Humboldt Crabs
Humboldt Crabs | |
---|---|
Information | |
League | Independent (Northern California) |
Location | Arcata, California |
Ballpark | Arcata Ball Park |
Year founded | 1945 |
Nickname(s) | Crusty The Mascot |
League championships | Far West League (2011-2013), WCL Tri-State (2010), Horizon Air Summer Series (2007, 2013), Western Baseball Association (1982-1985) |
California State Semi-Pro championships | 1961, 1963-1979 |
Former name(s) | Eureka Paladini Crabs |
Former league(s) | Far West League (2011-2013), WCL Tri-State (2009-2010), Horizon Air Summer Series (2006-2009, 2012-2013), Western Baseball Association (1967-1972, 1982-1985) |
Former ballparks | Albee Stadium |
Colors | Blue, Red and White |
Mascot | Dungeness Crab |
Ownership | Community Organization |
Management | Board of Directors |
Manager | Robin Guiver |
The Humboldt Crabs are a collegiate summer baseball team located in Arcata, California. Playing in every season since they were founded in 1945 by Lou Bonomini, later joined by Ned Barsuglia, the Crabs are the oldest continually-operated summer collegiate baseball team in American baseball.[1][2] Through the 2019 season the Crabs have a total record of 2557 wins and 803 losses. The Crabs did not play the 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Crabs games are broadcast on KGOE 1480 AM, the Humboldt Crabs YouTube Channel, and stats are live on GameChanger App. Most games also include the Crab Grass Band, formed in 1983, that play songs in between innings.
Brief background[]
Originally the Eureka Paladini Crabs, named for the Paladini Fish Company who sponsored the team from 1945 to 1947.
In the 77-year history of the Humboldt Crabs, over 300 players have continued on to play professional baseball, with over 60 former Crabs going all the way to the Major Leagues.[3] A few examples are Garth Iorg, Dane Iorg, and Wally Scott.[4][5] John Oldham, a Crabs pitcher in 1952–53, was the first to make it all the way, playing for the Cincinnati Reds in 1956.[6] Leo Rosales, who pitched for the 2002 Crabs,[7] was called up to the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2008.[8] 2003 Crabs infielder Brett Pill was called up to the San Francisco Giants in 2011, and was on the team's 2012 roster as a 1st baseman.[9][10] Most recently, Vinny Pestano, Bradley Zimmer, and Mike Redmond are all former Crabs.
Their best season, record-wise, was 1985 when the team won 46 consecutive games to start the season. Future Major Leaguers Mike Harkey, Eric Gunderson, Steve Olin, and Scott Chiamparino led a dominant pitching staff.
The Crabs play the majority of their games at home at the Arcata Ball Park,[11] owned by the City of Arcata.[12] The team is made up of college players from different NCAA programs throughout the U.S. The Humboldt Crabs are a non-profit baseball organization operated by a 12-member all-volunteer Board of Directors. Rivals include the , the Fontanetti's Athletics, the Corvallis Knights, and the Seattle Studs.[13] Most recent opponents include Healdsburg Prune Packers, San Luis Obispo Blues, Seals Baseball, Walnut Creek Crawdads, Solano Mudcats, Marysville Gold Sox and many others from the CCL League. Past opponents include House of David, the Indianapolis Clowns, the Oakland Larks, the Los Angeles White Sox, the San Diego Tigers, the Alaska Goldpanners, the Bend Elks, the Bellingham Bells, the North Pole Nicks, the Mat-Su Miners, the Santa Barbara Foresters, the Anchorage Glacier Pilots, the Boulder Collegians, the Grand Junction Eagles, and Athletes in Action.
In 2007, the team's 63rd consecutive season, the Crabs overall season record was 42 - 12;[14] in 2008, the Crabs drew an average of 874 fans to the ball park and went 35 - 13 for the season;[15] in 2009 the Crabs record was 48–11;[16] in their 66th season, 2010, the Crabs went 43 - 9.[17] [18] Most recently, the 2019 team went 33-16. Find stats on the GameChanger app.
The Humboldt Crabs are a non-profit, community-oriented organization. Its mission is four-fold:
To promote family entertainment by providing high-quality summer collegiate baseball games to the public at a reasonable price; To provide talented collegiate-level baseball players with a positive summer baseball experience; To support youth sports programs (with an emphasis on baseball or softball) in the Humboldt County area with contributions of funding and/or equipment as funds permit in addition to annual baseball skills camps and clinics operated by Humboldt Crabs players and coaches; To preserve and build the tradition of Humboldt Crabs Baseball.
2019 player awards[]
- Most Valuable Player: Damian Henderson
- Offensive Player of the Year: Bryce Kirk
- Co-Pitcher of the Year: Dylan Campbell
- Co-Pitcher of the Year: Kyle Pruhsmeier
- "Coaches Award" - Kevin Morsching/Scott Heinig Memorial Award: Riley Cleary
Organization[]
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d2/Arcata_Crabs_2010_june.jpg/220px-Arcata_Crabs_2010_june.jpg)
Humboldt Crabs Baseball, Inc is a 501(c)(4) community-owned organization. A volunteer board of directors rely on the support of community members & sponsors to keep the Humboldt Crabs Baseball operation functioning.
President[]
David Sharp
Coaching staff[]
- Robin Guiver, Manager
- Eric Giacone, Pitching Coach
- John Bryant, Hitting Coach
- Brad Morgan, Assistant Coach
Trainers: Nate Kees[19]
2021 team roster[]
- Pitchers
- Manny Casillas
- Wesley Harper
- Jack Nillson
- Sean Prozell
- Kaden Riccomini
- Caleb Ruiz
- Will Springer
- Owen Stevenson
- Cole Tremain
- Cade Van Allen
- Adam Walker
- Chad Wilson
- Catchers
- Andrew Allanson
- Dylan McPhillips
- Infielders
- Aaron Casillas
- Ethan Fischel
- Gabe Giosso
- David Morgan
- Outfielders
- Tyler Ganus
- Luke Powell
- Ethan Smith
- Utility Players
- Drake Digiorno
- Konner Kinkade
- Josh Lauck
- Aidan Morris
Board of director[]
Note: The Board of Directors change from year to year. Vikki Rossi, Matt Filar, Ellen Barthman, Erik Fraser, Roger Lorenzetti, Tracy Mack, Larry Zerlang, Michelle Briggs, Neil Butler
Far West League[]
The Crabs joined the Far West League (FWL), which had ten teams participating in the 2011 season. The five-team FWL North Division included the Humboldt Crabs, Nor Cal Pirates, , Nevada Bullets (formerly Reno Aces), and Southern Oregon RiverDawgs. The five-team FWL South Division included the Atwater Aviators, Fontanetti's Athletics, Neptune Beach Pearl, California Glory, and Fresno Cardinals. The Crabs were part of the West Coast League/Tri-State[20] (which was associated with the West Coast League in the Pacific Northwest) then merged with the Pacific West Baseball League to form the FWL. (The California Seals were originally an eleventh team in the FWL but are on hiatus for the 2011 season.)
2011 league champions[]
This inaugural year of the Far West League culminated with the top five League teams competing in a double-elimination Tournament, hosted by the Humboldt Crabs and played in the Arcata Ball Park, August 5–7. The Humboldt Crabs (21 - 6), with the best record in regular season league play, were the top-seeded team, but lost their first game to fourth-seed Fontanetti's Athletics, 1–0,[21] on August 5. To avoid being eliminated, the Crabs had to win four games in a row. On August 6, the Crabs shut out the Atwater Aviators, 2–0,[22] in an elimination game. On August 7 the Crabs won three games in one day, starting with Fontanetti's Athletics, 7–2,[23] (who had beaten the Crabs 2 of 3 games in regular-season play); then facing the Neptune Beach Pearl who had won 8 of their previous 9 games, and who were as yet undefeated in the Tournament. By winning four in a row, including 6-3[24] and 5-1[25] wins over the Pearl, the Crabs avoided elimination and won the tournament and the championship.[26]
The Humboldt Crabs finished the 2011 season with records of 40-13 overall, 25–7 in League/Conference play.[27]
The Humboldt Crabs rank #22 from among over 220 summer collegiate league teams in the nation for the week of August 9, 2011, by Perfect Game USA.[28]
The Far West League has since disbanded, but the Crabs were league champions all three years in its inception.
Year by year records[]
(*)denotes California State Semi-Pro Champion
(^) denotes West of the Rockies Tournament Champion
(<) denotes All-American Invitational Champion
(~) denotes season not played due to the COVID-19 pandemic
National Rankings through 1985 are for finishes at the National Baseball Congress World Series in Wichita, Kansas.
Season | Manager | Record | National Ranking |
1945 | Lou Bonomini | 11-5 | |
1946 | Lou Bonomini | 35-12 | |
1947 | Lou Bonomini | 35-9 | |
1948 | Lou Bonomini | 24-11 | |
1949 | Lou Bonomini | 35-13 | 17th |
1950 | Lou Bonomini | 32-9 | |
1951 | Lou Bonomini | 33-8 | |
1952 | Lou Bonomini | 35-12 | |
1953 | Lou Bonomini | 29-11 | |
1954 | Lou Bonomini | 29-17 | |
1955 | Lou Bonomini | 26-19 | |
1956 | Lou Bonomini | 27-10 | |
1957 | Lou Bonomini | 24-8 | |
1958 | Lou Bonomini | 17-11 | |
1959 | Lou Bonomini | 19-7 | |
1960 | Lou Bonomini | 16-7 | |
1961 | Lou Bonomini | 21-5* | |
1962 | Lou Bonomini | 21-6 | |
1963 | Lou Bonomini | 27-7* | 17th |
1964 | Lou Bonomini | 27-11* | 4th |
1965 | Lou Bonomini | 29-11* | 3rd |
1966 | Lou Bonomini | 33-9* | 3rd |
1967 | Lou Bonomini | 28-12* | 4th |
1968 | Lou Bonomini | 43-11* | 5th |
1969 | Lou Bonomini | 29-13* | 3rd |
1970 | Lou Bonomini | 24-14* | |
1971 | Lou Bonomini | 31-10* | 5th |
1972 | Lou Bonomini | 29-12* | |
1973 | Lou Bonomini | 28-19* | |
1974 | Lou Bonomini | 27-12* | |
1975 | Lou Bonomini | 38-7* | 5th |
1976 | Lou Bonomini | 37-11* | 17th |
1977 | Lou Bonomini | 35-5* | |
1978 | Lou Bonomini | 40-10* | |
1979 | Lou Bonomini | 37-16* | |
1980 | Lou Bonomini | 44-10 | 7th |
1981 | Lou Bonomini | 43-10 | 11th |
1982 | Lou Bonomini | 30-18^ | |
1983 | Lou Bonomini | 39-7^ | |
1984 | Lou Bonomini | 38-10^ | |
1985 | Lou Bonomini | 51-3^ | 17th |
1986 | Lou Bonomini | 51-8 | |
1987 | Tom Giacomini | 26-11 | |
1988 | Tom Giacomini | 34-12 | |
1989 | Tom Giacomini | 38-5 | |
1990 | Tom Giacomini | 44-6 | |
1991 | Tom Giacomini | 36-8 | |
1992 | Steve Neel | 32-9 | |
1993 | Vince Maiocco | 31-6 | |
1994 | Vince Maiocco | 32-9 | |
1995 | Vince Miaocco | 35-5 | |
1996 | Ken “Shorty” Ames | 33-10 | |
1997 | Ken “Shorty” Ames | 43-8 | |
1998 | Ken “Shorty” Ames | 41-7 | |
1999 | Ken “Shorty” Ames | 45-3 | |
2000 | Ken “Shorty” Ames | ||
2001 | Ken ��Shorty” Ames | 28-13 | |
2002 | Ken “Shorty” Ames | < | |
2003 | Ken “Shorty” Ames | 43-5 | |
2004 | Ken “Shorty” Ames | 40-9 | |
2005 | Ken “Shorty” Ames | 37-11 | |
2006 | Matt Nutter | 42-13 | |
2007 | Matt Nutter | 42-12 | |
2008 | Matt Nutter | 35-13 | |
2009 | Matt Nutter | 48-11 | |
2010 | Matt Nutter | 42-9 | |
2011 | Matt Nutter | 40-13 | 20th[29] |
2012 | Matt Nutter | 37-9 | 29th[30] |
2013 | Matt Nutter | 42-14 | 26th[31] |
2014 | Tyson Fisher | 34-15 | |
2015 | Tyson Fisher | 41-9 | |
2016 | Tyson Fisher | 35-15 | |
2017 | Robin Guiver | 39-7 | |
2018 | Robin Guiver | 37-10 | |
2019 | Robin Guiver | 33-16 | |
2020 | Robin Guiver | ~ | no season |
2021 | Robin Guiver | 39-6 |
(*)denotes California State Semi-Pro Champion
(^) denotes West of the Rockies Tournament Champion
(<) denotes All-American Invitational Champion
(~) denotes season not played due to the COVID-19 pandemic
Seasons | Manager | Total Record |
1945-1986 | Lou Bonomini | 1307-475 |
1987-1991 | Tom Giacomini | 178-43 |
1992 | Steve Neel | 32-9 |
1993-1995 | Vince Maiocco | 98-20 |
1996-2005 | Ken "Shorty" Ames | 386-91 |
2006-2013 | Matt Nutter | 328-94 |
2014-2016 | Tyson Fisher | 110-39 |
2017- | Robin Guiver | 158-39 |
1945-2019 | Overall Record | 2596-809 |
Crabs in MLB[]
67 former Crabs have played in the Major Leagues: Bradley Zimmer, Vinnie Pestano, Brett Pill, Leo Rosales, Greg Shanahan, Dane Iorg, Mike Harkey, Steve Olin, Scott Chiamparino, Sandy Vance, Randy Niemann, Craig Lefferts, Mike Redmond, Ken Crosby, Rick Miller, Gary Wilson, John Oldham, Rich Nye, Rich Bordi, Rod Booker, Jim Wilson, Lute Barnes, Chuck Nieson, Danny Frisella, Jose Mota, Dennis Springer, Mike Thurman, Mike Paul, Bruce Bochte, Rich Dauer, Mike Kinkade, Bruce Benedict, Bill Serena, Lee Gregory, Eric Gunderson, Victor Cole, Jack Fimple, Scott Anderson, Bill Bonham, Barry Bonnell, Warren Brusstar, Pat Clements, Roland Delamaza, Tom Dodd, Mike Gates, Ed Giovanola, Greg Gohr, Xavier Hernandez, Steve Hovley, Eddie Kearse, Frank LaCorte, Scott Lewis, Andy Mota, Chuck Nieson, Josh Pearce, Joe Price, Eric Raich, Rich Robertson, Rob Ryan, Buzz Stephen, La Schelle Tarver, Tim Tolman, Shane Turner, Colin Ward, Jim Wessinger, Stefan Wever, Sandy Wihtol, and Steve Davis.
Famous Crabs[]
Mark Marquess, Augie Garrido, Pat Casey, Reggie Christiansen, Bob Milano, Kerwin Danley, Steve Detwiler, Russ McQueen, Tyler Ganus, and Ron Mingo
Crabs Hall of Fame[]
Class of 2012: Ned Barsuglia, Bob Bonomini, Lou Bonomini, Adam Carr, Steve Fish, Mike Harkey, Dane Iorg, Rico Pastori, Greg Shanahan, Don Terbush, 1985 Team (51 Wins, 3 Losses)
Class of 2013: Eddie Oliveira, Don Carter, Sandy Vance, Mark Marquess, Randy Niemann, Craig Lefferts, Steve Olin, Tom Giacomini, Mike Redmond, Brian Blauser, 1968 Team (42 Wins, 11 Losses)
Class of 2014: Eldridge “Red” Hunt, Carl Del Grande, Dennis Pontoni, Augie Garrido, Rich Nye, Rich Bordi, Rod Booker, Steve Neel, Gary Wilson, Jeff Giacomini, 1981 Team (43 Wins, 10 Losses)
Class of 2015: Fred Papini, Douglas Clayton, Billy Olsen, Lute Barnes, Paul Ziegler, Shane Turner, Scott Eskra, Joe Gerber, Nick Giacone, 2003 Team (43 Wins, 5 Losses)
Class of 2016: Mark Pirrucello, John Oldham, Bruce Benedict, Jim Wilson, Burt Nordstrom, Chris DeBoo, Richard Cates, Jerry Nutter, Elvira Bonomini, 1999 Team (45 Wins, 3 Losses)
No Hall of Fame Class of 2017
Class of 2018: John Austin, Lee Iorg, Troy Schader, Leo Rosales, Pat Clements, Bob Milano, Jim "Spider" Thomas, Jack Fimple, Ugo Giuntini, 1990 team (44 Wins, 3 Losses)
Class of 2019: Hans Smith, Wade Hammond, Gregg Reynolds, Eric Gunderson, Al Masterson, Larry Taylor, David Ferres, Ken Dunaway, Joe Gallaty, Mary "Baseball Betty" Lacefield
No Hall of Fame Class of 2020
No Hall of Fame Class of 2021
Class of 2022: TBA
References[]
- ^ Humboldt Crabs, About Us (Humboldt Crabs website)
- ^ North Coast Journal - August 1, 2002: COVER STORY
- ^ Humboldt Crabs 2010 Official Program, page 14
- ^ All-Time North Coast Baseball Team
- ^ Humboldt Crabswebsite News Archive: A Good Time Was Had by All
- ^ SJSA 2008 Hall of Fame inductee biographies: John Oldham Archived 2010-03-17 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ North Coast Journal August 2002 Cover Story
- ^ Baseball-Reference: Leo Rosales
- ^ [1]
- ^ [2]
- ^ Arcata Ball Park
- ^ City of Arcata, Sports Fields
- ^ Humboldt Steelheads
- ^ Humboldt Crabs 2007 Season Statistics
- ^ Humboldt Crabs 2008 Season Statistics
- ^ Humboldt Crabs 2009 Season Statistics
- ^ Humboldt Crabs 2010 Season Statistics
- ^ Humboldt Crabs web site
- ^ Humboldt Crabs 2011 Coaching Staff
- ^ Crabs will join WCL Tri-State in 2009
- ^ Fontanetti Athletics vs Humboldt Crabs (Aug 05, 2011)
- ^ Atwater Aviators vs Humboldt Crabs (Aug 06, 2011)
- ^ Fontanetti Athletics vs Humboldt Crabs (Aug 07, 2011)
- ^ Humboldt Crabs vs Neptune Beach Pearl (Aug 07, 2011, 2pm game)
- ^ Humboldt Crabs vs Neptune Beach Pearl (Aug 07, 2011, 6pm game)
- ^ Crabs are Best in the Far West
- ^ Humboldt Crabs 2011 Season Statistics
- ^ Perfect Game USA: Summer Collegiate Team Rankings 8/9/2011
- ^ 2011 Perfect Game Summer Collegiate Team Rankings
- ^ 2012 Perfect Game Summer Collegiate Team Rankings
- ^ 2013 Perfect Game Summer Collegiate Team Rankings
External links[]
- Amateur baseball teams in California
- Arcata, California
- Tourist attractions in Humboldt County, California
- 1945 establishments in California
- Baseball teams established in 1945