This summer, the Tri-County Northstars American Legion baseball team, comprised of players from Deer Park and Riverside, qualified for the state tournament for only the second time in its history.

 

Chris Franklin shared the beginnings of the American Legion program in the Deer Park area. It was started by his father, Dave Franklin, for whom the Deer Park High School baseball field is named.

In 1986, the first team was formed under the Northstars name. Two years later, in 1988, the Northstars became the junior team as sponsorship was obtained from the Deer Park Hospital for the senior group. Dave Franklin received the assistance of early coaches and managers  Dave Martinez and Scott Sutherland. Connections were formed with the Deer Park and Riverside high school programs, as well as Newport, Chewelah, and Mead. In 1989, the group lost late in the qualifying rounds for state. One year later they qualified for state, which, in 1990, was played at what is now Avista Stadium at the Spokane Interstate Fairgrounds.

The reasoning behind Dave Franklin forming the locally-based group was that it was difficult for the talented local players to find a legion program during the summer months. In that era, each Greater Spokane League school had its own American Legion program.

Dave went to great lengths to unite the players from the different schools as one, including selecting orange as the primary uniform color – a color not associated with any of the high schools that had players on the team.

 

Settlers Baseball Tournament Namesake

 

Since 2022, the 14U division of the Settlers Days baseball tournament has been known as the Chris Gradoville Wood Bat Tournament. It is named for the passionate “baseball man” that Deer Park head coach Chris Snyder connected with after taking over the program in 2019.

Gradoville was the owner of The Academy of Sports Performance in Spokane. Snyder heard of him through other high school coaches and decided to visit in person. Snyder says that from their first visit, it was clear that Gradoville had a love for the game of baseball and the ability to connect with kids. Snyder describes Gradoville’s dedication as unshakeable and says their coaching philosophy is very similar.

Gradoville was already training athletes from Mead and Mt. Spokane high schools, and Whitworth University. Snyder approached him about working in the off-season with his athletes. Snyder said, “He poured his heart into training our athletes with energy, care, and genuine purpose.”

Gradoville was a standout baseball player at Creighton University in Omaha, NE, and played professionally for several years, including a stint with the Spokane Indians.

Over a two-year period, Gradoville helped shape the character and skills of countless Deer Park High School (DPHS) athletes. He was a counselor and mentor and was a regular attendee at DPHS baseball games. He helped several players navigate the path to play at the college level.

Eventually, Gradoville was offered and accepted a coaching staff position at Creighton and relocated to Omaha. To earn additional income in his first year, Gradoville was flipping houses on the side. Unfortunately, he was shot and killed by an angry tenant in September 2021.

Snyder described the sudden and senseless death as leaving the entire Deer Park baseball program in mourning. He says they didn’t just lose a trainer, but a true friend and role model.

The tournament, Snyder says, honors the legacy of a man who gave so much of himself to the game, players, and every life he touched.

 

 

16U Northstars Season Ender

 

A magical summer baseball season ended for the Tri-County Northstars 16U baseball team on July 26 at W.F. West High School in Chehalis at the State American Legion Tournament. The Deer Park and Riverside players gained additional experience over the summer months that they will now take back to their respective high school programs.

In their opener against the Othello Aces on July 25, it took an extra inning to determine the winner. 

Trailing 2-0 at the top of the seventh, Cody Wilson tripled to score Simon Wood, who then scored the equalizer on a Cody Wilson single.  

Othello would go on to prevail in eight innings, 3-2.

Tristan Flugel went the distance on the mound for the local squad, striking out five to only a single walk. Wood and Wilson each had a pair of hits.

On July 27, it was an elimination game as the Northstars faced the Tenino Trappers.

After scoring two in the top of the sixth to go up 5-3, the Tenino offense put together an eight-run inning on their way to an 11-5 win.

Catcher Nikoli Hunsaker led the offensive side with a pair of hits, while Issas Wadleigh and Nathan Lee each walked twice.  

The Northstars program will enjoy a brief break before returning to the field for fall league play.

 

Chris Gradoville Settlers Wood Bat Tournament

 

Their 14U counterparts concluded their summer campaign at the Chris Gradoville Settlers Wood Bat Tournament with a win on July 27.

Trailing 6-5 going into the sixth inning, their keen eyes at the plate drew a plethora of walks paired with timely hits to plate 10 runs in a 15-6 win over the Colville Vipers.

Branson Bonner had three hits and drove in a pair. Clay Fouts contributed two hits. Braden Schupman walked three times while Joey Sanchez and William Marshall each drew a pair of free passes.

Lane Black faced traffic on the basepaths every inning but kept stranding Vipers runners in scoring position over 4.2 innings of work before yielding to Will Marshall, who finished the game on the mound.

 

 

 

Behind the Backstop of Chris Gradoville Settlers Wood Bat Tournament

 

Each summer, on consecutive weekends, Dave Franklin Field at Deer Park High School (DPHS) hosts the district American Legion tournament and the Settlers Wood Bat Tournament, which is DPHS baseball’s main annual fundraiser. These events require significant coordination and effort from the DPHS baseball community to ensure their success. Preparations begin the weekend prior, with coaches, players, and parents gathering for a work day to ready the field. 

Key contributors include Assistant High School Coach Kevin Krepcik, who arrives at 4:30 a.m. on Friday to finalize preparations for the 9 a.m. opening game, and Head Coach Darren Snyder, who mows the field early Sunday to prepare for the final day. Dan Marshall maintains the batter’s boxes between games, while this year, 2023 DPHS graduate Cole Krepcik umpires in the 10U division. Brett Bailey assists by watering the field between matches.

The DPHS and Northstars programs take great pride in keeping Dave Franklin Field in excellent condition. Win or lose, after every home game, players and coaches rake the mound, batter’s boxes, and base areas, while also ensuring the grounds remain free of garbage.