A Look Ahead

By Tim Clinton

Baseball

Knights

The Federal Way Knights youth baseball organization is hosting its 19th annual Summer Knights tournament Thursday through Sunday of this week at fields throughout the area, centered on the Federal Way National Little League complex.

The tournament starts off with pool play and finishes with single elimination action Saturday and Sunday for the top teams.

Parking and admission are free.

Summer collegiate

The Dub Sea Fish Sticks of White Center are putting on a round robin tournament this week to end their season, with the Blackfins paying a visit to Mel Olson Stadium at Steve Cox Memorial Park at 7:05 p.m. Friday and the Redmond Dudes coming at 6:05 p.m. Saturday to cap it off.

Swimming

Seattle Summer Swim League All-City meet action is scheduled for 4 p.m. Tuesday at the Aqua Club in Seattle involving athletes from Twin Lakes and Marine Hills in Federal Way.

Pros

Mariners

Seattle visits the Arizona Diamondbacks for 6:40 p.m. Friday action ahead of a 5:30 p.m. Saturday game and a 1:10 p.m. Sunday contest.

The Mariners come home to T-Mobile Park to take on the Boston Red Sox at 6:40 p.m. Monday and Tuesday and 1:10 p.m. Wednesday.

ROOT Sports Northwest will televise the action live.

Sounders

Seattle entertains Monterrey for men's soccer action at 6 p.m. Sunday at Lumen Field with Fox Sports 1 carrying the match.

Storm

Seattle drops in on Chicago for 5 p.m. Friday women's basketball before visiting Indiana at 1 p.m. Sunday.

The Storm gets a 7:30 p.m. Wednesday visit from Dallas at the Climate Pledge Arena.

Friday's action can be seen on ION and the other two games on Fox 13+.

OL Reign

The women's soccer squad hosts San Diego at 7 p.m. Friday at Lumen Field in a match broadcast on Paramount+.

Rainiers

Tacoma is at home at Cheney Stadium taking on Salt Lake City at 7:05 p.m. Friday, 6:05 p.m. Saturday and 1:35 p.m. Sunday.

The Rainiers visit the Sugar Land Space Cowboys of Texas for 5:05 p.m. games Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

Aquasox

Everett is in Vancouver playing the Canadians at 1:05 p.m. Friday, 7:05 p.m. Saturday and 1:05 p.m. Sunday before coming home to take on the Spokane Indians at 7:05 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

Emerald Downs

The Auburn oval is open for horse racing action at 7 p.m. Friday, 5 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday.

photo by Tim Clinton

Julio Rodriguez and the Seattle Mariners come home to play the Boston Red Sox Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.

 

Federal Way finishes fourth

By Tim Clinton

Federal Way National came in fourth at this week's Senior Little League Western Regional Tournament in Oakland, Calif.

National finished with a 2-2 regional baseball tournament record, with its run ending with an 11-3 loss to Northern California on Tuesday afternoon.

A win would have put the Federal Way team of age 14-15 All-Star players into the loser's bracket final with a championship berth on the line, but it was not to be.

Northern California went on to take a 12-2 loser's bracket final loss to Hawaii.

Hawaii advances into the 1 p.m. Wednesday final needing to defeat host California District 4 twice to advance to the Senior World Series in Easley, S.C.

National clinches high finish

By Tim Clinton

Federal Way National annihilated Arizona, 10-2, Monday to clinch a top four finish at the Senior Little League Western Regional Tournament in Oakland, Calif.

The win came on the heels of a 10-5 loss to Hawaii Sunday and a 20-0 victory over Wyoming to open the tournament this past Friday.

National is set to play Northern California at 1 p.m. Tuesday with the winner advancing to the loser's bracket final at 5 p.m.

The winner of the 5 p.m. game will play for the championship of the age 14-15 All-Star tournament at 1 p.m. Wednesday needing two wins to take the title and advance to the upcoming World Series in Easley, S.C.

National entered the regional tournament as the Washington state champions.

Federal Way whips Wyoming

 By Tim Clinton

Federal Way National went out and whipped Wyoming, 20-0, Friday morning to open the Senior League Baseball West Regional Tournament being played in Oakland, Calif.

National now returns to action at 4 p.m. Sunday against Hawaii in the Little League tournament for ages 14-15.  The double elimination tournament runs through Wednesday.

Hawaii is expected to be a tougher opponent after opening with a 15-0 victory over the Montana state champions.

The National vs. Hawaii winner plays again at 5 p.m. Monday and the loser plays at 2 p.m. Monday.

National entered the tournament as the Washington state champions.

It is the first time in the 63-year history of the Federal Way National charter that it has sent a team to Regional tournament play at the Senior level.

National is hosting a Go Fund Me page to help pay for the trip, which could lead to another.

The Senior All-Star World Series awaits the West Regional champion July 29 through Aug. 5 in Easley, S.C.

A Look Ahead

By Tim Clinton

Baseball

Little League

Federal Way National Little League's Seniors age 14-15 team is headed to Oakland, Calif. this week to play in Western Regional action as the Washington state champions.

National opens on the second day of the tournament Friday, taking on the Wyoming state champions at 10 a.m.

The winner advances to a 4 p.m. Sunday game while the loser drops into an 11 a.m. Saturday contest.

Summer collegiate

White Center's Dub Sea Fish Sticks host the Everett Merchants for a 7:05 p.m. Thursday game before entertaining the Honkers at 7:05 p.m. Friday and 6:05 p.m. Saturday.

The Gumbaroos team pays a visit at Mel Olson Stadium inside Steve Cox Memorial Park at 1:05 p.m. Wednesday.

Pros

Mariners

Seattle hosts the Minnesota Twins for a 12:40 p.m. Thursday game at T-Mobile Park before the Toronto Blue Jays fly in for action at 7:10 p.m. Friday and 1:10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

The Mariners travel to Minnesota for ensuing games at 4:40 p.m. Monday and Tuesday and 10:10 a.m. Wednesday.

Seattle games can be seen on the ROOT Sports Northwest cable television network.

Sounders

Seattle visits Salt Lake City to play a 6:30 p.m. Saturday soccer match on Apple TV+.

Storm

Las Vegas pays a visit to Seattle at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Climate Pledge Arena before Chicago comes to town for 6 p.m. Saturday action.

The Storm breezes off to New York for a 4 p.m. Tuesday game.

Fox 13+ will televise all three games live.

Rainiers

Tacoma is in Sacramento playing the Rivercats at 6:45 p.m. Thursday and Friday, at 6:37 p.m. Saturday and 1:05 p.m. Sunday before coming home to Cheney Stadium to take on the Salt Lake City Bees at 12:05 p.m. Tuesday and 7:05 p.m. Wednesday.

Aquasox

Everett entertains the Tri-City Dust Devils at 7:05 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday at Funko Field at Everett Memorial ahead of a 4:05 p.m. Sunday game.

The Aquasox visit Vancouver's Canadians at 7:05 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday.

Emerald Downs

The Auburn horse racing oval opens for action at 7 p.m. Friday, 5 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday.

Mayne, Tongi appear at All-Stars

By Tim Clinton

This week's Major League Baseball All-Star festivities had a distinctly Federal Way flavor twice.

Thomas Jefferson graduate Kenny Mayne served as the master of ceremonies for the Celebrity Softball Game that took place Saturday night and Decatur's Iam Tongi sang the National Anthem ahead of Monday's Home Run Derby.

Mayne recently retired after a long career at the ESPN cable television network.

He has been a frequent Celebrity Softball Game player starting when it was last in Seattle in 2001, but he also retired from that to do the public address narration this year instead.

Mayne was a former quarterback for the TJ Raiders who went on to play for the University of Nevada at Las Vegas before starting at ESPN.

Tongi is originally from Hawaii but now lives in Federal Way and he won this year's American Idol competition as a singer.

He gave a stirring rendition of The Star Spangled Banner before the Home Run Derby, but forgot to remove his Seattle Mariners cap for the peformance.

Tongi later appologized for the incident on social media, attributing it to his nervousness about performing before so many people.

A Look Ahead

By Tim Clinton

Baseball

Little League

Federal Way National earned a July 20-26 trip to Oakland, Calif. for Western Regional action at the Senior age 14-15 level, but needs help in raising funds for the trip.

A gofundme page has been set up that can be accessed through Federal Way National's Facebook page online.

Summer collegiate

The Dub Sea Fish Sticks of White Center host the Seattle Studs for a 7:05 p.m. Thursday game at Mel Olson Stadium inside Steve Cox Memorial Park.

The Blackfins pay a visit at the same time Saturday and the Everett Merchants come to town at 12:05 p.m. Tuesday.

Pros

Mariners

Seattle returns to action Friday after the All-Star break, hosting the Detroit Tigers at 7:10 p.m.

The Tigers stay for a 6:40 p.m. Saturday game and for 1:10 p.m. action Sunday.

Minnesota comes to T-Mobile Park for 6:40 p.m. contests Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday and for a 12:40 p.m. Thursday game.

Mariners action can be seen on ROOT Sports Northwest.

Sounders

Seattle hosts Dallas for 7:30 p.m. Saturday men's soccer action at Lumen Field that will be carried on Apple TV+.

Storm

Seattle is off until Thursday, July 20 when it hosts Las Vegas for a 7 p.m. game at the Climate Pledge Arena.

OL Reign

The women's soccer team has until Friday, July 28 off before hosting San Diego at 7 p.m. at Lumen Field.

Rainiers

Tacoma hosts the Round Rock Express for Pacific Coast League baseball action at Cheney Stadium at 7:05 p.m. Friday, 6:05 p.m. Saturday and 1:35 p.m. Sunday before visiting Sacramento Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

Aquasox

The Hillsboro Hops visit Everett for 7:05 p.m. Northwest League baseball this Friday and Saturday and for 4:05 p.m. action Sunday.

The Tri-City Dust Devil invade for a 7:05 p.m. Tuesday contest and for a 12:05 p.m. Wednesday game ahead of another 7:05 p.m. game Thursday.

Emerald Downs

The Auburn oval hosts horse racing action at 7 p.m. Friday, 5 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday.

Federal Way captures state title

By Tim Clinton

Here is one baseball team that apparently has no qualms about going to Oakland, Calif. instead of away from it.

Federal Way National earned its way to the Bay Area by capturing the Senior Little League Washington State All-Star championship with a 6-0 victory over Pacific of Edmonds Friday.

National will make the trip to California July 20-26 for regional tournament action.

Federal Way entered the state tournament played at Les Dow Field at Hartman Park in Redmond as the District 10 champions after being its only team at the age 14-15 level.

National opened with a 19-0 victory over South Kitsap Eastern, then won its first tournament meeting with Pacific by a 13-3 score.

Federal Way downed Northwest Seattle, 11-1, in the winner's bracket final to earn its way to Thursday's provisional championship.

Pacific came in through the loser's bracket needing to beat National twice to take the title and did win Thursday's game, 4-3.

But National took advantage of its second championship chance Friday and blanked Pacific.

With the win came the spoils of a trip to Oakland, which is soon to be vacated by the A's as they move to Las Vegas.

The National Seniors are managed by Craig Guymon.

Federal Way players are Hunter Buol, Tyler Buol, Emilio Fabela, Titus Gillihan, Mabin Guillen, Trayson Guymon, Trendon Guymon, Eric Havili, Thoma Holden, Angel Martinez, Jacob Pech, Brog Powlus, Jasoni Prum, Manuel Ramirez and Orlando Young.

Softball takes third at state

By Tim Clinton

Federal Way National finished a still lofty third in the state Junior fastpitch softball tournament despite ending with a pair of lopsided losses.

National got off to a 2-0 start in the tournament for age 13 girls to reach Wednesday's winner's bracket final, but lost that game to Ballard-Magnolia by a 10-0 score.

That put Federal Way into the loser's bracket final Thursday with a chance to rebound and make it to championship play.

But Federal Way fell in that game to Mill Creek, 11-1, to finish 2-2 and in third place.

National earned its way into the tournament as the District 10 champions.

The tournament was played on the Columbia Little League field in Vancouver.

Pacific pushes National to limit

By Tim Clinton

And the if-necessary game will be necessary for Federal Way National in its quest to capture the Senior baseball all-star state championship.

National took a 4-3 loss to Pacific of Edmonds Thursday in the provisional championship and now must put everything on the line in a second final at 6 p.m. Friday back at Les Dow Field at Hartman Park in Redmond.

National entered Thursday's game with a perfect 3-0 state tournament record while Pacific came in with one loss -- an earlier 13-3 decision against National.

Now both teams have one loss in the double-elimination Little League tournament for ages 14-15.

Pacific scored three runs in the bottom of the third inning to jump ahead, 3-0, in Thursday's game, and National got two of the runs back in the top of the fourth.

National knotted the score at 3-3 with one run in the top of the sixth, but Pacific rallied for one more in the bottom of the inning and held tight in the top of the seventh and final inning for the win.

National came into the tournament as the District 10 champion after being the only Seniors team in the district.

A Look Ahead

By Tim Clinton

Baseball

Little League

Federal Way National plays for the state Senior All-Star age 14-15 championship at 6 p.m. Thursday at Les Dow Field at Hartman Park in Redmond against Northeast Seattle or Pacific.

Should National lose, the if-necessary game would be played at 6 p.m. Friday on the same diamond.

Summer collegiate

The Dub Sea Fish Sticks of White Center host the Seattle Studs for a 7:05 p.m. Friday game and the Honkers for 6:05 p.m. Saturday action at Mel Olson Stadium inside Steve Cox Memorial Park.

Pros

Mariners

Seattle is in Houston playing the Astros at 5:10 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 4:15 p.m. Saturday and 11:10 a.m. Sunday.

Saturday's game can be seen on Channel 13 and the other three on ROOT Sports Northwest.

All-Star Festivities

Seattle is hosting the Major League Baseball All-Star festivities this weekend, starting with the inaugural HBCU Swingman Classic at 7:30 p.m. Friday at T-Mobile Park.  The game for star players from historically black colleges and universities will be followed by a fireworks show.

Saturday at T-Mobile is the Futures Game for top minor league prospects starting at 4 p.m. to be followed by a celebrity softball game at approximately 7:15 p.m.

All-Star workout day and batting practice begins at 2 p.m. Monday with the Home Run Derby starting at 5 p.m.

The All-Star Game itself is scheduled for 5 p.m. Tuesday.

Sounders

Seattle visits the Vancouver Whitecaps for 7:30 p.m. Saturday men's soccer action and the San Jose Earthquakes at the same time Wednesday with both on Apple TV+.

Storm

Seattle's women's basketball team drops in on Connecticut at 4 p.m. Thursday, on New York at 11 a.m. Saturday, on Washington at 4 p.m. Tuesday and on Atlanta at 4 p.m. Wednesday.

The Thursday and Wednesday games will be shown on Channel 13, Saturday's on ESPN and Tuesday's on Fox 13+.

OL Reign

The women's soccer team visits Orlando for 4 p.m. Friday action on Fox 13+.

Emerald Downs

The Auburn oval hosts horse racing action at 7 p.m. Friday, 5 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. 

National makes state final

By Tim Clinton

Federal Way National finds itself only one win away from a state Senior Little League All-Star baseball championship following an 11-1 victory over Northeast Seattle in Tuesday morning's winner's bracket final.

National now must await an opponent for Thursday's 6 p.m. provisional championship game at Les Dow Field at Hartman Park in Redmond.

Even if National should lose that game, it would get a second chance in a 6 p.m. if necessary game on the same diamond Friday.

National, which combines the old Federal Way National and American charters, has outscored its opponents by a 43-4 margin over its three games so far.

Federal Way opened the age 14-15 tournament by scorching South Kitsap Eastern, 19-0, Saturday and plastered Pacific by a 13-3 score Sunday to earn its way into the Fourth of July morning winner's bracket final against previously also undefeated Northeast Seattle.

Federal Way teams off to 2-0 starts

By Tim Clinton

Federal Way National teams got off to 2-0 starts over the weekend to qualify for the winner's bracket final in two different Little League all-star state tournaments.

Accomplishing the feat were the National Senior baseball team for ages 14-15 and the National  Junior girls fastpitch softball team for age 13 players.

The National Senior baseball team stomped on South Kitsap Eastern, 19-0, to open Saturday and followed up by beating Pacific, 13-3, on Sunday.

Federal Way will return to Redmond's Hartman Park to face Northwest Seattle in the winner's bracket final at 10 a.m. Tuesday.  The winner of that game goes on to championship play starting at 6 p.m. Thursday with the if necessary game at 6 p.m. Friday.

The Junior softball squad started off state by edging PacWest of Burien and SeaTac by a 7-6 score Saturday morning.

National knocked off the host East County team of the Vancouver area, 19-1, Sunday to reach Wednesday's winner's bracket final.

Federal Way plays Ballard-Magnolia at 8 p.m. at the Columbia Little League complex.

Wednesday's winner makes 5:30 p.m. Friday championship action with the if necessary game to follow at 8 p.m.

National Minors snag second

By Tim Clinton

Federal Way National proved beyond the shadow of a doubt that it belonged in championship play at the District 10 Minor Little League All-Star Tournament.

National qualified by blowing away Chinook by a 26-4 score in the loser's bracket final Thursday, then gave an undefeated Bonney Lake/Sumner team all it could handle in Friday's final but lost, 3-1.

National needed to beat Bonney Lake/Sumner twice to win the age 8-10 tournament and qualify for a trip to state in Othello.

National was the host team of the district tournament and opened with an 8-2 victory over Soundview on Saturday, June 24 before being derailed by Bonney Lake/Sumner the next day, 20-3.

Bonney Lake/Sumner annihilated Chinook, 24-0, in the winner's bracket final to go directly to the championship while the Federal Way team had to come back through the loser's bracket.

National started the road back with a 10-0 win over South Hill and defeated Soundview again Wednesday, this time by a 4-3 score.

That sent Federal Way on to Thursday's loser's bracket final win over Chinook to earn a second shot at Bonney Lake/Sumner.

National showed great improvement over the first meeting against that team before coming up short.

The National Minors team was managed by Cody Olson and the players were Charlie Hernandez, Sean Jenkins, Caleb Olson, Noah Olson, Jacobe Parker, Elliot Russel, Jack Schuster, Davisse Taylor and Eddie Torres.