The Portland Pickles will take the field in a different summer collegiate circuit in 2018, as the club has announced plans to join the West Coast League. The Pickles were previously members of the Great West League.
The Pickles will make their WCL debut in June of 2018.
“We have been huge fans of the West Coast league for many years and are so excited to be joining their 11 team league.” said Pickles co-owner Alan Miller. “Their competitive style of play and sheer number of major league players that have come through their ranks is staggering.”
The Pickles ownership group, Rose City Baseball, also purchased the Gresham GreyWolves baseball club. The GreyWolves, headed into their third season, will compete as an independent summer collegiate team at Mt. Hood Community College in 2018. The GreyWolves played the past two seasons as members of the WCL. The former GreyWolves ownership group, led by Scott Barchus, will be joining Rose City Baseball to work with both teams.
“We are thrilled to bring the fun and excitement of Pickles baseball to the Gresham GreyWolves and their fans,” said Miller. “We feel this is a huge step in continuing to fulfill Rose City Baseball’s commitment to bringing baseball to the community, as well has helping it grow.”
The Portland Pickles were founded in 2015 and play their home games at Walker Stadium in SE Portland’s Lents Park.
They will host all eleven West Coast League teams in 2018 including Oregon teams the Corvallis Knights and Bend Elks, with the closest Pickles opponent being the Cowlitz Black Bears, located in Longview, Wash., just over an hour away.
“The Pickles brand is outstanding,” said Cowlitz owner Tony Bonacci. “They have done an excellent job connecting in their community and they really know how to have fun. We’re thrilled to welcome the Pickles to the WCL. We’ll benefit greatly from their location, energy and leadership.”
The Pickles following has grown tremendously as Portland’s attendance took off in 2017 ranking 18th in attendance at 1,684 per game for all North American summer collegiate baseball teams as compiled by Ballpark Digest.