I saw a short note on Yahoo Sports the other day about the next temporary home of the Portland Beavers.  They are moving to Tucson, Arizona, at least for the 2011 season.  Ultimately, the plan is for the Beavers to be located in Escondido, in Northern San Diego County.

The San Diego Padres Triple AAA team was booted from Portland due to the renovation of PGE Park for soccer and the lack of political will in the Portland area to develop a suitable stadium.  Portland should have tried harder to keep a Triple A baseball team in the region. 

Earlier this summer, our family went to a couple of Beavers games.  Our youngest son (nine at the time) has become a huge baseball fan.  From collecting baseball cards, getting Beaver player autographs, watching Major League games on TV (plus a Mariners trip), playing Little League, etc... he can't get enough baseball. 

At the first Beavers game, Ben got three foul balls; he even gave one to an younger kid.  In hundreds of baseball games, both major (13 years as a Rockies or Mariners season ticket holder) and minor league, I have never gotten a foul ball or a home run.  He got three in one day - yes, he was stoked. It was fun to see his enthusiasm.

He also got to play catch on the field before both games with two Beaver players, get their autographs on a baseball, pluck some outfield turf(the plastic kind) and grab some warning track dirt. After the game he was able to run the bases too. He also got to watch Mike Baxter, who he played catch with, play in September as a San Diego Padre.  

The Beavers leaving town is going to make this childhood memory unavailable for many other kids (and their parents) to experience.  What a shame.

Here is some of his tangible memories from the two Beaver's games.  The more important memories are the moments we shared together and the feelings he experienced.

Portland Beavers Memorabilia

 

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If you are looking to sell or purchase a home in the Columbia Gorge region, be sure to check out ColumbiaGorgeFSBO.com.  Property Owners in Hood River, The Dalles, White Salmon, Parkdale, Goldendale and other Columbia Gorge communities have chosen ColumbiaGorgeFSBO.com to assist them in marketing their properties.  Be sure to view what the Columbia Gorge FSBO market has to offer potential buyers. 

Sellers, we can assist you in marketing your home to achieve SOLD!. 

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This post has been included in Oregon Real Estate News
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6 Comments on Portland Beavers Moving to Tucson

NOV
12
2010

With the advent of the Portland Beavers having left Portland everyone is asking what will happen to baseball in Portland next season (2011). The Northwest Independent Baseball League has the answer.

Come see Semi-professional baseball played with local teams and players form Portland, Gresham, Salem and Vancouver. Fourteen teams play baseball from May through August at Walker and Sckavone Stadiums (see schedule at NWIBL.ORG) in Southeast Portland. Teams consist of players with High School, College, and Professional experience.

These teams are looking for local sponsorship. Your sponsorship can be a place to meet after games at a sports pub or restaurant, (food and sprits as this is an adult team). Auto Dealers, Auto Parts, Sporting Goods, Sports Academy, Coffee Roster, or your business...

The 2011 seasons looks for the league to expand with up to 5 new teams (Portland Athletics, Portland Yankees, Westmoreland Red Sox, the Stumptown Bee's, and the Eastside Brewers). NWIBL Players within the two divisions can continue their passion playing baseball at the highest level. Players follow MLB rules and use wood bats.
duane
12:33pm • #1
510,688 Points 1 Featured Post Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Duane,

Thanks for the info - I was not aware of an independent league in the area.  Actually really good to know.  Will check out the web site.  Appreciate you stopping by and providing the info.

Take care,

Mel
1:08pm • #2
NOV
13
2010
1,928,236 Points 155 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

I loved the Beavers and like you our kids got lots of swag from the games and my kids have all had a chance to be on the field with the players. It is something they will never forget and will miss forever.
12:02am • #4
814,699 Points 13 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Portland might have to go the route of Richmond,VA. and start again in AA ball, until a team wants to move it's AAA location !!!
3:05pm • #5
510,688 Points 1 Featured Post Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Hi Todd,

We are going to miss them too - minor league baseball is so much more kid friendly than MLB.  We have family in Eugene, so we'll be taking a look at the Emeralds schedule when we visit.

Mel
4:26pm • #6
510,688 Points 1 Featured Post Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Hello Michael,

Unfortunately, there is not a stadium for a AA or AAA team to play in.  The Portland politicians and community could not work together to find a suitable location for a baseball stadium, after PGE Park was designated scoccer only for the Portland Timbers.

Mel
4:29pm • #7


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