RIDGEFIELD, WA — College of the Canyons baseball head coach Chris Cota has been named manager of the new West Coast League (WCL) franchise based in Ridegfield for the team's 2019 inaugural season. Cota will continue to guide the COC baseball program, while serving as the first skipper in Ridgefield team history.

The WCL is the premier summer collegiate baseball league west of the Mississippi River. The 13-year-old professionally operated wood-bat league, which showcases pro prospects from major conferences across the nation, features 12 franchises located throughout Oregon, Washington and British Columbia.

The league's newest franchise, Ridgefield, will begin play in June 2019. Team officials are expected to unveil a team name and logo during a special ceremony on Saturday, Sept. 8, at the Ridgefield Outdoor Recreation Complex.

 "I am thrilled to be part of the inaugural season of WCL baseball at Ridgefield," said Cota. "The opportunity to deliver a great product on the field for our regional families will be extremely rewarding. I can't wait to get to the Pacific Northwest and play some baseball!" 

Cota will enter his 19th season at the helm of the Cougars baseball program in 2019. He also served as an assistant under longtime COC head coach Len Mohney for 10 seasons before being named as Mohney's replacement following the 2000 season.

Over the past 18 seasons, Cota has amassed a 418-298-4 overall record and captured the Western State Conference (WSC) title five times (2003, 2004, 2008, 2009, 2017). In each of these seasons, Cota was named WSC Coach of the year. 

Cota also starred as a player on the Cougars' 1986 California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA) State Championship team. He was later drafted and signed by the Chicago White Sox and went on to play four seasons in the White Sox and California Angels organizations.

Cota received a bachelor's degree in physical education from California State University, Northridge in 1994. He also received a master's degree in education, with an emphasis on physical education, from Azusa Pacific University in 1995. 

"We are excited to add Chris to our organization and follow his leadership on the field in our inaugural season," Ridgefield General Manager Gus Farah said. "Chris comes highly recommended by many college coaches and colleagues around the country. He will guide our college aged players with focus on development of their skills and accountability as they work towards their dreams of playing college baseball at a high level and preparing for the MLB draft."

For more information visit https://ridgefieldbaseball.com.