Published on Wednesday, August 10, 2005

LEGION REGIONAL — Beetles got what they wanted with Froula
By SCOTT SPRUILL
YAKIMA HERALD-REPUBLIC

Yakima Pepsi Beetles coach Ryan Froula gives infield practice during a June, 2005 game against the Columbia Gorge Hustlers in the Dalles, Oregon. (Ron Livingston/Yakima Youth Baseball)

Having gone through three head coaches in eight years, Yakima Youth Baseball had one clear objective when Dave Edler stepped down as head coach of the Yakima Pepsi Beetles in 1996.

Continuity.

More than anything else, the job search was directed at someone who would stick and stay.

Turns out, the Beetles got much more than that. They got someone who believes.

Nine years later, Ryan Froula's zeal for the job is as lively as ever and it's mostly because a summer at Parker Field is not just part of his year, it's part of his life.

"I still love it because I still believe in it, always have," says the 37-year-old Froula, who started in the program as a player for the Blues in 1985 and hasn't missed a season yet. "Growing up as a kid I used to dream about playing for the Beetles. I've been through every level of it and it's always been a great experience. Each year has been special in its own way."

To the casual fan, what's special about this season is that Parker Field played host to the Washington state tournament last week and, starting Thursday, will be home to the seven-state Northwest Regional.

An entertaining and challenging task to be sure, but for Froula the value of an extended season is more about extending relationships with his players. In the truest sense, he's a players' coach.

"The key to Ryan's success is the kids like him and they relate well to him," notes longtime Yakima Youth Baseball official Mel Moore. "Wins and losses are important but they're not the No. 1 priority. It's more about providing a good environment for kids to play baseball and he does that."

By any measure, Froula has done pretty well in the win column. Early this season he topped 300 career wins and now ranks third among coaches in the Beetles' 67-year history. The high point came five years ago when the Beetles last hosted the Northwest Regional and finished one win shy of reaching the World Series.

As caretaker of Yakima's storied Legion program, which has produced three national champions and 24 state titles, Froula is sensitive about living up to those lofty standards. And realistic.

The Central Washington League is undisputedly the toughest in the state and the cycle of power, which resided with the Yakima Valley Pepsi Pak recently, is now firmly entrenched in the Tri-Cities.

The connections are clear: Southridge won the Class 4A high school title last year and the Kennewick Bandits followed in the summer with the Legion state championship. Likewise, Richland captured this year's prep title and the Twin City Titans followed suit last week.

Thus, keeping up in the CWL is a mighty task.

"I think about that all the time," Froula says of Yakima's history and the tremendous shadow it casts. "The fact is the Tri-Cities is growing (in population) and right now baseball is phenomenal down there. They've won the high school and legion titles and, from our kids' perspective, that can be pretty intimidating. But that's no reason to think we can't compete with them or that the power won't move our way in the future."

A math teacher at Eisenhower, Froula's formula for development in the three-tier program with the Scarlets, Blues and Beetles is striving for seamless continuity with his coaching staff. Not only has Froula coached at all levels in the program but four of his six coaches are former Beetles.

"From a development and transition standpoint, probably the toughest job in the program is the Blues coach and Ryan has that experience," Moore notes. "Most of the young kids have been shortstops and coached by their dads, but the coaches have to analyze where these kids fit best in the program. It's not always easy or popular, but Ryan does a good job getting all his coaches working on the same path."

"I take pride in having former players come back to coach," Froula says. "I think that says something about the program."

Froula also has the background of playing for the Blues and Beetles. He came up as a catcher but a ligament-tearing hand injury that required surgery during his junior high school season prompted a switch to pitcher and the infield.

"I was splitting time with a senior at catcher," Froula recalls, "and after the surgery my coach said, 'Go get your uniform, we're giving it to a sophomore.'"

That sophomore was Scott Hatteberg, who's now in his 11th season in the Major Leagues. "I never played catcher again after that and I loved that position. But at least the young kid got some playing time."

Having a steady ascension through each level of the program has given Froula a keen appreciation for its interworkings. Add to that a straight-forward approach to players and parents and the Beetles have the continuity they so eagerly desired.

"I'm not a tell-you-what-you-want-to-hear kind of guy. I believe in playing it straight with people," he says. "Sometimes I chew on a kid, then I pat him on the back. I have a short memory."

With two sons ages 8 and 5, Froula openly wonders how many more summers he will spent at Parker Field. But while the desire to spend more time with his family grows, Froula also acknowledges his sons would be disappointed if he did step down.

"They absolutely love hanging around the players and coming to the park," he says. "And for me, I still enjoy the competition and the relationships with the players. I still have a passion for it because I believe in the program and what it does for the kids and the community."

By the numbers

Winningest coaches in Beetles history

850 Bob Garretson, Jr. 1975-88

551 Bob Garretson, Sr. 1960-74

316 Ryan Froula 1997-present

299 John Zaepfel 1940-1959

169 Dave Edler 1993-1996

If you go ...

What: American Legion Northwest Regional baseball tournament.

When: Thursday through Monday.

Where: Parker Field.

Tickets: $5 per day for adults and $3 for students. Kids under 12 are free.

What's happening today: All visiting teams arrive today and a banquet will be held at 7 p.m. at the Clarion Hotel on North 1st Street. The guest speakers will be University of Washington head baseball coach Ken Knutson and his WSU counterpart Don Marbut. Tickets for the banquet are $25.

Thursday's pairings

Game 1: East Anchorage Thunderbirds (34-10) vs. Salem Dodgers (30-12-1), 10 a.m.

Game 2: San Mateo Orioles (31-12) vs. Cheyenne (51-21), 1 p.m.

Game 3: Billings Royals (46-14) vs. Twin City Titans (40-17), 4 p.m.

Game 4: Lewis-Clark Twins (46-10) vs. Yakima Pepsi Beetles (36-25), 7 p.m.

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