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About Keizertimes. (Salem, Or.) 1979-current | View Entire Issue (July 3, 2020)
JULY 3, 2020, KEIZERTIMES, PAGE A9 Volcanoes fans. On one hand, there have been multiple reports saying continued from Page A10 that the Northwest League (NWL) will be expanding obstacles were too much their season, which could for the MLB to overcome. potentially start in May of They would have had to 2021. “We haven’t received of- send players to 160 different fi cial word yet, but that cer- cities. With each area having tainly seems to be the talk different health protocols, around the water cooler,” it just wouldn’t have been feasible,” Walker said. “We’re Walker said. If that does extremely dis- occur, the appointed that Vo l c a n o es we won’t be “ Maybe I have could poten- able to pro- tially play up vide Volcanoes too positive to 70 home baseball this of an outlook, games next year.” year — which While the but I still think is nearly dou- organization we could make ble what they isn’t offer- would play lemonade out ing refunds to during a typ- season ticket of lemons.” ical summer holders, Walk- — and season er promises — Mickey Walker ticket holders that everyone Volcanoes CEO would be re- who bought ceiving an in- season tickets credible bang for 2020 will for their buck. have automatically have their However, with the MLB purchases rolled over into wanting to cut ties with 42 the 2021 season — meaning of their current minor league that they will have tickets for organizations, it’s possible every Salem-Keizer home that the Volcanoes could lose game. This poses an interesting their affi liation with the San situation for die-hard Francisco Giants this fall and SKV, Submitted Before becoming a coach, Boucher played at Westmont from 2010 to 2012. “I feel like being a young head coach helps me under- stand our guys from a relational continued from Page A10 standpoint,” Boucher said. As a coach, Boucher prides are just as high coming into the himself on working one-on- 2020-21 season as the Warriors one with each of his players, not return 10 players from last year’s only for the purpose of improv- squad — most of whom were ing their respective games, but recruited by also to build a Boucher. relationship of “We had an “ Coach Boucher trust. amazing group “I really val- last year and is a big picture ue doing a lot of nearly all of thinker who is individual work them are com- with my guys ing back. I’m not just here to because that really excit- win games but was the kind of ed to have my attention that I fi rst year as a also to build on received a play- head coach be the tradition set er,” Boucher with this group. said. “When I They are some before him,” was with Coach special individ- (Abderhalden) — Dave Odell at Chemeketa, uals who have Westmont ath. director already had a he was so de- lot of success in voted to help- their careers,” ing his guys get better. Our Boucher said. players are really hungry and At age 31, Boucher is one of motivated and I believe that be- the youngest college basketball ing a coach that puts in the time coaches in the country, which on individual improvement will he believes is an asset. allow players to put their trust BOUCHER, in our staff.” At this point, it’s unknown if COVID-19 will affect the 2020-21 basketball season. If the season does take place as sched- uled, Boucher is confi dent in the direction that his program is headed. “Even though we’re living in wild times right now, I feel like the future of this team looks very bright,” Boucher said. be forced to try and survive as an independent team. At this point, it’s hard to say what independent base- ball for would look like for the Volcanoes, but without a Major League affi liation, it’s safe to assume that the prod- uct value would likely be of less appeal to season ticket holders — as well as the gen- eral public. Walker, however, is ap- proaching the unknown with a positive attitude. With the MLB drastically chang- ing their draft process — the draft reduced from 40 rounds in 2019, to fi ve in 2020, and will bumped back up to 20 rounds in 2021 — Walker believes that the Volcanoes could still get high-quality prospects, even without an MLB affi liation. “I think we could po- tentially get better players than we would get from the Giants, especially since the draft is so short now. I also think being an independent team would allow us more freedom for community involvement,” Walker said. “Maybe I have too positive of an outlook, but I think we can still make lemonade out of lemons.” M emorial C enters ◆ C remation & B urial Simplicity - Convenience - Low Cost simple cremation simple direct burial church funeral ◆ $795 ◆ $995 ◆ $2965 Salem Portland Eastside 275 Lancaster Dr. SE Salem, OR 97317 832 NE Broadway Portland, OR 97232 1433 SE 122nd Ave. Portland, OR 97233 (503) 581-6265 (503) 783-3393 (503) 783-6865 Tualatin Tigard Milwaukie 8970 SW Tualatin Sherwood Rd. 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