West Seattle, Washington
09 Saturday
High-school baseball season is in full swing! Thanks to Sean for this recap from a big cross-peninsula game on Thursday (and to the Chief Sealth IHS parent who sent the photo):
After a year of no high school baseball, the Chief Sealth Seahawks and West Seattle Wildcats renewed their rivalry on April 29th. Chief Sealth came away victorious with an 11-2 win before an enthusiastic crowd at Hiawatha Playfield.
Chief Sealth was spurred on by a 7-run first inning. Ryan Moore was on the bump for Sealth and went 6 innings, yielding 2 runs, 5 hits, 0 walks, and 5 strikeouts. Miles Gosztola was stellar in relief for West Seattle with 5 innings pitched and 12 strikeouts.
Chief Sealth had 10 hits to West Seattle’s 6. Coleman Ransom and Teagan Gaither had multiple hits for Sealth, and Jaxton Helmstetler had multiple hits for WS. Both Matthew Henning for WS and Marcel Jones for Sealth hit home runs. It was a great day for baseball. The two teams will renew their rivalry with a doubleheader at SWAC on May 24th.
Baseball is one of the high-school sports that are proceeding with condensed seasons.
As Seattle Public Schools‘ high-school students get ready for part-time in-person learning starting Monday, a delayed major-sport season is winding down. Both West Seattle HS and Chief Sealth IHS won their football games this week – West Seattle over Nathan Hale last night, 24-0, while Sealth beat Ingraham on Thursday, 23-22. The Seahawks are 5-2, the Wildcats 3-1. Another major sport season is around the corner – the delayed basketball season starts week after next, for girls as well as boys.
Thanks to James for the tip. The University of Washington beach-volleyball team is playing at Alki today, Saturday, and Sunday. From the announcement:
Washington Beach Volleyball gets to compete in the sands of Seattle for the first time in over two years this weekend, making up for lost time with a total of seven matches over three days at Alki Beach this Friday through Sunday, April 16-18. The first two days will make up one tournament, the Husky Invitational, featuring UW, 15th-ranked Hawaii, Oregon, and Portland. Then Sunday will be three more dual matches separate from the tourney, with UW, Hawaii and 9th-ranked Arizona all playing each other once.
It’s the first home matches for UW since March of 2019. It’s also the last week of the regular season as the Pac-12 Championships are next up for the Dawgs starting on April 29.
Though past visits have drawn crowds, this time they’re asking you to stay away:
Fans are respectfully requested not to attend the weekend’s matches at Alki Beach. Due to Covid-19 protocols and the openness of the area, crowds cannot be controlled nor can seats be assigned.
Going into the weekend, the Huskies are 1-7. Their appearances at Alki date back to 2016.
The Chief Sealth International High School slowpitch-softball team has just wrapped up an undefeated season with their second Metro League title. Thanks to Sealth athletic director Ernest Policarpio for sending the photo and report. (Their previous title win was in fall 2019 but this year’s athletic seasons have had major schedule changes because of the pandemic.)
The abbreviated school-sports seasons continue, with word from West Seattle High School that its golfers did well in the Metro League tournament:
(Photos courtesy WSHS)
That’s senior Lauryn Nguyen, who won her fourth consecutive Metro League individual title. The girls’ team tied for third in the tournament with Holy Names Academy, “with only three strokes separating first and third place,” WSHS reports. The boys’ team finished seventh, “with only 15 strokes separating first and seventh.” For the boys, senior Nic Chantorn finished 7th, earning all-Metro League honors.
As reported here back in February, both Lauryn and Nic are going on to play collegiate golf – she signed with Northwestern University and he signed with Bellevue College.
Youth sports are resuming this spring, and we continue to spotlight registration announcements. This one is from the West Seattle Reign:
REGISTRATION IS OPEN NOW THROUGH APRIL 2nd.
We are offering clinics for youth aged 10-18, currently enrolled in Elementary thru 12th grade.
Due to Covid-19 and the lack of rental gym space in and near West Seattle, all clinics are on outdoor courts for spring break. All clinics consist of warm up, skills drills and cool down. Each clinic will consist of different drills and games throughout the week. Clinics are 2 hours and are co-ed.
All details for our clinics can be accessed through the links below.
Basketball – go.teamsnap.com/forms/262309
Volleyball – go.teamsnap.com/forms/262421
These links can also be accessed thru our website by selecting clinics & camps under the sport of your choice. Clinics vary in drills day by day and you are welcome to take more than one.
As the abbreviated, delayed high-school football mini-season continues, two local teams won last night:
(WSHS Athletic Dept. photo via Twitter)
WEST SEATTLE HIGH SCHOOL: The Wildcats (2-1) were at Southwest Athletic Complex, where they beat visiting Lincoln High School (from Wallingford), 33-7. Next Friday, WSHS again plays at SWAC, this time vs.Franklin HS, 7 pm.
CHIEF SEALTH INTERNATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL: The Seahawks (2-1) were on the road vs. Ingraham HS (in North Seattle), and ended the night with a 20-14 win. Next Friday they’re at the same stadium (Northwest Athletic Complex) to play Lakeside, 7 pm.
STILL NO SPECTATORS: As we mentioned in the Friday event lineup, Seattle Public Schools still isn’t allowing spectators, though the governor said it was OK as of this past Thursday. District spokesperson Tim Robinson tells us the SPS policy remains: “Under the current guidelines of the Governor and Department of Health, it is unlikely fans will be able to view competitions. The guidelines vary based on sport and risk level. At this time, there is not an equitable way to meet the demands of fans attending practices or contests, thus no fans will be allowed.” (This was first decreed in February, but Robinson says it’s the newest policy the district’s put on the record.)
(File photo, courtesy Jet City Ninjas)
Just got word of something fun at Alki tomorrow, if you’re contemplating heading to the beach:
The West City Rope Ninjas jump-rope team will be doing 2 pop-up performances tomorrow (Saturday, March 20) near the Alki Bathhouse at 12 and 12:45 pm. The team is made up of about 30 elementary and middle school students, coached by Rene Bibaud.
The coach is a world-champion jump-rope athlete, profiled here in 2010.
(WSB photos)
Friday night brought the fourth consecutive Huling Bowl win for Chief Sealth International High School. The cross-peninsula football faceoff between Sealth and West Seattle High School happens every season – we can’t say “every year” because the pandemic cut 2020 out of the picture. Besides the change of seasons, something else was very different at Southwest Athletic Complex:
Spectators won’t be allowed in the stands until next week. But on the field – a full complement of players and coaches (Daron Camacho for the Seahawks, Jeff Scott for the Wildcats), as Sealth piled up the points for a 40-17 victory. Sealth #4 Quinn Killham scored the first TD, but then #3 Zack Cunningham racked up the TD’s:
#41 Ethan Heathershaw forced a WS fumble, recovered it, and ran it in for Sealth’s last touchdown:
Both of West Seattle’s two touchdowns were by #6 Jimmy Fomby:
The Wildcats’ JP Dufour kicked a field goal:
Without fans, the game was short on the usual celebration and ceremony. We did photograph athletic directors Ernest Policarpio (Sealth) and Corey Sorenson (WSHS) with the trophy pre-game:
The Huling Bowl tradition goes back almost 20 years – here’s the backstory. As for what’s next in this one-of-a-kind season, Sealth (1-1) plays at Ingraham at 7 pm next Friday, same time/day that WSHS (1-1) hosts Lincoln at SWAC
If you can spare an hour any evening this week – or some time the mornings of March 14th or 20th – West Seattle Little League needs your help, to prepare Bar-S Playfield on Alki Point. Here’s the request:
We need your help at Bar-S to get the fields ready for the season. WSLL is 100% volunteer-run and field maintenance is where we currently have the most need. The fields have not been used since 2019 and need a lot of work. Grab your mask, rakes, weed pullers, weed pullers, and old clothes. Volunteers with trucks are also appreciated to help move dirt. Grab the whole family and come on down and help WSLL get kids back on the field.
This entire upcoming week we invite you to come down for just one hour between 5:15 – 6:15 to help get the grass out of the infield. We will also have other group sessions from 9 am to noon on March 14th and March 20th. If you can volunteer during another time, reach out to Andrew at fields@westseattlelittleleague.com and let him know how you can help. Inclement weather changes.
Bar-S is at 64th and Admiral (map).
In the pandemic-delayed high-school football season, both Chief Sealth International High School and West Seattle High School played their first games on Saturday. Sealth, at home, lost to Roosevelt, 41-28, and WSHS, at Memorial Stadium downtown, beat Cleveland, 45-6. The two local teams face off next weekend, 7 pm Friday at Southwest Athletic Complex. No spectators, though. If you’re wondering about overall health protocols, the state spells them out in detail here. Other sports being played right now include girls’ soccer and volleyball.
High-school football is happening in spring this year instead of fall, and two local teams’ first games are tomorrow night. According to the Metro League schedule, Chief Sealth International High School hosts Roosevelt at Southwest Athletic Complex at 4 pm Saturday, and West Seattle High School plays Cleveland at Memorial Stadium downtown at 5 pm Saturday. One big thing to know: No spectators in the stadiums. However, you can still see the West Seattle-Cleveland game, as Rainier Avenue Radio plans online play-by-play, video and audio – here’s where to watch at gametime.
A program offering free tennis lessons for youth 11-15 starting Tuesday has room in both West Seattle and South Park, and organizers asked us to help get the word out:
TENNIS ACES Middle School Program – FREE LESSONS – REGISTER TODAY
FREE tennis lessons for youth ages 11-15 starting next week and running for 6 weeks 2x/week until April 9th. Classes are outdoors with full covid protocols including temp checks, health questions, masks at all times, distancing, gloves for ball pickup, and frequent sanitizing. No equipment required and racquets will be provided for youth to keep.
*Southwest Teen Life Center site near Chief Sealth will have classes with Coach Amelia Aamot. Tuesdays 3:30 – 4:45 and Fridays from 3:15 – 4:30 pm. Only 12 spots available! REGISTER TODAY! Classes start 3/2! To register email Stephanie.Berry@Seattle.gov ACTIVE system program registration code is: #41199 but must be done with Stephanie Berry directly. Here’s the flyer.
*South Park Community Center site will have classes with Coach Brandon Baccam. Tuesdays 4:30 – 5:45 pm and Thursdays 4:30 – 5:45 pm. Only 6 spots available! REGISTER TODAY! Classes start 3/2. To register email Samuel.Chesneau@seattle.gov. ACTIVE system program registration code is #41201 but must be done by contacting Samuel directly. Here’s the flyer.
Have questions not related to registration? Contact Christina@Sportsinschools.org.
This program is brought to the community by Sports in Schools, a local non-profit organization, in partnership with the Amy Yee Tennis Center Advisory Council and the Seattle Sports Complex Foundation.
Another youth-sports league is opening registration – West Seattle Soccer Club is ready for a comeback after almost a year and a half. Here’s the announcement:
Recreational soccer is back in West Seattle now that we are in phase 2. Registration for our 2021 spring season opens March 1st. It will be our first time back since fall 2019 season. We have also returned to school year registration so children can play with their classmates:
2021 HSA Champions League Spring Season
REGISTRATION OPENS MONDAY, MARCH 1STGo to westseattlesoccer.org
Play begins Sunday, April 18th.*
FEE for U6 – U12 is $75
Divisions by ACADEMIC YEAR (August 31st – July 31st)
NO PROMOTION FROM FALL (if your player was U9 in Fall, then U9 this Spring)
U13+ Divisions by BIRTH YEAR for play in Spring SSUL League
FEE for U13+ $100
PLEASE HELP US FIELD MORE TEAMS BY VOLUNTEERING TO COACH
Would you consider serving on the WSSC Board? We have openings.
Pickleball is popular – and you have a new option for where to play in West Seattle. The photo and announcement were sent by Verne:
Lifelong Recreation, in coordination with a program called Rec ’N the Streets, is offering a new playing option at Delridge Community Center courts.
Every Wednesday from 11 – 1 p.m. all four pickleball courts are being reserved for pickleball play. They are hoping to entice players to use these courts and to introduce new players to the game. Nets have been purchased, along with paddles and balls as well as some bright reflective court markers to help players see the court lines better.
Got a friend that wants to learn to play? Have them show up on Wednesdays at Delridge, 11 am-1 pm. Got some teens who need to get some PE credit? bring em to Delridge on Wednesdays.
It only lasts till mid April. Proper social distancing and masks are required.
The courts are next to the community center at 4501 Delridge Way SW.
(WSB photo from 2018)
Youth-sports registration season is continuing, and we’ve heard from another organization that’s inviting local youth to play – the Southwest Lacrosse Club:
Do you have kids who are looking for a fun new sport with which to get involved? The Titans, our local lacrosse league, is recruiting, and we want to help kids get back into outdoor activities using the best available safety protocols, while balancing the need to get kids active and outdoors again. If you’re interested in finding out what is so fun about the “fastest game on two feet”, keep reading and reach out to us or come on out to one of our practices beginning March 15th at Pathfinder K-8 from 5:30-7:00 pm
Founded in 2008, the Southwest Lacrosse Club (SWLC) is dedicated to the promotion, organization and development of lacrosse in the south end. Our mission is to teach lacrosse fundamentals and good sportsmanship, while emphasizing the importance of discipline, teamwork, and physical fitness. Players of all skill levels have the opportunity to develop their game, and we will prepare each athlete for the next level of play.
The club and region have had exciting growth and expansion over the past two years, helping initiate a new West Seattle Lacrosse Club (WSLAX) last season to support high-school players within the West Seattle High School boundaries.
This year, both clubs are working to grow the girls’ program (hosted by WSLAX) and field a full program of teams for 3rd through 8th grade girls. The joint program is actively seeking first time players from throughout the Southwest region, West Seattle to Des Moines and Federal Way. If your child is interested, please email us- we’d love to welcome them to a practice to get a feel for the game.
Not familiar with lacrosse? It’s explained here. If you have questions, or want to inquire about a scholarship, email swlctitans@gmail.com – otherwise, you can proceed to registration from this page.
Even as the snow continues melting, spring is just weeks away … and another youth-sports league is inviting players to register. The announcement is from West Seattle Girls Softball president Chrysta Torres:
West Seattle Girls Softball is open for registration!
We invite girls 6-15 with any level of softball experience to join us for a fun season of recreational-league fast-pitch softball. We teach the basics and build skills as players continue with the program and work to place players on teams that will be most beneficial to their needs. We are committed to having a safe and fun season, so we have implemented COVID safety protocols.
We’d also like to thank the local businesses that sponsor our league year after year – we cannot do it without their support.
Youth sports are expected to return this spring/summer. Here’s what one local league, West Seattle Baseball, just announced:
The West Seattle Baseball board of directors is excited to announce the first confirmed dates for the 2021 league calendar!
With our area having moved to “phase two” of the “Healthy Washington: Roadmap to Recovery” plan, baseball activities, including league competition, are permitted. As we were taught last year, all plans are necessarily tentative, but the league is cautiously optimistic that we will have practices and games at some point this year, even if adjustments must be made upon changes in our status with regard to the pandemic.
For the time being, there are some important dates for all league families to note.
Registration Deadlines
In order to properly plan for the season, registration will close on February 14.Parent and Coaches Meetings
These meetings will be conducted virtually this year, which will make it easier than ever for a high turnout! They will again both be held on the same night, in succession, on February 24.Practices Begin
Practices are set to being on March 13 for the Pinto, Mustang, Bronco, and Pony divisions. Shetland players will begin practices on April 5.Opening Days
Barring unforeseen delays, league play for Pinto, MuStang, Bronco, and Pony divisions will begin the same day Shetland begins practice, April 5. Shetland will begin on either April 17 or April 24.The Big Pee-Wee Clean-up Day
Every year, volunteers gather at our baseball venue to help get the fields prepared for the season. There is plenty of work needed to have the fields and surrounding area ready for even the start of practices and tasks available for any and all levels of experience and capabilities. So please, if you are able, be ready to come to the fields on March 20th to help in any way you can!
For more information on all of the above, go here.
Congratulations to the West Seattle High School athletes who signed letters of intent for National Signing Day today! WSHS qthletic director Corey Sorenson sent word of these five:
West Seattle National Signing Day 2021
Nate Rasmussen: Signing with Bellevue College for baseball, planning to major in business.
Aliya Couillard: Signing with Long Island University for soccer, planning to major in forensic science.
Kambel Fiser: Signing with Adelphi University for volleyball, planning to major in exercise science.
Nic Chantorn: Signing with Bellevue College for golf, planning to major in civil engineering.
Lauryn Nguyen : Signing with Northwestern University for golf, planning to major in communications, with a minor in business institutions.
All five also shared memories and gratitude you can read about here, or below:
(Photo courtesy West Seattle Bowl)
Advancing to Phase 2 in the state’s “Healthy Washington: Roadmap to Recovery” plan means some businesses can reopen for limited capacity after two months of total closure. Among them, West Seattle Bowl. They’re planning to reopen the 39th SW/SW Oregon bowling center next Thursday (February 4th), 3 pm-9 pm, with the same hours on Friday (February 5th), then noon-8 pm on Saturday, February 6th, but they’ll be closed on Super Bowl Sunday, After that, says WS Bowl’s Jeff Swanson, “We will resume similar hours to what we were doing in September-November.” (Here’s our story from September.) The WS Bowl website should be updated soon with new info.
Students planning to play sports for Seattle Public Schools when they resume this year need to be ready, so this clinic is being offered next week in West Seattle. Here’s the announcement:
The Denny Wellness Center, located inside of Denny International Middle School, is hosting a Sports Physical Clinic.
WHEN: January 25th- 29th, 8:00 – 4:30 pm
WHERE: Denny Wellness Center located inside of Denny International Middle School [2601 SW Kenyon]
WHO: Any Seattle Public School student who is interested in playing sports and has not yet had a physical or whose physical has expired.
COST: We do not charge fees or copays, though we may bill your insurance. There is no cost to you. No student will be denied services due to inability to pay.
STEP 1: Register by scanning the QR code in the flyer with your phone or call our clinic to request a registration form via email.
STEP 2: Call 206-923-2809 to schedule your appointment!
Students may also be seen at their local school-based clinic. For more Neighborcare Health school-based locations, go here.
Another local youth-baseball league is registering players, to be ready for the possibility of playing this spring – here’s the announcement:
Registration is officially open for the West Seattle Baseball Spring Season! Be a part of the 60-year tradition in West Seattle. We welcome boys and girls ages 4-18. Please visit westseattlebaseball.com to reserve your child’s spot!
West Seattle Baseball, the largest youth recreational baseball league in the area, has opened registration for the coming 2021 Spring Season on its website westseattlebaseball.com. Parents of children between the ages of 4 to 18 are invited to secure their spots in what is certain to be a memorable season.
West Seattle Baseball has a 60-year tradition of serving the youth of West Seattle and its neighboring communities. As an affiliate of PONY Baseball, West Seattle Baseball does not have residency requirements for participation, so your child can play their spring baseball with friends from different parts of the area.
As was the case for so many, our volunteer-run organization was presented with many challenges in 2020 and is looking forward to giving the children of our community the best baseball season possible this year! In order to be prepared to start as soon as we are allowed, we have changed how parents will register their players this year.
Due to lingering uncertainty with regard to state-mandated restrictions:
-All registrants will be “waitlisted” until we have the go-ahead from local officials to play. Your registration is a reservation.
-NO MONEY will be collected until we know with certainty that we will be playing.
-The league will publish and follow a comprehensive safety plan based on state and local guidelines.
Another local Little League has opened registration for spring – this time, it’s West Seattle Little League. Here’s the announcement;
WSLL is committed to making baseball available to ALL players. Scholarship opportunities are available here. Check out westseattlelittleleague.com for more information.
On Saturday, we published the registration information for Southwest Little League. You can determine league eligibility by using this lookup.
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