Dub Sea Fish Sticks
We make a morning stop at Mel Olson Stadium — a.k.a., the Fryer — in Burien, Washington, to meet Justin Moser, president of the Dub Sea Fish Sticks. He gives us some insight on the team and its popular new brand.
> Jump to: Interview with Fish Sticks President Justin Moser
My greatest regret of our Northwest Baseball road trip was not seeing the Dub Sea Fish Sticks play. When I first heard about the club — a collegiate summer team playing south of Seattle in the Pacific International League — I had already planned the entire journey, with tickets purchased and reservations made. But I missed out on some real ballpark fun as a result.
Previously known as the Highline Bears, the team had rebranded in the offseason, employing Minor League identity powerhouse Brandiose for the job. They arrived at two solid candidates for new names: the Fish Sticks and the Seal Slingers. Team President Justin Moser put the final decision to a public vote, and the Fish Sticks edged out the win by less than a percentage point. (I was Team Fish Sticks.) The final logo incorporates the feel of Ken Griffey, Jr.’s classic home run swing.
Moser graciously agreed to meet us on our way to Seattle in the early morning hours at Mel Olson Stadium, now known as The Fryer. The original stadium on this spot, White Center Stadium, was built in 1940. It was destroyed in a fire in 1977 and rebuilt two years later thanks to the support of local activist Mel Olson. The Fryer now seats about 1,500.
The Fish Sticks play a short schedule of games in the summer against PIL squads in the Seattle area: the Seattle Studs, Seattle Blackfins, Richmond Dudes, Northwest Honkers, Everett Merchants, and, in 2023, the Gumberoos — another venture from Justin Moser.
The Fish Sticks have really turned up the dial on the entertainment factor. They have a ceremonial “First Fish” before games involving the tossing of an actual fish, reminiscent of the tradition at Seattle’s Pike Place Market. Another promotion gives an actual fan the chance to be the leadoff hitter in the first inning, full uniform and all.
The team does revive the Seal Slingers brand occasionally, pitting the two identities against each other on the field in “Banana Ball” games that incorporate wacky rules pioneered by the traveling exhibition team, the Savannah Bananas. Banana Ball rules include:
A foul ball caught by a spectator counts as an out
Neither managers nor catchers can visit the mound
If a batter steps out of the box between pitches, it’s called a strike
When the umpire calls “ball four,” runners can keep going until the ball is thrown to every fielder, including outfielders. A walk can turn into a home run.
Batters can steal first on any passed ball or wild pitch, regardless of the count
If a batter bunts, he is thrown out of the game
The team that scores the most runs during an inning gets a point for that inning. The win goes to the team with the most points at game’s end.
During extra innings, the defense gets only a pitcher, catcher and one fielder
No new inning started after 1 hour 50 minutes
Moser showed us the new beer garden that extends onto the grass, giving additional seating capacity to the ballpark. He said plans were in the works to expand the concourse and concessions to accommodate more fans.
Speaking of concessions, the Fish Sticks do of course serve fish sticks, as well as fish stick tacos and other good ballpark options. “People come back here over and over again literally to eat dinner here,” Moser said.
I left the ballpark willing to trade the experience for our tickets that night to see the Seattle Mariners. But we pressed on, determined to return another day.