[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 9]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 11579]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




               HONORING THE HUMBOLDT CRABS BASEBALL TEAM

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MIKE THOMPSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, June 3, 2004

  Mr. THOMPSON of California, Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition 
of the Humboldt Crabs, the oldest continuously operating collegiate 
summer baseball team in our nation.
  Founded in June of 1945 in Humboldt County, California by Lou 
Bonomini, the team is celebrating its 60th season. Made up of local 
players, the team played its first game on June 17, 1945. 2004 has been 
designated as the Year of the Alumni and several celebrations have been 
planned for over 900 past players.
  Playing teams from all over California and Southern Oregon, the 
Humboldt Crabs originally played at Albee Stadium in Eureka and moved 
permanently to the Arcata Ballpark in the early 1960's. In 1995 the 
Humboldt Crabs became a registered non-profit organization managed by 
an all-volunteer community-based board of directors. The Crabs 
organization provides the community with outstanding summer baseball 
while also supporting local youth baseball summer camps and providing 
training and education for youth baseball coaches and umpires.
  The Crabs recruit college baseball players from all over the western 
United States. Players are provided with summer jobs as well as housing 
and the opportunity to play in 45 to 50 baseball games during the 
months of June and July. Forty former Crabs players have played or are 
presently playing on major league teams. The Crabs have won 17 
California State Championships and the team has an overall winning 
record of 1,924 wins and 578 losses for a winning percentage well over 
.700.
  Founder Lou Bonomini, who managed the popular Crabs from 1945 to 
1986, joined by Ned Barsuglia and Don Terbush in the early 1960's, 
played a major role in guiding the successful team. Jerry Nutter, who 
served as president of the board from 1995 to 2000, and Ken Ames who 
has managed the team for 13 years, have carried on the tradition of 
selfless commitment to the organization.
  Mr. Speaker, it is appropriate at this time that we recognize the 
Humboldt Crabs baseball team on the occasion of its 60th season as a 
cherished summer tradition on the North Coast of California.

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