Raptors and their fans celebrate the start of 2025 season

The Ridgefield Raptors welcomed back their fans with this sign at the season opener on Thursday. Photo by Paul Valencia

Ridgefield Raptors fall in season opener, but the team and fans are excited to be back for another summer of West Coast League baseball at the Ridgefield Outdoor Recreation Complex

Paul Valencia
Clark County Today

It is more than a game.

It is a community event.

For many, it is a tradition.

The Ridgefield Raptors are back on the field, and their fans are back home at the RORC.

The team would end up losing on Opening Night of the 2025 baseball season Thursday, but their fans still felt like winners, just being back at the Ridgefield Outdoor Recreation Complex.

Sandy Schill has been a season ticket holder since the beginning of the Ridgefield Raptors franchise. Photo by Paul Valencia

“I love baseball, and I do love Ridgefield,” said Sandy Schill, who has been a season ticket holder since the Raptors started playing baseball in 2019.

She said the combination of baseball and the facility is perfect for her.

“It’s fantastic out here. It’s a great way to come out and just end your day,” Schill said. “I get off work, come out, sit down, enjoy baseball. I look forward to coming back the next day, and the next day, and coming to as many games as I can.”

The Raptors have 35 home dates on the schedule this season.

She said she also enjoys seeing all of her seat neighbors, others who have been ticker holders for so long.

“It’s fun to see the same ones come back,” Schill said. “It’s nice to be out here with familiar faces. It feels like it’s our home. It’s our team. It’s my team.”

Rally the Raptor welcomes players during pre-game introductions Thursday at the opener of the Ridgefield Raptors 2025 baseball season. Photo by Paul Valencia

Chris Cota is back as the team’s head coach. The longtime coach of the College of the Canyons in southern California, Cota said he loves taking in the fresh air of the Northwest every summer.

“It’s fun. Good to see all the fans and all the friends I’ve made up here,” he said.

Cota said he and his staff appreciate building a new team every summer. Yes, there are a handful of players who return to the Raptors from the previous season, but for the most part in the West Coast League, the teams start fresh. West Coast League teams are for baseball players with college eligibility. The teams often play six times a week, much like a professional baseball schedule.

The Raptors have made the WCL playoffs four consecutive seasons. Cota said that credit should go to the players.

“We just try not to mess them up,” he said with a laugh.

On this night, the Cowlitz Black Bears got the best of the Raptors in a 9-2 decision. This was considered a non-league game. These two teams play each other in the first game of the season every year, then play each other six more times in league play. The seven-game “series” decides the Columbia River Cup for the two Southwest Washington rivals.

A look at the action from the press box Thursday at the Ridgefield Outdoor Recreation Complex. Photo by Paul Valencia

The Raptors hit the road this weekend for a three-game series in Bend to open league play. The Raptors will return to the RORC next Tuesday for a three-game series.

Even in defeat, Raptors management was pleased with opening night.

“The weather broke for us, and the fans are loyal. They are back here,” said Gus Farah, the general manager of the team.

It rained for much of the day Thursday, but no weather issues at all in the evening.

The Raptors sold more than 1,400 tickets to Thursday’s opener.

“Overall the atmosphere is fantastic,” Farah said. “It’s a community gathering for Southwest Washington. We’re excited.”