Bellevue resident Steve Goucher lives and breathes baseball.
Goucher, who played Minor League baseball as a right-handed pitcher before becoming a scout with the Atlanta Braves organization in the 1990s, has conducted baseball camps and training sessions for the past 17 years. Goucher will partner with Bellevue Parks & Community Services for a baseball camp taking place from Aug. 10-14 at Hidden Valley Park in Bellevue.
“Bellevue has the nicest parks around. The park at Hidden Valley is awesome. The facility is just incredible,” Goucher said. “Since the 1990s, I have branched into running camps, clinics and lessons. Baseball has been my life.”
Goucher grew up in south Seattle and graduated from Highline High School. Following high school, he played collegiate baseball for Green River Community College and San Diego State University. He finished his playing career in Minor League baseball for the Bend Bucks and Pocatello Pioneers in 1991.
“I played all sports when I was kid. I played football, hockey, basketball and baseball. I just started to advance at an early age in baseball,” he said. “Everybody starts out at shortstop when they are a kid. I finally ended up pitching. I loved it.”
Goucher, who also will be conducting a baseball camp in Langley on Whidbey Island this summer, has a long-term goal of expanding his reach across Washington in the future.
“I plan on continuing this for at least 10 more years for sure. I would like to build up my staff and pass it on to them. Helping players get college scholarships and helping them get to the next level is what it is all about,” Goucher said.
Goucher teamed up with celebrity Bill Nye the Science Guy to invent the “Skipper Stick Fungo Bat” baseball retriever. It allows individuals to pick up baseballs with the top of the bat as opposed to bending or kneeling over to pick up the ball. The device is a perfect fit for infield work.
“I go to a lot of trade shows and baseball clinics to promote it. There are three or four guys in the big leagues (Major League Baseball) who are using the bat today,” he said.
Shaun Scott: 425-453-5045; sscott@bellevuereporter.com
