CROQUET NEWS:  Mariners to Participate in Croquet Event

Minor League Conditioning Coach Clifford to Host Tournament

14 December 2006
Seattle, Washington, USA
by Corey Brock in Seattle Mariners Home Page, Seattle, Washington, USA
photo by Associated Press

Willy Bloomquist was the winner of the James Clifford Invitational Croquet Tournament last year.

The Mariners are involved in several charitable endeavors this time of year, though none are likely to be as competitive or -- as the host likes to put it, "quirky" -- as the James Clifford Invitational Croquet Tournament.

That's right, croquet.

On Friday, Clifford -- the Mariners' Minor League strength and conditioning coach -- will preside over the second annual invitational near the team's Peoria Spring Training facility that will include current and former Mariners and coaches.

The entry fee for the event -- which is expected to have in upwards of 15 participants -- is a new toy that will be donated to an area Toys for Tots organization.

"It's small and a bit quirky but it's fun," Clifford said from his home in Peoria on Thursday. "It was great last year. ... We got together, had a barbeque at my house and had a blast. This year, I decided that we should do something for people who need more than we do."

So Clifford -- who is a former Seattle Minor Leaguer and All-American linebacker at the University of Washington -- decided to make the entry fee for the event a new toy.

"It's just a bunch of guys getting together for a good cause," Clifford said.

The croquet event will be held at a park near Peoria. Last year's champion, Willie Bloomquist, will be back to defend his title, even though he's participating in a charity golf event the same day.

Clifford said some of the other participants include 2006 first-round draft choice Brandon Morrow, outfielder Adam Jones, pitcher J.J. Putz, former Mariners pitcher Matt Thornton, first-base coach Mike Goff and outfielder Chris Snelling -- who is thought to be part of a deal with Washington for Jose Vidro -- among others.

"Snelling might have the inside [track] because of all the cricket he used to play," Clifford said of the Australian outfielder.