Pros With Local Ties Headline Northwest Baseball Festival

A couple of “local” boys who made good and a former major-league manager will be featured at the fourth annual Northwest Baseball Festival on Friday and Saturday in Spokane.

Casey Parsons of Spokane, who managed the Oakland A’s Pacific Coast League farm team in Tacoma last season; Russ Swan of Kennewick, who pitches for the Cleveland Indians after a stint in Seattle; and former San Diego Padres manager Greg Riddoch are the headliners.

Parsons played at University High School, Spokane Falls Community College and Gonzaga University before embarking on a successful pro playing and managing career. Swan pitched at SFCC.

Also on the program will be new Washington State coach Steve Farrington and longtime Lewis-Clark State coach Ed Cheff.

The festival, put on by SFCC and GU along with Spokane Athletic Supply, is for players and coaches. There’s no admission charge for players 18 and younger. Cost to coaches is $25 in advance, $45 at the door.

Friday’s session will be held at Spokane Athletic Supply, E811 Sprague, from 7-10 p.m. Saturday’s will be in the SFCC student union building from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

For information or to register, contact Keith Snyder at SFCC, 533-3648, or Steve Hertz or Scott Rogers at GU, 328-4220, ext. 4226 or 4209.

BASEBALL

Plans are under way to form a youth league for boys and girls in the Spokane area from ages 6-18 who have physical or mental handicaps.

Kent Burns, who ran a similar program in Southern California before moving to Spokane, said he’s looking for sponsors and parents, as well as youngsters to play.

He said he has some volunteer board members and support from Little League of America.

If you’re interested, call Burns at (509) 467-4261 (home) or (509) 467-4413 (work).

BASKETBALL

Michelle Shea of Spokane (St. George’s), a senior forward on the Williams College women’s team in Williamstown, Mass., was the Northeast Player of the Week a week ago for NCAA Division III.

Shea, the Ephs’ leading scorer (15.6) and rebounder (7.6), had 31 points, 15 rebounds and five assists in two wins to earn her honor.

The Subway Inland Empire Youth Series, an extension of successful 6-year-old tournaments at Washington State and Eastern Washington, will be contested at five sites leading to a Basketball Congress International national all-star qualifier.

The competition is for boys and girls from grades 5 through varsity prep (anyone with at least one year of high school eligibility remaining). Cost is $150 per team per tournament. Entry deadline is two weeks before each tournament. Limit is 16 teams per tourney.

Dates, sites and ages involved: March 10-12-Spokane Community College, boys and girls grade 9; Spokane Falls CC, boys and girls varsity prep; Gonzaga University, boys grades 5-8. March 17-19-GU, girls 5-8; WSU, boys 5-8. March 24-26-WSU, girls 5-8; EWU, boys 5-8. March 31-April 2-EWU, girls 5-8. April 8-9-EWU, national qualifier, 11U, 12U, 13U, 14U.

Info: I.E. Youth Basketball in Cheney, (509) 359-2057; Kevin Graffis in Pullman, (509) 335-0239.

ROWING

Two women from Washington State and one from Gonzaga University are in Seattle this weekend attending a talent-identification camp conducted by the U.S. National Rowing Team.

Deanne Hatchet and Shannon Jensen of WSU and Derika Voget of GU are among 18 at the camp conducted by U.S. women’s coach Hartmut Buschbacher.

A similar camp for the men is in Portland as national team coaches look over candidates for future teams.

MISCELLANY

The University of Idaho volleyball team banquet will be Friday at 6 p.m. at the University Inn in Moscow. Cost is $15 per person, $10 for students.

The Idaho football team banquet is Jan. 28 at 6 p.m. at the University Inn. Cost is $20 per person.

Information on both: (208) 885-6466.