Westward Ho!! Baseball Expands in the Northwest

March 2021 -- The Oregonian

The final season in New England was a successful one for the Boston Cardinals. The team won 90 games and the Weaver division pennant by a wide margin. Then the team advanced to the TML championship series before falling to the Maple Marauders. Nick Holmes won Most Valuable Player and Silver slugger awards. Jose Escobar and John Kelly anchored the corner infield positions with Gold Glove performances. The team even attracted over 4,000,000 fans to the ballpark despite knowledge that 2020 was the final season the Cardinals would play in Boston.

Welcome back, baseball!

Fast forward through the winter months. The Portland Beavers have been reborn. Since the previous incarnation of the Beavers abandoned Rip City about ten years ago, baseball fans in the area have been thirsting for the national pastime. Now, baseball is back!!

Spring training is underway. Ballpark construction for each of the teams in the organization has been completed. Uniforms have been designed, ordered, and delivered. The front office and support staff have relocated to Portland. Players and their families have purchased new homes. Even owner William McAllister, a native of Ipswich, MA, has purchased a luxurious condo in the Pearl District near the newly constructed Waterfront Park. Everyone in the newly-named Portland Beavers organization is excited!

Downtown area surrounding the Willamette River

Speaking of Waterfront Park, a state-of-the-art facility that seats over 50,000 fans, it is located adjacent to, and slightly north of, the Pearl District. In the above photograph, taken before construction of the ballpark, it now is located north of the high-rise buildings of the central district and just west (left) of the Willamette River.

It replaces several old warehouses left vacant for many years. It is conveniently located near light rail, the streetcar, and Union Station. Several parking structures are available for fans who must rely on the automobile. Baseball fans living in surrounding communities have many transportation options available to them.

The abundance of public transportation also may prove to benefit the many pubs, restaurants, and night spots located within walking distance, or a short streetcar ride, from the ballpark. Local entrepreneurs are eagerly anticipating what could prove to be a dramatic boost in business throughout the 2021 season and beyond. The city that often is referred to as Beervana is poised to support Beavers Nation.

View from the West Hills home of outfielder Nick Holmes

With the move of the three franchise affiliates to the Northwest, baseball is indeed well-represented in the region. As a result, baseball fans who live in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and British Columbia are excited. The Seattle Sasquatch and the Seattle area now are surrounded by teams affiliated with the Beavers. In 2021 Portland Beavers organization affiliates will play in the following ballparks:

• Portland Beavers (ABL) - Waterfront Park, 50,360 capacity
• Vancouver Canadians (AAA) - Stanley Park, 15,000 capacity
• Boise Hawks (AA) - Basque Block Park, 12,000 capacity
• Eugene Emeralds (A) - Prefontaine Park, 9,000 capacity

Panoramic view of the Portland skyline

The 2021 season begins in a few short weeks. The Beavers will be ready to deliver a high quality baseball experience to baseball fans living in the Northwest. Come out and support your new team!