As Attendance Soars, Portland Benefits Through Air Travel

The Portland Rockies, with 23 home dates remaining, don’t need to sell another ticket to set the Northwest League attendance record.

Portland passed the 100,000-mark in season attendance during last week’s five-game series with Spokane.

Factor in season ticket sales and the Rockies have already surpassed the 156,950 mark set by Boise last year.

Portland president Jack Cain is giddy with his team’s success since moving the franchise from Bend. The Rockies drew less than 70,000 last year in Bend.

To celebrate, Cain is flying the Rockies to their five-game series in Spokane next week.

Except for a Civic Stadium appearance by The Village People, Portland has had few setbacks this year. Cain paid the Macho Men $49,000 and drew around 5,500. Glove night, on the other hand, attracted 11,000.

Losing their Seoul

Few dry eyes were evident when the Boise Hawks lost their most popular player, outfielder Ray Choi.

The California Angels promoted Choi to Cedar Rapids (Iowa) of the Class A Midwest League.

Choi, from Seoul, South Korea, is known for his gentlemanly behavior. Before his first at-bat in every game, Choi bows to the home-plate umpire.

“I don’t want to go,” Choi said before his departure. “I like it here. I’d like to stay, but I do know what is best.”

Temporary Dodger lodger

Yakima manager Joe Vavra is another person displeased by a recent summons.

Vavra doubles as the Los Angeles Dodgers’ baserunning coach. The Dodgers apparently needed some pointers, because they interrupted Vavra’s NWL command for a one-week stay with L.A.

“My thoughts are with this club,” Vavra said as he prepared to leave. “I’ll be thinking about this club the whole time down there.”

That’s not the ticket

Southern Oregon pitcher Chris Morrison bought a $500 plane ticket so his girlfriend could watch him play next month in Medford.

Morrison ruined his plan by pitching well. Oakland promoted Morrison to West Michigan (Comstock Park) of the Midwest League.

Anybody want a ticket to Medford?

Empty bags

Eugene set a league record last week by leaving no runners on base during a 3-2 loss to Bellingham.

Even more amazing: The game took 11 innings.

Bellingham pitchers issued no walks and its fielders had no errors. Eugene collected four hits. Two of the players with hits scored on groundouts. The other two were thrown out attempting to steal.

Debut to remember

Left-hander Jason Brester, the San Francisco Giants’ second-round selection in the June amateur draft, saw his first action with Bellingham on Thursday against Eugene.

Brester, from nearby Burlington-Edison High, entered in the seventh inning. He promptly loaded the bases with no out. With many friends watching, he wriggled free by registering a popup, strikeout and lineout.

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