Foresters Accept Bid To 2026 NBC World Series

As the end of the CCL season rapidly approaches, the Foresters prepare to make the long bus ride to Wichita, Kansas, for the all-important NBC World Series tournament. It is the record 35th straight season in which the Foresters have been invited. Santa Barbara looks to add on to its record 10 titles and win its 11th, and first since winning its third straight in 2022.

Head coach Bill Pintard has been at the helm for 32 of these 35 bids, yet still finds the tournament to be such an important part of every year. “It’s a part of American history,” Pintard described, alluding to the fact that it is the longest-running team tournament in American history, playing host to players like Roger Clemens, Barry Bonds, and Albert Pujols. 

When asked about what is special about this group of Foresters, Pintard noted the combination of skills that is possessed on the roster: “We’re winning on both sides of the field. Our pitching staff leads the league in ERA. Our offense leads the league in batting average. We lead the league in steals. When you’re pitching well, playing defense well, and scoring runs, that looks like a championship-type club to me.”

Now that the college baseball season has ended, the roster for Santa Barbara becomes clearer. Veteran infielder Easton Moomau, who was a key piece in last year's squad, will return after another season with UT Rio Grande Valley, while the team adds Nick Wesloski from Oklahoma, who was the starter in the clinching game of the College World Series. Pintard also mentioned the possibility of one more spot opening up.

“This team is very capable of adding another one to that great streak. While our immediate thoughts are on winning the California Collegiate League Southern Division Championship, we can’t help but be aware that we have Wichita down the road.”

If you want to see the Foresters take home their 11th championship, please consider donating to our Wichita fund to help support the team. ‘Ster it up!