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Gabe Speier MLB Pitcher Kansas City Royals

The Coastal Cubs 2019 Year in Review

By Grizzlies Administrator, 11/25/19, 7:15PM PST

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2019  was a tremendous success on many levels for the Coastal Cubs organization.  Many great lessons were learned from success and adversity on the baseball diamond.  The Coastal Cubs 14U Fall and Spring Program was coached by Chris Joyce, current pitching coach at Santa Barbara City College.  The teams competed on Sundays at the beautiful baseball field at Dunn HS and practiced Wednesday nights at UCSB.  The young Cubs had a chance to practice under the lights at the Caesar Uyesaka Stadium and utilize their state of the art hitting facility.

The Coastal Cubs HS team had a competitive summer schedule, playing weekend double-headers versus Connie Mack teams from Southern California.  The highlight of the summer was the teams strong effort in the Perfect Game Pacific Coast Invitational.  Several players of the Cubs team opened the eyes of college recruiters.  One particular Cubs player, Henry Manfredonia from San Marcos HS has verbally committed to UCSB for the 2022 season.

The Coastal Cubs Collegiate Team had a great summer campaign losing in the championship game in the inaugural season of the Golden Coast Collegiate League. The Cubs played non-conference games versus the Santa Barbara Foresters, Conejo Oaks and San Luis Blues.  The Cubs roster had players from Santa Barbara City College, Cuesta College, Westmont College, Grand Canyon College.

Two former players/coaches in the program took their baseball careers to a higher level.  Ian Churchill left-handed pitcher from San Marcos HS and SBCC received an athletic scholarship to the University of Arizona.  Another local prep star and left handed pitcher, Gabe Speier, made his Major League debut with the Kansas City Royals.  Both young men have been great role models for the Coastal Cubs players and all local prep baseball players.

The Coastal Cubs are excited for the 2020 baseball season to begin with our talent coaches helping our players reach their baseball dreams.