During the pandemic-shortened 2020 Major League Baseball season, 42 alumni of West Coast League teams played in the major leagues. A number of alumni posted outstanding seasons, such as Cleveland’s Cy Young Award candidate Shane Bieber (Cowlitz, 2014) and Seattle Mariners ace Marco Gonzales (Wenatchee, 2010). Other notable WCL alumni include pitchers Detroit’s Matt Boyd…
After much deliberation and a careful analysis of the facts available, it is with heavy hearts that the Cowlitz Black Bears staff is announcing the cancellation of the 2020 season. Our goal has always been to play and to provide a safe and entertaining gathering place that would act as a return to normalcy in…
Is the Black Bears season still happening? Yes! The Cowlitz Black Bears are continuing preparations for the 2021 season, scheduled to start on June 4th. We are closely monitoring public health announcements, and complying with federal, provincial, state, local guidelines and regulations. The Black Bears and the West Coast League look forward to providing a…
The Cowlitz Black Bears are happy to announce the signing of local talent Elias Farland. Farland is a big right-handed pitcher from RA Long High School and is off to Washington State University in the fall. He has a great three pitch mix that he competes with in the zone. “I have known Elias for…
The Cowlitz Black Bears are happy to announce the signing of University of Washington incoming freshman Jake Leitgeb. Leitgeb was a heavily recruited catcher. He is very smooth and a great receiver behind the plate, which pitchers will like to throw to. Leitgeb controls the running game with his quickness and cannon for an arm….
The Cowlitz Black Bears are happy to announce the return of right-handed pitcher Dale Takalo. Takalo made three appearances for Blue Mountain College this spring. The sophomore had a record of 2-1 with 20 strikeouts in 16.2 innings pitched for the Timberwolves. The Knappa, Oregon native came out of the bullpen and played in 14…
The Cowlitz Black Bears are happy to announce the return of Campbellsville University pitcher Alex Salazar. Salazar made eight appearances for the Black Bears in 2019. He had 33 strikeouts in 28.2 innings of work on the mound. The hard throwing right-handed pitcher was in the starting rotation and is expected to be in it…
The Cowlitz Black Bears are pleased to announce that the West Coast League has announced that the 2020 summer wood bat season is scheduled to launch in early July. We continue to monitor and adhere to the guidance furnished by state and local governments and believe that our social distancing plan at Story Field will…
The Cowlitz Black Bears are happy to announce the signing of Kelly Austin from Orange Coast College. Austin is a freshman pitcher for the Pirates. He made 10 appearances and had one save in 15.1 innings pitched before the season was cut short. The strong right-hander comes with a good three pitch and a “pitch…
The Cowlitz Black Bears are happy to announce the signing of Alvin Community College RHP Ryan Sturgeon. Sturgeon made seven appearances this season for the Dolphins. He had 13.1 innings pitched with a 2.02 ERA and 13 strikeouts. Sturgeon is a physical pitcher who pounds the zone and has the ability to pitch a lot…