We welcome you to one of the fastest-growing collegiate wood-bat baseball destinations in the country. We are excited to welcome back those of you returning who helped the Pippins grow last year. For new players, you represent some of the best collegiate talent in the country and we are thrilled that you will be joining us this season. Our organizational goals include creating a positive environment for players to develop their talents on the field, allowing you to gain insight as to what life would be like as part of a professional organization, and to compete each season for a WCL Championship. We will provide you the tools and resources to be successful on the field and to be role models in our community. This community is incredibly passionate about the team – many nights playing in front of large crowds — and you are seen as celebrities (you’ll sign a fair share of autographs). While those parts of the experience are fun, they are accompanied by the responsibility to represent our franchise, your family and your university with honor. Our baseball staff and their contact information is included in this FAQ. Please do not hesitate to reach out with questions or concerns. We will also be in regular contact via phone and email as we finalize details in preparation for the season. We anxiously await the season!

Yakima is centrally located in the Washington state, in the heart of apple country. With a relatively low cost of living and strong sense of community, Yakima is an excellent place to live, work and play. We are proud of our city, and the heart of Central Washington.

1. Yakima (pop. 92,000) has been the cultural, business, educational, health services, and governmental focal point of the Central Washington region since it was founded more than 125 years ago. Originally built along the new Northern Pacific Railway company line, Yakima has grown from its agricultural roots to become a vibrant, diverse metropolitan city with a rich history and a bright future.
2. Yakima’s economy has always revolved around agriculture. A wide variety of crops are grown in the Yakima Valley. In fact, Yakima County is Washington state’s leader in terms of the value of the fruits, vegetables, grains, and other ag products produced by the county’s farmers. The region has long been known as one of the world’s leading producers of apples. Other tree fruits, like cherries, peaches, pears, nectarines, and apricots are also grown here. Mint, asparagus, hay, berries, and eggplant are also among the more than 30 varieties of fruits and vegetables that come from the Yakima Valley. Not a lot of people know that this region produces about 75 percent of all of the hops (a key ingredient in beer) grown in the United States. While Yakima still relies on agriculture to drive its economy, over 250 manufacturing firms are also located here producing a variety of products including aircraft parts, wood products, plastic products, recreational vehicles, and communications technology. Tourism is the fastest growing segment of the Yakima economy.
3. The summertime is warm and dry, with nights comfortable and breezy – a great place to play baseball. Summer temperatures range from 70˚ – 80˚ at night to 85˚ – 95˚ during the day.
4. The Yakima Valley is also well-known for its rich sports history. In addition to winning three American Legion World Series titles (1953, 1975, 1979), Yakima has seen many professional athletes raised in the area. Of note are former Major Leaguers Mel Stottlemyre Sr., Mel Stottlemyre Jr., Todd Stottlemyre, Bob Wells, Scott Hatteberg, Dave Edler, Jamie Allen and Harold Clift; NFL players Cooper Kupp, Craig Kupp, Jake Cupp, Cary Conklin, Kurt Schulz and Dr. Dan Doornink; Olympic gold medalist Phil Mahre and Olympic silver medalist Steve Mahre; NASCAR driver Gordon Haines; and more.

Built in 1993 for the Yakima Bears minor-league team, the stadium has seen more than $250,000 in improvements since the Pippins joined the league in 2014. With a seating capacity of 2,800, the stadium boasts excellent sight lines from any seat and has many seats closer to the playing field than most ballparks. The stadium includes two concession stands, a standalone barbecue grill, elevator, two staircases and two ramps to the seating level, a picnic deck, two enclosed bar areas and more.

Pippins players will be living with host families, members of the communities who will open up their homes for players to live in. We will be assigning host families during the spring of 2020. Please see the form that we ask players to fill out so that we may do our best to match you with an appropriate family. A note about host families: Families in our community provide room, board, many meals and often transportation when needed, at no cost to you and no payment the families. This model works when players are respectful and communicate with their families. In order to make sure that we continue the tradition started in 2014, you’ve received a packet with your contract offer that includes a host family information sheet. Please take five minutes and fill out the information when returning your contract. This insures that we can ensure you have the best host family situation. We will communicate host family placement around mid-April (if not before then). Please email Jeff if you have any concerns.

Per West Coast League policy, teams are not to pay for players to come to their host cities. Players are responsible for securing their travel to Yakima. Players can fly into Seattle, Tri-Cities or Yakima, or drive their own vehicles.

The team will pay for hotel rooms and charter bus while on the road, and in addition provide players with a per diem for food. Accommodations will be at hotels such as Holiday Inn Express, Comfort Inn and Suites, and Best Western Inn & Suites. Players will share hotel rooms with teammates.

1. 1. Home, road, and alternate jerseys and home and road pants
   2. Primary and alternate caps (players keep)
   3. Black belt
   4. Green stirrups/sanitary socks
   5. Batting helmets (position players only)
   6. Catchers gear (catchers only)
   7. Pine tar, rosin, etc.
   8. Bats and balls
   9. Pippins athletic T-shirt and Pippins three-quarter-sleeve shirt (for cool weather)
   10. Pippins BP shorts
   11. Pippins hooded sweatshirt
   12. Pippins Team travel bag

1. Gloves
2. Shoes – WE WEAR BLACK SHOES … NO EXCEPTIONS
3. Specific bat brands – If you choose not to use the bats we provide to you, you will be responsible for providing your own.
4. Accessories (glasses, batting gloves, etc) – As we mentioned, you will have the chance to order Under Armour baseball accessories for a price far lower than what you will pay retail – so keep that in mind if you want anything specific

We expect that our players will fulfill the contract they sign, meaning that you should plan to be returning home on or around Aug. 20, pending postseason play. If you are not able to honor this, for any reason, please contact the manager immediately (no later than March 31). We will discuss, with the team president and your college coach, the potential that you will be replaced on the roster with a player who is able to commit for the entire season.

The team is owned and operated by Pacific Baseball Ventures, Holdco. The group, which is comprised of both local and regional investors, founded the Pippins franchise in 2014 for the express purpose of returning professionally managed baseball back to Yakima County Stadium. The member partners of Pacific Baseball Ventures hold ownership positions in a number of other baseball properties, including full ownership of the Walla Walla Sweets (WCL). Additionally, group members hold managing interests in the Tacoma Rainiers (PCL, AAA) and the Seattle Mariners (AL West, MLB). Having a positive impact on communities through the fan experience of professionally-managed baseball is of primary importance to the group.