Humboldt Crabs facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Humboldt Crabs |
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| League | Pacific Empire League (2024-present) |
| Location | Arcata, California |
| Ballpark | Arcata Ball Park |
| Year founded | 1945 |
| Nickname(s) | Crusty The Mascot |
| League championships | Far West League (2011-2013), WCL Tri-State (2010), Horizon Air Summer Series (2007, 2013), Western Baseball Association (1967-1969, 1982-1985) |
| California State Semi-Pro championships | 1961, 1963-1977, 1979, 1981 |
| Former name(s) | Paladini Crabs (1945-1948) |
| Former league(s) | Far West League (2011-2013) WCL Tri-State (2009-2010) Horizon Air Summer Series (2006-2009, 2012-2013) Big West Conference (1970-1972) Western Baseball Association (1967-1969, 1982-1996) |
| Former ballparks | Albee Stadium (1945-1967) Babe Ruth Field at Redwood Acres (1973-1980) Ferndale Fairgrounds Field (1976) |
| Colors | Blue, Red and White |
| Mascot | Dungeness Crab |
| Ownership | Community Organization |
| Management | Board of Directors |
| Manager | Robin Guiver |
The Humboldt Crabs are a special collegiate summer baseball team from Arcata, California. They are the oldest team of their kind in American baseball, playing every season since they started in 1945! Lou Bonomini and Ned Barsuglia founded the team.
As of the end of the 2024 season, the Crabs have won 2693 games, lost 830, and had one tie. They didn't play in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Crabs are now part of the new Pacific Empire League.
You can listen to Crabs games on KEJB 1480 AM or watch them on the Humboldt Crabs YouTube Channel. You can also follow their stats live on the GameChanger App. Many games also feature the Crab Grass Band, which has been playing fun songs between innings since 1983.
Contents
Meet the Humboldt Crabs: A Baseball Story
The team was first called the Eureka Paladini Crabs. This was because the Paladini Fish Company sponsored them from 1945 to 1947. Did you know that Mel Bareilles, the grandfather of singer Sara Bareilles, played for the Crabs in their very first season? Also, Lloyd Bridges Sr., father of the famous actor Lloyd Bridges, was a big fan and supporter of the team.
Crabs Players Who Made It Big
Over the 77 years the Humboldt Crabs have been playing, more than 300 players have gone on to play professional baseball. More than 60 of these players even made it to the Major Leagues!
Some famous former Crabs include:
- John Oldham, a pitcher in 1952–53, was the first Crab to reach the Major Leagues, playing for the Cincinnati Reds in 1956.
- Dane Iorg played for the Crabs from 1968 to 1970.
- Leo Rosales, who pitched for the Crabs in 2002, joined the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2008.
- Brett Pill, an infielder for the 2003 Crabs, played for the San Francisco Giants in 2011.
- More recently, Vinny Pestano, Bradley Zimmer, and Mike Redmond also played for the Crabs before their professional careers.
The Crabs had an amazing season in 1985. They won 46 games in a row at the start of the season! Future Major League players like Mike Harkey, Eric Gunderson, Steve Olin, and Scott Chiamparino were part of their strong pitching team that year.
Where the Crabs Play and Who They Are
The Crabs play most of their games at the Arcata Ball Park, which is owned by the City of Arcata. The team is made up of college baseball players from different programs across the U.S.
The Humboldt Crabs are a non-profit organization. This means they don't play to make money. Instead, they are run by a group of 12 volunteers called the Board of Directors.
The Crabs have played against many teams over the years. Some of their rivals include the Redding Colt 45s, the Fontanetti's Athletics, the Corvallis Knights, and the Seattle Studs. They also play teams like the Healdsburg Prune Packers and the San Luis Obispo Blues.
Crabs' Goals and Community Spirit
The Humboldt Crabs are all about community! Their main goals are:
- To offer fun, high-quality summer baseball games for families at a good price.
- To give talented college baseball players a great summer experience.
- To help youth sports programs in the Humboldt County area. They do this by giving money or equipment and by holding baseball skills camps and clinics led by their players and coaches.
- To keep the amazing tradition of Humboldt Crabs Baseball alive and strong.
Meet the 2024 Crabs Team
| 2024 Humboldt Crabs roster | ||||
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Pitchers
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Catchers
Infielders
Outfielders
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Manager
Coaches
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| Updated: June 5, 2025 | ||||
2024 Player Awards
At the end of the 2024 season, these players received special awards:
- Most Valuable Player: Jett Ruby
- Offensive Player of the Year: Billy Ham
- Pitcher of the Year: Andrew Overland
- Reliever of the Year: Bryce Stockton
- "Coaches Award" - Kevin Morsching/Scott Heinig Memorial Award: Ethan Rivera
- Defensive Player of the Year: (No player listed for 2024)
How the Crabs Organization Works
Humboldt Crabs Baseball, Inc. is a non-profit organization owned by the community. A volunteer board of directors, along with support from community members and sponsors, helps keep the team running.
Leadership and Coaches
- President: Scarlet Palmer
- Manager: Robin Guiver
- Pitching Coach: Eric Giacone
- Hitting Coach: John Bryant
- Assistant Coach: Jeff Giacomini
- Trainers: Nate Kees
The Board of Directors changes over time, but current members include Scarlet Palmer, David Sharp, Vikki Rossi, Matt Filar, Ellen Barthman, Erik Fraser, Roger Lorenzetti, Larry Zerlang, Michelle Briggs Butler, Neil Butler, and Brice Gummersall.
Crabs in the Far West League
The Crabs joined the Far West League (FWL) in 2011. This league had ten teams at the time. The Crabs were part of the FWL North Division.
Winning the 2011 League Championship
In 2011, the first year of the Far West League, the top five teams played in a tournament. The Humboldt Crabs had the best record in the regular season. Even though they lost their first game, they fought back! They won four games in a row, including two against the Neptune Beach Pearl, who had been undefeated in the tournament. By winning these games, the Crabs became the champions of the Far West League!
The Humboldt Crabs finished the 2011 season with 40 wins and 13 losses overall. They were even ranked #20 among over 220 summer college league teams in the nation by Perfect Game USA. The Far West League later stopped operating, but the Crabs were proud champions for all three years it existed.
Crabs in Major League Baseball
Many players who once played for the Humboldt Crabs went on to play in Major League Baseball (MLB). In fact, 73 former Crabs have played in the MLB! Some of these players include:
- Dave Melton (1949)
- Danny Frisella (1964)
- Rich Nye (1965)
- Dane Iorg (1968-1970)
- Bruce Bochte (1969)
- Rich Dauer (1972)
- Craig Lefferts (1978)
- Mike Harkey (1985)
- Mike Redmond (1991)
- Brett Pill (2003)
- Bradley Zimmer (2012)
- James Outman (2016)
- David Hamilton (2016)
Also, four players who had already played in the MLB later played for the Crabs: Lee Gregory, Bill Serena, Eddie Kearse, and Floyd Stromme.
Crabs Hall of Fame
The Humboldt Crabs have a Hall of Fame to honor important players, coaches, and teams from their history. Here are some of the people and teams who have been inducted:
- Class of 2012: Lou Bonomini (founder), Mike Harkey, Dane Iorg, and the amazing 1985 Team (who won 51 games and lost only 3!).
- Class of 2013: Sandy Vance, Mark Marquess, Randy Niemann, Craig Lefferts, Steve Olin, and the 1968 Team.
- Class of 2014: Augie Garrido, Rich Nye, Rich Bordi, Rod Booker, and the 1981 Team.
- Class of 2015: Lute Barnes, Shane Turner, and the 2003 Team.
- Class of 2016: John Oldham, Bruce Benedict, Jim Wilson, and the 1999 Team.
- Class of 2018: Leo Rosales, Pat Clements, Bob Milano, Jack Fimple, and the 1990 team.
- Class of 2019: Eric Gunderson.
- Class of 2024: Reggie Christiansen, and the 2015 Team.
