VAN TOL MOVES TO GONZAGA
 
    Former BBNW Junior Olympic Tournament team coach and University of Portland assistant coach, Gary Van Tol has moved to Gonzaga University as an assistant coach. Gary returns to the program where he was a player from 1987-1990 and also assisted retired long time Gonzaga head coach, Steve Hertz from 1991-1993.  The Calgary, Alberta native then was the head coach at Centralia College in 1994, and then moved to Treasure Valley CC where his teams played in four NJCAA regional's. He has been the Pilot's pitching coach and recruiting coordinator for the last three seasons. While at TVCC, Gary coached the 2001 BBNW Idaho team for the Junior Olympic Tournament. Van Tol replaces Scott Asan who resigned to pursue other career opportunities.

 
CASTO NAMED NATIONALS MINOR LEAGUE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
 
    Former University of Portland and Baseball Northwest alum, Kory Casto has been named the 2005 Washington National's Minor League Player of the Year.  The left-handed hitting third baseman has also been added to the 40-man winter major league winter roster and invited to spring training in 2006. Kory won second team conference honors in 2003 at U of P, and played on the Oregon team in the 2000 Northwest Championship Tournament.  The former North Marion HS (OR) star hit .290 with 22 home runs, and 90 RBI for the Class A Potomac Nationals this past season.

 
LESTER NAMED 4TH TOP PROSPECT IN EASTERN LEAGUE
 
    Baseball Northwest alum, Jon Lester of Bellarmine Prep in Tacoma, Washington, was named by Baseball America as the Double A Eastern League 4th ranked prospect.  The left-handed pitcher was named the league Pitcher of the Year after leading the league in strikeouts and ERA's while winning eleven games.  The Boston Red Sox's second round pick in 2002 was a member of the Washington Metro team in the 2001 Northwest Championship Tournament.