SFGATE puts Humboldt’s beloved Crabs in the spotlight

Monday, 25 August 2025, 12:00 am Matt LaFever Leave a comment

Fan Appreciation Day in 2010 [Justbeths, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons]

Arcata summers wouldn’t be the same without the Humboldt Crabs. For more than 80 years, the team has been a constant presence on the North Coast, drawing fans young and old to Arcata Ball Park. Pajama nights, fireworks, the blare of the Crab Grass Band, and the hecklers keeping visiting teams on edge — it’s a scene that feels like Humboldt at its best.

SFGATE just published a feature on the Crabs written by Redheaded Blackbelt contributor Matt LaFever, celebrating the team’s deep roots and the unique culture that has made them the nation’s longest-running summer collegiate ball club. The piece explores everything from the team’s scrappy beginnings in 1945 to the generations of players and fans who have kept the tradition alive.

For those of us who grew up with the Crabs or found our way into the stands later in life, it’s a reminder of why this team matters. It’s about baseball, yes, but also about community, continuity, and the joyful quirks that make Humboldt what it is.

Read the full story here: SFGATE’s feature on the Humboldt Crabs.