TOUR of the WEST

A Team-by-Team Look at the Western Baseball League

Bend Bandits

Bend, Ore.

Location: A 2-hour 15-minute drive east of Eugene.

Club established: 1995

Ownership: Principals are State Representative Ben Westlund and Dave Alden, an engineer.

Manager: Al Gallagher, who was Barry Bonds’ baby-sitter when he roomed with father, Bobby, on the San Francisco Giants in the early 1970s. Traded to the Angels in 1973, the third baseman’s four-year career was ended by a home-plate collision with Carlton Fisk. Managed Brett Butler at Durham, N.C.

Most famous alumni: First baseman Scott Tedder, who retired last year, was Michael Jordan’s roommate and golf partner on the Birmingham (Ala.) Barons.

Home stadium: Vince Genna Stadium, built in 1946, has a capacity of 2,646.

Bend baseball history: Tim Salmon, Damion Easley and Chad Curtis played in Bend before the Angels moved their Short Class A team to Boise. Also home to Bend Rockies, who played Class A ball the season before the major league Rockies began in Denver.

Bend famous for: Skiing at nearby Mt. Bachelor and water activities at Deschutes River.

Website: www.bendnet.com/bandits

Next play Vigilantes: Tonight-Thursday, at Mission Viejo

Information provided by Bend Bandits