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 provide a safe environment and a much awaited reunion with the love of America’s favorite pastime. We will share further information as additional guidance is given about scheduling and our social distancing plan as soon as possible. Due to our unique geography, British Columbia, Washington and Oregon COVID-19 guidance and restrictions will be different with the 2020 team lineup and scheduling throughout the West Coast League. We appreciate the effort of our front-line partners and the “stay at home” commitment of our community to flatten the curve, which gives us the ability to share baseball with Black Bears fans. Please let us know if you have any questions before we communicate again by using the contact form on our website or by calling the office at 360-703-3195.

To read the official West Coast League statement, click here.

Cowlitz Black Bears update on 5/11/20: While we remain committed to community health and well-being, we continue to be optimistic that we’ll be able to bring baseball back to Story Field later this summer. As previously announced, a tentative plan is in place to begin the season in early July and run through mid-August. Our staff will continue to work toward that end until the situation dictates that it is no longer prudent to do so. Obviously, the situation is fluid and ever evolving. We ask for your support as we monitor and adjust based on monthly, weekly, and daily guidance from our trusted public health officials at the state, regional, and local levels.

Stay tuned for updates, and let us hope for baseball together!

About the West Coast League: The West Coast League (WCL) is the premier summer collegiate baseball league west of the Mississippi. Situated in the beautiful Pacific Northwest, the fifteen-year-old, twelve-team, professionally operated wood bat league showcases pro prospects from major conferences around the nation. Every summer, the league features unparalleled fan and player experiences, with the best summer weather in North America. Ninety alums and current players of WCL teams were selected in the 2019 MLB Draft, including No. 1 overall pick Adley Rutschman. In 2019, 317 WCL alums appeared or were active in affiliated professional baseball, including 45 in the major leagues, such as 2019 MLB All-Star Game MVP Shane Bieber (Cleveland Indians); star outfielder Mitch Haniger (Seattle Mariners); hurler James Paxton (New York Yankees); slugger Rhys Hoskins (Philadelphia Phillies); and rising star pitchers Marco Gonzales (Seattle Mariners) and Matt Boyd (Detroit Tigers). In 2019, overall member attendance increased to 497,050.