West Seattle, Washington
27 Monday
High-school playoffs continue. As noted in today’s preview list, both West Seattle HS and Chief Sealth IHS had playoff games in softball today. Each played two games at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex, winning the first and losing the second – CSIHS beat Seattle Prep 17-13 and then fell to Bishop Blanchet 15-3, while WSHS defeated Rainier Beach 23-0 and then lost to Holy Names 13-3. Both play next on Friday, again at NCSWAC – starting with 1:30 pm games: Chief Sealth vs. Eastside Catholic and West Seattle vs. Garfield.
(WSB photos)
Pitcher Felix Schlede got the win for West Seattle High School tonight in a Metro League playoff game against Bishop Blanchet, striking out 13 in six innings on the way to the Wildcats’ 5-2 victory. They played in intermittently showery weather at Steve Cox Memorial Park in White Center.
The big inning for WSHS was the fifth, when they brought in three runs.
Next up, the league-leading Wildcats play Eastside Catholic at 7 pm Saturday, also at Steve Cox.
(WSB photos)
It’s playoff time, and the Chief Sealth International High School boys’ soccer team played O’Dea this afternoon at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex. The result was a 3-0 season-ending loss for the Seahawks.
The score was a flip of the two teams’ last meeting two weeks ago, which Sealth took, 3-0. The Seahawks end the season with 11 wins in 16 games.
The spring season for high-school sports is coming to an end, and that means it’s playoff time. The Metro League schedule shows two games tomorrow for local teams that are having great seasons – at 4 pm Monday, the Chief Sealth International High School boys’ soccer team plays O’Dea at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle); at 7 pm Monday, the league-leading West Seattle High School baseball team plays Bishop Blanchet at Steve Cox Memorial Park in White Center (1321 SW 102nd).
P.S. Softball playoffs start Tuesday at NCSWAC, but the bracket doesn’t yet show which teams are playing which games.
Five months after suiting up a new name – the DubSea Fish Sticks – our area’s summer collegiate baseball season is selling tickets for the upcoming season, which starts in just four weeks. The Fish Sticks are sponsoring WSB right now to get the word out – here’s the announcement:
The DubSea Fish Sticks summer collegiate baseball team launched its single game ticket sales for the month of June this morning.
The team recruits players from colleges across the country to come and play for the months of June and July. The 2022 summer roster is comprised of players from thirty different colleges. The players report in late May and play with the team to hone their skills and hope to one day play professionally.
You may have seen some of the billboards in West Seattle, White Center, and Burien this week donning the tough-looking fish-stick character logo with his hat backward, swinging a french-fry bat. The billboards use the catch phrase “Not Your Average Baseball Game.”
“This is going to be a circus where there happens to be a baseball game going on. This is guaranteed to be the most fun you’ve ever had inside a baseball stadium. From the music, to the great food, beer, and crazy promotions, this will be something you’ll never forget.” promised General Manager Justin Moser.
Tickets to Fish Sticks games are $12 for Adults and $8 for Youth (12 & under), Military, and Seniors. There are also Flex Packs with discounted ticket options ranging from three to fourteen games. The team will host 27 home games this summer, including every Friday and Saturday night from June 4th – July 31st.
The Fish Sticks also allow youth organizations and nonprofits to run ticket fundraisers at every game and sell discounted group packages.
You can find more information on the Fish Sticks at GoFishSticks.com/tickets and secure your tickets today.
The Fish Sticks play home games in the stadium at Steve Cox Memorial Park in White Center (1321 SW 102nd).
(Photo by Barry J. White)
Even the coin toss had a backstory when Chief Sealth International High School and West Seattle High School played a crosstown-competition soccer match this afternoon at Walt Hundley Playfield. Barry J. White tells it:
Captains Asael Garcia and Jerome Schroeder of Chief Sealth (L) met West Seattle captain Charlie Dyer (R) for the coin toss. For Schroeder and Dyer, it was was the final meeting of a long and successful youth career. Both players started in the West Seattle Soccer Club and played at Madison Middle School and regional Select and Premier clubs before becoming among the most accomplished goalkeepers each high school program has produced.
(This photo and next by WSB’s Patrick Sand)
As for the game – Barry has that story too:
Chief Sealth scraped out a 2-1 win over West Seattle in an entertaining and hard-fought edition of their annual rivalry. The Wildcats went ahead midway through the first half when Oscar Callahan got on the end of a lofted ball into the box to poke it home. An active Wildcat defense largely denied the Seahawks good looks at goal until coughing up a penalty near the stroke of halftime. But Dyer comfortably saved the spot kick and the score remained 1-0 at the break.
Waves of Seahawk pressure in the second half finally broke the Wildcat defense. Nico Americo rounded his man midway through the half and beat Dyer at his near post. Moments later Dani Cabrera bundled home a loose ball off a corner kick and Chief Sealth had their first lead. The Wildcats applied late pressure but couldn’t conjure the equalizer.
A West Seattle team in transition came into the game already out of playoff contention and will play a consolation game Friday. Chief Sealth enjoyed a stellar 11-1-3 (W/L/D) season, finishing third in the Metro League and ranked #9 in the state. Metro League playoffs begin Friday.
Congratulations to Sounders FC and their fans – the team won the Concacaf Champions League championship tonight, first Major League Soccer team to win that title. The 74 in lights on the Russell Investments Building downtown – seen in a photo sent by a reader who wondered about it – is a tribute to the team’s original founding in 1974. Above the numbers are the words “born in,” as also seen in the photo we published back in November 2017,
(WSB photos)
Another crosstown-competitors game at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex on Thursday afternoon, with Chief Sealth International High School the home team for softball vs. West Seattle High School.
(WSHS’s Caitlin Gordon and CSIHS’s Vivian Gaither)
The Wildcats took the lead early, scoring 3 runs in the 1st inning, and held it from there.
(CSIHS’s Maia Raines at bat, WSHS’s Ashlynn Crosby catching)
Final score, WSHS 13, CSIHS 3. Next up, West Seattle plays Federal Way at NCSWAC (2801 SW Thistle) today at 4 pm; Chief Sealth plays Lincoln at 4 pm Monday at Woodland Park.
The stands were full last night at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex as Chief Sealth International High School hosted their league-leading crosstown competitors from West Seattle High School. The Seahawks were ahead 7-2 going into the fourth inning, and that’s when the Wildcats roared with a comeback.
By the time the inning ended, WSHS had the lead, 11-7. Sealth added one more run but couldn’t close the gap, and WSHS got one more run too, winning 12-8.
WSHS finished with 12 hits, Chief Sealth with 7 hits. The Seahawks (9-8) are on the road today vs. Lakeside at Magnuson Park; the Wildcats’ game today at Sammamish was canceled, but they have a 10 am home game Saturday vs. Blaine at NCSWAC.
(WSB photo from 2019 Float Dodger 5K)
With the return of the West Seattle Grand Parade this summer, a major pre-parade event is coming back too: West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor) says it’s reviving the Float Dodger 5K, a fun run/walk on the parade route, round trip from the Admiral District. Registration is open now! Here’s the announcement from WSR:
Float Dodger 5K is back this year on July 23rd. Run or walk the parade route of the West Seattle Grand Parade right before the parade starts. Root-beer floats await you at the finish line. 100% of the proceeds goes to West Seattle Food Bank.
That’s not only proceeds from entries, but also from sponsorships, so the more sponsors they get, the more the WSFB is helped. Sponsor spots are now open, starting at $150. Here’s how to find out more about sponsoring. To register for the 5K – discount pricing until May 1st – go here.
P.S. Another donation that’ll contribute to the event – a beer garden with a donated keg from Good Society!
(WSB photos)
The West Seattle High School Wildcats had reason to jump for joy after last night’s 7-0 home victory over Bishop Blanchet at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex. They are now 17-1 and leading the Metro League. Last night’s win was a complete-game shutout by #13, junior Miles Gosztola, with 11 strikeouts, only allowing two hits.
He and Blanchet’s Casey Sabiers had a pitching duel going until the 4th inning.
That’s when WSHS’s offense broke loose with four runs, driven in by senior Jaxton Helmstetler, junior Jake Lockwood, and sophomore Tristan Buehring. Head coach Dylan Mclauchlin‘s Wildcats scored 3 more runs in the sixth. Tuesday night at 7, they take on crosstown competitors Chief Sealth International HS (9-7), 7 pm at NCSWAC (2801 SW Thistle).
Just four days until Lake Washington Physical Therapy West Seattle (WSB sponsor) presents a community-running workshop, first noted here a month ago, and a few spots remain:
On Saturday, April 23rd from 3-5 pm, we will be hosting a Running Workshop for beginning, intermediate, and competitive runners.
Chris Johnson, PT is a nationally recognized clinician, speaker, and educator. We are very fortunate to have him spend a few hours with us and the running community to share his expertise and answer questions.
The registration fee is only $10, which will be fully donated to our charity of the month, WestSide Baby. Register and pay here: lakewpt.securepayments.cardpointe.com/pay
During registration, be sure to include RUNWORKSHOP as the Invoice number. Attendees will need to bring their emailed registration receipt for entry. Questions? Email: frontofficewestseattle@lakewashingtonpt.com
LWPT co-proprietor Mark Bouma says that if weather permits, they’ll hold the class on the rooftop, which has a great view of Elliott Bay. (If not, there’s lots of room in their light-filled clinic.) LWPT’s West Seattle clinic is at 1309 Harbor Avenue SW.
(Photo courtesy DubSea Fish Sticks)
Got room under your roof for a summer visitor? The DubSea Fish Sticks – the newly renamed collegiate baseball team that plays home games in White Center – are looking for a few more host families for the players who will spend a big part of their summer in this area. Here’s the pitch:
The team recruits players from colleges across the country to come and play for the months of June and July. The 2022 summer roster is composed of players from 26 different colleges. The players report in late May and play with the team to hone their skills and hope to one day play professionally.
Similarly to junior-hockey teams like the Seattle Thunderbirds out of Kent, the Fish Sticks rely on the support of local families to host players for the summer months, also known as billets in the hockey community.
General Manager Justin Moser said, “Host families are the backbone to successful summer collegiate teams. Being able to recruit players from a broader range of area improves our ability to be as competitive as possible. It also allows us to expand our reach into other communities and give college student athletes an experience of living in our community.”
The Fish Sticks aren’t just a baseball team, though. They require players to volunteer within the community weekly, performing community-service hours at the food bank, with local non-profit organizations, help run youth baseball camps, and do community cleanups regularly.
“We’ve seen host families in the past start out as a safe place to stay, and then the relationship grows and many players become an extension of the family. Most of our former players and their families still have relationships with their former host families,” explained Moser.
If you’re interested in learning more about becoming a host family, please visit gofishsticks.com/hostfamilies. The team is still in need of hosts for 8 players this summer.
You can find more information about the Fish Sticks at GoFishSticks.com, where you can join their priority ticket list. Season tickets and flex packs go on sale in mid-April and single-game tickets go on sale in May.
If you’re not sure about inquiring, take a look at the info packet for prospective host families here.
Another achievement for Riley Nachtrieb, whose running and filmmaking achievements we’ve noted in recent years. The report and photos are from her family:
On Monday, 20-year-old West Seattle-based ultra-runner Riley Nachtrieb set out to run non-stop from the northern tip of Whidbey Island, Hoypus Point, to the southern tip of the island, Possession Point. The route was established by Greg Nance as a 54-mile FKT (fastest known time) Route where Greg set the male FKT of 10 hours 7 min, on January 15th, 2022.
Riley started the route at 7:30 am on April 4th, with the intention of setting the first female FKT. Although an FKT is a “solo” run, food and water support can be given. Riley was supported by friend and local WSHS student-athlete Herman Meyer, who followed her in a truck with food, water and moral support, as well as jumping out to pace her into the finish.
After 11 hours and 10 minutes of constant running, Riley succeeded in being the first woman to record the 54-mile FKT, which will soon be officially recorded here FastestKnownTime.com
Riley is the Social Media and Community Manager for the West Seattle tech startup SetJetters.com and a prolific runner in West Seattle often running with the “West Seattle Runner” group organized by Lori and Tim McConnell of the West Seattle Runner store. This coming May on the 14th and 15th, Riley will be attempting to run 135 miles non-stop across the Olympic Peninsula from Port Townsend to La Push setting the first overall FKT, male or female, which she was forced to abandon at mile 82 in 2019 due to a fractured foot.
Riley will soon announce her ODT (Olympic Discovery Trail) FKT website, where you will be able to follow her live. If you see her running around West Seattle or hanging out with her sister at West Seattle Runner, she’s always down to share miles with you!
Starting tomorrow, West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) starts a three-day party in honor of its 12th anniversary. First, WSR plans a sale during regular business hours for the next three days – 10 am-6 pm Friday, 10 am-5 pm Saturday, 11 am-4 pm Sunday. 10 percent off shoes, 15 percent off everything else (plus an extra 5 percent off for “our Loyal Customers,” WSR says). Special events include a Mizuno group run at 6:15 pm Friday – “Come to try out Mizuno shoes on our group run. You will be able to take a pair of these shoes for whatever distance you plan to go (probably the bulk of the group will go 3 miles). After, we will enjoy beverages and social time. Models to try: sky and rider! You will also be entered into a raffle to win a pair to take home!” On Saturday, the regular 8 am group run is sponsored by Brooks: “Run whatever distance is on your training plan … or what your heart desires. Be entered into a raffle drawing for a pair of Brooks. You will get to demo a pair of Cascadia or Glycerin on your run. Pretty great way to try out a new shoe! Enjoy donuts and chocolate milk after!” And then on Sunday at 11 am: “Come for an Altra group run- meaning you can try out a pair of Altras for your run that day! Stay for mimosas post-run – we are celebrating our 12th year in business and we want to spoil you a bit. Be entered into a raffle to win a pair of Altras. Pick your distance of choice, meet some folks, enjoy your Sunday in style!” WSR is owned by Lori McConnell and Tim McConnell, who opened West Seattle’s only running shop in a different location in April 2010 and moved to their current location five years later.
That’s Mel Olson Stadium at Steve Cox Memorial Park in White Center, where the DubSea Fish Sticks (aka the ex-Highline Bears) will play baseball starting in June. First, a job fair this Sunday! Here’s the announcement:
The DubSea Fish Sticks summer collegiate baseball team is holding a job fair Sunday, April 10, 2022 at Mel Olson Stadium inside King County’s Steve Cox Memorial Park. The job fair will run from 1 pm-3 pm.
The team is currently looking to hire 20-30 part-time employees for the months of June and July. High school and college students are welcome to apply with select positions being available to those 15 years of age and older. There are select positions such as servers and security that do require the applicant to be 21 years of age or older.
The job fair will allow those interested in working for the Fish Sticks to find out more information about each position and apply on site. For those that are interested but cannot attend the job fair, they can apply online at GoFishSticks.com/jobs. Positions that are currently available include concessions, ticketing, game day operations, servers and security.
The DubSea Fish Sticks’ season begins on Saturday, June 4th, running through July 31st. They will host 27 different home shows (games) this summer at Mel Olson Stadium also known as The Fryer by fans. The team hosts upwards of 40 college players from around the country for the summer where they will play 48 games throughout the Pacific Northwest.
For more information on the DubSea Fish Sticks, you can visit GoFishSticks.com.
(Photos courtesy West Seattle Little League)
Between players, coaches, and family members, more than 1,000 people were involved in baseball and softball games at the two-location Jamboree that marked the start of the newly expanded West Seattle Little League this past weekend. WSLL sent this report and photos:
West Seattle Little League (WSLL) opened its 64th season Saturday with its traditional spring Jamboree, signaling time to “play ball!” for more than 750 Little Leaguers® playing baseball and softball. The Jamboree made a jubilant return to WSLL’s Bar-S Playfield and Chief Sealth Baseball Field [Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex] after the pandemic shuttered previous events, and also marked the inaugural year of the league’s softball program.
Players and families celebrated the return to Little League® alongside special guests including the Mariner Moose, who was spotted pumping up players before games, acting as base coach and pinch-hitting behind the counter at the Snack Shack. White Center’s Dub Sea Fish Sticks mascot got in on the action as well, giving away prizes, capturing moments with the players and fans and cheering on players in the dugouts. The excitement and joy of having the mascots at Bar-S created a memory all Little Leaguers, no matter how big or small, will always remember.
“More than 140 managers, head coaches and assistant coaches volunteer countless hours to teach the games of baseball and softball no matter the player skill set,” said WSLL’s communications director Kristin Widman, “while Umpire in Chief Greg Wren has been with the league since 1996 as a volunteer umpire, coach and board member. We cherish all our volunteers and their time and passion that they devote to the league.”
“It was great to see our community back at the baseball and softball fields!” said Nick Meyer, VP for WSLL and Jamboree organizer. “The kids had a blast playing with their friends and watching games of the older and younger divisions. The giant Fish Stick mascot, the Mariner Moose, and the bustling Snack Shack were a huge hit with all the kids, too.”
Registration is now closed for the 2022 WSLL season for baseball and softball divisions but WSLL is still accepting registrations for the Challenger Program. The Challenger Program is Little League’s adaptive baseball program for individuals with physical and intellectual disabilities and is provided at no cost to families. “At Challenger, we believe that baseball is for all who would like to play regardless of ability,” said Irina Anthony, WSLL director of equity and inclusion.
The Challenger team held its first practice over the weekend as well, running bases, throwing the ball and batting with coach Dave. Many WSLL residents may not be aware of this program in its inaugural year and we want to continue getting the word out to the community. Interested in the Challenger program? Contact Irina Anthony at equityandinclusion@westseattlelittleleague.com.
One more sign that spring is really here … the West Seattle Little League Jamboree is this weekend, two locations this year! Here’s the announcement:
West Seattle Little League (WSLL) will kick off the season with their annual Jamboree this weekend. Tee ball and baseball games will be held at WSLL’s Bar-S home field [6425 SW Admiral Way], and girls’ softball will also be celebrating the opening weekend with games at Chief Sealth [Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex, 2801 SW Thistle].
Games will occur on Saturday, March 26th, and Sunday, March 27th. Baseball games will occur between 9 am and 7 pm both days. Softball games will occur between 9 am and 6 pm Saturday and 2 pm and 6 pm Sunday.
Come cheer on our kids, get some pics with the Mariners Moose and DubSea Fish Sticks, learn about WSLL, and grab a bite to eat at the concessions.
This is the first season since West Seattle Girls Softball merged with WSLL.
Thanks to meet announcer David Feinberg for sending the schedule for this season’s Metro League high-school track meets at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle), which start tomorrow:
3/24 – regular meet
3/31 – regular meet
4/07 – regular meet
4/21 – regular meet
4/28 – regular meet
5/05 – regular meet
5/11 – league meet, preliminaries and some finals
5/13 – league meet, finals
5/18 – district meet, preliminaries and some finals
5/20 – district meet, finalsAll meets start mid-afternoon. We’re short-staffed again this season, so volunteers — preferably with some abilities to accurately time and/or measure — would likely be welcome.
If you’re interested in volunteering, he advises, “The best approach for volunteers would be to arrive at SWAC around 2:30 or so, go down to the track, and seek out Lorna” – that’s Lorna Considine, Chief Sealth International High School track/field coach, who is also serving as meet manager.
Congratulations to West Seattle High School baseball player Miles Gosztola, honored by the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association as one of its statewide Athletes of the Week. In announcing the honor, WSHS Athletics noted, “Miles earned a WSHS ‘W’ last Saturday in a 3-1 victory at Meadowdale HS. Miles pitched 5 innings, striking out 8 and allowing 0 runs.” That win was the start to an undefeated first week of the season for the Wildcats.
(Reader photo, 2021)
Back in January, Seattle Parks launched a survey to find out about pickleball and tennis usage. Next step, as announced today, an online meeting:
Seattle Parks and Recreation is seeking input from tennis and pickleball players on how we can best support the growth of pickleball. Please join us online on Wednesday, March 30, 2022 at 4:30 p.m. To register visit zoom.us/meeting/register/tJAsf-2rrTwqE9bpE6f9JbwvhTUl7WUYt3RW
This online event is part of the 2021-2022 Pickleball Study funded by the Seattle Park District. The project team will use the input from our community survey, the project advisory committee, and community meetings to recommend revisions to our dual-striping practices, evaluate standards for dual-striping, and draft a list of potential sites for dedicated pickleball. The team looks forward to presenting pickleball study work, input to date, and next steps at this meeting. Thank you to the over 3,300 people that responded earlier this year to our pickleball survey. Please continue your involvement and join us at this meeting to learn more and provide input.
An advisory committee is meeting throughout the study and additional community engagement will include one additional public meeting.
To find out more about the study and to subscribe to updates please visit seattle.gov/parks/about-us/projects/2021-2022-outdoor-pickleball-study or contact Oliver Bazinet at oliver.bazinet@seattle.gov.
Thanks to Andrew for the photo and report from the weekend:
West Seattle HS Lacrosse was back in pre-season action at the Spring Tune-Up Jamboree.
The boys won their first match 5-0 over Kamiak, followed by a 2-4 loss to Skyview, then an 8-6 win over Union.
Wildcats are looking forward to a fun, competitive season.
Dates and times of upcoming games are on the team calendar. The lacrosse program is hoping to have a WSHS girls’ team starting next year.
Greg Whittaker of Mountain to Sound Outfitters (and Alki Kayak Tours) wants you to know early that M2SO will again host the West Seattle Boat Swap this spring. It’s set for 11 am-4 pm Saturday, April 23rd. It’s all about people-powered watercraft and gear: “Kayaks, canoes, SUPs, and other gear sitting in rafters and garages that can be put back into use.” As usual, it’ll be at M2SO’s store in The Triangle, 3602 SW Alaska. You can register as soon as you’re ready by going here.
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