Mitch Darlington named West Coast League Coach of the Year

WENATCHEE — Wenatchee AppleSox head coach Mitch Darlington has been named the West Coast League Coach of the Year after leading the team to its sixth league championship.

The WCL announced the award Wednesday along with its Umpire of the Year and Dick Dietz Sportsmanship Award.

Darlington guided Wenatchee to a league-best 39-13 regular-season record and North Division titles in both halves of the season.

The AppleSox swept the Kelowna Falcons in a best-of-three divisional semifinal series before defeating the Bellingham Bells to advance to the WCL championship game. Wenatchee then came from behind to defeat the Corvallis Knights in the title game Thursday in Wenatchee, securing its first WCL championship since 2012.

“The AppleSox have been a perennial championship contender since Mitch arrived in 2022,” said Commissioner Rob Neyer, “and considering his ability to both recruit and coach brilliantly, a championship was probably just a matter of time.”

The honor is Darlington's second Coach of the Year award. He shared the award in 2024 after leading Wenatchee to a runner-up finish, with the AppleSox losing to Portland in the championship game.

The league also named Mattias Smith its 2026 Umpire of the Year. Smith has received an invitation to attend Major League Baseball's Umpire Prospect Development Camp in January in Vero Beach, Florida.

“Mattias has embraced the development process from day one and has consistently shown a willingness to learn, work, and improve,” said John White, the WCL’s supervisor of umpires. “His progression in the WCL has been impressive, and this invitation to the MLB Umpire Prospect Development Camp is a tremendous opportunity for him to take the next step. We’re proud of what he’s accomplished and excited to see where his hard work takes him.”

The Bellingham Bells received the Dick Dietz Sportsmanship Award. Bellingham previously received the award in 2013, 2017, 2018 and 2021.

First-year head coach Alan Regier led the Bells to the WCL's second-best record this season. The team completed the season without an ejection of a player or coach.