It is Fan Appreciation Night for the Ridgefield Raptors on Friday, Aug. 2, as the team begins the final six games of the regular season before competing in the WCL playoffs
Paul Valencia
ClarkCountyToday.com
The Ridgefield Raptors have got one last weekend of home baseball for their regular season, and the team is celebrating its fans.
In two ways, actually.
One, it’s Fan Appreciation Night at the Ridgefield Outdoor Recreation Complex on Friday, Aug. 2.
And two, there will be more baseball to be played in Ridgefield this season.
The Raptors have been on quite the run in the second half of the West Coast League schedule, and their winning ways have qualified them for the playoffs.
But first, the home series finale of the regular season is Friday, Saturday, and Sunday against the Springfield Drifters.
For Friday’s game (first pitch at 6:35 p.m.), there will be giveaways every inning, plus all merchandise will be discounted at 50 percent.
On Saturday, it is the final Rally’s Kids Club game, and members of the club will be given a team poster, courtesy of Burgerville.
“We’re just trying to honor our fans for all the loyalty they have shown us for six years,” said Gus Farah, the team’s general manager.
The Raptors will conclude the regular season with three games in Walla Walla next week. The Raptors are still hoping to win the second-half of the WCL season. Regardless, their overall record has earned them a spot in the playoffs.
The WCL playoffs start Saturday, Aug. 10. The Raptors do not yet know if they will be home on that day or on Aug. 11 and, if necessary, Aug. 12.
The Raptors finished the first half of the WCL season six games below the .500 mark and did not look like a playoff team.
Then they took off, winning 13 in a row to start the second half.
“You’ve got to play good baseball, and you’ve got to be lucky,” Farah said of such a long winning streak. “It just doesn’t happen much.”
After a few losses, the Raptors bounced back. They won Thursday night to improve to 17-5 in the second half. Heading into the weekend, the Raptors have a half-game lead over the Portland Pickles for the WCL’s South Division second-half title.
“The team looks really good right now,” Farah said.
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