PORT ANGELES — It’s the Port Angeles Lefties, and their mascot is the Olympic marmot.
Officials of the newest baseball team in the West Coast League unveiled the nickname at a Thursday evening event hosted by the Clallam County Economic Development Corp. and the Port Angeles Downtown Association.
“As a left-hander, I think that’s an inspired choice,” Mayor Patrick Downie said.
The league season begins in June. The team will play at Civic Field. Single-game tickets for the Lefties will start at $5 for general admission.
Lefties co-owner Matt Acker said the name and mascot will tell a story about the game.
“It is hard to name a baseball team and not have Major League Baseball step on you,” Acker said.
Team officials wanted to name the squad after the Olympic marmot, but the licensing fees to the Marmot outdoor clothing company were too costly.
“We just will not print the word marmot on our uniform,” Acker told a crowd of about 80 at the Vern Burton Community Center.
“It will be great for kids to see out there.”
An official logo is still in development, team co-owner Dean Reynolds said. The Lefties’ colors are surf blue, sunset orange and metallic silver.
The West Coast League is a wood bat league where college athletes from major conferences hone their skills over the summer.
The team website is www.leftiesbaseball.com.
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Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 56450, or at rollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.
