Washington State’s Sports and Leisure Capital
From Olympic medalists and legendary professional athletes, to Little League and outstanding class B through AAAA school sports programs, the Yakima Valley is a sports-lover’s dream. With athletic programs for everyone from pee-wee soccer players and aspiring young athletes to seniors, there’s something for everyone.
Professional Sports Learn about professional teams representing the Yakima Valley.
Sports Facilities, Golf Courses, and Swimming Pools Helpful information on some of the various venues dotted throughout the Valley.
Organized Sports and Events People of all ages can take advantage of the many organized sports programs offered by both regional organizations and city programs.
Indoor Sports Facilities and Classes The Yakima Valley has several indoor sports facilities for families to enjoy.
The Yakima Valley is home to three professional sports teams. Established in 1990, the Yakima Bears Baseball Club is an Arizona Diamondback Affiliate in the single A division Northwest League and two-time League Champion.
A part of the Valley since 1995, the Yakima Reds Football Club, is a two-time Western Conference Division Champion in the Premier Development League.
Sports Facilities, Golf Courses, and Swimming Pools
The Yakima Valley abounds with community parks providing families with quality sports facilities for all ages. Newly built softball and baseball parks like the Gateway Complex at Kiwanis Park in Yakima, Carlon Park in Selah, and Sunnyview Park in Sunnyside are hosts to many tournaments throughout the season and are just a few of the many baseball fields throughout the region. Tennis courts, basketball courts, soccer fields, and skate parks dot the Valley in well maintained, family-friendly parks. Several Yakima Valley cities organize teams and tournaments for all ages, in addition to hosting a variety of summer camps teaching children the basics of their favorite sports.
| Grandview | Naches Sports Complex | Selah | Sunnyside | Toppenish | Yakima | Zillah |
The Yakima SunDome Always a busy venue, the SunDome hosts both Washington Interscholastic Athletic Association (WIAA) high school basketball, volleyball, and wrestling tournaments, as well as AAU and other city team tournaments. You can even enjoy rodeo events and horse shows in the SunDome.
Golf Courses For the golf enthusiast, the Yakima Valley features seven public golf courses and two private courses which range from Cherry Hill Golf Course, a 9-hole, par 30 course in Granger, to the Apple Tree Golf Course and Resort, a challenging 18-hole, par 72 professional course complemented by a regionally-renowned restaurant, pro shop, and driving range allowing residents and visitors to tee off under sunny skies at least eight months out of the year. These local courses host tournaments including the annual Yakima Amateur Golf Tournament for men in August and the Yakima Women’s City Golf Tournament the first of June. In addition, local courses are hosts to various fundraising events and provide lessons for all ages and skill levels.
| 9-Hole Public Courses: Westwood Golf Course – Yakima | Fisher Park Golf Course – Yakima | River Ridge Golf Course – Selah | Cherry Hill Golf Course – Granger | 18-Hole Public Courses: Apple Tree Golf Course & Resort – Yakima | Suntides Golf Course – Yakima | Black Rock Golf Course – Sunnyside | 18-Hole Private Courses: Elks Lodge #318 Golf Course – Selah | Yakima Country Club |
Swimming Pools Families can ‘Beat the Heat’ and enjoy summer fun throughout the Valley by spending days swimming and playing in any one of the region’s public pools. Yakima is also home to a number of private access pools, many of which are indoors so water aerobics, competitive swimming, and other family activities can be enjoyed year round.
| Public Pools: Lion’s Pool and Franklin Pool – Yakima | Selah Public Pool | Zillah Public Pool | Toppenish Public Pool | Sunnyside Public Pool | Grandview Public Pool | Prosser Public Pool | Private Pools: YMCA – Yakima | Yakima Athletic Club | Yakima Tennis Club | Valley Racquet & Fitness Club 509.837.7733 – Sunnyside | Prosser Family Fitness |
Competitive Events Yakima hosts several marathons and other competitive events each year. Marathons draw competitors from around the Northwest and the annual springtime Gap2Gap Relay hosted by the Yakima Greenway Foundations is a community favorite. This relay draws participants from throughout the area to compete in running, biking, and kayaking from Union Gap to Selah Gap. Teams of every age participate, making it fun for the entire family. Junior Gap2Gap participants even enjoy rollerblading along the Yakima Greenway’s walking and bike path.
The Good Life: Gap2Gap Race Showcases Valley’s Natural Outlets, Read It!
There are many Little League Baseball teams from Naches to Grandview, Yakima Youth/American Legion baseball, and the Greater Yakima Girls Softball Association which offer opportunities for kids from eight to 18. Consider Grid Kids Football, AAU basketball, Team Yakima volleyball, YAC and YMCA swim teams and the Yakima Youth Soccer Association for other kids programs.
Adults have plenty of programs to choose from too—Yakima Adult Soccer, La Liga Mexicana soccer program, adult softball leagues, and the Hard Core Runners Club of Yakima, which sponsors six events annually.
The Good Life: Yakima River Canyon Marathon – Born Out of Scenic Beauty, Read It!
The Good Life: Yakima Valley Martial Arts-Yakima School of Karate Celebrates 50 Years, Read It!
The Good Life: Yakima Valley Soccer In Full Swing, Read It!
T
he Yakima Valley Sports Commission works diligently to bring tournaments to the region. Two of its largest events are the annual Hot Shots 3-on-3 street basketball tournament played in Downtown Yakima each August for teams of all ages, and the SunDome Volleyball Festival in September for Eastern Washington high school volleyball teams from 1B to 4A to sharpen their skills for the upcoming fall volleyball season. Contact the Yakima Valley Sports Commission for more information on these and other events they organize.
The Good Life: Yakima’s Getting Ready For A Slam – Hot Shots 3-on-3 Tournament, Read It!
To learn more about Motorized Pursuits click here; to learn more about Outdoor Recreation in the Yakima Valley click here.
Indoor Sports Facilities and Classes
Choose from one of the Valley’s many athletic and fitness clubs for racquetball, handball, swimming, and fitness programs. Fitness clubs range from smaller, more specialized training facilities, 24-hour clubs for busy folks, to full-service clubs offering a wide range of programs, athletic courts, and swimming pools. Train in Yakima’s premiere Pilates studio, strengthen in one of the Valley’s well-known Yoga studios, or join the first-class Yakima Tennis Club and enjoy playing on both indoor and outdoor courts. For those skating enthusiasts, Yakima’s Ice Rink is available for ice skating and hockey, and Yakima’s Skateland Roller Rink is a Yakima landmark.
Classes and programs are also available for karate and other martial arts, numerous forms of dance classes for all ages and styles, and White Pass Ski Resort offers snow skiing lessons for all skill levels.
