Minor league baseball resumed in Bellingham in 1938 with a championship season.[4] The Bellingham Chinooks became members of the six–team Class B level Western International League and captured the league championship under manager Ken Penner. With a 68–65 regular season record, the Chinooks placed second in the regular season standings, finishing 9.5 games behind the first place Yakima Pippins. In the 1938 playoffs, the Bellingham Chinooks defeated the Vancouver Maple Leafs three games to one and advanced. In the Final, Bellingham defeated the Yakima Pippins four games to three to become league champions.[1][5][6][7][8][9]
After winning the championship in 1938, the 1939 Bellingham Chinooks finished in last place in the Western International League standings. The franchise subsequently folded after the season.[10][11] With a 40–102 regular season record, the Chinooks placed sixth in the six-team standings, playing the season under managers Ken Penner, Jimmie Reese and Al Lightner. Bellingham finished behind the Wenatchee Chiefs (86–57), Tacoma Tigers (78–63), Vancouver Capilanos (76–63), Spokane Indians (75–69) and Yakima Pippins (72–73) in the final standings.[1][12][13]
After the 1938 season, the Bellingham franchise was replaced in 1940 Western League play by the Salem Senators.[14]
The Bellingham Chinooks hosted home minor league games at Battersby Park. Battersby Park had a capacity of 3,000 and dimensions of (Left, Center, Right): 290–350–435. The ballpark was torn down in 1968.[16] Today, Battersby Park is still in use as a public Park.[17]
(2018) Whatcom Creek And Maritime Heritage Park. Bellingham, Washington