By Tim Clinton

SPORTS EDITOR

The first week of July offers a packed schedule for Seattle sports fans, highlighted by a festive Independence Day weekend featuring several major home contests. One of the most notable events is the Seattle Mariners' home stand at T-Mobile Park, which includes a high-profile series against the Toronto Blue Jays starting July 3rd and running through the holiday weekend. Basketball enthusiasts can also celebrate the Fourth of July at Climate Pledge Arena, where the Seattle Storm will host Portland in an evening matchup.

For fans of local summer collegiate baseball, the Fish Sticks have an extensive home stretch at Mel Olson Stadium. They will face the Washington A's in a three-game series from July 3rd to July 5th, including a special morning game on the Fourth of July. Soccer fans also have significant local matches to attend, with West Seattle Junction playing two home games at Nino Cantu Memorial Stadium—first against Bigfoot FC on July 1st and then hosting FC Olympia on July 5th.

As the week progresses, several teams will head out on the road. The Seattle Mariners travel to face Miami for a three-day series starting July 7th, while the Seattle Reign head to North Carolina for a match on the afternoon of July 4th. Meanwhile, the Seattle Storm will balance their home holiday game with road trips to Phoenix, Los Angeles, and Atlanta throughout the first nine days of the month.

Baseball (Summer Collegiate)

• Thursday, July 2: Redmond at Fish Sticks, 6:35 p.m. (Venue: Mel Olson Stadium at Steve Cox Memorial)
• Friday, July 3: Washington A's at Fish Sticks, 6:35 p.m. (Venue: Mel Olson Stadium at Steve Cox Memorial)
• Saturday, July 4: Washington A's at Fish Sticks, 11:05 a.m. (Venue: Mel Olson Stadium at Steve Cox Memorial)
• Sunday, July 5: Washington A's at Fish Sticks, 1:05 p.m. (Venue: Mel Olson Stadium at Steve Cox Memorial)
• Tuesday, July 7: Fish Sticks at Marion Berries
• Wednesday, July 8: Fish Sticks at Marion Berries
• Thursday, July 9: Seattle Studs at Fish Sticks, 6:35 p.m. (Venue: Mel Olson Stadium at Steve Cox Memorial)

Men's Soccer

• Wednesday, July 1: Bigfoot FC at West Seattle Junction, 7 p.m. (Venue: Nino Cantu Memorial Stadium)
• Sunday, July 5: FC Olympia at West Seattle Junction, 2 p.m. (Venue: Nino Cantu Memorial Stadium)
• Sunday, July 5: Tacoma Stars at Ballard, 2 p.m. (Venue: Interbay Stadium)
• Wednesday, July 8: Ballard at Bigfoot FC, 7 p.m.

Professional Sports

• Thursday, July 2: Los Angeles Angels at Seattle Mariners, 6:40 p.m. (Venue: T-Mobile Park)
• Thursday, July 2: Seattle Storm at Phoenix, 7 p.m.
• Friday, July 3: Toronto at Seattle Mariners, 7:10 p.m. (Venue: T-Mobile Park)
• Saturday, July 4: Seattle Reign at North Carolina, 3:30 p.m.
• Saturday, July 4: Toronto at Seattle Mariners, 1:10 p.m. (Venue: T-Mobile Park)
• Saturday, July 4: Portland at Seattle Storm, 6 p.m. (Venue: Climate Pledge Arena)
• Sunday, July 5: Toronto at Seattle Mariners, 1:10 p.m. (Venue: T-Mobile Park)
• Monday, July 6: Seattle Storm at Los Angeles, 7 p.m.
• Tuesday, July 7: Seattle Mariners at Miami, 3:40 p.m.
• Wednesday, July 8: Seattle Mariners at Miami, 3:40 p.m.
• Thursday, July 9: Seattle Mariners at Miami, 3:40 p.m.
• Thursday, July 9: Seattle Storm at Atlanta, 5 p.m.