Wenatchee AppleSox

Last updated
Wenatchee AppleSox
Wenatchee AppleSox Logo.png
Information
League West Coast League  (North)
Location Wenatchee, Washington
Ballpark Paul Thomas Sr. Field
Founded2000
League championshipsPIL: 2003
WCL: 2005, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2012
Division championshipsPIL: 2002, 2004
WCL: 2005, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2024
Former league(s)PIL
ColorsBlue and red
  
MascotAppleSox Coyote
OwnershipJosé Oglesby
ManagementAllie Schank
CoachMitchell Darlington (2021 - current) [1]
MediaKCSY-FM Wenatchee
Websitewww.applesox.com

The Wenatchee AppleSox is a collegiate summer baseball team playing in the West Coast League's North Division. The team is based in Wenatchee, Washington. The team was established in 2000 by owner Jim Corcoran and has played its home games at Paul Thomas Sr. Field on the campus of Wenatchee Valley College. Asst. GM Ken Osborne became a stockholder in 2008. Corcoran and Osborne sold the team to retired Microsoft executive Jose Oglesby in 2018, with Osborne being appointed COO/GM. Osborne stepped down on Feb. 3, 2021, and assistant general manager Allie Schank was promoted to general manager. [2]

Contents

Team history

2000–2013

The AppleSox began play in 2000 and joined the Pacific International League. The AppleSox marked the return of baseball to the Wenatchee Valley for the first time since the Wenatchee Chiefs suspended operations after the 1965 season. The AppleSox were a member of the PIL until 2004, when the team left the league to become a charter member of the West Coast League. The team won the PIL Championship in 2003 and has won five WCL Championships in the league's history, including back-to-back titles in 2009 and 2010. [3]

2014

The 2014 season marked the first year that the AppleSox did not make the WCL Playoffs. The team was 30–24 in regular-season play. As the season concluded, Sox head coach, Ed Knaggs stepped down and AJ Proszek was selected to replace him, making Proszek the 3rd head coach all-time for the AppleSox. Proszek was a pitching coach for Wenatchee in 2013 and 2014. The changing of the coaching reins put an end to a 14-year run for Knaggs as the head coach in Wenatchee. He also had previously coached 22 seasons at Wenatchee High School. [4]

2015–2016

The AppleSox went 43–65 over the next two WCL seasons, and were unable to reach the WCL postseason. The AppleSox did feature two of the more prolific hitters in WCL history in each of the 2015 season and 2016 seasons. Keston Hiura, an outfielder from UC Irvine, set WCL records with 33 extra-base hits, 119 total bases, and 6 triples. Michael Toglia (2016) became the third AppleSox player to win league MVP, joining Mitchell Gunsolus (2012) and Steve Marquardt (2005). He hit .306 and led the WCL with 7 home runs. At the end of the 2016 season, A J Proszek announced that he would not return for a third season as the team's head coach. The AppleSox hired Kyle Krustangel just over a month later, on September 14, 2016.

2017-2019

Krustangel kept the AppleSox in playoff contention until the final weekend of the season in each of his first two seasons before finally breaking through in 2019. The AppleSox won 17 of their final 25 games to earn their first playoff spot since 2013. [5] Krustangel quit following the 2019 season to accept the same job with the Yakima Valley Pippins. Ian Sanderson of Lower Columbia College was subsequently hired as the fifth head coach in AppleSox history.

2022

The AppleSox made the postseason for the first time under a first-year head coach in 2022 after winning the WCL North Division's second-half title. Mitch Darlington guided the team to a 27-27 record and a first-round sweep of the Kamloops NorthPaws before falling to the Bellingham Bells in the North Division Championship Game. Second baseman Joichiro Oyama won WCL co-MVP by breaking AppleSox single-season records for plate appearances (276), runs (54), stolen bases (42) and walks (42) while also tying for the single-season record for triples (6) and games played (54). He also broke the WCL single-season record for runs and stolen bases with his historic 2022 campaign. [6]

2023

The Applesox are currently 3rd in the north division with a 12-4 record and are tied for first place with the division leading Bells. [7] Easton Amundson (Liberty) leads the league in home runs (6) while Brandham Ponce (Washington State) is 4th in the league in runs batted in (15). Jadon Williamson (Lower Columbia) is tied for second in wins on the mound (2) and Cam Hoiland (Cal Poly San Luis Obispo) is third in ERA (0.60). [8] 7,145 total fans have gone through the gates for an average of 794 per game. [9]

On June 19, infielder Easton Amundson was named one of the players of the week. Amundson had hit three home runs and batted ten runners in over the week. [10]

2024

On June 17th, Evan Canfield was named pitcher of the week. Canfield threw eight strikeouts in the AppleSox's 2-1 win over the NorthPaws. [11]

On July 9th, Evan Canfield, Jonathan Fitz, Max Hartman, Quincy Vassar, and Garrett Ahern were selected to represent the AppleSox in the 2024 all star game in Bellingham. [12]

The AppleSox qualified for the playoffs for the third straight season after winning both the first and second half. The AppleSox met the HarbourCats in the North Divisional Series for the second straight year winning in three games. The AppleSox hosted the Bells in the North Division Championship Game winning in a 1-0 shutout. The AppleSox then travelled to Portland to face the Pickles in the WCL Championship Game for their first appearance since 2013. The AppleSox led the game 5-4 going into the bottom of the ninth inning, but the Pickles would rally to win the championship 6-5. [13]

Ballpark traditions

Kid's choir

AppleSox games feature a special seventh-inning stretch. Local kids are invited out to the field with the team's mascot, "Coyote", to sing "Take Me Out to the Ballgame".

Strikeout socks

The AppleSox hang embroidered socks from a clothesline on the press box, each time their pitcher strikes out an opposing batter. After five strikeouts by AppleSox pitching the team's guest services workers toss socks to fans in the seating area.

Race the Coyote

Long-time AppleSox mascot Coyote rounds the bases each night in a race against an AppleSox youngster. He still hasn't beaten any kids in the daily race, but has accumulated a few wins on various "Mascot" nights over the years, when he races other local mascots instead of children.

Ketchup and Mustard Race

During the fifth inning of each home game everyone's two favorite condiments race each other from the left field foul pole to the right field foul pole.

Tommy Watanabe Award

AppleSox pitcher Tommy Watanabe died late in the 2017 season to the shock of the team and his family and friends. He left an indelible mark on all whom he interacted with and the AppleSox began honoring him the following the season with an award in his name. The Tommy Watanabe Award is annually presented to the AppleSox player who best shows passion and respect for baseball as well as those who play or work in the game. Wenatchee native Jacob Prater was presented with the inaugural award in 2018. [14]

Tommy Watanabe Award Winners

  • 2018: Jacob Prater
  • 2019: Johnny Sage
  • 2021: Michael O'Hara
  • 2022: Joichiro Oyama
  • 2023: Jake Putnam
  • 2024: Jack DeDonato

Section 'A'

The fans at Paul Thomas Sr. Field take a special liking each year to the AppleSox first base-coach, giving him a loud ovation each time he jogs to the coaches box. The tradition began with the fans in section A along the first baseline in 2006 and has spread across the entire stadium. [15]

Results by Season

YearLeagueDivisionFinishWinsLossesWin%GBPostseasonManager
2005 WCL 1st297.8050Won Championship Series (Bellingham)Ed Knaggs
2006WCL2nd2715.6421Won Championship Series (Spokane)Ed Knaggs
2007WCLEast1st2913.6900Lost Division Series (Moses Lake)Ed Knaggs
2008WCLEast1st2319.5470Lost Championship Series (Corvallis)Ed Knaggs
2009WCLEast1st3414.7080Won Championship Series (Corvallis)Ed Knaggs
2010WCLEast1st2919.6040Won Championship Series (Bend)Ed Knaggs
2011WCLEast1st3915.7220Lost Division Series (Walla Walla)Ed Knaggs
2012WCLEast1st3717.6850Won Championship Series (Corvallis)Ed Knaggs
2013WCLNorth2nd2924.5472Lost Championship Series (Corvallis)Ed Knaggs
2014WCLEast2nd3024.5565Did Not QualifyEd Knaggs
2015WCLEast3rd2430.44410.5Did Not QualifyAJ Proszek
2016WCLNorth5th1935.35221Did Not QualifyAJ Proszek
2017WCLNorth2nd2925.5372Did Not QualifyKyle Krustangel
2018WCLNorth5th2628.4819Did Not QualifyKyle Krustangel
2019WCLNorth2nd2925.53710Lost Division Series (Victoria)Kyle Krustangel
2020Season cancelled (COVID-19 pandemic)
2021WCLNorth3rd2028.4179Did Not QualifyIan Sanderson
2022WCLNorth2nd2727.5006.5Won Divisional Series 2-0 (Kamloops)
Lost North Division Championship (@ Bellingham)
Mitch Darlington
2023WCLNorth2nd3717.6851.5Lost Divisional Series 0-2 (Victoria)Mitch Darlington
2024WCLNorth1st3419.642-Won Divisional Series 2-1 (HarbourCats)
Won Division Championship Game 1-0 (Bells)
Lost WCL Championship Game 5-6 (at Pickles)
Mitch Darlington
League ChampionsDivision ChampionsPlayoff Team

First Half Championships

Second Half Championships

Division Championships

PIL

WCL

League Championships

PIL

WCL

Notable alumni

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kelowna Falcons</span> College baseball team

The Kelowna Falcons are a collegiate summer baseball team located in Kelowna, British Columbia. The Falcons are members of the West Coast League and play their home games at Elks Stadium.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brooklyn Cyclones</span> Minor league baseball team

The Brooklyn Cyclones are a Minor League Baseball team of the South Atlantic League and the High-A affiliate of the New York Mets. They are based in the New York City borough of Brooklyn, and play at Maimonides Park, just off the Coney Island Boardwalk. From their founding in 2001 through 2020, the Cyclones competed in the Class A Short Season New York–Penn League (NYPL).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">New Jersey Jackals</span> Professional baseball team based in Little Falls, NJ, US

The New Jersey Jackals are a professional baseball team based in Paterson, New Jersey. The Jackals compete in the Frontier League (FL) as a member of the East Division. The team was founded in 1998 by Floyd Hall and is owned by Al Dorso, a businessman who also owns the Sussex County Miners, Skylands Stadium, and State Fair Superstore. The Jackals play their home games at Hinchliffe Stadium.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bellingham Bells</span> Team in the West Coast Collegiate Baseball League

The Bellingham Bells are a collegiate summer baseball team in the West Coast League. The team is composed of college baseball players from teams around the U.S.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2008 Chicago White Sox season</span> Major League Baseball team season

The 2008 Chicago White Sox season was the organization's 109th season in Chicago and 108th in the American League. The White Sox won the American League Central title for the first time since 2005. They finished the regular season tied with the Minnesota Twins (88–74) and won a one-game playoff for the division title. They subsequently lost the 2008 American League Division Series to Tampa Bay Rays.

The Wenatchee Wild were a Junior A ice hockey team. The team played its home games at the 4,300-seat Town Toyota Center in Wenatchee, Washington. The team joined the North American Hockey League as an expansion club for the 2008–09 season, and in that time they were well known for their rivalry with the Fairbanks Ice Dogs. The Wild moved to the British Columbia Hockey League for 2015–16, after seeking approval from both Hockey Canada and USA Hockey for three years. In 2023, the ownership of the Wild purchased and relocated the Winnipeg Ice, a major junior Western Hockey League franchise, under the Wenatchee Wild brand, but ceased operations of their junior A team.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">West Coast League</span> Collegiate summer baseball league

The West Coast League (WCL) is a collegiate summer baseball wooden bat league founded in 2005, comprising teams from Washington, Oregon, British Columbia and Alberta. The WCL was previously named the West Coast Collegiate Baseball League (WCCBL), but in 2008 it was renamed as the West Coast League. The league is designed to develop college talent, and only current college-eligible players are allowed to participate. The West Coast League has produced dozens of professional players, including a number of major leaguers. League teams are operated similarly to professional minor-league teams. The WCL's season typically runs from early June through the middle of August.

The Bend Elks are a collegiate summer baseball team located in Bend, Oregon. The Elks are founding members of the West Coast League and play their home games at Vince Genna Stadium.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cowlitz Black Bears</span> Baseball team in Longview, Washington, US

The Cowlitz Black Bears is an amateur baseball team located in Longview, Washington. They play in the West Coast League, a collegiate summer baseball league. The league comprises teams from Canada, Oregon, and Washington. Cowlitz calls David Story Field on the campus of Lower Columbia College home.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Walla Walla Sweets</span> Baseball team in Walla Walla, Washington

The Walla Walla Sweets is an amateur baseball team located in Walla Walla, Washington. They play in the West Coast League, a collegiate summer baseball league. Walla Walla calls Borleske Stadium home which has a capacity of 2,378 spectators.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Corvallis Knights</span> Collegiate summer baseball team in Oregon, US

The Corvallis Knights, founded as the Aloha Knights, are a collegiate summer baseball team located in Corvallis, Oregon. Founded in 1990 in Beaverton by Dan and his brother Joe Segel, the Knights moved to Corvallis from Gresham in 2007. They play in the West Coast League, a college summer wood-bat league where college players and prospects prepare for the pros. The league comprises teams from British Columbia, Oregon and Washington. Corvallis plays its home games at Goss Stadium, also the home of the Oregon State Beavers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Victoria HarbourCats</span> Summer-collegiate baseball team

The Victoria HarbourCats are a summer-collegiate baseball team located in Victoria, British Columbia. The HarbourCats play in the West Coast League (WCL), a collegiate summer baseball league. The team's home games are played at Victoria's Royal Athletic Park.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Portland Pickles</span> Baseball team in Portland, Oregon

The Portland Pickles are a collegiate summer baseball wooden bat team based in Portland, Oregon. They play in the South Division of the West Coast League, a premier collegiate summer baseball league based in the Pacific Northwest and British Columbia. The Pickles play their home games at Walker Stadium in Portland's Lents Park.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2017 American League Division Series</span>

The 2017 American League Division Series were two best-of-five-games series held to determine the participating teams in the 2017 American League Championship Series. The three divisional winners and a fourth team—the winner of a one-game Wild Card playoff—played in two series.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tommy Edman</span> American baseball player (born 1995)

Thomas Hyunsu Edman is a Korean-American professional baseball utility player for the Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the St. Louis Cardinals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Michael Toglia</span> American baseball player (born 1998)

Michael Anthony Toglia is an American professional baseball first baseman and outfielder for the Colorado Rockies of Major League Baseball (MLB). Toglia played three years of college baseball at UCLA. He was selected by the Rockies in the first round of the 2019 MLB draft. He played in their minor league system for four years before making his MLB debut in 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kamloops NorthPaws</span> Collegiate summer baseball team in Kamloops, British Columbia

The Kamloops NorthPaws are a collegiate summer baseball team located in Kamloops, British Columbia. The NorthPaws are members of the West Coast League and since 2022 have played their home games at NorBrock Stadium.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ridgefield Raptors</span> Collegiate summer baseball league

The Ridgefield Raptors are a collegiate summer baseball team. The Raptors are members of the West Coast League and play their home games at the Ridgefield Outdoor Recreation Complex.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Edmonton Riverhawks</span> Collegiate summer baseball league

The Edmonton Riverhawks are a collegiate summer baseball team. The Riverhawks are members of the West Coast League and play their home games at RE/MAX Field.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nanaimo NightOwls</span> Baseball team in Nanaimo, Canada

The Nanaimo NightOwls are a collegiate summer baseball team located in Nanaimo, British Columbia. The Night Owls are members of the West Coast League and began play in 2022; they play their home games at Serauxmen Stadium.

References

  1. "AppleSox Announce 2022 Coaching Staff Additions". October 2021.
  2. "Osborne Steps Down After 15 Seasons". AppleSox.com.
  3. Brian Adamowsky (18 August 2010). "Champs Once More". Wenatchee World.
  4. "AJ Proszek Named AppleSox Skipper". AppleSox.com. 14 August 2014. Retrieved April 23, 2017.
  5. "Sox Clinch Playoff Berth". AppleSox.com. 8 August 2019.
  6. "Oyama Named WCL co-MVP". AppleSox.com. 17 August 2022. Retrieved September 6, 2022.
  7. "West Coast League - standings".
  8. "West Coast League - leaders".
  9. "West Coast League - attendance".
  10. "Amundson and Erdman Earn WCL's Moss Adams Weekly Honors". 19 June 2023.
  11. "Takeuchi and Canfield Receive WCL's Moss Adams Weekly Accolades". Archived from the original on 2024-06-18.
  12. King, Chris (July 9, 2024). "WCL All-Star Game Rosters Announced".
  13. "West Coast League - schedule".
  14. "Tommy Watanabe Award". AppleSox.com.
  15. Bruce Bennett. "Friday Harbor's Fletcher Vynne, now an AppleSox assistant coach, is winning them over in Wenatchee". San Juan Journal. Retrieved 13 January 2010.
  16. "About the AppleSox". Wenatchee AppleSox Baseball.
  17. "AppleSox Win Championship". YouTube. August 18, 2010.