Its American Legion offering, the Beetles, won national championships, provided prospect after prospect. Communities such as Vancouver, Moses Lake and Redmond followed this lead and turned out similar programs. Kennewick, under the leadership of former WSU baseball coach Steve Farrington, is the latest hotbed. Select teams are another rage, another outlet. They've been around four years.
Travel is more widespread.
Sixty-game summer seasons are the norm. The home base is no longer a telltale sign. Community college teams are being restored, as well as revised. That will guarantee better exposure with scouts. Making baseball more of a priority can only help local players.