Bookmark Contest Winners Announced

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March 20, 2022 – The Everett AquaSox is excited to announce our 2022 Reading Program Bookmark Contest winners! We received hundreds of entries into the contest and thank everyone who entered. Our winners are all participants of the Everett AquaSox “Hit A Home Run in Reading” program.

The winners are: Annelise (Age 7) – Cedar Wood Elementary, Olivia (Age 5) – Columbia Elementary, Brady (Age 7) – Cedar Wood Elementary, Serena (Age 10) – Totem Falls Elementary.

For over a decade, the AquaSox have been facilitating a free, local, incentive-based program encouraging kids to read daily. This past year, we dad over 10,000 kids participate from various elementary schools in the area. Teachers, Librarians, and PTA coordinators from each school partnered with the AquaSox and assisted with implementing the program to encourage independent reading as a foundation for life-long learning.

If you would like more information about the reading program and how to get your school connected, please reach out to our Director of Community Relations, Nellie Kemp at [email protected]

Opening Day is April 8. 2022 season tickets, ticket plans, group outings and picnics outings can be purchased by calling (425) 258-3673 or visiting the AquaSox Front Office at 3802 Broadway in Everett.

For updates on the 2022 season, community initiatives and Webbly appearances, follow the Frogs on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram or visit our website, AquaSox.com.

Successful Black Individuals Who Left a Lasting Impact with the Dust Devils 

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In celebration of Black History Month, throughout February, teams across Minor League Baseball are taking a look back at five of the best Black players to suit up for their club or leave a lasting impact on the baseball community.

While some of these standout performers went on to have successful Major League careers, others simply had great Minor League careers, careers in other professional sports, or in some cases left a positive impact on the local baseball community.

Here is a look at five successful Black individuals who left a lasting impact on the Tri-City Dust Devils and the Tri-City community as a whole.

CJ Mitchell:

CJ Mitchell was an amateur baseball umpire whose career started in the early 70’s. He worked for 35 years in both the PAC-8 and PAC-10 conferences. He worked six American Legion World Series Tournaments, 10 NAIA World Series Tournaments; he was a four time NCAA Division-1 College World Series Umpire in Omaha, Neb. (1976, 1977, 1980, 1981) and was selected to work exhibition games for the U.S. Olympic team in 1984 and 1988. He was a family man who left a lasting impact on the community, not only for his work in sports, but also from being a genuinely good person. He has been inducted into no less than six sports hall of fames across Washington State. CJ passed in 2016, but he is remembered every day at Gesa Stadium with the CJ Mitchell Memorial Umpires Room.

Stu Cole:

Stu Cole was drafted by the Kansas City Royals in the 3rd round of the 1987 draft. His playing career spanned from 1987 to 1995 in both the Royals and Colorado Rockies organizations. He began coaching in 1995 within the Rockies organization. In 2001 Stu Cole became the first manager in Dust Devils franchise history. He led the Dust Devils to a 39-36 record and finished second in the North Division. He later managed Double-A Tulsa from 2006 to 2009 and the Pacific Coast League’s Colorado Springs Sky Sox from 2010 to 2012. In 2012 Stu was named the 3rd Base Coach for the Colorado Rockies where he still is today!

Russell Wilson:

Out of High School, Wilson was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in the 41st round of the 2007 MLB draft. Wilson elected to continue his education and attended NC State from 2008 to 2010. During his collegiate career, Wilson hit .282/.384/.415 with five home runs and 30 RBI’s. On June 8th 2010, he was drafted by the Colorado Rockies in the 4th round. He made his professional debut with the Tri-City Dust Devils where he finished the season batting .230 with 2 home runs and 11 RBI’s. On June 27, 2011 it was announced that Wilson had committed to Wisconsin to continue his football career. In the 2012 NFL Draft, Wilson was selected in the 3rd round by the Seattle Seahawks. His rookie year he led the Seahawks to the post season and was selected as an alternate for the 2013 Pro Bowl. In the 2013-2014 season, Wilson led the Seahawks to a 13-3 record and their first Super Bowl victory in franchise history. Wilson became just the second black starting Quarterback to win a Super Bowl. Wilson has amassed a number of awards during his time in Seattle, with eight Pro Bowl Selections, three Steve Largent Awards, the 2020 Walter Payton Man of the Year Award and the 2022 Bart Starr Award.

Anthony Sanders:

Anthony Sanders was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 7th round of the 1992 MLB Amateur Draft out of Santa Rita High School in Tucson, Arizona. Sanders made his Major League debut for the Blue Jays April 26, 1999. As a member of the United States National Baseball Team, Sanders won a gold medal in the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney. After his playing career, Sanders joined the Colorado Rockies organization as the hitting coach for the Tri-City Dust Devils from 2007 to 2012. He was promoted in 2013 to manager of the Grand Junction Rockies. He spent 2013 through 2015 in Grand Junction and was named the 2014 Pioneer League Manager of the Year. He spent 2016 and 2017 as the Class A Advanced Development Supervisor before serving as the Rockies outfield and base running coach in 2018 and 2019. Sanders is currently the Baltimore Orioles First Base Coach.

Brendon Davis:

Brendon Davis was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 5th round of the 2015 MLB Draft out of Lakewood High School in Lakewood, CA. He entered the 2015 draft as the Baseball America’s No. 51 ranked High School prospect. He was selected by the Los Angeles Angels on December 10, 2020 int he Rule 5 Minor League Draft. In 2021, Brendon Davis made 63 appearances with the Tri-City Dust Devils, batting .280 with 40 RBI’s and 14 home runs. He was promoted to Double-A Rocket City Trash Pandas and soon thereafter Triple-A Salt Lake Bee’s where he finished the season. In 31 games with the Bee’s, Davis batted .333 with 25 RBI’s and 8 home runs. He won two High-A West Offensive Player of the Week awards with the Dust Devils and is currently listed as a member of the Angels 40 Man Roster.

AquaSox To Host Job Fair – February 25th & 26th

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EVERETT, WA: The Everett AquaSox will be hosting a job fair for prospective employees on Friday, February 25th, 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM, and Saturday, February 26th from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM. We are looking for game day team members of all ages to fill a wide variety of positions at Funko Field for the 2022 season. Candidates must be trustworthy, outgoing, reliable, and enthusiastic.

Our goal is to provide affordable family entertainment and excellent customer service to every guest who walks through our gates. Do you have what it takes to help create the best fan experience in baseball?

We have a wide variety of positions available such as ticket takers, promotions team, concessions, mascot, ushers and more. Each team member is critical in providing the best experience to our guests. All those interested in working with the AquaSox this season must be at least 15 years old and able to work the majority of the AquaSox’ 66 home games.

Job seekers are encouraged to fill out an application prior to the AquaSox Job Fair, which can be found by clicking HERE, however, applications will be available on the day of the Job Fair if needed.

All interviews will take place at the AquaSox Front Office located at 3802 Broadway. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to [email protected] or call (425) 258-3673.

MiLB adds to inclusion efforts with ‘The Nine’

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Minor League Baseball has announced the launch of “The Nine,” a new, Black-community focused outreach platform specifically designed to honor and celebrate the historic impact numerous Black baseball pioneers made on the sport, provide new opportunities for youth baseball and softball participation, further diversify the business of baseball, and embrace millions of passionate fans throughout MiLB’s 120 communities nationwide.

Named for the number Jackie Robinson wore during his only season playing in MiLB with the Triple-A Montreal Royals in 1946, The Nine will connect MiLB teams’ existing, Black-community focused development efforts with new national programming and future special events in a coordinated and centralized campaign. The new inclusion initiative follows MiLB’s Copa de la Diversión — the Latino fan engagement platform introduced in 2017 that included 76 MiLB teams in 2021.

The Nine will recognize and honor numerous Black pioneers and trailblazing civil rights leaders in all 120 MiLB communities, ensuring the heroes of the past and their contributions continue to be celebrated through ceremonies and events at MiLB ballparks and in the community. Recent tributes and celebrations have included Negro Leagues commemorative games honoring the Austin Black Senators in Round Rock (TX), the Bradenton (FL) Nine Devils, and Page Fence Giants near Lansing (MI). Additional tribute games are being planned for the 2022 season and beyond.

“The Nine will shine bright spotlights on these successful initiatives and transform them into national campaigns reaching more fans and communities, further showcasing our teams’ commitment to representing, honoring, and welcoming all fans to MiLB’s unique brand of fun,” said Kurt Hunzeker, MLB’s Vice President of Minor League Business Operations. “The Nine is just the latest example of MiLB teams being true community champions.”

In addition to player- and team-related content, The Nine will focus heavily on creating new opportunities for youth participation among young Black boys and girls, particularly in communities where youth baseball and softball programming is either nonexistent or difficult to access.

Central to this youth-focused push is a planned expansion of Major League Baseball’s Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities (RBI) Program throughout MiLB’s national footprint. New competitions in MLB’s Pitch, Hit & Run and Junior Home Run Derby event series will also debut in MiLB markets beginning in 2022.

MiLB teams will continue to build relationships with local Black-owned and operated businesses, local artists and entertainers in an effort to embrace Black culture and make MiLB ballparks a hub for culturally relevant concerts, shows, and community events.

With several MiLB teams having a Historically Black College or University (HBCU) in their community, opportunities will be provided for those schools to start internship and mentorship programs with their local team, creating opportunities for on-the-job experience for students prior to entering the job market. Additionally, MiLB recently partnered with TeamWork Online to create a more inclusive virtual job fair and ongoing talent pipeline that aims to recruit and position qualified and ready-for-hire candidates from across the country for potential management- and executive-level roles within MiLB team front offices.

Black History Month: Celebrating Tacoma’s greatest African-American players

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In celebration of Black History Month throughout February, teams across Minor League Baseball are taking a look back at five of the best Black players to suit up for their club.

While some of these standout performers went on to long and illustrious Major League careers, others simply had great Minor League careers or, in some cases, an incredible season that went down as “a year for the ages.”

Here is a look at five of the best Black baseball players ever to suit up for Triple-A clubs in Tacoma, selected on a combination of criteria including great play over multiple seasons at Cheney Stadium and/or graduating to big league stardom following a brief stay in The City of Destiny.

Willie McCovey, 1B/OF
Tacoma Giants, 1960

National League MVP, 1969
National Baseball Hall of Fame, 1986

After making his Major League debut with the San Francisco Giants in 1959 and being voted National League Rookie of the Year despite playing in only 52 games (.354, 13 HR), Willie McCovey appeared in 17 games for the Triple-A Giants in 1960, during the franchise’s first year in Tacoma/at Cheney Stadium. Those would be the final minor league games the future Hall of Famer would appear in, playing another 21 big league seasons for the Giants (through 1973), the San Diego Padres (1974-76) and the Oakland A’s (1976), before finishing his career back by the bay (1977-80) with San Francisco (2,588 career MLB games).

Elected by the writers to the Hall of Fame in 1986, McCovey led the National League in home runs three times (’63, ’68, ’69), and hit 521 as a Major Leaguer. He also led the NL in RBI consecutive seasons (1968-69), finished third in MVP voting in ’68, and won the award in ’69 (career-high 126 RBI, led NL with .453 OBP). He played in six All-Star Games, including four straight from 1968 through 1971.

In his Tacoma cameo, McCovey batted .286 over 77 plate appearances, homering three times with 16 RBI.

Adam Jones, OF
Tacoma Rainiers, 2006-07

Four-time Gold Glove Winner
World Baseball Classic Champion, 2017

Like McCovey, Adam Jones’s final appearance with Tacoma would be his final in MiLB at any level. The durable centerfielder of multiple Baltimore Orioles postseason runs in 2012, ’14 and ’16, Jones played fewer than 150 games only once between 2011 and 2016, and led the AL by appearing 162 times in 2012.

Jones was summoned from Tacoma to make his MLB debut with the Seattle Mariners on July 14, 2006, and between ’06 and ’07 would play in 197 games with the Rainiers and 73 more with the Mariners. A February 8, 2008 trade to Baltimore would point him to becoming one of that franchise’s all-time greats. Jones racked up numerous major awards with the Orioles, including four Rawlings Gold Gloves (three consecutive, 2012-14), a 2013 Silver Slugger Award, as well as five All-Star Game appearances (four consecutive, 2012-15).

In 2017, Jones provided perhaps the all-time greatest single moment or play to date in World Baseball Classic history, when he robbed Orioles teammate Manny Machado (Dominican Republic) of a home run in the seventh inning of an elimination game in his native San Diego. The United States went on to victory, and ultimately their first WBC championship.

Playing in Baltimore through 2018, Jones spent the 2019 season with the Arizona Diamondbacks and has spent the two most recent seasons with the Orix Buffaloes of Osaka, Japan, in Nippon Professional Baseball. As a Triple-A player with Tacoma, Jones was a .301 hitter with 41 homers. In over 1,800 MLB games, he has 282 career homers and 945 RBI.

Danny Goodwin, 1B/OF
Tacoma Tigers, 1982-85

#1 overall draft pick…twice
Tacoma franchise RBI leader

While Danny Goodwin made plenty of noise as a Cheney Stadium power source for the Oakland A’s-affiliated Tacoma Tigers in the latter half of his career, it was how his pro career began – and then began again – that makes him the answer to an all-time trivia question.

Goodwin is the only player to be selected first overall in the first year player draft twice. Rather than sign with the Chicago White Sox out of high school in Peoria, IL in 1971, Goodwin attended and played for Southern University in Baton Rouge, LA and was taken atop the draft a second time by the California Angels in 1975 (with a record signing bonus of $150,000).

He wound up a veteran of 252 Major League games spread over seven seasons between 1975 and 1982, with the Angels, Minnesota Twins and A’s, ending his career in 1986 with the Nankai Hawks of Osaka, Japan (Japan Pacific League). During 435 games with Tacoma over his final four seasons stateside, Goodwin launched 64 home runs, placing him in a tie for fourth on Tacoma’s all-time list. The franchise’s all-time leader in RBI (301), Goodwin is also top five in Tacoma’s Triple-A history in games played, at-bats (1,520), hits (454), total bases (754) and walks (237).

Bob Perry, OF
Tacoma Giants, 1960-63

As a Tacoma Giant for the first three full seasons of Triple-A baseball in the city, and briefly to begin 1963, Bob Perry is tied for third with Goodwin in all-time games played with Tacoma (435). His 21 triples rank second in franchise history, and Perry is in Tacoma’s top 10 in at-bats (1,414), runs (210), hits (395), total bases (647) and RBI (225). His 50 home runs tie him for 13th all-time.

When Perry’s contract was purchased by the Los Angeles Angels in May 1963 from the San Francisco Giants, he made his Major League debut, appearing in 131 total games through 1964 with the American League club. Perry originally signed with the New York Giants in 1953 prior to their move west – battling through a decade in the minors to make his big league debut. In several more Triple-A stops through his final season in 1970, Perry lifted 206 career minor league homers (six in MLB).

Kelvin Moore, 1B
Tacoma Tigers, 1981-83

A star of the first three Oakland A’s-affiliated teams in Tacoma, Kelvin Moore played in 282 games for the T-Town Tigers before a July 1983 trade to the New York Mets. Over three seasons he got into 76 big league games with Oakland in-between stints with Tacoma.

Moore is top 15 all-time in Tacoma’s Triple-A record book in RBI (213), runs scored (187) and total bases (550), after blasting 57 homers – an average of one every five games played with Tacoma – placing him ninth on the franchise home run list.

Top 5 Black Players in Spokane Indians History

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In celebration of Black History Month, throughout February, teams across Minor League Baseball are taking a look back at five of the best Black players to suit up for their club.

While some of these standout performers went on to long and illustrious Major League careers, others simply had great Minor League careers or, in some cases, just one incredible season that went down as “a year for the ages.”

Here is a look at five of the best Black baseball players ever to suit up for the Spokane Indians.

Tommy Davis

A native of Brooklyn, NY, Tommy Davis moved west with the Dodgers organization and reached Spokane in 1959. The sweet-swinging outfielder was an absolute wrecking ball for the Indians that year, finishing the season with a league-leading .345 average, 211 hits, 32 doubles, 18 home runs, 78 RBIs, 21 stolen bases, and more walks (40) than strikeouts (29). He had a cup of coffee with the Dodgers that season, striking out in his lone at-bat before joining the team full time in 1960. Davis captured back-to-back National League batting titles in 1962 (.346, league-leading 153 RBI) and 1963 (.326), helping the team to a World Series title in 1963. Injuries prevented Davis from continuing his Hall-of-Fame trajectory, but the Indians alum still finished his career with a pair of All-Star appearances, two batting titles, and more than 2,100 hits over 18 big league seasons.

Willie Davis

After signing as an 18-year-old out of Mineral Springs, AR, Davis quickly proved the minors were no match for his prowess at the plate and speed on the basepaths. He captured the California League MVP with the Reno Silver Sox in 1959 and earned a promotion to Spokane the following year. Davis showed his first season was no fluke, hitting .346 with 26 triples and 30 stolen bases for the Indians as he again captured the league MVP award. Still just 20, Davis earned a late-season call-up with the Dodgers and hit .318 in 22 games. He took over as the full-time centerfielder in 1961 and would remain a fixture there through the 1973 season, winning World Series titles in 1963 and 1965. Davis wrapped up his 18-year career with 398 stolen bases, 182 home runs, 1,053 RBIs, and over 2,500 hits, and still holds the Los Angeles Dodgers record for longest hit streak at 31 games.

Dave Henderson

A first-round pick by the Seattle Mariners in the 1977 draft, Henderson reached Spokane in 1980 and held his own as a 21-year-old, slashing .279/.366/.422 with seven home runs and 50 RBIs in 109 games. He returned to Spokane in 1981 and improved his power and plate discipline (.279/.385/.504) to earn a promotion to Seattle. Hendu was a solid performer for the Mariners over the next 4.5 seasons before being traded to Boston in 1986, where his performance in that year’s World Series (.400, 6 R, 2 HR, 5 RBI) nearly led the Red Sox to their first championship since 1918. Henderson split the following season with Boston and San Francisco before breaking out with Oakland (.304, 24 HR, 94 RBIs) as a 30-year-old in 1988. He would remain in the Bay Area through 1993, helping the A’s to a World Series title in 1989 and earning an All-Star appearance in 1991. Hendu retired following the 1994 season with 197 home runs, 1,324 hits, and a career WAR of 27.6.

Don Newcombe

Newcombe spent two years with the Negro League’s Newark Eagles before embarking on an historic MLB career with the Dodgers, Reds, and Indians. The towering right-hander was named Rookie of the Year for the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1949 after finishing 17-8 with a 3.17 ERA and league-leading five shutouts, also becoming the first black pitcher to start a World Series game that same year. He earned All-Star nods the next two seasons (leading the league in strikeouts in 1951) before serving in the Korean War from 1952-53. He struggled in his return to Brooklyn the following season but rebounded with 20 wins and a World Series title in 1955. Newcombe had a season for the ages in 1956, posting a 0.989 WHIP and winning 27 games to earn league MVP and baseball’s first-ever Cy Young Award (which was awarded to only one pitcher in all of baseball at the time). “Newk” spent two more seasons with the Dodgers before finishing out his big league career with the Reds (1958-60) and Indians (1960). He signed with the Dodgers and attempted an MLB comeback with the Spokane Indians in 1961 (where he was teammates with fellow Negro League alum Curt Roberts) but struggled to a 4.96 ERA over 25 games. Newcombe, always a good hitter for a pitcher, wrapped up his playing career as a first baseman/outfielder alongside Larry Doby for Japan’s Chunichi Dragons in 1962.

Maury Wills

The speedy infielder from Washington, DC, spent seven seasons in the minors before reaching Spokane in 1958, where Indians manager Bobby Bragan convinced a struggling Wills to pick up switch-hitting. That decision changed the course of Wills’ career, as he would go on to become one of the most decorated MLB players in Spokane history. Wills hit .253 with 21 stolen bases in first season in Spokane before improving to .313 in 1959 to earn a late-season promotion to the Dodgers. He became a full-time player in 1960 and led the National League in stolen bases for the next six years, highlighted by an MLB record 104 in 1962 as he captured the NL MVP award. Wills won World Series titles with Los Angeles in 1959, 1963, and 1965 while also earning five All-Star appearances and a pair of Gold Glove awards. He retired following the 1972 season with a .281 career average, 2,134 hits, and 586 stolen bases. Wills would later become just the third Black manager in MLB history, following Frank Robinson and Larry Doby, when he helmed the Mariners in 1980-81. His son, Bump Wills, graduated from Spokane’s Central Valley High School and spent six years in the big leagues with the Texas Rangers and Chicago Cubs.

Honorable Mention

Curtis Terry: “Big Rig” spent time with Spokane in 2016-17 before a breakout season in 2018 (.337, 15 HR, 60 RBIs) earned him the Northwest League MVP award. Terry reached the majors with the Texas Rangers in 2021 and signed with the Minnesota Twins in the off-season.

Jay Gainer: A 24th-round pick by the San Diego Padres, Gainer captured the league batting title in 1990 (.356, 10 HR, 54 RBIs) and helped lead the Indians to their fourth consecutive NWL championship. He reached the majors with Colorado in 1993 and homered on the first pitch he saw in the big leagues. Gainer later managed the Yakima Bears and currently serves as head coach at Davis HS in Yakima.

Dee Brown: The 14th-overall pick in the 1996 draft by the Kansas City Royals, Brown captured the NWL MVP award as a 19-year-old in 1997 after slashing .326/.404/.564 with 13 HR, 73 RBI, and 17 SB. He spent part of eight seasons in the majors and played for more years in Japan before embarking on a career as a coach.

Ken Harvey: A first-team All-American with Nebraska in 1999, Harvey was drafted in the 5th round of that year’s draft by the Royals and won the NWL batting title with Spokane that season with an eye-popping .397 average. Harvey spent just four years in the majors, but earned an All-Star appearance in 2004, and currently works as a coach in Kansas.

Carl Edwards Jr.: A lowly 48th-round pick out of Prosperity, SC, the “String Bean Slinger” was absolutely electric for the Spokane Indians in 2012, striking out 60 over 47 innings with a 2.11 ERA and 0.957 WHIP. Edwards went on to win a World Series title with the Chicago Cubs in 2016 and has posted a career 3.77 ERA in 206 big league appearances.

About the Spokane Indians

The Spokane Indians are the High-A affiliate of the Colorado Rockies located in Spokane, Washington. Avista Stadium is home to the $5 Kids Bench Seat courtesy of MultiCare. Parking at all Spokane Indians games is FREE. The Spokane Indians office and team store hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM.

Rainiers partner with Rebuilding Together South Sound for “Final Stretch”

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TACOMA, WA (9/23/21) – For every home run the 2021 Triple-A West Champion Tacoma Rainiers hit between September 23 and October 3, Minor League Baseball (MiLB) will donate $50 to Rebuilding Together South Sound. It’s one of 30 partners selected by each Triple-A club during the “Final Stretch” of 10 games to conclude the 2021 season.

The Rainiers begin the Final Stretch Thursday in Texas against the Round Rock Express, before ending the 2021 Triple-A season at home against the Salt Lake Bees, September 29 through October 3 at Cheney Stadium.

Tacoma – hitters of 177 home runs this season in their first 120 games – are looking to help a great local partner by continuing their power surge. On top of the $50 per homer, the team that hits the most homers over their 10-game span will raise an additional $5,000 for their selected charity, also courtesy of MiLB.

Since 2001, Rebuilding Together South Sound has repaired over 1,000 homes and 18 non-profit facilities, reinvesting over $7.8 million into our community. The organization seeks to advance health equity by improving housing outcomes for those in economically distressed communities. Other needs they address include roof repairs and energy-efficiency upgrades.

“Minor League Baseball teams have long been great community partners, and we are pleased to make a donation to each of these local charities on behalf of our Triple-A teams for their performance during the Triple-A Final Stretch,” said Major League Baseball’s Vice President, Minor League Operations and Development, Peter Woodfork. “These charities provide a variety of valuable services to their community, and it is our honor to recognize their efforts.”

Rebuilding Together programs also provide home modifications and repairs in the homes of low-income seniors, people with disabilities and families with children who live in Pierce County and the Cities of Federal Way and Auburn, Washington.

The Rainiers’ participation in the “Homers That Help” drive during the Triple-A Final Stretch is an extension of the BECU “Home Runs for Homes” program, where for every home run that a Rainiers player hit at Cheney Stadium during the 2021 regular season, BECU donated $50 to Rebuilding Together South Sound.

About the Tacoma Rainiers

The Tacoma Rainiers are the Triple-A affiliate of the Seattle Mariners. The Rainiers are a member of Triple-A West. Tacoma has been a Mariners affiliate since establishing the Rainiers moniker in 1995.

Single-game tickets for all remaining 2021 Rainiers home games are now available. Questions regarding season tickets can be directed to [email protected].

The most up-to-date news and notes about the Tacoma Rainiers and Cheney Stadium can be found at WeRTacoma.com, or by following the Rainiers on Twitter (@RainiersLand), Instagram (@tacomarainiers) and liking the team on Facebook.

Spokane Indians Team Up to Restore War Veterans Memorial Field in Wellpinit

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WELLPINIT, Wash. – The Spokane Indians front office once again teamed up with local community partners to make a big difference in our region. On Wednesday, June 16th the front office joined the Boys & Girls Club of Wellpinit, Spokane Tribe Fuels Department, Spokane Tribe Maintenance Department, Tribal Department of Natural Resources, Tribal Water Department, members of the Wellpinit High School girls softball team, and community members Gladys Rhoads and Billy Shawn Flett Jr. to restore War Veterans Memorial Field in Wellpinit, Washington.

The renovation had many areas of improvement, including the installation of four large autumn blaze maple trees for shade, new field bases & measurements, new dugouts, new player benches, new signage, new trash cans, and a new main water line. The complex also had its perimeter fence repaired, bleachers repaired and painted, and the installation of a new gravel pathway and entrance. In total, 120 bags of infield Turface mix, 25 yards of bark, and 12 tons of gravel were used in the refurbishment project of War Veterans Memorial Field. The project was made possible with the approval of the Spokane Tribe Business Council and by the contributions of materials from Wittkopf Landscape Supply, a SiteOne Company.

“We’ve obviously proud of our partnership with the Spokane Tribe of Indians and are always looking to do projects together,” explained Otto Klein, Senior Vice President of the Spokane Indians Baseball Team. “The field renovation project was a fun, collaborative effort to improve a youth sports facility in the heart of the reservation. We can’t wait to see the players’ reactions when they play their next game.”

The restoration and improvement project is an extension of the historic partnership with the Spokane Tribe of Indians and the Spokane Indians Baseball Team. It is also the second time the Indians front office has helped lead a field renovation project. In 2019, the front office helped refurbish Redband Field located in Spokane’s Peaceful Valley.

About the Spokane Indians

The Spokane Indians are the High-A affiliate of the Colorado Rockies located in Spokane, Washington. Avista Stadium is home to the $5 Kids Bench Seat courtesy of MultiCare. Parking at all Spokane Indians games is FREE. The Spokane Indians Team Store is open M-F 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM, and 10:00 AM to the end of the game on all game days. Reserve your seats today.

Spokane Indians Earn Prestigious WSRA Recycler of the Year Award

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SPOKANE, Wash. – On November 2nd, the Spokane Indians were recognized for their Zero Waste Campaign during the 2019 calendar year, receiving the Washington State Recycling Association (WSRA) Recycler of the Year Award, in the Business Generator category. The WSRA presents annual Recycler of the Year (ROY) awards to spotlight individuals, businesses, government agencies and community organizations that are making outstanding contributions to strengthening and expanding recycling and waste prevention practices across the state.

“We’re honored to receive this award and to continue building on our responsibility as an environmental leader,” said Senior Vice President Otto Klein. “We recognize that we have the opportunity to impact the community through our efforts at Avista Stadium and this award is a testament to the work that we’ve done and will continue to do.”

The Indians were nominated by Kris Major, Education Coordinator for the City of Spokane’s Solid Waste Department. “Striving towards zero waste is difficult for any business, let alone one that deals with the public in the numbers that the Spokane Indians do. This recognition is well-deserved and the organization’s hard work and commitment to sustainability can be an inspiration to us all and a model for others to follow,” said Major.

In 2019, the Indians announced their commitment to becoming a zero waste facility with the Zero Waste Campaign. 60 zero waste stations were installed throughout Avista Stadium and an investment was made in compostable items, including beer cups, Pepsi cups (including lids and straws) and utensils. In 2019 alone, the Indians increased traditional recycling by 29% and diverted 12 tons of compostable materials from the waste stream, which equates to 28% of total waste. The compostable materials collected at the stadium were then transferred to a local facility, where they were processed into a healthy, soil building compost, used in agriculture, landscape, turf, and garden applications. A portion of that compost was eventually brought back and used in flower beds at Avista Stadium, creating a closed-loop system.

“We understand the importance of doing our part to protect the environment and resources for future generations,” said Klein. “With the help of our local partners and staff who work tirelessly every day, the Zero Waste Campaign is the next chapter for how we are striving to take care of the place we all call home.”

The Spokane Indians would like to thank the presenting partner of the Zero Waste Campaign, Spokane County Regional Solid Waste, and major contributors: the Spokane Tribe of Indians, Wittkopf Landscape Supply, Sunshine Disposal & Recycling, and Barr-Tech.

Hometown Hero: Kim Elkins

Here is a link to the original story on the team's website.

 

SPOKANE, Wash. – When school districts started to close as a response to the COVID-19 outbreaks in mid-March, many faced the issue of continuing to provide meals for students in need. With the help of her team, Kim Elkins, the Nutrition Director for the Mead School District, made it her mission to provide kids in the district a dish of normalcy by continuing to provide breakfast and lunch. The district, comprised of seven elementary and one middle schools, set out to serve cold meals at 16 different locations that families could take home to heat up for the kids. Between March and August, a total of 238,044 breakfasts and lunches were served to the community. With help from Assistant Director of Nutrition Services, Mark Oswalt and their team, Kim coordinated with the transportation department to deliver meals from the school’s warehouses to the distribution sites. They’d be set up for 30 minute windows so that kids from more rural areas would have access without far drives. Several school bus drivers helped distribute the meals, some even dressing up in themed outfits to bring some fun to the pickup. The kids loved it and some would follow suit and dress up in themes as well. As the 2020-2021 school year starts, the Spokane Indians are excited to feature Kim as a Hometown Hero for the impact she has made on our community, especially over the past six months. Kim’s efforts helped ensure that kids were still being fed. The Spokane Indians had the chance to chat with Kim to find out more on this important project and the work that went into making it such a success.

SI: How long have you served as the Nutrition Director with the Mead School District? What is your favorite part of the job?

KE: Eight years, the best part is working with a great team that cares immensely about making sure kids are fed well-balanced meals that support learning.

SI: What was your particular role in implementing the meal pickup program?

KE: I coordinated the change from the normal serving model to one we had never implemented before. This included an overhaul of staff responsibilities, procurement of available supplies and food, communication with district and community members, transportation of meals, and implementing staff safety protocols. COVID-19 changed functions of every nutrition program. All school nutrition professionals in the area were happy to accept the challenge to ensure kids were fed during closures.

SI: What were some of the biggest challenges that you faced to successfully implement this program?

KE: Building the airplane in the air! Different aspects of staffing may have been one of the biggest challenges. We needed to create a new type of work environment that made our available staff feel safe while producing meals for our community with continually evolving health and safety recommendations. With schools across the nation facing similar obstacles, it was a challenge finding food and packaging supplies to keep our program running smoothly. There was undoubtedly a lot of coordination that made this successful.

SI: Who were the key players along the way?

KE: Mark Oswalt, Assistant Director of Nutrition Services; Brian Liberg, Director of Transportation; Jolene Andres, Executive Assistant for the Superintendent Communication Expert; and our nutrition and transportation team members. It was inspiring to see people from other school departments pitch in to feed kids.

SI: 238,044 meals served for breakfast and lunch is an incredible amount, how does that compare to typical numbers for the school district?

KE: Typically, we serve 6,000 meals per day that is spread across 13 buildings with 45 staff. With the meal pickup program, we were producing meals out of 2 kitchens with staff who assembled and then helped hand out meals with our bus drivers.

SI: Now that the 2020-2021 school year has begun, what plans does your team have in place moving forward?

KE: U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the extension of free summer meals through December 31st. We are excited to offer free breakfast and lunch to our students attending school in person starting September 14th. We are also offering free weekly meal kits for families whose children are choosing full online learning and hybrid learners for non-in person school days. It is a big challenge to operate our meal programs in the schools in addition to a “to go” meal program. But again, our team has stepped up and are working to make sure it happens knowing how important food is for student learning.

SI: Outside of your work with the school district, what hobbies do you have?

KE: I ride my three horses in endurance races and on local trails, garden, and cook.

SI: What is your favorite quote?

KE: “Look at a day when you are supremely satisfied at the end. It’s not a day when you lounge around doing nothing; it’s a day you’ve had everything to do and you’ve done it.” – Margaret Thatcher

About the Spokane Indians – The Spokane Indians are the Short Season Class “A” affiliate of the Texas Rangers and play at Avista Stadium. The Spokane Indians Team Store is available for online orders and curbside pickup.

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Spokane Indians in the Negro Leagues

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SPOKANE, Wash. – The Negro Leagues were founded by baseball luminary Rube Foster in 1920 and ran until the 1960s. After struggling through the Great Depression, the Negro Leagues reached their zenith in the late 1930s and early 1940s with legendary players like Cool Papa Bell, Josh Gibson, and Satchel Paige thrilling fans across the country. Finally in 1947, Jackie Robinson officially integrated the sport with the Brooklyn Dodgers and opened the door for other black players to join affiliated baseball, including six that spent time with the Spokane Indians.

Choo Choo Coleman: Clarence “Choo Choo” Coleman earned the nickname as a child for his fleet-footedness that was likened to that of a speeding train. A tremendous high school athlete, Coleman signed with the Florida State League’s Orlando C.B.’s following his graduation but received limited playing time and left the team the following year to join the Negro Leagues’ Indianapolis Clowns on a barnstorming tour of the country. He returned home to play for the Orlando Dodgers in 1959 and reached the big leagues two years later with Philadelphia after being selected by the Phillies in the Rule 5 draft. Coleman struggled with the Phillies in a brief trial and returned to Triple-A with the Spokane Indians where he produced career-highs in nearly every offensive category (.288, 13 HR, 45 RBI, .868 OPS). He was on the move again the following season after being selected by the New York Mets in the expansion draft and performed admirably for a 120-loss squad (.250, 6 HR, 17 RBI in 55 games). Coleman spent parts of two more seasons with the Mets before retiring from organized baseball following the 1969 season.

Nap Gulley: A member of the Negro League Wall of Fame, Nap Gulley was a talented pitcher that also played in the outfield for the Kansas City Monarchs, Chicago American Giants, Birmingham Black Barons, and Cleveland Buckeyes. He won the Negro League World Series with Cleveland in 1945 and threw a no-hitter against a team of combined major and minor league all-stars the following season. Nap joined the Spokane Indians, who were part of the Class B Northwest League at the time, at the age of 30 in 1955 and had a terrific season, posting a .361 average with 18 home runs in 127 games. Gulley played his last season of organized baseball the following season with the Salinas Packers of the California League.

David Hoskins: A top Negro League pitcher and dangerous hitter at the plate, Hoskins teamed up with Josh Gibson, Cool Papa Bell, and Buck Leonard to form one of baseball’s most fearsome lineups for the Homestead Grays. Hoskins’ talent drew the attention of MLB teams and he earned a tryout for the Red Sox and Braves along with Jackie Robinson and Sam Jethroe in 1945 (Hoskins was unfortunately unable to attend due to injury). He spent two more years in the Negro Leagues before becoming the first black player in the Class-A Central League with the Grand Rapids Jets in 1949, dealing with racial taunts from the stands and fastballs aimed at his head from opposing pitchers. Despite the adversity, Hoskins hit .393 and showed that he was more than capable of competing against white players. After returning to the Negro Leagues for a season with the Louisville Buckeyes, Hoskins signed with the Dallas Eagles and became the first black player in the Texas League in 1952. He was once again the subject of taunts and death threats but it didn’t affect his performance on the field, where he went 22-10 with a 2.12 ERA. Hoskins reached the majors in 1953 with the Cleveland Indians and held his own with a 9-3 record and 3.99 ERA. The highlight of that season came on August 21 when Hoskins matched up against Satchel Paige–the first time two African-American pitchers faced off in an MLB game. Despite his strong showing, Hoskins made just 14 appearances for the Indians the next season in what would be his final year in the big leagues. Hoskins bounced around the minor leagues after that, landing with the Spokane Indians in 1959 where he went 2-2 with a 2.47 ERA in eight games. He would pitch one more season in the minors before retiring to his farm in Michigan.

Don Newcombe: Newcombe spent two years with the Negro League’s Newark Eagles before embarking on an historic MLB career with the Dodgers, Reds, and Indians. The towering right-hander was named Rookie of the Year for the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1949 after finishing 17-8 with a 3.17 ERA and league-leading five shutouts, also becoming the first black pitcher to start a World Series game that same year. He earned All-Star nods the next two seasons (leading the league in strikeouts in 1951) before serving in the Korean War from 1952-53. He struggled in his return to Brooklyn the following season but rebounded with 20 wins and a World Series title in 1955. Newcombe had a season for the ages in 1956, posting a 0.989 WHIP and winning 27 games to earn league MVP and baseball’s first-ever Cy Young Award (which was awarded to only one pitcher in all of baseball at the time). “Newk” spent two more seasons with the Dodgers before finishing out his big league career with the Reds (1958-60) and Indians (1960). He signed with the Dodgers and attempted a big league comeback with the Spokane Indians in 1961 (where he was teammates with fellow Negro League alum Curt Roberts) but struggled to a 4.96 ERA over 25 games. Newcombe, always a good hitter for a pitcher, wrapped up his playing career as a first baseman/outfielder alongside Larry Doby for Japan’s Chunichi Dragons in 1962.

Curt Roberts: A slick-fielding second baseman and shortstop, Roberts opened his career with a Kansas City Monarchs team that featured Negro League luminaries Elston Howard, Buck O’Neil, and Satchel Paige. He played for the Monarchs from 1947-50 before spending the next three seasons with the Western League’s Denver Bears after signing with the Boston Braves. Roberts reached the majors with Pittsburgh in 1954 (Denver became a Pittsburgh affiliate in 1952), becoming the first black player to suit up for the Pirates. He spent three seasons in the Steel City and his Spanish fluency is credited with helping a young Roberto Clemente adjust to life in the big leagues. Roberts struggled to hit with the Pirates and never returned to the majors after 1956, spending the next seven seasons in the minors including 1960-61 with Spokane; hitting .290 and .307 while continuing to provide solid defense up the middle. He would spend two seasons in the minor leagues before retiring in 1963.

Herbert Simpson: An important part of minor league baseball’s integration on the West Coast, Simpson started his career with the Homestead Grays before being drafted for WWII. After serving for four years in Germany, Simpson returned to play for the Seattle Steelheads, Harlem Globetrotters, and Chicago American Giants before becoming the first black player in the Western International League with the Spokane Indians in 1952. The Indians went 91-64 that season with Simpson hitting .282 at the plate while spending time at first base and in the outfield. Simpson joined the Albuquerque Dukes the followng season and became the first black player in the West Texas-New Mexico League. He starred with the Dukes for three seasons, hitting .344 in 1952 and .372 in 1953, before retiring from the sport in 1954.

About the Spokane Indians

The Spokane Indians are the High-A affiliate of the Colorado Rockies located in Spokane, Washington, and were named the 2021 MiLB Organization of the Year. Avista Stadium is home to the $5 Kids Bench Seat courtesy of MultiCare. Parking at all Spokane Indians games is FREE. The Spokane Indians office and team store hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM.


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Hometown Hero: Stacy Kitchens

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SPOKANE, Wash. – The COVID-19 pandemic has created several stress factors in hospitals as protocols change, capacity is reached, and employees are susceptible to contracting the virus. It’s essential that leaders in healthcare continue to be positive and supportive for coworkers and patients alike. The Spokane Indians were excited to be able to meet Hometown Hero, Stacy Kitchens. Stacy is an Emergency Room RN (registered nurse) at MultiCare Deaconess Hospital. She has a reputation of treating others like family. Stacy has been an integral person in the emergency room through her leadership, adaptability, and willingness to help others through challenging times.

SI: How long have you worked for MultiCare? What is your current role?

SK: I started at Deaconess Hospital in 2005 as a phlebotomist while I was working my way through nursing school. I then started out as a new graduate RN in the Emergency Room in 2008 and have never left. I currently am a Charge Nurse there.

SI: How have your day-to-day duties changed during this pandemic?

SK: My duties at work have definitely changed during this pandemic. I wear a mask for the entire twelve hours of my shift. I also wear eye protectant if I am around any patient for more than 15 minutes. As a nurse I have always been trained on proper use of personal protection equipment and the specialized equipment we use when taking care of COVID positive patients or patients being tested for COVID. Now I just use the equipment much more often and feel very comfortable and confident doing so.

SI: What inspired you to become a nurse?

SK: I was intrigued by the idea of nursing. I thought it would be fun to help take care of people and make a difference in their lives so I decided to volunteer at a local emergency room and absolutely loved it. It was fascinating to me. I loved the excitement of the emergency room and the opportunity to help make people feel better in difficult situations.

SI: What is a piece of advice that you would give anyone looking to pursue a career in healthcare?

SK: I would say you should absolutely do it. While going to school or researching different careers in the medical field, you should volunteer or take an entry level job in a hospital or medical setting so you can find your fit. Healthcare has so many different opportunities for you to find what you’re truly passionate about.

SI: are some hobbies that you enjoy when you aren’t working?

SK: My absolute favorite thing to do when I am not working is being on my boat with my family. We love traveling to different lakes in the amazing PNW. My husband and I are teaching our kids how to surf and are loving every minute on the water.

SI: What is your favorite quote?

SK: You become what you believe, so believe in yourself.

The Spokane Indians would like to thank Stacy and all healthcare workers for making sacrifices and taking care of people in need. To submit nominations for future Hometown Hero’s, visit: https://www.milb.com/spokane/community/hometownhero

About the Spokane Indians

The Spokane Indians are the Short Season Class “A” affiliate of the Texas Rangers and play at Avista Stadium. The Spokane Indians Team Store is open for online orders and curbside pickup.

Spokane Indians and Second Harvest Work Together to Help Feed Community Members

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SPOKANE, Wash. – The Spokane Indians are pleased to announce they have made a donation to Second Harvest that will provide free food for 17,000 meals to people in need in the community. Since March, Second Harvest has distributed, on average, 924,000 pounds of free food per week to help people facing hunger in 26 counties in Eastern Washington and North Idaho. That’s 55% more than before the COVID-19 crisis.

“Our food bank network is on the front lines of an extraordinary battle against hunger as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. We’re grateful for the Spokane Indians and the generous people in our community who supported their efforts to help fill nutritional gaps for our neighbors in need,” said Jason Clark, president and CEO of Second Harvest. “This donation will do more than get food to where it’s needed most. It also will bring hope to local people who are facing so many uncertainties right now.”

Specifically, the Indians raised funds to support Second Harvest’s new Wolff Family Child Hunger Solution Center with a Spring Jersey Auction and two Ballpark Dinner To-Go meals at Avista Stadium. For every meal purchased, the Spokane Indians made a monetary donation to Second Harvest. While placing orders for the family meals online, fans also have the opportunity to make additional donations to Second Harvest.

“Simply put, Indians fans have responded once again” said Otto Klein, Senior Vice President of the Indians. “The generosity of the community is alive and well and we’re proud to do everything we can during this difficult time.”

Both organizations will continue to work together this summer as the Indians plan more Ballpark Dinner To-Go events. June 17th from 4:00 – 6:00PM marks the next family dinner available for curbside pickup at Avista Stadium. Each meal feeds a family of four and includes eight chicken strips, four Indians dogs, over one pound of fries, family size popcorn, four ice cream sandwiches, and a package of Sour Patch Kids for $40 plus tax. For more information or to order a Ballpark Dinner To-Go CLICK HERE.

Everett AquaSox Join Minor League Baseball’s CommUNITY First Campaign

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EVERETT, WA, April 29, 2020 — The Everett AquaSox today announced they are joining MiLB CommUNITY First, a new national initiative developed by Minor League Baseball™ (MiLB™) in conjunction with Feeding America®, to raise funds for local food banks and to honor individuals risking their lives on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic.

AquaSox fans are encouraged to visit MiLB.com/CommUNITYFirst through May 31 to donate. Once on the site, fans can choose their donation amount and the Everett AquaSox as the recipient of their donation to direct funds to the Everett community. For every $10 donated, the AquaSox will donate one ticket to a future home game this season or in 2021 to a local hero of the pandemic.

“Supporting the local community is a top priority for the AquaSox, so we are happy to join Minor League Baseball in this nationwide effort,” said AquaSox General Manager Danny Tetzlaff. “This effort will allow us to not only support our local food banks at this very difficult time, but also recognize our essential workers for all they are doing for the community.”

School closures, rising unemployment and rising poverty due to quarantine and extended stay-at-home orders have disproportionately impacted people already at risk of hunger and could result in an estimated additional 17.1 million people experiencing food insecurity in the next six months, according to Feeding America. As the nation’s largest domestic hunger-relief organization with a network of more than 200 affiliates, Feeding America has projected a $1.4 billion shortfall in the next six months alone.

In response, contributions from AquaSox fans and Minor League Baseball will help ensure families and individuals across the country most impacted by the pandemic are fed and cared for during these uncertain times. Join the national campaign by donating and selecting Everett AquaSox at MiLB.com/CommUNITYFirst and use #MiLBCommUNITYFirst on social media to show your support.

About the Everett AquaSox

The Everett AquaSox have been the Seattle Mariners’ short-season single-A affiliate since 1995, offering affordable entertainment for families in the Pacific Northwest. To keep up with the Frogs, follow us on Instagram and Twitter, like us on Facebook or visit AquaSox.com.

About Feeding America

Feeding America® is the largest hunger-relief organization in the United States. Through a network of 200 food banks and 60,000 food pantries and meal programs, we provide meals to more than 40 million people each year. Feeding America also supports programs that prevent food waste and improve food security among the people we serve; educates the public about the problem of hunger; and advocates for legislation that protects people from going hungry. Individuals, charities, businesses and government all have a role in ending hunger. Donate. Volunteer. Advocate. Educate. Together we can solve hunger. Visit www.feedingamerica.org, find us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.

Spokane Indians Open 2020 Game Day Job Application

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SPOKANE, Wash. – Do you want to spend your summer working with the most energetic and friendly customer service team in Spokane? If your answer is yes, then look no further. The Spokane Indians are looking for game day team members of all ages to fill a wide variety of positions at Avista Stadium.

Our Goal is to provide affordable family entertainment and excellent customer service to every guest who walks through our gates. Do you have what it takes to help create the best fan experience in baseball?

There’s a wide variety of positions available, with over half of these opportunities in concessions. These positions range from concessions cashiers (21+) to food preps. Each team member is critical in providing the best experience to our guests.

CLICK HERE to learn more about available opportunities and to apply.

Most positions require working game days, plan ahead and click here to take a look at our 2020 schedule. Opening day is June 17th, with customer service training beginning in mid-May.

For more information, please contact [email protected]

About the Spokane Indians

The Spokane Indians are the Short Season Class “A” affiliate for the Texas Rangers. Avista Stadium is home to the $5 Kids Bench Seat courtesy of MultiCare. Parking at all Spokane Indians games is FREE. The Spokane Indians Team Store is open M-F 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM, and 10:00 AM on all game days. CLICK HERE to reserve your seats today.