Published: Wednesday, June 2, 2004
Play ball: Pyatte guides Merchants for 31st year
EVERETT - Ah, retirement.
For many people that word equates to relaxing at home with their spouse, Vanna White and Alex Trebeck.
But for Harold Pyatte, who in February ended his 38-year tenure as a longshoreman and union president at the Port of Everett, retirement means having more time to prepare for the upcoming season as manager of the Everett Merchants baseball team.
"Now I have more time for baseball and my family," the 61-year-old Pyatte said. "I have a wonderful wife of 38 years and I couldn't do this without her understanding. She's allowed me to pursue this hobby. I love the game, but it is only a game."
Pyatte founded the semi-pro team in 1972 and the Merchants began playing in what was then the Western International League in 1973. It is now the Pacific International League. He begins his 31st season as manager tonight when the Merchants travel to Kirkland to face the Kirkland Grizzlies at 7 p.m.
"We're vastly improved over last season," said Pyatte, whose Merchants were 13-17 in league and 19-20 overall in 2003. "We had too many freshman and didn't have the necessary experience to really compete."
To remedy last season's woes, Pyatte went out with coaches Dan Keller and Todd Howell last October and began recruiting.
"Most of the kids are local, but we went with more (NCAA) Division I guys this year," said Pyatte, after his Merchants lost eight one-run games last season. "You can chalk those loses up to inexperience."
One of the keys to this year's offense is outfielder Andrew LaFave. LaFave, who also will pitch for the Merchants, was named the Northwest Athletic Association of Community Colleges Most Valuable Player while playing at Edmonds Community College this spring. LaFave, an Anacortes High School alum, led the league in batting average (.445), runs (33) and home runs (six). As a pitcher, he was 6-2 with a save and 2.33 earned-run average.
"Playing for the Merchants program is really fun," said LaFave, who will play for the University of Hawaii next season, along with Merchant teammates Adam Roberts of Mount Vernon and Rob Nelson of Redmond.
"I've grown up playing at Everett Memorial and I love that field. It's great playing for Harold because he's so easy-going and a lot of the guys play for Edmonds (Community College) so I get along with everyone."
Among the key additions to Pyatte's new-look pitching staff is Everett Community College freshman Zach Simons. Simons, drafted last season by the Oakland A's, was 2-4 with a save and 2.76 ERA for EvCC this season. EdCC's Bryan Tupper (5-2, 2.17 ERA) also takes the mound for the Merchants this summer.
"Our execution will be my main concern," Pyatte said. "Usually you have two or three opportunities to score each game early in the season. If we can take advantage of those opportunities, I think we'll get off to a good start."
The Merchants are excited to start what they hope to be an annual event: a game against the Everett AquaSox.
On June 16th at 7:05 p.m., in lieu of the AquaSox's annual intrasquad game, the Frogs will take the field against the Merchants in an exhibition game.
"I've been working toward this for years," Pyatte said. "(AquaSox owner) Mark Sperandio really took the ball and ran with it. We'd like to make it an annual event with an annual trophy given to the game's winner.
"Our players are very excited," Pyatte continued. "It will be the (AquaSox's) first structured game of the season together. We'll have a few games behind us and ready to go. It should be a good contest."
This should be the best of both worlds for Snohomish county baseball fans.
"It's a great opportunity for the town folk to see both teams play," said Pyatte. "This is a big shot in the arm for us and big for baseball in the community."
For many people that word equates to relaxing at home with their spouse, Vanna White and Alex Trebeck.
But for Harold Pyatte, who in February ended his 38-year tenure as a longshoreman and union president at the Port of Everett, retirement means having more time to prepare for the upcoming season as manager of the Everett Merchants baseball team.
"Now I have more time for baseball and my family," the 61-year-old Pyatte said. "I have a wonderful wife of 38 years and I couldn't do this without her understanding. She's allowed me to pursue this hobby. I love the game, but it is only a game."
Pyatte founded the semi-pro team in 1972 and the Merchants began playing in what was then the Western International League in 1973. It is now the Pacific International League. He begins his 31st season as manager tonight when the Merchants travel to Kirkland to face the Kirkland Grizzlies at 7 p.m.
"We're vastly improved over last season," said Pyatte, whose Merchants were 13-17 in league and 19-20 overall in 2003. "We had too many freshman and didn't have the necessary experience to really compete."
To remedy last season's woes, Pyatte went out with coaches Dan Keller and Todd Howell last October and began recruiting.
"Most of the kids are local, but we went with more (NCAA) Division I guys this year," said Pyatte, after his Merchants lost eight one-run games last season. "You can chalk those loses up to inexperience."
One of the keys to this year's offense is outfielder Andrew LaFave. LaFave, who also will pitch for the Merchants, was named the Northwest Athletic Association of Community Colleges Most Valuable Player while playing at Edmonds Community College this spring. LaFave, an Anacortes High School alum, led the league in batting average (.445), runs (33) and home runs (six). As a pitcher, he was 6-2 with a save and 2.33 earned-run average.
"Playing for the Merchants program is really fun," said LaFave, who will play for the University of Hawaii next season, along with Merchant teammates Adam Roberts of Mount Vernon and Rob Nelson of Redmond.
"I've grown up playing at Everett Memorial and I love that field. It's great playing for Harold because he's so easy-going and a lot of the guys play for Edmonds (Community College) so I get along with everyone."
Among the key additions to Pyatte's new-look pitching staff is Everett Community College freshman Zach Simons. Simons, drafted last season by the Oakland A's, was 2-4 with a save and 2.76 ERA for EvCC this season. EdCC's Bryan Tupper (5-2, 2.17 ERA) also takes the mound for the Merchants this summer.
"Our execution will be my main concern," Pyatte said. "Usually you have two or three opportunities to score each game early in the season. If we can take advantage of those opportunities, I think we'll get off to a good start."
The Merchants are excited to start what they hope to be an annual event: a game against the Everett AquaSox.
On June 16th at 7:05 p.m., in lieu of the AquaSox's annual intrasquad game, the Frogs will take the field against the Merchants in an exhibition game.
"I've been working toward this for years," Pyatte said. "(AquaSox owner) Mark Sperandio really took the ball and ran with it. We'd like to make it an annual event with an annual trophy given to the game's winner.
"Our players are very excited," Pyatte continued. "It will be the (AquaSox's) first structured game of the season together. We'll have a few games behind us and ready to go. It should be a good contest."
This should be the best of both worlds for Snohomish county baseball fans.
"It's a great opportunity for the town folk to see both teams play," said Pyatte. "This is a big shot in the arm for us and big for baseball in the community."
Comments
(