| Vince Genna, the founding father of our stadium. Vince was Bend's Park and Recreation Director for nearly 4 decades. When America entered World War II, Genna had joined the U.S. Air Force, in which he served as crew chief on B-24s in the
Mediterranean theater, promoted to the rank of master sergeant and
awarded the Bronze Star Medal. Those who knew him best will tell you that
pioneering Bend's crown jewel of a stadium was about more that just a
game to Vince- it was about creating an atmosphere that would bring
people from all walks of life in the community together on common
ground. More than anything, he was determined to make a reality- a
reality that has become a beloved summer tradition over the past 62 years for Central Oregon's baseball enthusiasts.Vince Genna Jan 1, 1921-April 7, 2007 Vince Genna tribute
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 | Donny Harrel enters his first season as head coach at Division 1 Seattle University.
Donny has been on the Board of Directors for the Bend Elks since 2000 and also the Elks skipper in 2000 and 2001. Donny was an assistant coach in the Pac-10 for both Oregon State and the Unveristy of Washington. Prior to those 2 jobs he coached at Lane Community College in Eugene and was a 4 time NWAAC Coach of the Year. Donny and wife Cam live in Seattle raising their 2 kids Easton and Brooklyn. Read Seattle Uinveristy appointment:Seattle Baseball
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 | Casey Powell is currently head baseball coach at Division lll Whitman College in Walla Walla, Washington. Casey was a high school baseball and football star at Bend's Mt View High school, later became a first team all league 2B at Linfield College. Casey has coached for 5 years with the Bend Elks as both head coach and in assistant roles.
Whitman College Bio
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| Nate Pratt is now head baseball coach at Chemeketa Community College in Salem. Pratt was a first team All IMC infielder from Redmond High School, later went on to play for Coach Donny Harrel at Lane Community then finished his collegiate career at St Martens College, an NCAA D--2 program in Olympia, Washington. Nate played for the Bend Elks in the 2000 year and has been in the Elks coaches system both as its head coach in 2005 and 6 and as an assistant coach under Casey Powell in 2003. Pratt also coached at Western Oregon University and Lane Community college before taking the helm at Chemeketa. Coach Pratt often returns to Vince Genna stadium to work in our various camps.
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 | Brian Barden was elevated to 40 man St Louis Cardinals roster in the fall of 2008. Earlier in the year Brian represented Team USA in the Bejng Oylmpics. Barden played 3 years for the Oregon State Beavers before being drafted by the Arizona Diamondbacks. Barden played for the Bend Elks in 2000 and was All-Pacific International league.Team USA |
| Jacoby Ellsbury graduated from Madras High School in 2002, played 3 seasons with the Oregon State Beavers leading them to the 2005 NCAA World Series for the first time in over 50 years and later that summer became the No. 1 draft pick of the Boston Red Sox. Jacoby played for the Bend Elks in the summers of both 2002 briefly in 2003 and was an All -Pacific International League player as a just graduated high school senior. Boston Bio
Jacoby's big break with the Bend Elks June 05 / Madras Parade for Jacoby Nov 07
Ellsbury's career stats |
| Bobby Doerr, entered Cooperstown Hall of Fame in 1986. Bobby, a long time Oregon resident, was honored at Bend's Vince Genna Stadium July 15, 2006 in celebrating 60 years of baseball at our historic stadium. Doerr a 2B with the Boston Red Sox has been an inspiration to the Elks since his visit. It was Bobby's era of baseball that inspired the Bend Elks enthusiam for the game and the buisness model is attempts to emulate. Bobby played with greats Ted Wiliams, Dom Dimaggio and former Bend Elk Johnny Pesky. We enocurage you to pick up a copy of "Teammates" written by David Halbertam.
Bobby lives in Junction City and often heads to his cabin for fishing on the Rogue River. Bobby was honored August 2, 2007 at Fenway Park on Bobby Doerr Day. He is the oldest living Hall of Famer, he turns 91 next April 7,
Bobby Doerr interview |
| Johnny Pesky, born in Portland, Oregon started to attract the attention of big-league scouts while playing for the Silverton Red Sox and Central Oregon's Bend Elks in 1938 and 39 and offers started to come in. The amount of money being offered was not the overriding factor in the Paveskovich household. The Cardinals offered up a $2500 signing bonus, but Red Sox scout Earl Johnson so impressed Johnny’s mother, that she insisted that he go with the Red Sox, who had offered up only $500 as a signing bonus. Pesky played 8 seasons for Boston and ended his career with a .307 average, 1,455 hits and 867 runs. He was an All Star in 1946 and his number 6 is retired in Boston. interview |
| Mathew Wilhite has played the past 4 seasons for the Salt Lake City Bees, the Triple A affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels. Mathew was picked up by the Angles in June of 2003 from Kenosha of the Frontier League. In 2008, Mathew was 7-0 with a 4.71 ERA in 47 appearances over 63 innings. Wilhite pitched in the Texas League All Star game in 2005. Wilhite played for Western kentucky University as a two-way player, playing 3rd base in college. Willy played for Bend in 2001. His younger brother Michael followed Mathew to Bend and played for the Elks for 3 summers. Mathew wears no 5 in memory of Michael who tragically lost his life while in Bend suring the summer of 2005. photo with Angels
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 | Danny Richards is currently a jet pilot for regional air carrier Sky West Airlines as a First Officer. Danny played football and baseball at Bend High, went on to become a 4 year starter and earned all NorthWest Conference baseball honors while attending Whitman College in Walla Walla, Washington. Danny recorded the first hit in Bend Elks history back on June 2nd 2000 in the 2nd inning against the Seattle Studs. Danny recently married Molly Schultz and the couple lives in Burlingame, California. Whitman article All NWC
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 | Trevor Brown has recently been hired by the Minnesota Twins as their Northwest Scout Director and will return to the Northwest after 3 years coaching for the Oklahoma State Cowboys in the Big 12 Conference. Trevor played at Lane Community College tin Eugene then later won an NAIA National Championship for L-C State in Lewiston,Idaho. Trevor played for the Bend Elks in 2000 and 2001, and coached for the Elks in 2002 and 2006. Trevor was drafted by the Oakland A's as a catcher and was forced to end his career after an injury. Oklahoma Cowboys Bio
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| Gene Dusan has been a board member for the Bend Elks for 10 years. Gene provided the guidance and direction in the early growing years of the Bend Elks and assisted General Manger Jim Richards to establish the framework of the Elks organization today. Gene was drafted by the Oakland A's in 1968. He played 9 seasons with Oakland and Cleveland primarily at the AAA level. Dusan coached pro baseball for 11 seasons after his playing days with Cleveland, Cincinatti and New York. In 1983 he was the bull pen coach for the the New Mets. Gene is currently Vice Principal at Pilot Butte Middle School in Bend Dusan's Pro career
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| Eric Sogard was drafted in the 2nd round by the San Diego Padres in 2007. This past season Sogard hit .308 for the Padres Singe A Affiliate Lake Elsinore Storm. He led the California League in doubles with 42 and ranked second in total hits (165) and walks (79). He also led all 2B's in the league with a .973 fielding percentage. Sogard was a Topps top prospect in the Minor League All-star game. Eric played for the Bend Elks in 2006 and led the league WCL in hitting with a .350 average.Eric played 3 years at Arizona State and was one of the most feared hitters in the Pac-10.
Sogard in Eugene with Ems
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| Colin Griffin played for the Bend Elks in 2004. A slick fielding switch hitting shortstop from Willamette University had strong baseball fundamentals. Colin pursued baseball after college and became an assistant coach at Willamette University. He then went to Germany to coach the German National team under former Bend Elks coach Zeke Mitchem. Colin is now back in Oregon and his head baseball coach at Lakeridge High School in Lake Oswego. Colin in Germany |
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Grant Desme was drafted in the 2nd round of the 2007 MLB draft by the Oakland A's.
At Cal Poiy, he earned the 2007 Big West Player of the Year award and won its Triple Crown. An injury plagued pro debut has lingured due to a wrist injury at Cal Poly. Demse had just 3 at bats, hitting a 2 run homer against the Brewers in the Arizona Rookie League While in Bend during the 06 season, Grant lead the league in hits, total bases and RBI's.
Player of the Year in BigWest and playing for the Bend Elks
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