West Seattle, Washington
17 Saturday
Per the West Seattle Little League via Twitter – the WSLL 11-12 All-Star players won their second straight at the state tournament in Port Orchard, beating Salmon Creek 5-3 tonight. Next game 7:30 pm Wednesday vs. Pasco, again at Stan Mikelsen Fields in Port Orchard.
In the height of summer heat, the thought of breezing along on skates might hold new appeal – unless you don’t know how. If you want to try, here’s one way to learn!
By Keri DeTore
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
According to Trish Alexander, instructor and owner of Skate Journeys: “Skating is about more than going in a straight line.”
However, if you’re having trouble doing even that, but want to learn to skate for fun and for fitness, Trish is offering classes on Alki every Saturday through the summer. Beginner classes start at 12:30 and meet at Alki Kayak Tours, which rents and sells inline skates. Intermediate to Advanced classes meet at 2:00 at Jack Block Park. (Classes will be cancelled if it rains.)
Trish started teaching people to skate in 1996 at the Seattle Inline Arena under the West Seattle Bridge.
Quick update: The West Seattle Little League 11-12 All-Stars play their second game in the state tournament tonight, 7:30 pm, Art Mikelson Field in Port Orchard – after beating Centralia 13-5 Saturday afternoon.
This Saturday, West Seattle Little League‘s 11-12 All-Stars begin play in the state tournament, 2:30 pm at Port Orchard’s Art Mikelson Field (map). Their manager, John MacKenzie, shared the photo above along with the intense tale of how they got there!
West Seattle won back-to-back games against South Highline National on Saturday July 12th at PacWest fields in Burien to win the District 7 Little League title. After West Seattle lost the first game against South Highline National they needed to win 6 games in a row to advance to the Little League 11-12 year old State Tournament. “It wasn’t how we planned it but we persevered and it actually benefited our team in the long run to have to fight through the losers’ bracket,” said Manager John MacKenzie. “We had no margin for error and had to play every day to advance, allowing the team to gel.”
The bright spot of the 7-3 game 1 loss was the play of lead-off batter McNeil Fulmore, who homered in the first and scored twice. It turned out to be the 1st of 23 homeruns by 10 different players in 7 games by the powerful West Seattle squad. “After Nutt (McNeil) hit a lead-off homer to tie the score in the first I thought we were off to the races” said a West Side fan, “but that didn’t happen.”
(Read on for the rest of the dramatic play by play!)Read More
First, the West Seattle Little League 9-10 All-Stars took the district championships and are headed to the state championships – now, the West Seattle Little League 11-12 All-Stars have won District 7 as well! From Cami MacNamara:
The West Seattle Little League 11-12 (Majors) All Star team defeated South Highline Nationals twice on Saturday to become District 7 Champs! The team will now advance to the Washington State 11-12 All Star tournament in Port Orchard, WA on July 25th. Go West Side!
On the 4th of July, we brought you a quick update about the West Seattle Little League 9-10 All-Stars‘ huge district-championship win, propelling them into the state tournament (starting next weekend). Now we have not only that victory photo but also the full details, courtesy of Cami MacNamara:
West Seattle 9/10 Little League All-stars are the District 7 Champions!
On Saturday July 4th they started their battle against South Highline National Little League. Having lost to SHNLL on Wednesday, WSLL was coming up through the losers bracket and needed to beat SHNLL twice to earn the championship.
The first game was fantastic; WSLL beat SHNLL 18-5 in four innings with some red-hot bats and great pitching. Highlights included a bases loaded triple by Jack Page, an out of the park home run by 9 year-old Anthony Coats and a dominant pitching performance by Alex Parker.
This win forced a second game and WSLL played equally as well in this contest. Great bats and excellent pitching were again the story. ALL the players were feeling confident and playing beautifully. David Johnson pitched masterfully and the big highlight was a game winning triple by Jacob Terao to secure the 13-3 victory, again in four innings.
The WSLL team is managed by Derek Page and coached by John Coats.
The players are Jack Page, Anthony Coats, Matt Dietz, Thomas Sobotta, Anthony Goss, Alex Parker, David Johnson, Grayson O’Neil, Jacob Terao, Cameron Paskett, Ethan Chen, and Adam Wickler.
From here, the boys will go on to represent District 7 at the Little League State Tournament Starting beginning July 19th at the Valley Ridge Fields in SeaTac. For details, check out www.westseattlelittleleague.com.
You can also follow WSLL on Twitter, @wslittleleague (we’re at @westseattleblog for frequent human-powered updates, @westseattlenews for an automated feed of links to WSB stories as they’re published).
Thanks to Tim McMonigle from the West Seattle Soccer Club for spotting news of a big new event headed to West Seattle – Seattle’s wildly popular Sounders FC pro-soccer organization is presenting the first-ever Sounders FC Soccer Beach Blast Tournament on Alki, set for August 23rd. Signups are under way now; here’s where to register and to find out more (note that co-sponsor Super Supplements, which has a West Seattle Junction store, is offering a coupon for discount registration). 2:58 PM NOTE: The fine print says this is for ages 18 and up.
You don’t need the top trophy to be a winner. Jill Pagano from Arbor Heights reminds us of this by sending that photo and explaining:
This weekend the U8 (8-year-olds) West Seattle All-Star Team played in “The Lineup, July 4th Tournament” down in Tacoma (Spanaway Park). A full weekend of baseball included 4 games on Saturday, July 4th (they went 3-1) with a final game on Sunday. Coach Peter Eastey team took home the third-place win and all the kids received medals. A special shout-out to all volunteer coaches for giving so freely of their time to teach our kids about, not only the sport but also how to enjoy the game, support their teammates, and smile even when they don’t win.
This team is affiliated with the West Seattle Association of Pee Wee Baseball, which is hosting two tournaments later this month, as noted in this story from last week.
Thanks to Emilie for e-mailing the news – verified via Twitter – the West Seattle Little League 9-10 All-Stars won both ends of a doubleheader against the South Highline Nationals at Bar-S and are headed to state. Congratulations!
Thanks to Lisa for sharing that photo with the news that the West Seattle All-Stars, from the West Seattle Association of Pee-Wee Baseball, won the Maltby Invitational Baseball Tournament last weekend – taking the title in the U-10 bracket, with the leadership of head coach Manny Flores. Congratulations! (Got good news to share? Lots of ways to get it to WSB, any time!) ADDED WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON: Some upcoming Pee Wee Baseball info from league president Eric Olson:
Our 10U team is hosting the 2009 West Seattle Mustang Tune Up on July 10th – 12th.
Twelve of the best 10U teams from around the region will be at this tournament. This tournament gets them ready for the Pony Sectional tournament which is the first step in the process of making it to the Pony 10U World Series later this summer.The West Seattle Niners will be hosting the 2009 West Seattle Junior Mustang Shootout on July 17th – 19th. Again, 12 of the region’s best 9U teams will be in attendance.
Both tournaments are held at the West Seattle Pee Wee Fields at Lower Riverview. The address is 1200 SW Myrtle St. Tournament schedules can be found at www.westseattlepeewee.com.
As the Hiawatha Playfield renovation work intensifies, with dirt-moving having begun late last week, Dave e-mailed this morning to say the century-old elm tree by the field has just been cut down (same tree shown in the city photo at left). This has been in the plans for a long time, according to the story we published after a public meeting in December 2007, at which time the Parks Department said 14 trees in all – including that elm – would be coming down. Some things have since changed, though – like the timetable for the project, which was then expected to be built last year, but is just getting started now, and the price tag for the project, with bids that came in so low, Parks was able to move half a million dollars out of the budget to cover about 2/3 of the Delridge Skatepark project. There’s also a new project manager, and we’re working to get an official update from him on the timetable and what’ll be happening over the summer, as well as the latest on the tree-cutting that will be involved. (Parks had said at that 2007 meeting that the elm tree had suffered serious damage in an ice storm several years ago – note the uneven sides in the photo.) When the project’s done late this year, Hiawatha will have new lighting and new turf for full-size baseball, soccer and football fields (details here). 1:17 PM UPDATE: Stopped by Hiawatha for photos of what’s happening, including what’s left of the elm tree:
We also got a quick status report from project manager Garrett Farrell:
The contractor has removed the existing batting cages, backstop, bleachers and field lighting. Stripping of the old field surface is underway. The new underground irrigation and electrical work will follow.
Farrell notes the tree removal is also explained on the Hiawatha project’s webpage – it’s still expected to total 14 trees including this one; the other 13 are smaller/younger. ADDED 5:10 PM: Thanks to Forest for pointing out that the city’s been vigilant about elm-tree disease for months now — here’s info about the Elm Protection Program.
Thanks to Cindy McComish for that photo from Colman Pool at Lincoln Park, where the Seattle Open swim meet continues through tomorrow (replacing the regular public swimming schedule). Cindy writes, “Congratulations to all the swimmers who work hard to qualify to be in this meet. Come watch youth from western Washington go fast!” (She’s parent to a West Seattle YMCA [WSB sponsor] Dolphin swimmer.)
While out in The Junction covering the car-on-side crash Tuesday afternoon, we noticed a forklift in action over by West Seattle Bowl. Further investigation revealed that, like nearby Fauntleroy Way, West Seattle Bowl is embarking on midst of lane-resurfacing work. Materials arrived yesterday and were moved into place, and prep work will continue for the rest of the week. West Seattle Bowl’s Jeff Swanson tells WSB that over the next three or four weeks, they’ll resurface two lanes at a time – all the others will be open, so no change in hours or operations expected.
Here’s an update on the upcoming volleyball camps at West Seattle High School, from Westside assistant coach Jim Hardy:
Help Sponsor the Westside Volleyball Camp with Idaho Vandals Coach Steve Whitaker @ West Seattle HS
We are still accepting registrations for July’s Volleyball Camp for HS and Middle School age players. The camp will run Monday-Thursday July 6th-9th, 1:00-5:30 at West Seattle High School. The fee for the Camp is $120. (Some scholarships and waivers are available.) This is a fundraiser for the VB team, and more sponsors are needed! Contact Head Coach Gail Mowrer to register. Phone 206.935.3231 or 206.293.5063 E-mail: mowrerpowers@comcast.net
Registration form and flyer are on the WSHS Volleyball Web Site:
www.wshsvb.greatserve.com/WestsideCamp.htm
(From left: Anthony Coats, Alex Coats, Coach Steve Meehan, Alex MacKenzie, Coach John Coats, Kevin Simmons, David Meehan, Cameron Slader, Griffin Bills, Cameron Paskett, Morgan Higgins, Austin Hall, James Morrison, Coach John MacKenzie)
Yesterday, we previewed the big championship game; today, the results and the victory photo, courtesy of West Seattle Little League‘s John MacKenzie:
The West Seattle Little League Majors Division D-Rays dominated the District 7 Tournament of Champions championship game on Monday by defeating South Highline National LL 15-0 in 4 innings. After winning the West Seattle Little League title, the Rays represented WSLL in the T.O.C. at Normandy Park City Hall fields. The T.O.C features the winners of all 8 of the District‘s leagues in a single-elimination tournament. The other teams are Seattle Central LL, Rainier LL, Renton LL, Pacwest LL, South Highline American LL, and the 2nd place South Highline National LL.
The Rays scored 26 runs and allowed 0 in the 3-day tournament. “The offense was amazing, with 4 home runs and several extra-base hits, the defense made some great plays and didn’t commit an error, and the pitching was overpowering with 4 pitchers combining to allow only 3 hits and 5 walks while striking out 28. I couldn’t have imagined a better finish to an incredible season” said Coach MacKenzie.
The D-Rays finished the season 21-1-1 and several players will be representing WSLL in the upcoming All-Star tournaments. For more information on the All-Star tournaments and WSLL, check out www.westseattlelittleleague.com.
The Rays’ coaches and players want to thank everyone who has supported them throughout the season.
(2008 photo by Brian Todd, Aus der Traum Photography)
Just in from Seattle Volleyball Association – a clinic this Saturday with your chance to “learn from the best”:
By popular demand, the best players in the Northwest will be taking a day off from playing a tournament and running a beach volleyball clinic to allow anyone a chance to learn from the best. All levels are welcome, whether you’re just starting to play or wanting to brush up your skills. The Northwest’s professional and semi-pro players will help players with passing, setting, hitting and serving, then have the nets open for all players to practice their skills against other players of their same skill level. The event goes 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. with open net play for all participants who want to practice their skills with instructors from 2 to 4 p.m. The cost for each participant is $25 per person.
For full details of the event plus contact info, read on:Read More
From West Seattle Little League, John MacKenzie just e-mailed to share this news:
The D-Rays, winners of the West Seattle Little League Majors Division, advanced to the District 7 Championship Game with a 1-0 extra inning game against the Rainier Little League champions yesterday afternoon. The D-Rays beat the South Highline American Little League champs 10-0 on Friday night to get to the semi-final game against Rainier. The championship game will be held tonight at 6 PM at Normandy Park City Hall Fields, located at 801 SW 174th St., Normandy Park.
Here’s a map. Good luck, D-Rays!
Friday’s the last day of school – and Monday’s 
the first day of Basketball Camp at Chief Sealth High School – for students who will be in the 2nd through 9th grades this fall. Sealth’s incoming athletic director Sam Reed just e-mailed a reminder about the camp (here’s the story we published in April); you can see the brochure here, and he notes you can even sign up at the door Monday morning. That’s not the only sports camp in West Seattle this summer – we’ve also published notes on our Announced page about West Seattle High School basketball camp (details here), WSHS volleyball camp for middle- and high-schoolers (details here) and Lee’s Martial Arts summer camps (details here). Got a West Seattle summer camp with room? Let us know!
Jersey Jill shares that triumphant photo of a winning team from the West Seattle Girls Softball playoffs, and explains:
Friday night, the West Seattle girls’ 10U Fast Pitch softball team Liberty Tax aka “The Dolphins” took home the Championship Title for the season. The Dolphins entered the tournament as the team to beat with only one loss for the season. After losing the first game, they rallied back and beat the Steelers 10-6 in the second game to become the league 10U Champions!!!!
Here’s their official team photo:
(Back Row- Coach Dave Turpen, Carynia Smith, Taylor Picinich, Bridget Haney, Elise Turpen, Emily Schuster, Coach Brandon Pedersen
Front Row- Ashley Raines, Isabella Johnson, Sydney Page, Natalie Pedersen, Isabella Sarkies, Regan Nagle, Coach Jimmy Picinich
Not Pictured- Brett Smith, Pitching Coach; Albert Raines, Batting Coach)
Got a success story to share? Sports, athletics, business award, whatever? We’ve got a place for it. editor@westseattleblog.com any time.
Cami MacNamara e-mailed to make sure everybody involved with West Seattle Little League knows about this event this afternoon:
All current West Seattle Little League families are invited to attend our end of season Annual Picnic today. 3pm at Bar-S Fields. Hotdogs and burgers, plates and cutlery are provided by the league, the rest is potluck by division. To see what your division is assigned:
http://www.westseattlelittleleague.com/docs/picnic.pdf
We will also have a dunk tank this year! Please bring your child’s uniform to return to your team manager. A trophy presentation for the players will also occur.
From Tim McMonigle with the West Seattle Soccer Club:
Thanks to all who participated in our spring soccer season. We were blessed with sunny and 70+ degree weather on each of our Sunday game days. Join us for another exciting season this fall. The WSSC serves players from 5-18 years old. The open registration period for the West Seattle Soccer Club is through June 30th.
Returning players that register by June 30th will be given priority placement on their former teams. Players that register after that date will be placed in the general pool and assigned to a team on a space available basis. Coed U7 registration will close on August 15th. To register, go to www.westseattlesoccer.org and click on the Register link on the left, then follow the instructions.
A new option this year is to order WSSC hoodies with your registration. Attached is a picture of the new hoodie [photo below], or you can view another sample on our website. The cost of the hoodie is $25 and will be added to your registration total. If you don’t have a child playing in the WSSC but would still like to order a hoodie, please send an email to the WSSC at wsscboard@gmail.com with your size. Represent WSSC proudly!
By Kathy Mulady
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
Park and playground updates filled most of the agenda at the North Delridge Neighborhood Council meeting Wednesday night.
As we’ve been reporting, the anxiously awaited Delridge Skatepark is moving forward with a total of $750,000 virtually secured, and plans in the works for a 12,000-square- foot skate bowl with trimmings.
Some had hoped for a slightly larger skateboard park, maybe a little closer to 15,000 square feet, but there are also many advantages to the more compact counterpart:
Lots of school news tonight, including the School Board meeting from which we’re still reporting “live,” but maybe it’s just a final-weeks frenzy. At any rate, we got that fun photo from Tom Myers, who explained:
Sanislo Elementary School had its annual unicycling performance (last night) at 7 PM. Miss T retired a few years ago, but can’t stay away, so still teaches in the unicycling P.E. program after school. Great fun for the students and parents too!
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