Seattle Studs
2013 National Baseball Congress World Series National Champions
This semi-pro baseball team traces its beginnings to 1954 and are again led by head coach Barry Aden.The Studs will once again take aim at another Grand Forks trophy. Over the years the Studs have showcased some very special talent in their lineup. Two examples are Brent Lillibridge and Tim Lincecum. Lincecum, who was drafted number 10 overall in 2006 year’s major league draft by San Francisco Giants, received the 2006 Golden Spikes Award, which goes to the top amateur player in the United States.
Burnaby Bulldogs
The Burnaby Bulldogs are very excited to return and defend their Championship title for the 2015 Grand Forks International Baseball Tournament.
The Bulldogs, first participating in 2003 and a second place finish in 2009 where the fans were very much on board with their efforts against Lewiston and then taking the #1 spot in 2014 against Everett Merchants with a 6 to 5 victorty in the last inning.
They have a strong organization with a deep talent pool to draw from, achieving a fair bit of recent success in addition to their second place at the 2009 GFI: This list of success would include 10 Provincial titles between the two teams that make up this club and includes the following National Championship Medals over the last several years…Junior National Bronze Medalists – 2009; Senior National Gold Medalists – 2010; Senior National Silver Medalists – 2011; and Junior National Silver Medalists – 2013.
The Bulldogs are coached by Mike Sinclair (Senior – 2nd Year) and Shawn Schaefer (Collegiate – 3rd Year) and managed by David Laing (24th year)
The Burnaby Bulldogs appreciate what the GFI does for the sport in this province and country and they are very excited to be a part of this great tournament and event again in 2015.
Thurston County Senators
The Thurston County Senators are a team affiliated with the Puget Sound Collegiate League. Their first year of existence coincided with the inaugural year of the college league in 2010.
The team is comprised of former college players, and current PSCL players – the roster is flexible by design. It is the top level of talent you will find in amatuer baseball. There are opportunities for PSCL players to make the Senators roster, based on their performance in the league.
The team plays an independent schedule versus Puget Sound Collegiate League, West Coast League, Pacific International League teams and competes in Canadian tournaments. June will be the six straight year the Senators have been invited to the prestigious Grand Forks International Baseball Tournament. The Senators will also be representing the United States in the World Baseball Challenge, held in Prince George B.C. They will have an opportunity to play Cuba, Japan, Bahamas, China, Canada among other countries.
In the 2014 season 16 Senators moved onto West Coast League rosters during the summer. Some for short term contracts, others for the remainder of the season. Josh Moss went on to represent his team in the WCL All-Star game.
2014 Overall Record: 20-10. Place 4th in the GFI
2013 Overall Record: 27-5, Place 3rd in Kelowna Blast, 3rd in Kamloops
2012 Overall Record: 16-9; 3rd Place in Canada Day Blast in Kelowna, 4th in Kamloops International Tournament, 4th at the Grand Forks Invitational.
2011 Overall Record: 17-7-2; 2nd Place in Kelowna, 6th at GFI
2010 Overall Record: 17-5, 4th Place in Kelowna, 7th at GFI
Trail, the honorary host to the tournament as the closest local team, is back at the GFI. The AM Ford Orioles are the host of the 2014 BC Provincial Championship this August and hope to add to their solid core of locals for the GFI with some of the top talent from around the province. The Orioles are playing a full summer of games leading up to the Provincial Championship and hope the GFI will include a week of exciting baseball. Several former Orioles have been drafted and played professional ball including former MLB all star Jason Bay & current Winnipeg Goldeye Chris Kissock. Trail has made the playoff round several times with a 4th place finish in 2003 and hope to bring out a full contingent of fans to see who this year’s champion will be.
The Parkland Whitesox have been in existence for 7 years. Starting in Senior AA winning 3 championships in 4 years, the WhiteSox then successfully made the jump to Senior AAA 3 years ago, representing Alberta in the Canadian National Championships in 2013. The WhiteSox have successfully attended the Kelowna Baseball Blast for the past 5 years and proudly accepted an invitation to the GFI in 2012, just missing the playoff round on runs for and against. Once again the WhiteSox are proud to accept the invitation to the 2014 GFI and will be pushing to make amends for barely missing the playoffs in 2012..
Who are the West Coast Guns? They are a team comprised of college graduates and released players that have the desire to continue their career. They have been nomads but have found a home. They will play at the Kitsap County Fairgrounds when the Kitsap BlueJackets are on the road. They will also attend semi-pro tournaments like the Grand Forks International (GFI) Baseball Tournament. Our goal is to help these players sign independent and affiliated contract. A lot more information about this club will be released soon. If you are interested in the team please message use here. Always looking to send out a Hired Gun. Bang, Bang!
Everette Merchants
The Merchants are led by Head Coach Harold Pyatte, who has been the team’s (and its predecessor the H&L Twins) head coach for more than 40 years! His 1988 team won the NBC World Series and in 2005, the National Baseball Congress recognized him for his lifelong dedication to the team by electing him to their Hall of Fame. Throughout the years, ten former Everett Merchant players have made the major leagues as well as countless number of players have been drafted.
The Everett Merchants are a summer team located in Everett, Washington. The team is one of the founding members of the Pacific International League (PIL), an affiliate of the National Baseball Congress.
The Northwest Honkers are back for their third appearance at the GFI!
Established in 2010, the Honkers are a Seattle based PIL non-profit baseball team. The Honkers have accomplished a lot in just a relatively short period of time, including two appearances to the NBC World Series (2011, 2013). Other accomplishments include a 3rd place finish at KIBT in 2011.
The team is a mix of young college talent from local and distant college and university programs as well as post-college experienced veterans. The uncommon dynamic of the Honker roster along with an energetic and fun-loving demeanor combine to make a unique culture that Honker players take much pride in. Don’t be surprised by the Honker lawn art and pre-game antics or the Canada Goose calling coming from Honker fans.
HONK HONK!!
Kamloops Sun Devils
Have just come off a 2014 BC provincial men’s championship victory hosted in Trail. We are now booked to head to New Brunswick this summer to represent BC at the 2015 senior men’s nationals.
VIBI Muckers
The Vancouver Island Baseball Institute Muckers are set to begin their inaugural Collegiate Summer baseball season in 2015. The Muckers program is an extension of the VIBI Mariners College Baseball program that plays in the Canadian College Baseball Conference(CCBC). The Muckers roster is comprised of current and former VIBI Mariners players and plays their home games at Serauxmen Stadium, located in Nanaimo, BC.
North Sound Emeralds
The North Sound Emeralds are excited to return to GFI for the second time in 2015. North Sound is a semi-pro team that was formed in 2013. The Emeralds play an independent schedule against West Coast League and Pacific International League competition this summer. The club is coached by Kainoa Correa, an assistant at the University of Northern Colorado, who is a member of the D-1 WAC conference.
The Emeralds are affiliated with the Northwest Collegiate Baseball League (www.nwcbl.com), which fields teams in Western Washington for college-eligible players. Karen and Lawrence at The Victorian Motel & RV Park have been outstanding to us at GFI – we are excited to get back to The Vicky!
Grand Forks Blues
It seams like the friendly sports rivalry between Grand Forks and neighboring Trail will make it’s way to the GFI once again as our own Grand Forks Blues will be our 12th team.