<< Previous   of   Next >> For The Enterprise/JOSH BACHMAN  (click to enlarge) Mountlake Terrace's Karsten Strieby runs to first base after hitting a single during the 2008 Mariners Cup Aug. 15 at Safeco Field in Seattle. For The Enterprise/JOSH BACHMAN  (click to enlarge) After tying with the USA Mariners, the Northwest Mariners head back to the dugout. For The Enterprise/JOSH BACHMAN  (click to enlarge) Shorecrest's James Robbins is met at home plate by his team after hitting a home run during the last game of the Mariners Cup Aug. 15 at Safeco Field in Seattle. For the Enterprise/Josh Bachman For The Enterprise/JOSH BACHMAN  (click to enlarge) Meadowdale's Chase Anselment walks back to the Northwest Mariners dugout.

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CONTACT THE ENTERPRISE David Pan, Sports editor entsports@heraldnet.com Tony Dondero, Asst. Sports editor entsports@heraldnet.com

Local baseball players soak up Safeco

By Philip Pirwitz
Enterprise reporter

Walking into Safeco Field last Friday, one may have suspected the Mariners cut their road trip short.

Despite the vigor of youth that appeared to have taken over the Seattle ball club, little else about the Northwest Mariners' performance against their national counterpart USA Mariners would have let on to their true identity as high school students.

In its third year, the Mariners Cup is a three-day tournament designed to give the best young players in the region a chance to compete against teams of the highest caliber. After three tryout camps in June, 25 players were chosen by actual Mariners personnel to represent their team in four August games: two at Everett Memorial Stadium – home of the Mariners' farm team Everett Aquasox – and two games at Safeco Field itself. The result is as close a recreation to playing in the majors as one can get, without the boring commercial time.

Dressed in Seattle Mariners' blue, the NW Mariners certainly pitched as fast and hit as hard as the real deal. They even swung for the fences like the professionals, as James Robbins, the first baseman from Shorecrest High School, hit the only home run of the tournament.

"That felt great," said Robbins, whose homer over the right field wall scored two runs in the top of the fourth to take the lead 2-1 (the game would end in a 3-3 tie). And while he accomplished something many in the Show have yet to do, Robbins confessed it was "quite the experience" just to play in Safeco.

"I hope to do it again sometime," he said.

But the Mariners Cup serves a purpose other than giving the boys the thrill of Safeco. Scouts for Major League Baseball filled the stands, looking for the next young star. With already over 75 Mariners Cup alumni selected in the MLB draft, it is clear this is not your standard little league.

"You get a pretty cool experience," said Chase Anselment, a catcher from Meadowdale High School. "Everyone is an all star. You don't have to deal with guys who can't compete." Anselment played at Safeco Field in last year's state tournament as well.

Also representing Snohomish County was Ryan Sells, a pitcher from Mountlake Terrace High School, and Karsten Strieby, a first basemen also from Mountlake Terrace.

"There is a lot better talent," said Strieby about playing with the Northwest Mariners. "It's good baseball with the best guys around. There's just something special about doing that in Safeco."

Despite a record of three ties and one loss, coach Brian Fischer was still impressed with the boys' overall performance last week.

"Any time you play with the 25 best players around, it's tough," said Fischer after Friday's final game. "You're not always going to get hits. Still, the guys showed their stuff out there. Some of (our competitors) have been around the country, so for us to play at Safeco against the best guys out there is great."

As the tournament came to a close last Friday, the players now consider their future with the Northwest Mariners. Some will continue to play in the fall, while others will put their baseball careers on hold for football season. Others, after over a month of grueling practice, look forward to some time off as senior year begins.

"It may be time for a rest," said Robbins, not yet sure of his future plans. "It's been a busy season, (but) I love to play ball."