Bellingham Bells- credit David Willoughby

Fueled by an active community, the semi-professional and amateur sports scene in Whatcom County is booming. Local teams are always contenders for their league’s titles, making for a fun and exciting viewing experience for fans. Some local teams also feature some former standout athletes who attended high school or college in the area, so fans can continue to follow their careers. The teams also partner with local businesses to offer locally sourced food and beverages in most cases. Some teams even feature local tryouts, so even you could be the next Whatcom County resident wowing fans on the field, pitch, ice or track.

Bellingham Bells — Baseball

The Bells play in the West Coast League: a summer, college, wood-bat league for up-and-coming college baseball players. The WCL season runs from early June to late August, with Bells home games being played at the newly renovated Joe Martin Field. In 2014, the Bells won their first WCL Championship with a 2-1 series win over Corvallis.

Bellingham Blazers: 2013 & 2014 Cascade Cup Champions

Bellingham Bulldogs — Football

Playing in the semi-professional Pacific Football League, the Bulldogs are Bellingham’s football

team. You can see the Bulldogs in action from mid-April to late June at Civic Stadium. The Bulldogs also offer a youth camp and cheerleading.

Bellingham Blazers — Hockey

The Blazers play in the Northern Pacific Hockey League, an American Tier III Junior Hockey League. Since joining the NPHL in 2012, the Blazers have won two NPHL titles. They play at the Bellingham Sportsplex from mid-September to early April and games are often played on Friday or Saturday nights.

Bellingham Roller betties. BFTvs.WaveofMutilation (c) Kim Lincoln Photography.

Bellingham Roller Betties — Roller Derby

The Roller Betties are a female, flat-track roller derby league. The Roller Betties host bouts at the Lynden Skateway and Bellingham Sportsplex. Part of the Women’s Flat Track Derby

Association, an international roller derby league, the Betties season begins in late January and goes to late June.

Chuckanut Bay Rugby — Rugby

Chuckanut Bay Rugby is made up of seven youth teams and a men’s and a women’s team. It is part of USA Rugby, the Pacific Northwest Rugby Football Union and the British Columbia Rugby Union. The teams play home games in Ferndale, and admission is always free. Chuckanut Bay also hosts a Can/Ams 7’s Tournament every second Saturday in July.

Bham United – 06.08.14 Yakima at BUFC by David Willoughby www.caughonfilm.org photos

Bellingham United FC — Soccer

Known to fans as the “Hammers,” Bellingham United FC is the local semi-pro soccer team and

plays in the Evergreen Premier League Washington, of which it is a founding member. The EPLWA season runs from mid-April to late-July, and United plays its home games at Civic Stadium. Bellingham United FC often fields current and former local college players.