The Yakima Valley Pippins, a new team with the collegiate summer baseball league, the West Coast League, tabbed Mercer Island native Ryan Rouillard to serve as the radio voice for the Pippins this season. Rouillard, currently finishing his sophomore year at the University of Oregon, will broadcast all 60 games for the Pippins on ESPN 1460 Yakima.

“I want to thank the entire organization for this great opportunity,” Rouillard said. “I enjoyed calling WCL baseball last summer and I’m excited to be back for another year. Broadcasting Pippins baseball is a privilege and I hope to create a special bond with our fans.”

Rouillard is the assistant sports director at UO campus radio KWVA, where he broadcasts volleyball and softball, in addition to South Eugene High School football and basketball. He comes to Yakima after spending last summer broadcasting for the Victoria HarbourCats, which included calling the 2013 WCL All-Star Game in Victoria.

“One of the things that really appealed to us was Ryan’s experience in the WCL,” said Pippins Director of Operations Noel Zanchelli. “Through his work last summer, he proved that he has a bright future in the broadcast world and we are thrilled to have him calling Pippins baseball this season.”

The WCL, previously the West Coast Collegiate Baseball League (WCCBL), was founded in 2005. It is made up of northwest teams from Washington, Oregon and British Columbia, and its season runs from early June to mid-August. The league is designed to develop college talent, with only current college-eligible players allowed to participate. Players such as New York Yankees center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury, Colorado Rockies pitcher Jeff Francis and Baltimore Orioles infielder Chris Davis began their careers in the WCL.