Kids frolic on the left-field berm and chase foul balls down the right-field concourse while their adult parents take in the summer sun with an ice-cold brew in their hand.
This is summer in Ridgefield now with the West Coast League’s Raptors playing more than 30 times from June to August at the Ridgefield Outdoor Recreation Complex.
The on-field results have been up and down for the Raptors (13-14). They got off to a 10-5 start in their inaugural season before losing nine of their last 12 games. Off the field, though, the community support has been consistent.
The fans already know each of the players’ names and chat with them before they take the field. A flock of youngsters always looms outside the dugout fence for post-game autographs.
Jack Bauer, a Union alumnus, knows that support isn’t always the case for first-year squads. He was on the Gresham GreyWolves, a former WCL team, during their first season in 2016. The GreyWolves averaged 375 fans per game that season and did not field a team in any league this summer.
Ridgefield has brought in nearly 12,000 fans for 12 league games this year, an average of 1,000 that sits right around the middle of the 12 teams in the league.
“I was kind of expecting it to be a little bit here, a little bit there,” said Bauer, who is happy to be staying the summer with his parents. “But it turned out well. We get a good crowd, and good community outreach. It’s been good.”
The fans have bought in despite any bumps in the road that have come as coaches, players and team administrators learn the intricacies of the league.
“It’s a grind,” manager Chris Cota said. “You’ve got to be ready to play every day. You’re going to be tired sometimes. You’re not going to feel like playing sometimes. You have to be ready to go.”
The good news for the team, though, is that with the WCL’s split-season format offers a fresh start on Monday. The Raptors will have 27 games to earn a playoff spot, which is given to the division winners in each half of the season.
Corvallis and Victoria secured playoff spots through their first-half play. Now, everybody goes back to 0-0, the overall record only coming into play if Corvallis and Victoria again sit atop the division after the next 27 games.
“I like the split-season format,” Cota said. “Now we can let the first half go and focus on the second half.”
The Raptors start the second half with a three-game series in Victoria before a nine-game homestand gives a good barometer of the team’s playoff chances.
Here’s a quick recap of the first 27:
Three key moments
A first win — Cameron Repetti hit a solo home run in the eighth inning to give the franchise its first win in a 3-2 victory over Yakima Valley on June 6 at the RORC. It was a bit of redemption for the teenager, who allowed a homer on the mound the inning prior.
Walk it off — In the Raptors’ first extra-inning game, it was Oregon sophomore Aaron Zavala providing the fireworks. He hit a walk-off single in the 11th inning to lift Ridgefield to a 4-3 win over Walla Walla in a June 15 game at the RORC.
Rally Raptors — After a six-run eighth inning by Port Angeles in a June 16 game at the RORC, the Raptors were surely headed for a loss. But Ridgefield responded with six runs of its own, highlighted by Repetti’s pinch-hit grand slam. Steve Ramirez followed it up with a walk-off double in the ninth for an 8-7 win.
Three key players
Cameron Repetti — The Cal State Fullerton freshman has provided his big hits in the most clutch moments. His three home runs include a pinch-hit game-tying grand slam, a three-run game-winning home run and a solo game-winning dinger.
Michael Hicks — The Boise State senior is a big bat in the heart of the order. He’s hit three home runs and boasts a .319 batting average. He’s also been walked a league-leading 24 times.
Michael Spellacy — The Gonzaga junior went 3-0 with a 1.92 ERA in four starts and two relief appearances. He struck out 19 batters and walked just nine over 28 innings with the club.
Three numbers
4 — Times the Raptors have been caught stealing this season. Their 25 stolen bases rank eighth of 12 teams, but when Chris Cota gives the green light, runners aren’t often caught. Dusty Garcia and Jonny Weaver each have seven stolen bases.
7 — Games that have been decided by one run. The Raptors’ record in those games is 4-3.
32 — Innings pitched by Grand Canyon University junior Zach Barnes, a league-high. He made five starts with a 3.38 ERA and 29 strikeouts.
