The Bellingham Bells announced Ed Knaggs as the new head coach, effective immediately, for the 2025 season.
Knaggs will be taking over for former head coach Bob Ralston, who only coached one season with the Bells and led them to the WCL North Division Championship game.
Bells General Manager Stephanie Morrell said Ralston stepped down due to personal/family reasons. Ralston could not be reached for comment.
Former Bells head coach Jim Clem will join Knaggs as the pitching coach. In a news release, Morrell said Knaggs and Clem have been longtime friends, and they’ve always wondered if they’d have an opportunity to coach together.
“The stars aligned for this opportunity, and as an organization, we really feel fortunate to have two Northwest baseball legends joining our staff,” the release stated.
In the team’s Instagram post last week, Morrell said, “I am grateful to Bob for his leadership and efforts during what was a really special 2024 season. Coach Ralston showed great leadership and skill in managing the team through a long summer.”
Knaggs spent 13 seasons as the head coach of the Wenatchee Applesox from 2001-2014 and five seasons as the associate head coach of the Corvallis Knights from 2018-2019 and 2022-2024. Knaggs has won nine West Coast League Championships and had two runner-up finishes. He also has earned the WCL Coach of the Year honor four times while coaching at Wenatchee.
“The opportunity to be part of the Bellingham Bells organization is exciting for me personally,” Knaggs said in the release. “I have always thought of the Bells as one of the premier teams in the WCL for players to develop.”
Knaggs played at College of the Canyons before beginning his coaching career as an assistant coach at Gonzaga. After seven years, Knaggs moved to Wenatchee to become the head coach at Wenatchee High School from 1991-2011. He also assisted with the Chatham A’s of the Cape Cod League for one season.
Clem joined the Bells in 2011 as the pitching coach and recruiting coordinator and remained in that position for 11 seasons. He became the head coach in 2023 and led the Bells to the WCL North Division title game. He stepped down in 2024, but said he is excited to return to the Bells organization and create more positive experiences.
Nick Zeller-Singh is CDN's sports reporter; reach him at nickzellersingh@cascadiadaily.com; 360-922-3090 ext. 104.
