After an epic 2020 season capped by a record-eighth National Baseball Congress World Series title, the Santa Barbara Foresters are ready to restore the magic ingredient: Fans in the stands.
The Foresters’ 2021 home season gets under way this weekend at Pershing Park with a game Friday against the Santa Paula Halos and Saturday against the Inland Empire 66ers. First pitch for both is 6 p.m.
Admission is $7 ($3 for seniors and 12-and-under) to the bleacher area behind home plate, where concession trucks will be back in business. There aren’t expected to be any restrictions, as the state and community open back up for outdoor activities.
All that will be a welcome change from last year, when pandemic restrictions relegated fans to the park’s sidewalk along Castillo Street.
“We can’t wait to have fans,” Foresters coach Bill Pintard said. “Last year we had one of the greatest seasons in Forester history, and (the players) had heard about how great our fans were from other players that had played here.
“So they missed them last year. It’s different playing without ’em, because they get up in the ninth inning and clap. We’re really looking forward to having them back.”
The season-opening game will be played Thursday in Santa Paula, before the weekend homestand.
The California Collegiate League season — another casualty last season that’s back in action — will begin next week with road games at Conejo and Orange County before a home game Thursday, June 24 against the SLO Blues.
The Foresters will have a few key returnees in the lineup. Chief among them is pitcher Nick Nastrini, from UCLA, who went 6-0 with a 1.71 ERA in seven appearances for the Foresters last year.
“He’s really good,” Pintard said.
Among promising newcomers is infielder Andrew Kachel, who just finished his sophomore year at Fresno State as an All-Mountain West first-team selection, hitting .328 with 11 home runs.
A notable name among newcomers is Max McGwire — son of slugger Mark McGwire — a 6-foot-2, 2021 graduate of Capistrano Valley High who’s committed to the University of Oklahoma in the fall. The scouting service Perfect Game USA gives McGwire its highest grade, signifying: “Potential very high draft pick and/or Elite level college prospect.” He has played first base, outfield and pitched.
The Forester rosters includes two players from the University of Arizona and four from the University of Texas — teams that advanced to the College World Series in Omaha.
“We’re going to be thin in the beginning, but we should have a team that runs well and we should pitch well,” Pintard said.
Another returnee is Steven Zobac, who just finished his sophomore year at Cal-Berkeley. A late-season add last year, he made solid contributions to the Foresters as a pitcher and at the plate for the last two weeks. He missed the NBC World Series due to COVID-19 concerns; his parents are physical therapists who were concerned about the environment in Wichita.
“I had an absolute blast” playing for the Foresters, Zobac said, on the drive to Santa Barbara last week.
“I was talking with my dad when I came back to San Jose, and I told him that was probably the most fun I’ve had playing baseball. Down here in Santa Barbara was amazing weather and great people — you obviously can’t beat it.
Even with fans at a distance last year, he felt welcome by the community, he said.
“Everyone knows about the Santa Barbara Foresters,” he said. “You go around wearing a Foresters hat, people are like, ‘Hey you play for them.’ It’s cool to get some recognition from the public.”
And now? “I’m really excited to have the fans down in Santa Barbara because that’s just going to add a better atmosphere for sure.”
Last season, the Foresters dominated play in Wichita, going 4-0, outscoring opponents 33-4, and in an NBC World Series first, going error-free in at least three games.
The Foresters will miss stellar shortstop Matt McLain of UCLA, who hit .436 over 30 games last year with 47 runs scored and 28 RBIs. He’s a projected first-round pick in this summer’s MLB draft.
The Foresters look forward to a competitive, entertaining CCL season.
“The teams are good,” Pintard said. “The Orange County Riptide, they’re really good, San Luis Obispo is much improved, the Arroyo Seco Saints is much improved.
“A lot of people nationwide know about our league because we have had so much success on the national stage. So it’s attracting other good players from other programs.
Pintard has coached the team since 1995, and the fire is still on.
“It’s still burning. I’m going to coach ‘till it goes out. I enjoy it. We’re a community team, I enjoy the support of the community, and I love coaching. I love it.”
Foresters 2021 Home Season at Pershing Park in June and July
» Friday, June 18, 6 p.m., vs. Santa Paula
» Saturday, June 19, 6 p.m., vs. Inland Empire
» Thursday, June 24, 6 p.m., vs. SLO Blues
» Saturday, June 26, 6 p.m., vs. OC Riptide
» Sunday, June 27, 2 p.m., vs. Academy Barons
» Thursday, July 1, 6 p.m., vs. Conejo Oaks
» Friday, July 2, 6 p.m., vs. SF Seals
» Saturday, July 3, 6 p.m., vs. SF Seals
» Sunday, July 4, 2 p.m., vs. Ventura Pirates
» Friday, July 9, 6 p.m., vs. Arroyo Seco Saints
» Saturday, July 10, 6 p.m., vs. OC Riptide
» Sunday, July 11, 2 p.m., vs. SLO Blues
» Thursday, July 15, 6 p.m., vs. SLO Blues
» Friday, July 16, 6 p.m., vs. Ventura Pirates
» Saturday, July 17, 6 p.m., vs. Academy Barons
» Thursday, July 22, 6 p.m., vs. Ventura Pirates
» Friday, July 23, 6 p.m., vs. OC Riptide
» Saturday, July 24, 6 p.m., vs. Arroyo Seco Saints
» Sunday, July 25, 2 p.m., vs. Conejo Oaks
» Thursday, July 29, 6 p.m., vs. Conejo Oaks
» Friday, July 30, 6 p.m., vs. Academy Barons
» Saturday, July 31, 6 p.m., vs. Arroyo Seco Saints