Regular readers of the Victoria Seals Baseball blog will remember the section of miscellaneous tidbits that we used to tack on to the end of blog posts called "Seal Blubber Bits". Once our new West Coast League team finds a name we'll have to come up with a new moniker, but until then here is a resurrected version of Seal Blubber Bits:- Our new West Coast League franchise will kick off the "Name the Team" contest very soon. Fans will be asked to select from a pre-defined list of options, much like the Victoria WHL hockey franchise did just over a year ago. Stay tuned for more details.
- The West Coast League has conditionally awarded an expansion franchise to Medford, Oregon. The team could begin play as soon as 2013 provided a lease agreement can be reached for Harry & David Field and the community can raise $250,000 for ballpark improvements. Funds raised by the community will be matched by the team's owner, Consolidated Sports Holding International. Consolidated Sports Holdings also owns four junior hockey teams: the Everett Silvertips of the WHL, the Amarillo Bulls and Texas Tornado of the North American Hockey League and the North Iowa Bulls of the North American 3 Hockey League. Medford used to host an affiliated baseball team in the Northwest League (Short Season A), but the team moved to Vancouver in 2000 when the AAA Vancouver Canadians were relocated to Sacramento, California.
- The awarding of the Medford franchise brings the West Coast League to 11 teams and it would not be surprising if a 12th team was awarded to Chico, California in the near future. Fans of the Victoria Seals will remember that the Chico Outlaws were part of the defunct Golden Baseball League. In fact, Eri Yoshida was wearing an Outlaws uniform when she pitched in one of the most unforgettable nights in Seals history. The Chico Outlaws folded in February 2012.
- The Victoria WCL team is also getting close to naming their GM and field boss. Rumour has it a former Victoria Seal is in the running for the manager's job.
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