Bellingham Alive | Pro Sports Feature

PRO SPORTS F

or people who love professional sports, September is a month of high drama. NFL and college football are cranking up, baseball teams are making frantic runs at playoff berths (including the Mariners, by god, as of print time), the U.S. Open tennis tournament is the year’s final major, and hockey and basketball are getting ready for season-openers later in the fall.

While Bellingham and North Sound folks have to travel to Seattle to see mainstream pro sports teams in action, we have our intense team allegiances, spirited fans, rivalries and notable athletes who call this region home. Sometimes, smaller towns yield the biggest surprises. In Ferndale, we have perhaps one of the craziest Seahawks fans you’ll find anywhere (check out her house, pg. 61), and Jake Locker, the former Washington Huskies and NFL quarterback, who never considered going anywhere but back home when his playing career ended.

We also have a local Seattle Sounders connection, some advice for misbehaving fans, and a Magic 8-Ball that delivers a few prognostications for the Seattle Seahawks. So dig out that “We’re No. 1” foam finger, fire up the grill (you’ll find a couple tailgating recipes on pg. 63), and root, root, root for the (close-to) home team.

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© Rod Mar

QUARTERBACK BACK HOME FERNDALE, FAITH A COMFORT FOR JAKE LOCKER WRITTEN BY BEN JOHNSON / PHOTOGRAPHED BY ANITA LOCKER

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ust minutes after sliding into a booth, Jake Locker gazes across the crowded Bellingham restaurant and spots a familiar face.

He leans into the walkway as she nears, and greets her with a smile. The woman is the librarian from the “I’m getting to the point in my life elementary school he attended where I found what I get excited in Ferndale, and she’s surprised to see him again. about. I found what I find purpose They talk for a moment over and meaning in, beyond myself.” the din of clinking plates and sizzling frying pans. Locker quickly tells her he’s happy to be back home in Ferndale. ships with those around him. He was baptized into the “We’re glad you’re back. We enjoyed watching you play, Christian faith after his first year in the NFL. but the whole time you were gone away we thought, ‘He’s “I’m getting to the point in my life where I found what going to come back,’” she admits with a laugh.

I get excited about. I found what I find purpose and meanWhen she leaves, Locker looks down at the table. ing in, beyond myself,” Locker says.

“Honestly, that’s what drew me back here,” he says.

Now the father of three kids, he and wife Lauren, who “The relationships.” played for UW’s 2009 NCAA championship team in softLocker’s talent as a quarterback whisked him away from ball, own his grandparents’ farmhouse in Ferndale. Locker home, first to the University of Washington and then to coaches football and runs camps, and opened a gym in Tennessee, as the number eight draft pick overall, to play Ferndale called The Locker Room with NFL punter Mifor the Titans in the NFL. His football career came to chael Koenen, 33, who played for Western Washington an end in 2015 after just four seasons, when he abruptly University. Locker is keeping busy. retired at 26 years old after a series of injury-shortened As he tells his story in the restaurant, a woman seasons. Despite reaching the pinnacle of professional approaches his table. She’s a stranger, but overheard the football, Locker says the past few years back in Ferndale conversation about his conversion. She asks how she could have been the best of his life — in large part due to a new build unshakable faith after being lost. Locker’s face lights outlook through his faith. up. He shares the two keys to his success: prayer and being It started when he realized his passion for football had a learner, then asks the woman if she’d like to start by changed. Although Locker loves a challenge — “swimming praying right there at the table. She agrees, and slides upstream,” he calls it — the pressure of the NFL changed next to him in the booth. the way he viewed himself. He felt his self-worth was As the two bow their heads in the restaurant, tears fill determined by his performance on game day. In college, her eyes. Locker spends the next few minutes praying for he coped with the pressure by sometimes drinking excesthe woman he just met. After he’s done, she thanks him sively. Sometimes he wouldn’t remember things the next and leaves shortly after. morning. In the NFL, his unhappiness grew. Locker was “That’s it,” Locker says, wiping tears from his own eyes. at the top, but said he felt lost and unfulfilled.

“That’s the spirit of God.” After a trip to a Christian convention with Matt HasAlthough his days playing professional sports are finselbeck and family, Locker chose to dedicate his life to ished, Locker sees his retirement as the start of an even bigstudying scripture, serving others, and building relationger journey — one that begins and ends at home in Ferndale.

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MAGIC 8-BALL WRITTEN BY MERI-JO BORZILLERI

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emember the Magic 8-Ball, that hard-shell plastic prognosticator with the often vague, floating triangle answers inside? Yes, it held both magic and mystery — one of them being what, exactly, was that blue liquid and what would happen if you cracked the thing open?

But we figured the Magic 8-Ball would be just as reliable as some experts in predicting the Seattle Seahawks’ fortunes this season. So we posed some questions and gave it a few shakes. Here’s what happened:

Q: Will the Seahawks win the Super Bowl this year?

Magic-8 Ball: Reply hazy, try again.

As of this writing, Vegas has 12-1 odds that the Seahawks win the Super Bowl, behind the Patriots, Cowboys, Packers, Steelers and Raiders. Seattle did little, draft-wise, to fix an offensive line that was not only porous but poor. Quarterback Russell Wilson got chased and hammered by opposing defenses all last season. The Seahawks also finished 25th (of 32 teams) in the NFL in rushing last season, and one preseason story claimed they possess the worst line in the NFL. Wilson played hurt all season, and even with a great defense bailing them out on a regular basis, the Seahawks looked little like the young team of such great promise that reached the Super Bowl in back-to-back years in 2014 and 2015.

Q: Will PATs be less of an adventure this season?

M8B: Cannot predict now.

Seattle exchanged one kicker with the yips for another. The Seahawks’ answer to the free-agency departure of once-deadly Steven Hauschka, the team’s all-time leader in field goals made, was to sign younger (and cheaper) kicker Blair Walsh, the onetime Pro Bowler released in November 2016 after four years with Minnesota and some inconsistent kicking. One of his most notable misses came in the 2016 wild card playoff game against the Seahawks, when he shanked a 27-yarder with 22 seconds left, allowing Seattle to win, 10-9. Walsh went 15-for-19 on PATs and was 12 of 16 on field goals after nine games last season. Hauschka abruptly lost his mojo in 2016, missing more extra points (six) than any other kicker.

Q: Is it really that bad?

M8B: Ask again later.

Wilson is back with even more enthusiasm, if that’s possible (“Go Hawks!”). So is running back Thomas Rawls, kick returner Tyler Lockett and defensive back Earl Thomas after injuries. A dominating defense returns largely intact, led by Legion of Boom veterans Richard Sherman, Michael Bennett, K.J. Wright, Cliff Avril, recently married Kam Chancellor and linebacker Bobby Wagner, who led the NFL in tackles. On offense, deep-threat, clutch receivers Doug Baldwin, Jermaine Kearse and company, including stellar pass-catching tight end Jimmy Graham, will help.

Q: Will the Seahawks win their division?

M8B: Outlook good.

They are favored to win their fourth NFC West division title in five years and make their sixth-straight postseason. The biggest challenge will come from the Arizona Cardinals. The L.A. Rams and Francisco make for a pretty weak division. The Seahawks know how to win, finishing at 10-5-1 last season, their fifth-straight with 10 or more wins. But since the 2013 Super Bowl title and all-but-won one the next year, anything but a shiny silver trophy will feel like a loss to demanding Hawks fans.

Q: Will Russell Wilson return to his old, dynamic running self?

M8B: Signs point to yes.

A lot depends on the offensive line protecting him. In camp Wilson appeared slimmer, faster, and healthy. Wilson’s ankle and knee injuries last season had a cascading effect on the team’s fortunes: Not a threat to run, opposing teams could sit back against the pass — even though Wilson and Seattle receivers managed occasional brilliance, especially on deep routes and in clutch situations. But teams could rush with success, because Wilson wasn’t his usual Houdini self. At times, it was painful to watch.

Q: Can Marshawn Lynch please come back?

M8B: My reply is no.

Lynch came out of retirement to sign with his hometown (and hated elsewhere) Oakland Raiders, who look to be in the mix among the NFL elite. But Seattle upgraded its running game with newcomer Eddie Lacy, and if Rawls stays healthy, you won’t even miss Lynch. Or maybe you will, but for other reasons, like his classic go-to press conference answer: “I’m just here so I won’t get fined.”

Q: Is head coach Pete Carroll, 65-going on 45, a gumchomping, sideline-sprinting freak of nature?

M8B: It is decidedly so.

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WHAT’S NEW WITH...

WRITTEN BY MERI-JO BORZILLERI / PHOTOGRAPHED BY ROD MAR

Richard Sherman

The Seahawks’ resident instigator was at the center of a controversial story earlier this year. It said team chemistry had suffered permanent damage last season because Sherman and others were still bitter over the Super Bowl loss in 2015 on an intercepted pass at the New England 1. This offseason, the team GM said the team would be open to trade offers for the star cornerback. But things had calmed by August camp, when Sherman was his usual outspoken self with no hint of the guy who had multiple sideline blowups last season.

Russell Wilson

He is coming off his worst season as a pro, but earned more respect from teammates by playing every game despite lingering injuries that limited his mobility. Last season, Wilson beefed up in hopes to make himself a stronger runner and reduce injury. Now he’s all about lean strength, tapping a “food coach” who works with celebrities and NBA superstars. Russell’s new diet has him eating nine (yes, nine) meals a day, totaling 4,800 calories. It’s big on vegetables and protein, but no dairy or gluten. He’s a new dad to daughter, Sienna Princess, with celebrity wife Ciara.

Earl Thomas

He’s back. Some consider Thomas, a safety with explosive speed and tackling ability, the team’s most important player. When he broke his leg Dec. 4 against Carolina, it was like the air had changed. Just six months later, he was close to top speed at June camp. Instead of surgery, he made the unusual — and difficult — choice to let the bone heal on its own. Doctors told him it was a 50-50 proposition. But it worked, and the Seahawks — fingers crossed — should see him for the Sept. 4 season opener.

Michael Bennett

The star defensive lineman is the Seahawks most interesting player. He’s an activist, mentor to younger players; comedian. In the past eight months, he pulled out of an NFL players goodwill trip to Israel in order to not appear sympathetic to the country’s policies regarding Palestine.

(He said he’d rather go on his own to avoid propaganda.)

He also lobbied Seahawks’ management via Twitter to give Kam Chancellor a contract extension (he got it), and signed copies of the new children’s book by him and his wife, Pele, “Three Little Monsters Have a Wild Day.” They have three daughters.

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HOME IS WHERE THE HAWKS ARE FERNDALE FAN IS ALL IN WRITTEN BY BEN JOHNSON PHOTOGRAPHED BY ROBERT DUDZIK

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y the time Debbie Gwaltney opens the lime-green front door of her Ferndale home, visitors can already tell she’s a Seahawks super fan. The two-story house is painted dark blue with white trim, and the green garage door is adorned with a Seahawks logo and giant “12.”

Even the patio chairs boast that unmistakable neon green.

After one look at Gwaltney’s place, it becomes clear how Seahawks fans could cause a minor earthquake during Marshawn Lynch’s 67-yard “Beast Mode” run in 2011. Equally The refrigerator is clear: Why “fan” is short for wrapped to look like “fanatic.” She absolutely loves a helmet, matching this team.

Seahawks decorations hang the blue and green everywhere you look inside kitchen utensils a the home, all pieces she’s been few feet away. gathering since she went to her first game as a young girl. “My grandparents were season-ticket holders the very first season in 1976,” she says. “I have vivid memories of going to games with them at the Kingdome.”

Today, autographed jerseys and posters hang from navy blue walls above Seahawks throw rugs. The refrigerator is wrapped to look like a helmet, matching the blue and green kitchen utensils a few feet away. But Gwaltney didn’t imagine living in a Seahawks-themed house when it was constructed in 1998. As a single mother of two sportobsessed boys, one of whom has special needs, all she wanted was for her home to be fun.

“Their passion is sports. Anything I can do that fulfills their desires, that’s what we do,” Gwaltney says.

The transformation began when her home needed new siding a few years ago. Gwaltney chose to paint the house college navy blue, taking a neighborhood poll to make sure her neighbors were OK with her adding a bright green garage door. After one neighbor responded by saying, “You have to,” the deed was done.

From there, Gwaltney went all-in. The dining room was converted into a Seahawks 12th man-cave, complete with a Hawks-themed pool table and a cutout of Blitz the mascot. She had her car wrapped with Seahawks decals.

Her entire home became a Seahawks collection, and before long Gwaltney became “The Seahawks Lady,” a name now embroidered on her own custom Hawks jersey.

IF YOU GO

Seattle Seahawks

Mon. Nov. 12 vs. Atlanta. Super Bowl runners-up take on the Seahawks in a repeat of the game that ended Seattle’s 2016 season. Home-field playoff implications are big. Super Bowl is Feb. 4 in Minneapolis WEBSITE seahawks.com

SEASON Sept 10–Dec 31

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Photographed by Somebody

IN HOSTILE TERRITORY Photographed by Teka Israel

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS FAN IN DENVER

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WRITTEN BY JESSICA CARTER

ven though I live in a divided household, our hearts are united. My husband, Trevor Carter, is a Colorado native. He has always been a Broncos fan, but secretly I know he is a closet Seahawks fan. He just won’t admit it.

I am a Washington native who has been a Seahawks fan for as long as I can remember. I grew up rooting for them with my father. Four years ago, I moved from Bellingham to Carbondale, Colo., but have continued to bleed blueand-green in orange-and-blue territory.

Every football season I get “Mommy, Mommy we out my gear and proudly wear cannot forget to root it to work and around town.

As a middle school teacher, for Daddy’s team, my students give me a hard too. Go Broncos!” time. During football season, the staff is encouraged to wear their team jersey every Friday. Of course, I wear my Seahawks jersey. That did not go over well with most of my students. So, one of my classes suggested that every time the Seahawks lost a game, I had to wear a Broncos jersey. My students loved it when I showed up to work in a Broncos jersey.

My husband and our close friends get a kick out of talking down the Seahawks. They are always saying how the Broncos are the better team. I remind them what happened in Super Bowl XLVIII — the Seahawks dominated with a 43-8 win. They still try to come up with excuses why the Broncos lost, but none of them are convincing.

All in all, I actually don’t mind being a Seahawks fan on the Western Slope. When our 3-year-old daughter, April, is in her Seahawks gear, she gets compliments on how adorable she is. Even Trevor and our close friends cannot deny it.

Football season is always interesting in the Carter household. April says with enthusiasm, “Go Seahawks!”

She then tells me, “Mommy, Mommy, we cannot forget to root for Daddy’s team, too. Go Broncos!”

We are supportive of one another’s teams, but when they are playing each other we are divided. April is caught in the middle of the football chaos, but deep down Trevor and I both know the truth. She is a Seahawks fan

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DENVER BRONCOS FAN IN WASHINGTON WRITTEN BY JENN BACHTEL

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grew up in Santa Cruz, California and my parents were avid football fans. They collected football cards and watched Sunday football religiously. My dad told me I could choose any team in his giant book of cards to root for, and it was a big deal. Much to my father’s dismay, I chose the Cincinnati Bengals because Boomer Esiason was number 7 and I was 7! I don’t think I ever saw them win a game.

Soon after, Boomer retired and my dad informed me that when your QB retires you can switch teams (Hmm. Good one, Dad!) So naturally I went with the other QB that wore No. 7, John Elway, and have been a huge and loyal Broncos fan ever since. I got to grow up watching the best years of Elway’s career and back-to-back Super Bowl wins with NFL greats like Terrell Davis, Shannon Sharpe, and my favorite Bronco of all time, Eddie McCaffrey.

Now I live in Seattle Seahawks territory. No matter how talented your players are, it’s not easy rooting for a team that isn’t local. For one thing, it’s hard to catch your team live. When I was moving up to Washington, I never gave much thought to Seahawks fans after enduring years of Raiders rivalry at home. I was sadly mistaken — Seahawks fans are like none I’ve encountered. Mostly it’s all been good fun, save for a few really nasty exchanges, including being told by a Hawked-out fan that he hopes I die.

Fantasy Football has sure changed the way people enjoy the NFL. Many people who roused on me every year now draft half my team to their fantasy roster and end up rooting for my team to do well — or my players at least.

Mainly I’ve found, aside from some rowdy extreme fans, people are more entertained when you show up in Broncos gear, especially that one Super Bowl every Broncos fan wishes to forget! I remember getting all geared up and going to watch that game at a pub full of Hawks fans.

Needless to say, I endured a lot of things you would find on the “How Not to Be a Football Fan” list. But in the end, I think I made their win all the better by being there, covered in blue and orange from head to toe, watching the Hawks destroy us. If I could say one thing to Seahawks fans out there beside “Share the field,” it would probably be “It’s just a game!”

That, and…Go Broncos!

TAILGATING RECIPES WRITTEN BY MCKENNA KLOES

© Michaela Kenkel

BACON CHEESEBURGER MEATBALLS The beauty of this recipe is that it is completely customizable! Prepare ahead of time, or let guests assemble their own snack. For vegetarians in your group, the meat can be left out and the guacamole can be heaped on. For the mega-fan who wants to coordinate the colors in their taco cup to their favorite team’s colors, they can go wild. The options are endless.

Ingredients • • • • •

Meatballs American cheese, cut into small pieces Pre-cooked bacon slices, cut into small pieces Iceberg lettuce cut into small pieces Grape tomatoes, cut in half

Instructions 1 Bake up as many meatballs as desired, following the package instructions.

2 Meanwhile, cut small pieces of American cheese

to melt on top when meatballs are baked.

3 “Stack” your desired toppings on skewers or

toothpicks. Meatballs, cheese, bacon, lettuce, tomatoes, etc., can all be used.

4 When the baking time is up, top each meatball

with a small slice of cheese and place back in the oven for a couple more minutes to let the cheese melt.

5 Poke the already stacked skewer into the meatball

and plate.

6 Serve with ketchup, mayo, and mustard.

7 Enjoy!

Note: Any “burger” ingredients can be used. Just pick and choose your favorites!

FROM ANAFFAIRFROMTHEHEART.COM

© Diane Williams Food Junkie © Homemade

BACON WRAPPED SWEET POTATOES SERVES: 12 These little treats happen to be gluten-free, dairy-free, low-sodium, and low-sugar. But don’t let that scare you off. With flavor this addicting, you’d never know they’re the healthiest snack at the party!

Ingredients: • 6 slices bacon, cut in half (12 pieces) • 2 medium sweet potato, peeled • 1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper (to taste)

Instructions: 1 Preheat oven to 350F. 2 Cut peeled sweet potatoes into one-inch square

(as possible) chunks.

3 Sprinkle cayenne pepper over potatoes.(I didn't

do that — still delicious!)

4 Cut the bacon slices in half. Wrap each sweet

potato piece with a half slice of bacon, and secure with a toothpick.

5 Place on a baking sheet, and bake for 45 minutes

or until potatoes are fork-tender, turning once.

FROM HOMEMADEFOODJUNKIE.COM

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FAN ETIQUETTE WRITTEN BY BEN JOHNSON

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DO bring ear protection

If you happen to make it to CenturyLink Field for a game this season, bring ear protection. Fans aren’t exaggerating when they say the stadium gets incredibly loud. CenturyLink has twice held the supposed world record for stadium volume, with fan noise reaching 137.6 decibels. That’s louder than a 747 taking off.

Photo by Philip Robertson on Flickr

opefully you’ve had a good off-season, but now it’s time to get back to the action.

Seahawks fans may be rusty after all that time off, so here are some do’s and don’ts to remember for the upcoming season.

DON’T get big-headed

Longtime Seahawks fans will remember the days before Super Bowl runs and winning seasons.

While the Hawks are hot now, take it in stride.

It took a lot of losing seasons to get where we are today — I’m looking at you, 1992 Hawks (2-14).

DO check out Touchdown City

In early 2016, a Seattle man dressed in a Seahawks coat and hat robbed a bank. While it’s great to profess your love for the Seahawks whenever you can, please try your hardest not to give the 12s a bad name. Better yet, don’t rob a bank.

The Seahawks host contests and activities at “Touchdown City” in the CenturyLink Field Event Center before every home game. Fans can get autographs from Seahawks legends, meet the Sea Gals, and enjoy food and beverages at the event. Admission is free. The fun begins three hours before each game.

DO support the Hawks however you can

DON’T go overboard on the celebrations

DON’T give the Seahawks a bad rap

Not every “12” gets to head to Seattle to watch games in person. If you’re a fan watching from afar, support the team in whatever way you can — like the dedicated fan in Vancouver, Washington who waves a “12th man” flag for hours over I-5 every game day.

DON’T let trash talk get to you

Trash-talk in football is as commonplace as cheerleaders and Gatorade-soaked coaches.

Remember: It’s all in good fun. Then there are times it gets out of hand. In 2013, a Seahawks fan was ejected from CenturyLink and arrested after sucker-punching a Vikings fan for trash talk. Definitely unsportsmanlike conduct.

DO find your fellow 12s

Seahawk fans are a dedicated bunch, and that means there’s usually a fan meetup on game days. Check out Seahawks groups near you to find the best place to watch games, talk football, and cheer on the Hawks.

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While the Hawks have seen their share of exciting victories, remember not to get carried away during the post-game cheer. One Bellingham resident learned this the hard way in 2014, after blasting a shotgun into the air in his front yard in celebration. The party ended early when Bellingham police arrived.

DO stay hopeful

Remember to stay hopeful when things look bleak in the fourth quarter. Russell Wilson has the record for the most fourth-quarter comebacks since 2012, leading the team to victory a remarkable 19 times. That’s the most in the NFL, and a good reason to keep the TV on until the very end.

DON’T throw from the one-yard line in

the Super Bowl when Marshawn Lynch is the running back OK, this tip is for the Oakland Raiders now.

We’re still upset about this, Pete.

SPORTS INFORMATION DIRECTOR, FAMILY GUY JEFF EVANS

WRITTEN AND PHOTOGRAPHED BY ROBERT DUDZIK

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n only his second year with Western Washington University, sports information director Jeff Evans had a front-row seat during one of the most decorated athletic seasons in Western history, watching 13 of the university’s 15 teams compete in NCAA Division II Championship tournaments. Two — women’s soccer and women’s crew — won national titles, Some people have asked Evans why he left such soccer for the first time in school history. a high-caliber job. His answer is simple: for family.

Evans left one team for many — but it was a During his time with the Mariners, Evans was perbig one. Two years ago, Evans came to Western petually on the clock. Whether it was traveling with from the Seattle Mariners, where he worked as the team, watching games, or writing press releases, assistant director of baseball information. Trading there was too much time spent away from home.

Safeco Field and the major leagues for a college “I’m just trying to figure out if I can be a dad campus was a big transition. Evans has taken a and a sports information guy,” Evans said. “And liking to the way of life and energy found in colI probably could’ve done that just as well at the lege athletics, along with the Mariners, but there was someinterconnectedness of the surthing inside me that wanted a “Working with student rounding community, a healthy little bit of change.” Even though athletes has been work-life balance and a search Evans left what some view as a amazing, because their for new challenges. “dream job,” he has embraced “Personally, I love being stories need to be told and the changes and is looking forback on a college campus and I want to help them have a ward to the new challenges that the energy that brings to the come with his role at Western. job,” Evans said. “Working really good experience in With all that is happening at with student athletes has been Western, his pro sports life is in whatever way I can.” amazing, because their stories the rearview mirror — there to need to be told and I want to help them have a see, but it’s more important to look ahead. “I really good experience in whatever way I can.” have 15 sports that I am basically in charge of, This is the first time two teams won national with help from an assistant,” he said. “There’s not championship titles in the same academic year, a lot of time to sit there and worry about what and is the most decorated year in a half-century happened in the past.” of Western athletics, said Western historian Paul Madison. Besides women’s soccer and crew, WestSeattle Mariners IF YOU GO ern teams reaching the tournament were volleyball (NCAA region championship game); men’s socFri. Sept. 22 vs. Indians. Fan appreciation cer; men’s and women’s cross-country; men’s and night and postgame fireworks. Every fan takes home a poster, and there will be special women’s track and field (indoors and outdoors); activities throughout the night, followed by men’s and women’s basketball and men’s golf. the final Fireworks Night of the season.

WEBSITE mlb.com/mariners

SEASON April 3–Sept 30

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WOOD BATS, COMMUNITY FIXTURE BELLINGHAM BELLS

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here’s a reason many sports novels are about baseball. It has a certain mix of Americana, sentimentality, and warmth that other sports lack. There is also a significant difference between watching the game on TV and physically attending a game. The floodlights, hot dogs, beer, sunset, and the sound of the catcher’s mitt all join to create the atmosphere of baseball. And the air at the Bellingham Bells game is infectious.

Adding the nostalgia of a night at the ballpark, Joe Martin Field itself is historic. The Bellingham Bells are a collegiate wood-bat team, and have been playing here since 1999. Before that, a series of three minor league pro teams have called Bellingham home since 1973. The best-known team, the Bellingham Mariners, played from 1977–94 and featured future major league stars Ken Griffey, Jr.; Edgar Martinez; Dave Valle and Dave Henderson, among others.

The leisurely pace of the outdoor summer sport is enhanced by welcoming warm evenings that encourage you to slow down and savor the action.

The Bells draft their players just out of high school or one year into college. Several are Bellingham residents home from college for the summer. Some live with volunteer host families. The players have hopes of getting to the major leagues, so they are bringing their serious efforts to each game.

The ambiance of a Bells game, like the ambiance of Bellingham, is friendly and communityfocused. There are a diverse group of fans spread out among the bleachers, the beer garden, and the grass hillside. There are the regulars who come to all the games, families of all sizes, locals, tourists,

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© Alex Powell

WRITTEN BY MIKAYLA NICHOLSON

groups of high schoolers wandering through summer, young adults home from college, and elderly couples sporting all the team’s gear.

Rachel Rohrbach has gone to several Bells games, and said she goes out of her way to see one when she’s back in Bellingham. “It’s friendly, and not too rowdy,” Rohrbach said. “It’s good for companies too.” Rohrbach said the company at her previous job sponsored activities at games.

Rohrbach said she used to know the perThe players have hopes of son behind the mascot, getting to the major leagues, Dinger, The Bellinghamster. Every game, Dinger so they are bringing their plays games with the serious efforts to each game. kids in attendance. The hamster races kids across the infield, helps one lucky (or unlucky) blindfolded slugger find a rogue baseball on the field, and encourages the crowd to loosen their vocal chords for “Sweet Caroline.”

A baseball game has a communal spirit. It can be enjoyed by those with any level of sports expertise. There is an even balance between wholesome family entertainment and serious engagement from the players. A Bells game is an affordable, familyfriendly activity, especially during the stretch of August when you may be running out of ideas to entertain your out-of-school kids.

Baseball runs at a slower pace than other pro sports, but that doesn’t mean it’s low energy.

The rhythm of the game allows for gathering and rapport in the crowd between friends, neighbors and families.

FROM FRED MEYER TO SEATTLE SOUNDERS ANNOUNCER NOW HAS “DREAMY CAREER”

© Dan Poss

WRITTEN BY BEN JOHNSON

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© Jane Gershovich

he journey that took former Bellingham resident Matt Johnson to work for Major League Soccer’s Seattle Sounders started with a deep passion — for baseball.

“It was my favorite sport by far. I was way into baseball,” Johnson said.

If you’re a Sounders fan, you’ve probably heard Johnson doing play-by-play on television or the radio. While today he’s constantly traveling across the country with the club, Johnson spent his early twenties living in Bellingham and working at Fred Meyer on Lakeway Drive.

Broadcasting offered him a platform to be sarcastic, funny, and a bit of a smartass. He loved every minute of it. After graduating, Johnson took an internship at KJR Sports Radio in Seattle, where he worked for the next nine years, later moving on to produce radio for the Seattle Seahawks.

When the Seattle Sounders called and offered him the play-by-play position in 2015, Johnson gladly accepted. The proposition was an incredible opportunity and challenge, as Johnson had no play-by-play experience. In the last two years, he has been working to create his own style on-air, while acting as an ambassador to the sport.

As for the job broadcasting baseball?

“It just never showed “As soon as I started getting up. It was like, I got a behind a microphone, I knew huge break working in that I found what I wanted to sports radio, so I started producing. It just never do the rest of my life.” materialized,” he said.

That said, Johnson has been lucky enough to work for two sports franchises in Seattle that won championships during his employment. If he had worked for baseball’s Seattle Mariners, it would have been a different story.

But it was his love of baseball that took him to “Really, my career has been pretty dreamy,” Edmonds Community College to pursue journalJohnson said. ism, where he wrote sports stories for the school’s newspaper. From that experience, he realized his dream job was to become a baseball announcer.

Seattle Sounders IF YOU GO He left for the American School of Broadcast in Spokane with that goal in mind.

Sun. Oct. 22, vs. Colorado Rapids. The “As soon as I started getting behind a microSounders will finish the regular season with phone, I knew that I found what I wanted to do three of four final matches at home, hosting the rest of my life,” Johnson said. (Full disclosure: Decision Day against Colorado.

Johnson is this writer’s uncle.)

WEBSITE soundersfc.com

SEASON March 4–Oct 22

September 2017

67

ALL YOU SEE IS EMERALD AND GREEN WRITTEN BY ROBERT DUDZIK

D

uring any Sounders home game, you will find a rambunctious group of soccer supporters singing, dancing and chanting.

They make up a sea of emerald and green, located at the south end of CenturyLink Field, that is hard most exhilarating place to be in the entire stadium. West to miss, whether you’re at the game or watching on TV. thinks so.

They are the Emerald City Supporters, and if you “It’s like when you have your first kiss, that goose-bump don’t see them, you’ll hear them. One of the several fan feeling you have across your arms,” West said, “and that groups comprising the ECS is 542 Brigade, led by Bellfirst time you have that scary moment when you take a ingham’s Errien West, known to most as corner too fast on a dirt road, where you “Hooligan Ron.” West does double duty have a tingly-ness through your whole “It’s like when you have as a fan of his local club, Bellingham body. That’s what it is like to be in the your first kiss, that United FC. heart on a Cascadia Day.” goose-bump feeling ECS members pride themselves Cascadia Day, as West refers to it, is not only in their love of soccer and when the Seattle Sounders play either you have across your other local sports, but love for their the Portland Timbers or the Vancouarms... That’s what it community too, whether it is raising ver Washington Whitecaps. When these is like to be in the heart money or awareness for cystic fibrosis teams play together, the excitement or helping fund the Blaine-based Lions and tension between fans and players on a Cascadia Day.” Camp Horizon. The camp, founded by is palpable. Each team is fighting for the Lions Club, provides a recreational outlet for people the Cascadia Cup, awarded annually to the best team in with developmental disabilities. the Pacific Northwest.

At Sounders games, the ECS area is not just a place Decked out in full green and blue regalia, the Emerald for fans to chant, drink and hardly ever sit down. It is City Supporters make themselves known to visiting teams a place for soccer fans to congregate, celebrate and root and supporters alike, screaming and singing at the tops of for their home team. But if you decide to stand with the their lungs so the opposing team and fans know exactly ECS group at a game, you might just find that it’s the whose house they’ve walked into.

WHERE TO WATCH

Buffalo Wild Wings

Scotty Browns

Whiskey’s Burger Bistro

6 Bellis Fair Pkwy., Bellingham

3101 Newmarket St., Bellingham

1304 12th St., Bellingham

360.671.5963

360.306.8823

360.526.2905

Boston’s Restaurant & Sports Bar

Slo Pitch Grill & Casino

Aslan Brewing Company

Archer Ale House

70 Bellis Fair Pkwy., Bellingham

3720 Meridian St., Bellingham

1330 N. Forest St., Bellingham

1212 10th St., Bellingham

360.676.5111

360.733.2255

360.778.2088

360.647.7002

Boundary Bay Brewery & Bistro

Cocoanut Grove

Wander Brewing

The Bull Pen Sports Bar & Grill

1107 Railroad Ave., Bellingham

710 Marine Dr., Bellingham

1807 Dean Ave., Bellingham

701 Metcalf St., Sedro Woolley

360.647.5593

360.671.6756

360.647.6152

360.588.4508

Extreme Sports Grill & Pizzeria

Bob’s Burgers and Brew

Filling Station

G's Castle

4156 Meridian St. Bellingham

202 E. Holly St. #101, Bellingham

1138 Finnegan Way, Bellingham

708 Metcalf St, Sedro.Woolley

360.647.7066

360.734.1350

360.715.1839

360.855.2496

68 NorthSoundLife.com

Photo by sounderbruce on Flickr

BELLINGHAM’S HOOLIGAN RON AND THE SOUNDERS

GREAT DEALS IN PRO SPORTS WRITTEN BY MIKAYLA NICHOLSON

A

family trip to see a pro team play can create lasting memories, be a fun way to spend time together, and time away from screens. However, it can drain your wallet by the time it’s over. Among mainstream pro sports, baseball swings in as the cheapest of the lot, at an average of $30 for one ticket. Still, that’s a spendy $208 for a family of four including drinks, parking, and souvenirs, according to Team Marketing Report. The Seattle Mariners are often cited as the worse deal in baseball, with no World Series ever, few prominent players, and still introducing a 7.8 percent ticket price hike in 2013. For the frugal fan, there are methods to get high-profile tickets to watch live pro sports for cheap. Scouting online early for deals, picking a game with a low-key opponent, and watching for teams that sell tickets at discounted rates for groups or early birds, and being conscientious about the teams you go to see. Below are options for those who want to see high-caliber pro teams play, but don’t want to break the bank.

Seattle Storm The Seattle Storm, Seattle’s Women’s National Basketball Association team, has tickets straight from their website starting at $15 for upper bowl seating. It’s a bargain to see a team starring last year’s rookie of the year and No. 1 draft pick, Breanna Stewart, along with veteran Sue Bird, considered among the best point guards in women’s hoops history. The Storm also features a great family atmosphere, group discounts and the BECU Early Saver Zone. The Saver Zone offers general admission seating for families, non-profits and community groups, starting at $10 a pop for groups of 20 or more.

Key Arena, 305 Harrison St., Seattle Regular season: May–September | storm.wnba.com

© Jane Gersovich

Seattle Reign Another way to save on tickets is to follow sports with tickets that aren’t as high in demand as some of the big teams and thus don’t hike their prices as frequently. The Seattle Reign, Seattle’s pro women’s soccer league, are less expensive than seeing the Sounders, and an impressive team in their own right, with U.S. national team star Megan Rapinoe. Tickets on the team’s website start at $19 for upper grandstand seats, $25 for lower grandstand and $32 for premium seating.

Memorial Stadium, 401 5th Ave. N., Seattle Regular season: April–September | reignfc.com

Seattle Mariners Even if The Seattle Mariners aren’t the best MLB deal in the nation, the team does feature several ticket specials right on their website, including food and drink packages. Individual tickets can be found from StubHub or SeatGeek for lower than the national average. The Mariners also offer discounts for seniors over 60 and college students with valid ID. There are also BECU Half-Price Nights on select nights in April, May, June and September, starting at $13. StubHub tickets start from $8, if you buy far in advance.

Safeco Field, 1250 1st Ave. South, Seattle Regular season: April–September | mlb.com/mariners

Bob’s Burgers and Brew

Skagit River Brewery

Haley’s Sports Bar & Grill

H20

8107 Guide Meridian, Lynden

404 S. 3rd St., Mt. Vernon

175 Spring St., Friday Harbor

314 Commercial Ave., Anacortes

360.354.2125

360.336.2884

360.378.4434

360.755.3956

Steakhouse 9 Bistro and Lounge

North Sound Brewing Co.

Herb’s Tavern

Chair 9 Pizza & Bar

115 E. Homestead Blvd., Lynden

17406 State Route 536,

80 1st St., Friday Harbor

10459 Mt. Baker Hwy., Deming

360.778.2849

Mt Vernon, 360.982.2057

360.378.7076

360.599.2511

Glynn’s Shamrock Pub

Sports Keg Restaurant Lounge

Union Tavern - Local 902

Cask & Schooner Public

5309 Guide Meridian, Bellingham

1660 S. Burlington Blvd.,

902 Commercial Ave., Anacortes

House & Restaurant

360.398.1702

Burlington, 360.757.7828

360.873.8245

1 Front St., Friday Harbor

Draft Pic’s Sports Bar and Grill

Varsity Inn

Brown Lantern

516 S. 1st St., Mount Vernon

112 N. Cherry St., Burlington

412 Commercial Ave., Anacortes

360. 336.3626

360.755.0165

360.293.2544

360.378.2922

September 2017

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