You’ve cheered the FIFA World Cup 2010 games … endured the bzzzz of the vuvuzelas … now, a chance to learn how to play soccer — providing you’re 7 to 14 years old. High Point Community Center is presenting the program for the next six Wednesdays, 6 pm, at HP Commons Park; call 684-7422 to find out more, and in the meantime, check out the official flyer.

(Victory huddle after tonight’s win)
Just got word from our correspondent at Bar-S that the West Seattle Little League 10-11 All-Stars have defeated the Rainiers 14-8, which means, according to the WSLL update we published this morning, that they advance to the state tournament in two weeks in Yakima. Photos to come – and remember that the 9-10 All-Stars play Saturday at 10 am at Bar-S – so go cheer them on (as these spectators did for the 10-11’s tonight).

Story and photos by Keri DeTore
Reporting for West Seattle Blog

“Get up, stand up” is the motto for stand-up paddle boarders.

As Adam Price of Alki Kayak Tours demonstrated Tuesday night, paddle boards are similar to surf boards but designed for flat water touring rather than catching waves, propelled by paddles rather than wave action. Unlike surfing, where you stand sideways on the board, for paddle-boarding, you stand with your feet squared facing the front of the board.

Stand-up Paddle Boarding, or SUP Boarding, originated in Hawaii in the 1960s — surfing instructors would stand on the boards to look for waves and increase their visibility while teaching. Realizing this was actually pretty fun, more people started standing on the boards to tour on the water, not just surf.

This activity has been making its way north up the west coast over the years, and Greg Whittaker, owner of Alki Kayak Tours, says they are taking this warm-water sport, adding wetsuits, and making it a cold-water sport.

Adam Price says they are “trying to build a paddling community,” so, to help promote the sport, Alki Kayak Tours host free SUP Boarding demonstrations and races every Tuesday evening. Demonstrations start at 5 pm and all ages are welcome, though boarders under 18 need to be accompanied by an adult or have a signed release form. Races start at 7 pm and go from Seacrest to Duwamish Head, around the channel marker and back to Seacrest — a distance of approximately 1.5 miles. Alki Kayak will provide all the equipment, including wetsuits, free of charge for the events.

Tuesday evenings aren’t the only time you can participate in SUP Boarding, Alki Kayak will rent boards and paddles for $15/hour and provide private classes for those who want to “stand up.” Adam Price adds: “This is a sport for all ages; it’s great exercise and a lot of fun.”

Arriving for the West Seattle Reservoir (at Westcrest) Park project meeting at Southwest Community Center – a surprise: The parking’s jammed; side streets are lined with cars too. Big event at the Southwest Athletic Complex: The Pacific Northwest Association Junior Track and Field Championships. The event is happening all weekend – here’s the schedule.

Sports Director Matt Schlede from the West Seattle and Fauntleroy YMCA (WSB sponsor) has two bits of news to report:

One of our West Seattle & Fauntleroy YMCA t-ball teams was chosen to throw out the first pitch at last Sunday’s Mariners game vs. the Cincinnati Reds (Youth Baseball Day). Attached is a picture of some of them with Jason Vargas; pictured are Orion Bohus, Aina Sulcs, Henry First, Skye Milne, Campbell Howe. Campbell was the one who actually threw the first pitch to Skye.

Matt also reports that the end-of-season barbecue is today at EC Hughes – you’ll see YMCA players out there, with a bounce house, 10 am-6 pm, and the Mariners Moose 11 am-1 pm. P.S. Interested in sports at the Y? From Matt’s sig, the lists of when the Y does what:Read More

(Photo courtesy World Harmony Run)
The kids in that photo are holding the torch for the World Harmony Run. It’s the world’s longest relay run, and it’s coming to Providence Mount St. Vincent at 2 tomorrow afternoon. Part of the ceremony will include a WHR Torch-Bearer Award for Providence Senior and Community Services executive Charlene Boyd, presented by King County Executive Dow Constantine. Then there will be a chance for residents, children, staff, family and friends to hold the torch and make a wish for harmony – plus an intergenerational relay run around The Mount’s building. And after that, at 3:30, you’re invited to join the World Harmony Runners as they run with the torch from The Mount to the Alki Statue of Liberty, leaving from outside the café on the south side of the building. Find out more about the World Harmony Run here.

From West Seattle Little League‘s Gina Coats, word that All-Star play is about to start, and you can watch some of the games without leaving the peninsula:

We are all very excited to have all 4 divisions putting out an All-Star team.

The 9-10 and 10-11 teams will be playing at Bar-S fields (6464 SW Admiral Way) We will be hosting games Saturday the June 26th and Sunday the 27th starting at 9:30, and 5:30 pm games on the 28th, 29th, 30th, July 1st and 2nd. The championship games will be played Saturday the 3rd starting at 9am. The winners of this tournament will go on to the State tournament in Shoreline at Shoreview Park (9-10) and Yakima (10-11).

The Majors and Juniors All-Star teams will be playing at Pac West Fields (14649 16th Ave South) starting on Saturday July 3rd and continuing July 4th with 5:30 games on the 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, and 9th. The winners of this tournament will continue on to the state tournament in Elma (11-12 majors) and Medical Lake (Juniors).

We will be updating our website westseattlelittleleague.com with standings as often as possible. You can also check out the rosters for all four teams.

These tournaments are a lot of fun and we will have our Snack Shack churning out good old-fashioned baseball treats and snacks as well as the infamous Bar-S dogs! Come on down for some great, cheap baseball entertainment.

We also received an update on one of the teams that’ll be in All-Star play – the ages 13-14 Yankees – managed by Vinnie Sposari and coached by John Coats – finished their season Monday night with a 20-2 record, runner-up to the Highline Nationals in the Tournament of Champions at Rainier Playfield.

It’s not the Olympics without an opening ceremony, athletes parading onto the field – so that’s what everyone got to do last night at West Seattle Stadium as “Olympic Day” events got under way, sponsored by your local Seattle Parks and Recreation Community Centers. Also part of the parade – a few groups that know a thing or two about parading:

Such a beautiful night, even the Seattle Chinese Community Girls Drill Team members couldn’t help smiling – which you won’t usually see during their precise, intense routine! Another renowned local drill team took the field – the Electronettes:

And then, let the games begin – this group tried out some martial-arts moves:

Two accomplished athletes were the guests of honor, 2000 Olympics pentathlon silver medalist Emily de Riel and her husband, Paralympics soccer star Mike Peters:

Healthy treats were provided by Roxanne and Andrea in the Kid Picks truck from PCC Natural Markets (WSB sponsor):

You’ll see Kid Picks again this year at the Admiral Neighborhood Association‘s Summer Concerts at Hiawatha starting June 29th, co-sponsored by PCC and WSB among others. Olympic Day commemorated the 116th anniversary of the revived Olympic Games – which hadn’t been held for a millennium and a half till June 23, 1894!

No, not Major League Baseball – 4 months too soon for that – it’s Bronco Baseball, from Southwest Seattle PONY Baseball. Thanks to Jeff for the tip:

The Bronco Baseball Championship game is tonight at Lincoln Park starting at 5:30. The game features 11 and 12 year old baseball players. The Mariners are taking on the Diamondbacks. The Diamondbacks are coming from the losing bracket and the Mariners from the winners bracket. The Diamondbacks will have to beat the Mariners 2 times to win the championship; if the Mariners win tonight they are the champions.

With the USA team playing its second match at 7 tomorrow morning (vs. Slovenia), it’s time to bring back our “where to watch FIFA World Cup 2010 soccer in West Seattle” list. It’s had a few tweaks since its debut a week ago, and please note the comments as well. The newest addition – Freshy’s Coffee in Admiral says you’re welcome to come watch the game in “Freshy-Vision” on their bigscreen tomorrow morning (the one they use for Fine Films at Freshy’s on Wednesday nights) – proprietor Amber says there’ll be “mimosas and breakfast.” Here’s the list again, with recent amendments (please let us know if you’ve got word of any more!).

Two notes from West Seattle Runner, the new running store at Charlestown/California. Right now until about 7 pm, WSR’s Lori McConnell tells us, the Mizuno Bus is there, for shoe fittings and analysis, plus giveaways. Then next Saturday, Northwest Hope and Healing‘s Alki Beach 5K has its official kickoff – or should we say runoff? – with an in-store registration party at West Seattle Runner, 10 am-3 pm, including prize drawings, free coffee, chair massages and training tips – here’s the flyer. This year’s Alki Beach 5K is August 29th.

Back on Tuesday, we reported on two baseball players with West Seattle High School ties – one senior, one alum – drafted by the majors. After our report, a third one was drafted, and tonight we have a wrapup on all three with details courtesy of WSHS assistant baseball coach Scott Meaker:

3 players from West Seattle that played at WSHS for Head Coach Velko Vitalich were drafted by Major League Baseball (MLB) this week.

It started with the second day of drafting on Tuesday. Zach Varce, currently a Junior RHP for the University of Portland, was drafted in round 11 (355th overall) by the NY Yankees! Zach reportedly is on his way to the east coast soon to sign with one of the most storied sports organizations in the world! Congratulations to him and his West Seattle family!

Also on Tuesday, current WSHS Senior SS Trevor Martin was drafted in the 20th round (619th overall) by the St. Louis Cardinals. Trevor was the unanimous MVP of the Metro League this year, the league that has brought home the Washington State 3A Baseball title for the last 2 years (O’dea HS in 2009 & 2010!). Trevor has an offer to play at perennial national champion contender Western Nevada College near Carson City, NV. (see story about his signing last January)

Coach Meaker’s report continues after the jump:Read More

(NOTE: Updated repeatedly since first publication; thanks to Nancy for the added research)

More than a few people requested a list of West Seattle establishments that plan to have the World Cup on their bigscreens as play begins this week (here’s the schedule) – and it also came up in the WSB Forums. So WSB contributor Keri DeTore started investigating. The following venues say they’ll be showing World Cup games during their regular business hours, unless otherwise noted – such as Abbondanza, Angelina’s and Beveridge Place Pub, which will be open some special hours for viewing. (For hours/contact info, we have linked establishment names to their website – except for those that do not have readily locatable sites, in which case we’ve used other online listings). Click ahead for the list (and let us know if there’s someplace we’re missing!):Read More

Even as we await true summer, winter’s not so far away, and the new West Seattle Snowsports Council is looking ahead, with its second planning meeting tomorrow night, 6 pm at Mountain to Sound Outfitters in The Triangle. We asked Mountain to Sound’s Greg Whittaker what this meeting will focus on:

– Finding a nonprofit Fiscal Sponsor interested in partnering up with us!
– Determining the Days/Nights offering.
– Developing a registration plan.
– Determining Meeting/Dropoff location.
– Finding a Web Guru to set up a website.

The council’s mission is “creating an accessible snowsports program for West Seattle youth, and Whittaker adds, “Join if you would like to help create a community based program providing West Seattle Youth a safe reliable option to learn alpine snowsports and experience our NW Mountains!” You can find out more by calling Mountain to Sound @ 206-935-7669 (SNOW).

ORIGINAL 3 PM REPORT: Thanks to Mary for the tip: Today during the Major League Baseball draft, 21-year-old West Seattle High School alum Zach Varce was drafted by the New York Yankees. Zach’s a right-handed pitcher who’s been playing for the University of Portland, where he’s a junior; he was the Yankees’ 11th pick, 355th draftee overall. According to his bio on the Portland site, he sat out his senior year at WSHS with an injury. ADDED 3:20 PM: Also drafted today, 18-year-old WSHS senior shortstop Trevor Martin, by the St. Louis Cardinals, 619th draftee overall. (We’re checking the draft list for anyone else with local ties – let us know if you hear of someone!)

Tonight at 6:30 – like just about every Thursday night, and two other times each week – you’ll see that group on the go in West Seattle. Dave Howard shares that photo and news of a change:

I am the president of West Seattle’s local running club, where we have been supporting local runners since 1994. We have just made an important change and I want to share it with the neighborhood. So here is our story.

After 16 years as West Seattle’s own running club, West Seattle Runners is changing its name. We are now called what we truly have always been, the West Seattle Running Club. As we have from the beginning back in 1994, West Seattle Running Club continues to create opportunities for runners of all levels to meet and run with others, to provide support and encouragement to members in achieving their personal goals, and to be a lot of fun. We have three organized runs each week, participate in a lot of local events, and put on a few of our own. No matter what your pace or distance our club can work for you. We start out together and fall in with those at our pace. One evening a week we do pizza after the run. On Sunday mornings after the run we head into the Alki bakery for coffee and conversation. Not to mention the cinnamon rolls. As always, our running schedule can be found at our website. Visit us at www.westseattlerunningclub.org and come run with us.