaching staff, players, and the college coaches who can't attend the games in-person. Having this high-quality video will also be a great tool for our coaching staff to learn and coach from,” said AppleSox General Manager Ken Osborne.

Additionally, the ability to live stream and broadcast games to fans at home, without the need for a camera crew, was very important to the club. “We wanted to have a cost-effective, performance-ready camera system in place for us to easily utilize for our live-streamed games,” continued Osborne. “It is hard to predict the future of live sports, but PlaySight has given us one more option to view the game we enjoy so much.”

PlaySight’s Smart sports AI video platform is connecting sports all over the world. Hundreds of thousands of athletes, coaches, teams, colleges, and sports facilities utilize PlaySight each and every day for automated production live-stream broadcasts, multi-angle video recording, performance analysis, content monetization, and much more.

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About PlaySight Interactive:

Selected twice by Fast Company as one of the top 10 Most Innovative Companies in Sport, PlaySight is connecting sports all over the world. Its Smart sports AI video platform delivers a cutting-edge video experience across all levels of sport. Hundreds of thousands of athletes, coaches, colleges, teams and sports facilities utilize PlaySight each and every day for automated production live stream broadcasts, multi-angle video recording, performance analysis, content monetization and much more.

PlaySight technology powers entire leagues, is connected in over half of the NBA, and is used across the MLB, NHL, in over 100 NCAA athletic departments, and at leading sports organizations and facilities such as LakePoint Sports, IMG Academy, Ripken Baseball and the United States Tennis Association’s National Campus.

About the Wenatchee AppleSox

Established in 1999, the AppleSox have been providing affordable family entertainment at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium. Every summer, young men leave their colleges and come to Wenatchee hoping to hone their skills and impress their head coaches when they return in August.

Since the first season in 2000, the team has created a tradition as timeless as American baseball itself and woven into the colorful history of Wenatchee. Centered around traditional baseball and good, old-fashioned, family fun with wooden signage on the home field and a proud home crowd that boasts some record attendance. The AppleSox guarantee a good time for all and they bring it!

Win or lose, the AppleSox are known to bring a world-class playing style to any game.

Canning Wins First Gold Glove in Sox History

The record-breaking year for AppleSox alums continues. Former AppleSox pitcher Griffin Canning (2014) became the first alum to win a Gold Glove Award by claiming the top defensive honor for a player.

Four former AppleSox players broke a franchise record by making their major-league debuts this past summer. Though Canning wasn’t part of that record, he made history of his own on Tuesday night.

Canning claimed the American League Gold Glove honor at pitcher after his second MLB season. The right-hander led all American League pitchers with 3 Defensive Runs Saved and also recorded a .938 fielding percentage.

Canning wasn’t just superb defensively; he was also stellar on the mound. He went 2-3 with a 3.99 ERA and 56 strikeouts in 56.1 innings. Canning posted lower marks in both ERA and FIP in his sophomore year compared to his rookie campaign.

Canning went 1-1 with a 1.61 ERA in five appearances (four starts) in 2014 for the AppleSox. The Los Angeles Angels drafted Canning 47th overall in the 2017 MLB First-Year Player Draft. He made his major-league debut on April 30, 2019.

2014 Alum Rasmussen Makes MLB Debut

The 2020 MLB season has been historic in many ways, including for organizations not affiliated with professional baseball.

Milwaukee Brewers’ right-hander Drew Rasmussen made his major-league debut on August 19 to become the 17th AppleSox alum to make his major-league debut. Rasmussen is also the fourth former Sox player to make his debut this season, a new single-season AppleSox record.

Rasmussen tossed two scoreless innings and struck out three on Wednesday night in the Brewers’ 9-3 win over the Minnesota Twins. After undergoing a pair of Tommy John surgeries and being drafted thee different times, Rasmussen wasn’t fazed by the pressures and potential uncertainty that come with a major-league debut.

“Personally, I think rehab is the hardest thing you can go through in this game,” Rasmussen said to MLB.com. “I've gotten the pleasure to not only experience that once, but twice, for extended amounts of time. Every day is a blessing to be able to play this game, so I think I've already gone through the worst of it.”

Rasmussen with the AppleSox in 2014.

The former Oregon State Beaver pitched for the AppleSox in 2014, going 3-2 with a 5.16 ERA in 10 games (nine starts). Rasmussen punched out 42 in 45.1 innings and surrendered three runs or fewer in eight of the 10 games he pitched in.

Rasmussen made the most of his three years pitching in Corvallis, including making history in 2015. As a freshman at Oregon State, Rasmussen hurled the first perfect game in school history against Washington State on March 21. All-in-all Rasmussen recorded a 2.65 ERA in his three seasons for the Beavers and first-team All-Pac-12 honors in 2015.

The Puyallup native was drafted prior to starting college when the Arizona Diamondbacks selected Rasmussen in the 39th round of the 2014 MLB Draft. After not signing, Rasmussen would be drafted once he became eligible again in 2017. This time the Tampa Bay Rays selected him 31st overall during his junior year. Rasmussen again did not sign and underwent the second Tommy John surgery of his career later that year to miss the entire 2018 season. Regardless, the Milwaukee Brewers drafted the right-hander in the sixth round that spring.

Although he did not pitch at all in 2018, that did not delay Rasmussen’s ascension to the major-leagues. He went a combined 1-3 with a 3.15 ERA across three levels (A-ADV, A-FULL, AA) in 2019. Rasmussen sizzled with success, punching out 96 hitters in 74.1 innings.

With Rasmussen’s debut, nine different former AppleSox players have now appeared in at least one major-league game this season. Seventeen players to don the AppleSox’ red, white and blue have now appeared in at least one major-league game

Kaprielian Becomes 16th Sox Alum to Make MLB Debut

After a long, bumpy journey, the second-highest MLB draft pick to previously play for the Wenatchee AppleSox has made his major-league debut. James Kaprielian tossed two innings for the Oakland Athletics in their 15-3 win over the San Francisco Giants on Sunday.

Kaprielian’s major-league debut began inauspiciously as he allowed a solo home run just three pitches into his debut and then walked the next hitter. However, he bounced back to retire each of the subsequent six hitters.

Despite being called up the majors on Aug. 4, Kaprielian was sent back down shortly after before again being recalled by Oakland this past weekend. The added week-and-a-half wait was trivial to Kaprielian compared to previous challenges and setbacks that he has overcome.

“I’m pretty glad it’s just behind me now. It’s been a long time coming,” Kaprielian said to MLB.com. “There’s been a lot of ups and downs along the road to get here. I’m happy to be a part of this team. This is something I really wanted to be a part of, help these guys any way I can.”

Kaprielian starred for the AppleSox in their most recent championship season. The right-hander posted a 1.80 ERA across nine appearances (two starts) in 2012. Kaprielian struck out 20 batters in 15 innings and also picked up two saves. He started two games for the AppleSox in the 2012 postseason, but could not pick a win in either. Kaprielian first tossed five scoreless against the Bellingham Bells in Game 1 of the East Division Series, a 1-0 AppleSox loss. He toed the rubber again for Game 2 of the WCL Championship Series, but allowed three runs (two earned) over six innings in the 6-2 loss.

List of former AppleSox players who played at UCLA and appeared in a major-league game.

Kaprielian was drafted 16th overall by the New York Yankees in 2015 after three stellar years at UCLA. He went 17-10 with a 2.06 ERA over 66 appearances (31 starts). Kaprielian led the Pac-12 in strikeouts in 2014 and 2015 and was named to the All Pac-12 first team those same two years. At the time he was drafted, Kaprielian was fifth all-time at UCLA in career ERA and sixth all-time in career strikeouts (275). He is the fifth player to play for the AppleSox and UCLA and then go on to appear in an MLB game.

Once pen met paper and he became a professional, Kaprielian did not find immediate success in the minors. Kaprielian was strong when on the mound, but he did miss the entire 2017 and 2018 seasons. The injuries began in 2016 with elbow troubles that limited him to just three appearances for the Tampa Yankees (A-Advanced). The righty underwent Tommy John Surgery in April 2017 before also missing the 2018 season due to the recovery and shoulder issues. Kaprielian swapped pinstripes for a green collar in 2017 when the Yankees packed him in a deal to the Athletics in exchange for Sonny Gray. Kaprielian went a combined 4-3 with a 3.31 ERA in 19 games across three different levels last season. He made his major-league debut after appearing in just 27 games in the minors.

Sixteen former AppleSox players have now appeared in an MLB game. Kaprielian becomes the 11th pitcher of that group and the seventh right-hander. He is also the third different Sox alum to debut this season, which matches a team record originally set in 2014.

Two More AppleSox Alums Make MLB Debuts Sunday Afternoon

A pair of AppleSox alums made their MLB debuts for the Houston Astros on Sunday. Infielder Taylor Jones went 0-for-2 and pitcher Brandon Bailey tossed a scoreless ninth inning on Sunday to become the 14th and 15th former AppleSox players to appear in an MLB game.

Jones spent two seasons in the West Coast League. The Washington native was a member of the West Coast League Champion AppleSox in 2012 and played for the Walla Walla Sweets in 2013. Though he was drafted as a position player, Jones only pitched for the AppleSox that summer, going 1-0 with a 3.85 ERA in seven games (three starts). The AppleSox won six of the seven games that Jones pitched in that summer.

Prior to being drafted by the Astros in the 19th round of the 2016 draft, Jones spent 2013-16 at Gonzaga. He switched to hitting after two seasons pitching and it paid off. The Kent, Washington, native batted .342 in his final two seasons, earning First Team All-West Coast Conference honors as a junior and then appeared on the Second Team as a senior.

Bailey, a sixth-round draft pick by the Oakland Athletics in 2016, earned Second Team All-West Coast League honors in 2014 after going 2-2 with a 1.37 ERA in 10 appearances (all starts) for the AppleSox. The Broomfield, Colorado, native struck out 43 and walked just nine in 39.1 innings for the Sox. Bailey did not allow any runs in seven of his starts, including each of his final five starts of the summer, ending the season on a 19-inning scoreless streak.

Bailey with the AppleSox in 2014

Bailey’s dominance wasn’t limited to summer ball. The right-hander recorded a 3.27 ERA in three years at Gonzaga and earned First Team All-West Coast Conference honors twice. His best season came as a junior when he was 10-3 with a 2.42 ERA and 125 strikeouts in 100.1 innings.

After several transactions, Bailey made the jump to “The Show” this season. The Athletics traded Bailey to the Houston Astros following the 2017 season in exchange for a fellow WCL alum, Ramon Laureano. Bailey pitched well in Single-A and Double-A ball for the Astros for two seasons before being selected by the Baltimore Orioles in the Rule 5 Draft this past December. However, they returned Bailey to the Astros three months later. In between the transactions and his MLB debut, Bailey made his MLB debut without appearing in any Triple-A games prior.

Jones is just fifth position player to play for the AppleSox and then in the major leagues. Bailey becomes the 10th pitcher of the 15 AppleSox alums to make their MLB debut. At least one AppleSox alum has made his major-league debut in six of the last seven years.

Full list of AppleSox alums to appear in an MLB game. Years listed are the year(s) with AppleSox, followed by the year making MLB debut.

AppleSox Shelf 2020 Plans

To our fans, sponsors, community members, host families and employees, we thank you for your support as we navigate these unprecedented times together. After much deliberation between our front office & coaching staff and a careful analysis of all facts available, the Wenatchee AppleSox are cancelling the 2020 AppleSox Training Camp.

Our goal is to provide a safe, family-friendly environment to gather community members and continue the tradition of summer college baseball in the Wenatchee Valley. In the past two weeks, Chelan and Douglas Counties have seen an increase in positive COVID-19 cases, which means returning to play will not be a feasible option. We are looking at other entertainment options for the field for when we are safely in a phase to allow community engagement at Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium for when we’re safely in Phase 2 of Washington.

The AppleSox look forward to celebrating summer with our fans in 2021!

For any questions or concerns, please feel free to email info@applesox.com or call (509) 665-6900.

WCL Season Cancelled, AppleSox Forge Onward

A crowded entrance to Paul thomas sr. stadium prior for a game against the kelowna falcons. july 3, 2019.

Yesterday would have marked the beginning of a new West Coast League season here in Wenatchee. However, due to the foreseeable delay in the ability to hold events in the Pacific Northwest with more than fifty attendees, the WCL has cancelled the 2020 season. 

Our team, the Wenatchee AppleSox, is still working to bring baseball to Wenatchee this summer under the condition that our counties, Chelan and Douglas, reach Phase 3 of Washington’s plan to safely reopen. 

When we return to the diamond, our focus will be on our 2020 AppleSox training camp, which will feature games weekly and will continue from the start of Phase 3 until mid-August. This new program will feature players from our existing 2020 roster, supplemented by local players. We will be releasing more information about the training camp within the next few days. We will continue offering youth AppleSox summer camps, and other community events, throughout the summer.  

While we are unable to bring baseball back to the stadium sooner, we are thrilled to announce that we will open the AppleSox concession stand in Paul Thomas Sr. Stadium as an outdoor café once Chelan and Douglas reach Phase 2. Please stay tuned for further announcements.

Official Statement on the Start of the AppleSox' 2020 Season

COVID-19 has brought about unprecedented change and loss this spring. This pandemic has threatened our way of life and caused us to reflect on what matters most in our lives, why our personal friendships are so important to us and how our decisions can affect others.

As we continue to wait for the day that this crisis can be put in the rearview mirror, the Wenatchee AppleSox also realize that we must adapt in an unorthodox way in these unfamiliar times.

In accordance with the West Coast League’s decision, the AppleSox have decided to postpone the beginning of the 2020 season to early-July. The AppleSox and WCL’s main concern is the health and safety of the community. We will continue to monitor national, state and local guidelines to determine the best possible way to begin baseball in Wenatchee again.

This news also means that the 2020 WCL All-Star Game, originally scheduled for July 20 in Wenatchee, has been canceled. With a shortened season and the likelihood of several WCL teams not competing in 2020, it would not have been right to hold it this summer.

We realize that this means our season won’t unfold this summer as we had imagined. Summer college baseball is special because of the unique relationships formed over the course of two-and-a-half months. Strangers no longer are foreign to each other, but instead, become friends.

Regardless, the AppleSox will remain a part of summer in Wenatchee. We are committed to providing a summer-college baseball product in 2020 and beyond.

“We would not exist without our great fans,” AppleSox owner Jose Oglesby said. “We will have baseball in Wenatchee this year. I will exhaust every possible opportunity to provide a creative and entertaining product this summer. It may be different than previous seasons, but we intend to celebrate summer with our town’s favorite sport once again in 2020 when the time is right.”

We will be reaching out shortly to coaches, players, host families, sponsors and season ticket holders to discuss the implications of this change. If you have any questions, please email info@applesox.com or call 509-665-6900.

Full West Coast League Statement

Former Catcher Meyer Reflects on Two Summers with AppleSox

Former AppleSox catcher Cory Meyer had a rollercoaster ride in his two seasons with the AppleSox. From making history in 2018 to battling adversity in 2019, Meyer saw a lot in his two summers with the AppleSox.

Meyer played in 38 games (league and non-league) for the AppleSox in 2018 and 2019. He batted .273 with four home runs and 23 RBI in his two seasons for the AppleSox. On June 27, 2018, Meyer made AppleSox history by becoming the first player in team history to hit two grand slams in a league game. That same night, he set the team single-game RBI record by driving in eight runs. Meyer was also named a West Coast League All-Star in 2018.

Meyer spent this past spring playing his senior season at Boise State. He batted .381 in six games, all of which he started. He began his collegiate career as a freshman at Spokane Falls before transferring to Washington State, where he played two seasons.

Meyer reflected on his two summers in Wenatchee and the memories that he made in the Apple Capital of the World. Watch Meyer's full discussion with Joel Norman below.

NCWLIFE Channel to Replay 2019 AppleSox Game This Saturday

On Saturday, May 2, there will be baseball... At least on television.

The NCWLIFE Channel will rebroadcast the Wenatchee AppleSox’ June 15, 2019 game against the Walla Walla Sweets. Eric Granstrom will provide play-by-play coverage starting at 6:30 p.m.

Fans throughout the Wenatchee Valley can watch on Charter via channel 19, LocalTel via channel 12 or online, worldwide, at NCWLIFE.com/live-stream/

Be sure to follow along on the AppleSox Twitter account during the broadcast for highlights and stats. 

2018 AppleSox Alum Stainbrook Reflects On Summer With Sox

Troy Stainbrook lit it up as a closer for the AppleSox in 2018. He notched five saves and recorded a 0.54 ERA in nine appearances. His 0.54 ERA in WCL play is the lowest ever by an AppleSox pitcher to have pitched a least 15 innings.

He rode that success with the AppleSox into his senior year at Biola in which recorded a 2.11 ERA and struck out 53 in 41.1 innings. Stainbrook’s dominance on the mound in college led to being drafted by the Washington Nationals in 2019.

Watch his full discussion with Joel Norman below in which he reflects on his time with the AppleSox and discusses what it was liking being drafted and how his professional career has gone so far.

WCL Launches #StayHome4Baseball Campaign

The Wenatchee AppleSox and the rest of the West Coast League, launched the #StayHome4Baseball campaign, encouraging fans to stay home and flatten the coronavirus curve. The #StayHome4Baseball campaign challenges not only fans, but also baseball teams everywhere, at all levels, to help limit and ultimately stop the spread of COVID-19.

“All our teams are busy preparing for the season,” WCL commissioner Rob Neyer said, “but at the same time we’re thinking about our fans. We want them to stay safe, be healthy, and (yes!) join us at the ballpark this summer. But that’s probably not going to happen unless we flatten the curve. Soon! And all the doctors and epidemiologists tell us the same thing: Stay home now. So we’re asking our fans to stay home now, and later we’ll play as much baseball as we can play.”

Last week, the WCL announced that it planned to start the 2020 season on time. However, the league is still trying to do its part in the short term to ensure that the 2020 season can proceed as planned.

“The health and safety of our community members is our top priority right now,” assistant general manager Allie Schank said. “The AppleSox urge not just those in the Wenatchee Valley, but everyone across the country to follow CDC guidelines and stay inside to help flatten the curve. Support local businesses by ordering takeout if you can and make sure to check up on those in our community who may need extra help. We’re all in this together, so let’s stay inside now to bring life back to normal sooner.”

Sanderson Returns to Familiar Place to Coach AppleSox

Change is as much a part of the West Coast League’s very fabric as cowhide is to baseballs. Every season, teams expect a large majority of the previous season’s players to not return. 

The same goes for each team’s coaching staff. Seven different teams have changed head coaches for the 2020 season, so far. The AppleSox opened up the offseason coaching changes when they named Ian Sanderson their fifth head coach in team history on Sept. 19.

Last year, four teams began the season with a different head coach from the previous season (Bend, Kelowna, Ridgefield, Victoria). One of them, Kelowna, brought in a new head coach a year after making the playoffs. Sound familiar?

Don’t forget, teams at the major-league level have brought in new managers after making the playoffs. The New York Yankees came a win away from advancing to the World Series in 2017 with Joe Girardi, then hired Aaron Boone to replace him after the season.

After qualifying for the WCL playoffs for the first time in six seasons last summer, the AppleSox are looking to take the next step in 2020 and they believe Sanderson is the man to bring home another championship. Part of their reasoning for hiring Sanderson was due to his familiarity with the Valley.

“I used to go to Wenatchee AppleSox games when I was younger,” Sanderson said. “I have family in Wenatchee, so we spent summers there. Wenatchee is a special place and a nostalgic flashback for me from my childhood. I remember the stands being just jam-packed with excitement and buzz. I remember the nice weather and the sun setting over the hills in the fourth inning or so.”

Sanderson comes to the AppleSox after spending last season with the Victoria HarbourCats, who defeated the AppleSox in three games before falling to the Corvallis Knights in the West Coast League Championship. The HarbourCats finished tops of second in the WCL in innings, strikeouts, opponent batting average and ERA.

Sanderson currently works full-time as the associate head coach and pitching coach for Lower Columbia College, the 2017-19 NWAC Champions. It’s a program not only full of success, but also one with AppleSox blood. Lower Columbia College’s head coach, Eric Lane, employs Sanderson as his associate head coach and pitching coach. Lane played for the AppleSox in 2010 and then later served as an assistant coach in 2013. He played a part in helping his assistant become a member of the AppleSox family.

“He just talked about how fun it was as a player and just loves Wenatchee,” Sanderson said. “He’s already planning a trip to a game with a few ex-AppleSox that he played with and we’ll have to make it a fun weekend for them.”

Success is in Sanderson’s DNA. He saw firsthand what success the AppleSox achieved previously and is eager to return the team to that dynastic level that it previously held. The blend of that challenge and memories of summers from yesteryear brought Sanderson to the AppleSox.

“I think it’s about getting the right guys in and connecting with the community,” Sanderson said. “I want to build the fanbase to get excited again and build a winning attitude. We aren’t going to be an overly heavy roster where we have a new roster every day. A lot of guys are going to play two out of three days or three out of four days.”

As for his coaching style, Sanderson is focused on dominating with pitching. Naturally, with a pitching coach background, he wants to dictate games based on what his players can do on the mound. Sanderson wants to bring in “as many arms as possible,” because he believes that with the innings and pitch-count limits that schools place on pitchers, having as many options as possible on the mound is the best way to earn back-to-back playoff berths.

However, that doesn’t mean Sanderson isn’t creative about what can be done offensively. He told fans at February’s Hot Stove Party that he wants to “create chaos” every time AppleSox hitters step into the batter box.

“We’re going to let guys play a bit,” Sanderson said. “We’re not going to be sacrifice bunting a lot. We’re going to let guys hit and steal a lot of bases. I really liked that style that we played with the Victoria HarbourCats last summer while learning from Todd Haney: letting them learn to fail at stealing bases and try not to take the bat away with guys too much. Last year, the staff that we had recorded the fewest walks and we were No. 2 in ERA.”

AppleSox management conducted the search in early September and was pleased to find a quality candidate so early on in interviews.

“Ian was one of the first people who reached out to us,” general manager Ken Osborne said. “We obviously were familiar with his work with the HarbourCats, but were thrilled with his ability to communicate as well as his baseball philosophy. The fact that he has connections to the area makes it even better.”

The AppleSox and Sanderson both know that ultimately, winning is the goal in 2020. However, the biggest challenge confronting the AppleSox from reaching the peak of this climb is keeping as many players as possible for the bulk of the season or replacing them adequately. From July 29 to Aug. 8, 2019 (an 11-day span), a combined 15 AppleSox players who recorded at least 75 at-bats or appeared in at least 10 games on the mound were shut down for the rest of the season. The majority had been told by their head coaches that late-July to early-August would be the end of the summer ball season.

The central problem was that the WCL regular season didn’t end until Aug. 11 and the playoffs ended just under a week later. Many colleges were allowed to begin practicing once the calendar flipped to August and understandably chose to bring their players back from their summer-ball commitments.

When the AppleSox traveled to Corvallis for the final three games of the 2019 regular season, they brought 17 players with them and signed three pitchers to one-day contracts so that the best pitchers remaining could be rested for the postseason.

Remarkably, the Knights did not face a similar issue as the AppleSox. While AppleSox players hardly knew each other with the bulk of the roster consisting of late-season replacement players, the Knights hardly lost anyone significant. The eventual four-time defending West Coast League Champions and 2019 Perfect Game Team of the Year ended the regular season with 30 players on their roster, nearly double the number of active AppleSox players that same weekend. The Knights only lost five hitters from the entire 2019 season, four of whom recorded 15-or-fewer at-bats.

Sanderson, who faced the AppleSox’ skeleton crew in the postseason, believes that he is prepared to not make the same mistakes of a different regime from a year ago.

“Corvallis has found a way,” Sanderson said, “to find a majority of guys on that quarterly system and that’s what we’ve got to do. It was frustrating when we (Victoria) faced them in the championship round. The team that faced them wasn’t the team that got us to the playoffs. It’s not a knock on the guys who stayed, but it was just a different team. I think if we can control the roster and keep everybody around, I think it’s a much different league and the ‘top-heaviness’ goes away.”

Sanderson anticipates turnover on his 2020 roster. Too assume otherwise would be foolish, but his goal is to limit as much turnover as possible. That starts with communicating with players and their coaches better from the get-go, focusing on players who will be with the AppleSox for the majority of the season and having capable and planned replacements for those who don’t last the full summer. ­­

Division-I players may excite fans most, but it’s also critical to supplement the rest of a summer-ball roster with Division-II and junior-college players. Often times, junior-college players are looking to advance to the Division-I level and hope to put together a strong summer to convince college coaches that they are worth a spot on the top tier of college student-athletes. Sanderson, as a junior-college coach, knows that having control of these players in addition to their hunger are excellent reasons to make them members of the AppleSox this summer.

“We’re going to get as many of the best junior college guys that we can,” Sanderson said, “because those are the guys that are going to be the supplemental guys that fill in early and fill in later because I know what their schedules are. It’s going to be a mix of pop-in junior college players.”

The AppleSox were part of league’s elite at one point, winning five of the first eight WCL Championships. However, the league has also expanded since its inception in 2005. Seven teams battled in the division-less inaugural season with only two teams granted a postseason berth. In 2020, 12 teams in two divisions compete for four postseason berths, with only two teams from each division advancing to the playoffs.

The times have changed and now, so too must the AppleSox. With Sanderson and his forward-thinking mind at the helm, the AppleSox look to return to their previous glory with a strong start to a new era in 2020.

2019 WCL Saves Leader, Four Others Join 2020 AppleSox

The AppleSox have added pitching depth with this week’s roster additions. Head coach Ian Sanderson signed four pitchers from three different schools and a well-regarded high-school prospect.

Rance Pittman

After a stellar year with the Cowlitz Black Bears last summer, Rance Pittman joins the AppleSox in 2020. Pittman tossed 27 games last summer, all in relief, and recorded a league-high nine saves. Pittman has a 1.80 ERA in five relief appearances for Southeast Missouri this season.

Sanderson is very familiar with Pittman. In two years at Lower Columbia College, Pittman recorded a 1.80 ERA. Pittman went 1-0 as a sophomore with a 1.47 ERA in 18.1 innings across nine appearances.

“Rance has been a bullpen guy with a lot of success,” Sanderson said. “He will show a high 80’s, low 90’s fastball and a good slider. Great young man to help some of our young arms develop.”

Isaiah Zavala

Freshman right-hander Isaiah Zavala comes to the AppleSox from the University of the Incarnate Word. He recorded a 2.18 ERA in four years at Southwest High School in San Antonio. Zavala earned all-state honors as a junior after posting a 1.33 ERA and hitting .370.

In college, Zavala has started each of the four games he has pitched in this spring and has particularly excelled in his last two times on the mound. He has not allowed any runs in a combined 13 innings and has given up just eight hits while striking out 10.

Michael McElmeel

Another member of the University of the Incarnate Word joins the AppleSox this summer. Junior Michael McElmeel has tossed 42 games in his three years of college so far and is another veteran arm joining the AppleSox. Last season, McElmeel did not allow any runs in any of his first eight appearances en-route to a team-best 25 appearances on the mound. He recorded an 8.35 ERA in 18.1 innings. This spring, McElmeel has a 10.13 ERA in seven appearances.

Michael DeFelippi

Despite logging just 9.1 innings in seven appearances, Michael DeFelippi excelled as a freshman at the University of the Pacific. He only allowed 11 hits and recorded a 2.89 ERA. DeFelippi has a 7.20 ERA in three appearances this spring.

DeFelippi put together two strong JV years at Cathedral Catholic High School in San Diego. He was part of an undefeated team his freshman year and was then named team MVP and Pitcher of the Year during his sophomore season

Jordan Thompson

The youngest player in this week’s roster reveal joining the AppleSox in 2020 might have the most exciting future. Jordan Thompson may still be in high school, but he has already garnered national acclaim. The 2019 Perfect Game All-American shortstop is committed to play at LSU next year. Last summer, Thompson hit .283 with 14 extra-base hits for the San Diego Show travel team. He also has excelled as a pitcher at the high school level, topping out as high as 93 mph.

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The AppleSox’ 2020 season begins on June 4 with a 6:35 p.m. non-league game against the Highline Bears. The home schedule is highlighted with Coyote Bobblehead Night on June 13, Fireworks Nights on July 3 and 20 and the West Coast League All-Star Game on July 20. The full schedule can be viewed below. Season tickets run as affordable as $130 and can be purchased online. Single-game tickets can be purchased by calling 509-665-6900.