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[]

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[]

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[]

External links[]

• Official website
• Video documentary "Humboldt Crabs Baseball," A Nutter Production