Summer collegiate wood bat baseball to come to Ridgefield in 2019
RIDGEFIELD — Summer collegiate wood bat baseball is coming to Clark County.
A pair of news releases were circulated Thursday announcing that Clark County has been awarded an expansion team to play in the West Coast League and that team will play in Ridgefield.
“We congratulate the Ridgefield community and its leaders in welcoming a collegiate wood bat league baseball presence to Clark County, Washington,’’ read a news release from Southwest Washington business organizations and signed by Ron Arp (president, Identity Clark County), Max Ault (interim president, Columbia River Economic Development Council) and John McDonagh (president/CEO, Greater Vancouver Chamber of Commerce).
The business leaders praised Ridgefield leaders and citizens for their investment in a 53-acre Outdoor Recreation Complex, which will serve as the home field for the city’s West Coast League baseball team.
“Presence of the first-ever collegiate league team in Clark County creates an exciting new family attraction that builds upon our area’s longstanding support of baseball and overall commitment to increasing the quality of life for all,’’ read the release from the business organizations. “We also applaud Ridgefield leaders and citizens for the further application of their investment in a 53-acre Outdoor Recreation Complex, which was made possible through an innovative partnership between the city and the school district.
“We are thrilled this distinct new amenity will continue to strengthen Ridgefield’s character and identity, positioning the city and region as an attractive place for current and new residents of all ages,’’ the release continued. “We look forward to embracing this new entertainment asset as it becomes part of the social and recreational fabric of our region.’’
A second release was issued by Clark County Chair Marc Boldt and the mayors of Clark County’s cities and town of Yacolt.
“As mayors and County Council Chair in Clark County, we are individually and collectively excited that high quality summer collegiate wood bat baseball is coming to Clark County,’’ stated that release. “News from the West Coast League that they are adding an expansion team in our market, to begin play in the spring of 2019, is just another example of the great progress we are making to provide top flight entertainment for our residents throughout the region.’’
Ridgefield Mayor Don Stose is “excited to host the region’s baseball team at the new Ridgefield Outdoor Recreation Complex’s 1,800-seat stadium field, and we look forward to having people from across the County come to Ridgefield for games.”
“I’m sure many people in our City and region — including Terry and I — are looking forward to grabbing a hotdog and watching the games,” added Vancouver Mayor Anne McEnerny-Ogle.
For Clark County Council Chair Marc Boldt, “it’s been a long-term effort to attract a team to our area, so we’re glad the West Coast League recognized the great interest and support for baseball in Clark County, and especially look forward to our team beating built-in rivals in Portland, Cowlitz (County), and beyond.”
