by Steve Mims After graduating from Sheldon High School in 1983, Chris Miller was set to play quarterback at the University of Oregon. But before Miller made it to Autzen Stadium, the Toronto Blue Jays tried to buy him out of college when general manager Pat Gillick drafted Miller in the 17th round of the… Continue reading Chris Miller, Toronto Blue Jays Shortstop…Almost.
Author: Jamie Christopher
Player Profile: Hunter Dryden
by Steve Mims Hunter Dryden might be able to help the Springfield Drifters at the plate and on the mound. The sophomore is 4-4 with a 3.88 ERA during the spring for Whitworth University while batting .233 with two homers and seven RBIs. Dryden is listed as a pitcher and infielder on the roster for… Continue reading Player Profile: Hunter Dryden
Player Profile: Catcher Ryne Hays
by Steve Mims Ryne Hays will arrive in Springfield on a hot streak. The sophomore catcher is batting .286 while leading Yakima Valley College with five home runs and 33 RBIs this spring. He has nine doubles and 26 runs scored in 31 games while compiling a .343 on-base percentage. “I think I have been… Continue reading Player Profile: Catcher Ryne Hays
Umpire, Author Dale Scott, “The Umpire Is Out,” on Officiating and the WCL
by Steve Mims Dale Scott was a sophomore at Sheldon High School in 1975 when he got tipped off that he could make some money umpiring local baseball games. He was 15, but the age limit to work games was 16.“I turned 16 in August, but this was January and February,” he said. “I saw… Continue reading Umpire, Author Dale Scott, “The Umpire Is Out,” on Officiating and the WCL
Player Profile: Ryan Escover, RHP
by Steve Mims Ryan Escover got some pitching advice from Blake Snell in the offseason. The former American League Cy Young Award winner spent much of the winter working out at Shoreline Community College just north of Seattle. His dad, Dave Snell, is the Dolphins baseball coach. “Because of the MLB lockout, he was… Continue reading Player Profile: Ryan Escover, RHP
Being the WCL Commissioner is not a Part-Time Job
by Steve Mims Rob Neyer was putting the finishing touches on his seventh book in the spring of 2018 when the West Coast League came calling for a commissioner. The famed baseball author was surprised and intrigued at the thought of running a summer baseball league. “To be frank, it completely blindsided me when the… Continue reading Being the WCL Commissioner is not a Part-Time Job
Drifters, a Perfect Fit for the West Coast League
by Steve MimsWhen the West Coast League was seeking a 16th team, Springfield became the perfect fit. The Springfield Drifters join the Edmonton Riverhawks as new franchises when the collegiate summer baseball league starts its season next month. “When we have a chance to add a team in our geographic footprint, we will jump on… Continue reading Drifters, a Perfect Fit for the West Coast League
West Coast League Launches New Visual Identity
IN THE NEWS West Coast League Launches New Visual Identity – New Marks Celebrate Local Geography March 1, 2022 Today, the West Coast League unveiled a striking rebrand, beginning a transition from the league’s traditional WC logo to a new WCL mark that evokes the league’s sprawling geography, ranging from central Oregon north through Washington… Continue reading West Coast League Launches New Visual Identity
WCL – Springfield Drifters Baseball Club Announcement
IN THE NEWS West Coast League – Springfield Drifters Baseball Club Announcement April 22, 2021 Thursday, the West Coast League announced the addition of the expansion Springfield Drifters as the league’s 16th member team. The Drifters will join the Bend Elks, Corvallis Knights, and Portland Pickles as the league’s fourth Oregon-based team. “When you look… Continue reading WCL – Springfield Drifters Baseball Club Announcement
Press Release April 2021
IN THE NEWS Press Release April 2021 Springfield, OR – The Springfield Drifters Baseball Club, a new baseball franchise of the West Coast League, is excited to announce their inaugural season starting in June of 2022. The West Coast League is a premier collegiate summer baseball league with teams in Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia Canada. The… Continue reading Press Release April 2021