Wenatchee Valley Sports Council

Issue: # 036  May 3, 2010
IN THIS ISSUE
Tour de Vine - Scratched
WSU vs Seattle U in Wenatchee
Western Spring Ski Series
April Means Fishing
Wild to Face Kenai River
WVSO Kicks Off Season
April 17th is CROWDED
Women Needed for Softball
Trips & Trails Reprint
Women Needed for Softball
Sports Calendar
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Wenatchee Valley Sports Council News
 
Eric at USA Hockey Greetings!
 
I sit down to write this intro, recovering from the Apple Blossom Festival and looking out my window at more November-like weather than May.  Hold on to your hats!!! 
 
I hope you had a great April and that May holds fun and excitement for you and your family.  All I can say about our April here at the Sports Council is, "whew!  I'm glad it's over!"
 
We had the Western Region Ski Series at Mission Ridge sandwiched around the Triple Crown Baseball Tournament.  I also managed to squeeze in a weeklong trip to Columbus, Ohio for a conference and a Sports Council Board meeting.  By the way, you're going to LOVE the news from that meeting for Mission Ridge!
 
There's a ton to get through in this month's newsletter, so I'll let you get to it.  Please pass it along to a friend or colleague who may not be getting it already.  And, if I may, I'd like to invite you to the Apple Blossom Musical, "25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee."  Don't worry, I don't sing nor am I on stage.  Instead, I'm in the booth running the sound and the play is FANTASTIC!  It runs for the next three Thursday-Saturday's at Riverside Playhouse.
 
Happy Trails
Eric Granstrom - Wenatchee Valley Sports Council
Robertson Cup LogoDrop the Puck, Its Robertson Cup Time!
 
The five best teams of the North American Hockey League are in Wenatchee this week to battle for the Robertson Cup Championship at Town Toyota Center.  As host team, the Wenatchee Wild already had locked up a spot in the tournament before playing a single minute this season.  However, the second-year NAHL team certainly didn't coast into the tournament.  Wenatchee won the NAHL's regular season title, the West Division crown and hasn't lost a single playoff game yet, sweeping aside Kenai River and Fairbanks en route to the Cup.
 
Standing in Wenatchee's way will be the four other best teams out of the NAHL, including three-time defending champion St. Louis, the team that bested the Wild in last year's title game in Mason City, Iowa.  The round-robin tournament also features Central Division champion Bismarck Bobcats, Northern Division champion Traverse City North Stars, and West Division runner-up Fairbanks Ice Dogs.  Following a team reception Monday night, the tournament begins with Bismarck and St. Louis facing off at 2:05pm Tuesday, followed by Traverse City and Wenatchee at 6:35pm.  The rest of the schedule is as follows:
                                                                                                     Wednesday, May 5
Traverse City vs. St. Louis, 2:05pm
Fairbanks vs. Wenatchee, 6:35pm
Thursday, May 6
Fairbanks vs. St. Louis, 2:05pm
Traverse City vs. Bismarck, 7:05pm
Friday, May 7
Fairbanks vs. Traverse City, 2:05pm
Bismarck vs. Wenatchee, 7:05pm
Saturday, May 8
Fairbanks vs. Bismarck, 2:05pm
St. Louis vs. Wenatchee, 7:05pm
Sunday, May 9
Championship Game, 5:05pm
The two teams with the best record through the round-robin will play for the championship Sunday afternoon. 
 
The Robertson Cup champion represents the NAHL's playoff champion and USA Hockey's Tier II Junior A national champion.  The oldest junior hockey trophy in the United States, the Robertson Cup is named in honor of Chuck Robertson, a pioneer of junior hockey in the NAHL and youth hockey in the state of Michigan. Robertson was the owner of the Paddock Pools Saints when they won a record seven straight NAHL championships from 1976-83.  For more information on the Robertson Cup Championship Tournament, visit www.RobertsonCup.com. 
Robertson Cup - When You Go...
 
Port of Chelan CountyWhen you go to the Robertson Cup this week, be sure and check out the Chelan Port District's display on outdoor recreation.  According to Ron Johnson-Rodriguez, "the exhibit will feature outdoor recreational equipment for all seasons, such as a 55' rowing shell; a variety of bicycles; a whitewater raft; touring kayaks;  whitewater kayak; ski and snowboard equipment; kites; etc."  He said the intent is to stage an eye-catching display to inform event attendees about the incredible and diverse recreational opportunities in this region.
 
Also, the Wenatchee Valley Visitors Bureau, Sports Council and 11-area hotels are sponsoring Wednesday during the Robertson Cup as "Wenatchee Valley Tourism Day."  Wenatchee Mayor Dennis Johnson will drop the ceremonial puck and the Grover Girls of Entiat will sing the National Anthem (see You Tube of their performance back in October).  Also, two lucky fans will participate in the "Tourist Race" during the first intermission of the Wenatchee/Fairbanks game, running around on the ice doing "touristy" type of things for a stay and play package from participating hotels.
Soccer From the Ground Up
 
A group of local soccer fanatics is having a go at organizing the soccer community into a bonafied force, beginning in Chelan and then spreading throughout North Central Washington.  The Chelan Warriors Football Club already has a team in the National Star Soccer League that will begin play this weekend.  What club president Ramon Ledezma is hoping for is to harness the growing popularity of soccer and teach kids of all ages, and races, the skills needed to excel. 
 
Chelan Warriors LogoLedezma, Angel Suarez and Rafael Garcia came by my office to share their vision for the Warrior Soccer Club recently.  Ledezma said he really wants to make this a community program.  "I want the community to make the calls here.  Our name, our direction, our coaches and how we operate...I want it all to be driven by our members," he said.  The organization will begin the process of acquiring members through youth clinics slated for May and June.  "We've reached out to the schools because the kids are what we should be about.  That's where the future lies," said Ledezma.  Ledezma said the $50 registration fee for the youth clinic gets each child a membership into the Chelan Warriors Football Club, which in turn gets them into each Warrior game this summer.
 
The Warriors' league is affiliated with the United States Adult Soccer Association, US Soccer and FIFA, the world soccer body.  Based out of Bellevue Nebraska, the NSSL is made up of three conferences (Southwest, Central and Northwest), 23 teams and 7 in the Northwest.  The Warriors schedule begins Saturday with a game in Pasco against Columbia River.  Chelan's first home game will be May 22nd against Estudiantes Tecos out of Portland.  Ledezma said the team will play home games both in Chelan at Sargent Field as well as in East Wenatchee at Wildcat Field.  In fact, Chelan's second home game will be in East Wenatchee Memorial Day weekend against Magic United of Gooding, Idaho.
 
For more information on the Warriors youth clinics or their team schedule, go to www.chelanwarriorsfc.com.  You can download a flyer on the youth clinics at our Wenatchee Valley Sports Foundation's website at www.wvsportsfoundation.org.
Mission Ridge 7th Heaven for 6th Graders
    

Mission Ridge Logo

"Every sixth grader will get a season pass at Mission Ridge for the 2010-11 ski season."  The words from Mission Ridge Ski School manager Sally Brawley hung in the air at the Wenatchee Valley Sports Council meeting in April for several seconds before a buzz broke out.  "Really? You're kidding!  That's awesome!"  Were several of the comments.

Yep, it's true.  Managers of Mission Ridge Ski and Board Resort have decided to provide any sixth grader a season pass next year, no matter where they're from.  "It's our attempt to reach out to those kids we're losing to video games and non-sports activities," said Brawley.  She continued, "it's alarming to read the obesity rates of our youth today.  So, Mission Ridge is trying to do something about it with this program.  To provide kids a healthy alternative."

Keep watching the website for more information about the program for the 2010-2011 ski season at www.missionridge.com.

Western Series Attracts the World to Mission Ridge
 
Mission Ridge Ski TeamMission Ridge Ski Team was host to the world for six days in April during the Western Region Elite Spring Ski Series.  According to Mission Ridge's Sally Brawley, 260 athletes, plus their coaches and parents came to the Wenatchee Valley for the event.  "This event was held in Monmouth, California in the past and it's the largest event for Mission Ridge to host since the NORAMS were here in the 1980's," said Brawley.
 
Brawley reported to the Wenatchee Valley Sports Council Board of Directors April 20th that Mission Ridge Ski Team Director Ryan Shorter estimated an economic impact of $380,000 to the community out of hosting the Ski Series.  Racers converged on Mission Ridge from seven countries to compete.
Triple Crown Full of First Year Successes
 
Triple Crown Sports72 teams participated in the first-ever Triple Crown Baseball Wenatchee Valley Season Opener April 10-11.  That's approximately 1,080 players, 144 coaches and 1,404 parents.  The estimated economic impact on the Wenatchee Valley for the weekend was $307,989.
 
Our Friday night reception at Town Toyota Center was a success with 301 players and 125 coaches in attendance.  And that doesn't count the extra parents and siblings who came to enjoy the food and movie.  In all, local businesses donated 45 items to give away as door prizes.  Special thanks to Caryl Morrell, Pete Liske, Marco Azurdia, Dan Kelly, Bruce & Rexinne Bennett, and Pat O'Hara for their help!
 
All the fields were in immaculate condition and we had incredible buy-in from Wenatchee Valley College, Wenatchee High's baseball team at Rec. Park, Wenatchee Youth Baseball at Morris Little League Park and Lincoln Park, Eastmont High School and Junior High and the Apple Valley Titans for maintaining Dan White Field and the Junior High Field as well as the Chelan County PUD for Walla Walla Point and Kirby Billingsley Hydro Parks. 
 
Triple Crown was so impressed with the facilities, the community and the support that they want to book for next year right away.  Now if we can just get the facilities for April 9-10, 2011...that would be great!
Cross State Showdown a Hit
 
AppleSox LogoNearly 1,400 people turned out April 13th to watch Washington State take on Seattle University in Wenatchee.  It marked the first time that NCAA Division One schools played a game in the geographic center of Washington.  The event, sponsored by the Wenatchee AppleSox, was played at Paul Thomas, Sr. Field on the campus of Wenatchee Valley College.
 
The game didn't disappoint, as the Cougars rallied late with four runs in the bottom of the 8th for an 8-5 victory.  In addition, Paris Shewey, who had pitched for the AppleSox last summer in Wenatchee, came in relief to get the final two outs in the top of the 8th for the victory.  Following the game, WSU coach Donnie Marbut said, "We had a tremendous crowd tonight and we appreciate the Wenatchee community supporting us.  We did not play our best baseball, but we competed and found a way to win."
Olympic Day Fun Run/Walk is Back
 
Team USA LogoLast year, the Wenatchee Valley celebrated the Olympics with our first-ever US Olympic Day on June 23rd.  Along with E3NCW, we hosted a one and two-mile fun run/walk and featured former Olympic Gold Medalist Phil Mahre and future Olympic hopeful Andi Jo Stump.  The Wenatchee Valley Sports Council Board of Directors voted April 20th to do it again this year.
 
Olympic Day, held annually on June 23 is celebrated by thousands of people, in more than 160 countries.  Commemorating the birth of the modern Olympic Games, Olympic Day is not only a celebration, but an international effort to promote fitness and well-being in addition to Olympic ideals of fair play, perseverance, respect and sportsmanship. 
 
From June 19-26, 2010, communities across the United States will celebrate Olympic Day through educational programming and other activities.  Additionally, some communities may want to include Olympic Day as part of an already scheduled event. 
The Wenatchee Valley event will feature a 1 and 2-mile run/walk and begin at Walla Walla Point Park at the main picnic shelter.  There's no cost to register and all participants will receive an official "US Olympic Day Certificate of Participation."  Geared toward children, Olympic Day is for everyone who wants to participate.
 
In 2009, more than 155,000 people in 170 communities across the United States hosted in Olympic Day celebrations.  Host organizations and cities joined more than 200 Olympians and Paralympians in proclaiming Olympic Day and celebrating Olympism in their communities.  Athletes led discussions with youth about the Olympic Values of excellence, friendship and respect.  Sport demonstrations, fun runs and festivals helped to introduce young people to Olympic and Paralympic sport. 
Take a Kid Fishing - They'll Never Forget It 
 
Alyssa & Gracie with a stringer of Rainbow
Pearrygin Fishing
It was the lowland lake opening weekend in Washington April 24th.  I took my over-the-winter-acquired boat up the Methow to take my daughter, Gracie, fishing at Pearrygin. 
 
Along for the ride were Gracie's younger sister Alyssa and mom Debbie.  We had a blast!  It was the first official outing for my new boat, so I was nervous.  But it performed swimmingly!  And the girls caught more fish than we knew what to do with.  For a video recap of our trip, go to You Tube and check it out!
1st Quarter Sports Tourism Down Significantly 

Viewed close to the ground, a 22-percent drop in economic impact from 2009 to 2010 in the first quarter could be rather worrisome.  But back up a little and get a broader view, and one can see that the numbers for the 1st quarter of 2010 mirror the 1st quarter of 2008, signifying that 2009 may have been an anomaly.  According to reports from event managers in the Wenatchee Valley, 10,064 sports tourists came to the Wenatchee/East Wenatchee area between January and March, resulting in 15,793 room nights in area hotels.  That's an estimated direct economic impact of $1.5-million, compared to $1.9-million in 2009. 
1st Quarter Sports Tourism Numbers
Sports Impacts Data
 
The good news, looking ahead, is that three brand new events hit the Wenatchee Valley in the second quarter of the year that should more than make up for the downward trend in the first quarter.
National Association of Sports Commissions Conference 
 
Two Time Heisman Winner Archie Griffin & Eric
Eric and Archie Griffin
I travelled to Columbus, Ohio for the annual NASC conference April 12-16 to represent the Wenatchee Valley and Washington State.  The Washington Association of Sports Commissions sponsored the opening ceremonies again, which afforded us a booth in the Sports Marketplace.  NASC reports that over 500 attendees turned out for the four-day conference.
 
It was at this conference in Omaha in 2008 and Denver in 2009 that I fostered the relationship with Triple Crown Sports that eventually landed the tournament here in the Wenatchee Valley.  This year, I made a great contact with the US Wakeboard Association, who is looking to expand out west into Washington State.  In addition, I learned incredibly valuable lessons in the various breakout sessions including the value of social media, such as Twitter, Facebook and You Tube.  I also took another step toward completion of the Certified Sports Executive Course with a four-hour session led by the Disney Institute.

Eric Taking BP at Huntington Park
Eric taking BP
As with any conference, there was some play time too.  The first-night reception was held at the "Horseshoe" at Ohio State University where I met and got an autograph from Archie Griffin, the only two-time Heisman Trophy winner.  The closing reception was held at Huntington Park, home of the Cleveland Indians' Triple-A team, the Cyclones, where we were allowed to take batting practice on the field.

While in Columbus, I also met and talked with the American Junior Golf Association, the organization which has put on an August tournament at the Wenatchee Golf and Country Club the last two years.  Unfortunately, they lost their title sponsor in Sterling Savings Bank and are currently looking for another.  So if you know of someone or have a business looking at investing in a great youth tournament, here's your chance.  I can put you in touch with tournament organizers if you want to get a hold of me here at the Sports Council office at 509-663-3723.  This tournament attracts golfers from throughout the country and is a great boost to the local sports tourism economy, with a 99-golfer field.
May 3-9 - Robertson Cup NAHL Hockey Tournament, featuring top four teams in the                  league, plus Wenatchee in a round-robin tournament at Town Toyota Center.  Go to www.nahl.com for more information
May 4 - Tonasket at Cashmere Softball (DH), 4pm
                        Kamiakin at Eastmont Softball (DH), 4pm
                        Omak at Chelan Golf, 2:30pm
                        Okanogan at Chelan Boys Soccer, 4:30pm
                        Cascade at Chelan Tennis, 4:30pm
                        Wilson Creek at Entiat Tennis, 4pm
                        Liberty Bell at Manson Baseball (DH), 3pm
                        Liberty Bell at Manson Softball (DH), 3pm
                        Liberty Bell at Manson Boys Soccer, 4pm
                        Ellensburg at Quincy Tennis, 11am
                        Naches at Cascade Baseball, 4pm
                        Brewster at Cascade Boys Soccer, 4pm
                        Kennewick at Wenatchee Softball (DH), 4pm
                        Pasco at Wenatchee Tennis, 4pm
May 4 - Robertson Cup, Bismarck vs. St. Louis, 2pm
            Robertson Cup, Traverse City vs. Wenatchee, 6:30pm
May 5 - Robertson Cup, Traverse City vs. St. Louis, 2pm
            Robertson Cup, Fairbanks vs. Wenatchee, 6:30pm
May 6 - Robertson Cup, Fairbanks vs. St. Louis, 2pm
            Robertson Cup, Traverse City vs. Bismarck, 7pm
May 6 - Tonasket at Cashmere Boys Soccer, 4:30pm
                        Cashmere at Cascade Tennis, 4:30pm
                        Okanogan at Chelan Tennis, 4:30pm
                        Liberty Bell at Entiat Tennis, 4pm
                        Tonasket at Cascade Softball (DH), 3:30pm
May 7 - Lake Roosevelt at Chelan Softball (DH), 4pm
May 7 - Columbia Basin at Wenatchee Valley College Softball (DH), 2pm
May 7 - Robertson Cup, Fairbanks vs. Traverse City, 2pm
            Robertson Cup, Bismarck vs. Wenatchee, 7pm
May 8 - Walla Walla at Wenatchee Valley College Softball (DH), 12pm
May 8 - Walla Walla at Wenatchee Valley College Baseball (DH), 1pm
May 8 - Robertson Cup, Fairbanks vs. Bismarck, 2:30pm
            Robertson Cup, St. Louis vs. Wenatchee, 7pm
May 7-9 - Golden Age 60+ and 70+ Tournament G.A.S at Walla Walla Point Park
            Contact George Dosser at 509-662-0765
May 7-9 - GWGSA Kickoff Tournament at Sterling Complex and Hydro Park.
                        Contact Ken Krous at 509-667-2200 or 509-663-9741 or www.gwgsa.com
May 8 - Brewster at Cashmere Baseball (DH), 11am
                        Cashmere at Chelan Tennis, 11am
                        Waterville at Manson Baseball (DH), 1pm
                        Waterville at Manson Softball (DH), 1pm
                        Brewster at Cascade Tennis, 11am
May 8th - Hermiston Hurricanes at Wenatchee Valley Rams, WFL Football at Wildcat
                        Field in East Wenatchee, 1pm.  www.wvrams.com  
May 9 - NAHL Robertson Cup Championship Game, 5pm at Town Toyota Center
May 10 - Big Nine Girls Golf at Wenatchee Golf & Country Club, 1pm
May 14-15, 17 - Big Nine District Tennis at WHS, WRAC & Eastmont
May 15 - Yakima at Wenatchee Valley College Softball (DH), 12pm
May 15 - Treasure Valley at Wenatchee Valley College Baseball (DH), 1pm
May 15th - Racing for a Cure Fundraiser at Wenatchee Valley's Super Oval featuring
                        Big 5 Late Models, Dick's Heating & Air Conditioning Thunder Cars,
                        Jerry's Auto Supply Pure Stocks & Youth Hornets.  Gates open at 5,
                        time trials at 6 and racing at 7pm.  www.wvso.com  
May 17 - Big Nine District Golf at Three Lakes and Highlander Golf Club
May 14-15 - Relay for Life - Eastmont High School Track - contact Kevin Nelson at
May 15 - Big Nine District Softball Finals at Walla Walla Point Park
May 15 - Wenatchee Valley Trail Run Series - Leavenworth Ski Hill Hammer Fest 5K &
            10K.   Contact Jason Jablonski - 509-679-6793 or jablonskijason@hotmail.com
                        509-860-7197 or www.relayforlife.org .  
May 15-16 - Washington St. Omnium Stage Race Championships & Twilight Criterium
                        downtown Wenatchee and Malaga roads.  www.bikewenatchee.org
May 21 - Caribou Trail League District Track Meet at Cashmere High School
May 21-22 - WIAA Regional Baseball at Recreation Park in Wenatchee - www.wiaa.com  
May 22nd - Coca-Cola Jr. Ridge to River Relay Race - kids ages 5-13 at Walla Walla
            Point Park.  www.r2r.org for more information.
May 22nd - Race Night at Wenatchee Valley's Super Oval featuring NW Pro 4 Trucks,
                        B-Modifieds, Pepsi Cola Mini Super Stocks & NW Legends.  Gates open
                        at 5, time trials at 6 and racing at 7pm.  www.wvso.com
May 22nd - Ogden Knights at Wenatchee Valley Venom, AIFA Football at Town Toyota
                        Center, 7:05pm.  www.wenatcheevenom.com  
May 22-23 - Raider Rumble Men's Softball at Walla Walla & Hydro Parks.
                        Contact Rick Bryant for more information at 509-663-0107 or 630-5357.
May 29th - EVE OF DESTRUCTION at Wenatchee Valley's Super Oval featuring
                        the Flaming Auto Dominoes and Pyramid Jump, Bump 2 Pass Boat Race,
                        Dick's Heating & Air Conditioning Thunder Cars & Youth Hornets.
                        Gates open at 5.  www.wvso.com  
May 29th - Yakima Valley Warriors at Wenatchee Valley Venom, AIFA Football at
                        Town Toyota Center, 7:05pm.  www.wenatcheevenom.com  
May 29-31 - Sterling Invite Girl's Fastpitch Softball Tournament at Sterling Complex,
                        Hydro Park and Walla Walla Point Park.  Contact Ken Krous for more
                        information at 509-667-2200 or 509-663-9741 or www.gwgsa.org.
2010 Visitors Guides Now Available 
 
Come by the Visitors Center on Wenatchee Avenue or at the Apple Commission for your FREE copy of the 2010 Wenatchee Valley Visitors Guide.  2010 Visitors Guide
 
You can also request a copy to be mailed to you at info@wenatcheevalley.org.  70,000 copies of the Visitors Guide were published this year, making it the largest in-house publication by the Wenatchee Valley Visitors Bureau.
 
The cover photo is of Ohme Gardens and the inside includes tons of wonderful photos from professional and amateur photographers from throughout North Central Washington.
 
If you're planning a visit to the Wenatchee Valley, or you have friends or relatives coming for a stay, this is definitely the guide for you!
 
Also included is a fold-out, centerfold map of Wenatchee and East Wenatchee to help you find your way.
 
Coming soon, the Wenatchee Valley Summer Guide.  For more about events and activities in the Wenatchee Valley, go on-line to www.wenatcheevalley.org.
 
For more information about the 2010 Visitors Guide, you can also call toll free at 1-800-572-7753.
Thank you for being part of the Wenatchee Valley Sports Council on-line community.  If you'd like more information about the Sports Council, go to our website!
 
Sincerely,
 

Eric Granstrom
Wenatchee Valley Sports Council