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Victoria HarbourCats – HarbourCats set for first-half North Division title showdown with Bellingham

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2 years ago

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‘Cats beat Kelowna 11-4 Wednesday to take series and stay in the hunt for the first half North Division title

Story by Christian J. Stewart

For Immediate Release

June 29, 2023

Victoria, BC – It is hard to believe, but the HarbourCats are nearly through the first half of their season, with three key games against the Bellingham Bells coming up at home this weekend, games that could be key in deciding who wins the first half West Coast League (WCL) North Division title, and along with that, the number one seed in the North Division playoffs that would begin August 8th.

As it stands, with Victoria’s 11-4 and 11-3 wins over Kelowna this week, Bellingham and Victoria are now tied with 16 wins each, while the Wenatchee AppleSox are also in the mix with 15.  The HarbourCats however, have had eight losses, to only four by Bellingham and five by Wenatchee. Plus, Bellingham and Wenatchee have one more series to play before the end of their first half, whereas the HarbourCats first half comes to an end with the three games against Bellingham.

So what does this all mean?

Well first, relative to Bellingham, the HarbourCats realistically need to sweep the Bells this weekend to finish with a 19-8 record and then hope that the Bells lose at least two more games – either to Edmonton tonight – and then one or two more to Kamloops in their three game set next week.  If Victoria and Bellingham end up tied, it would come down to head-to-head records, which if Victoria sweeps, would be the same.  The next tie-breaker then would be head-to-head run differential, which heading into the weekend, sits at 10-5 in favour of Bellingham.

As to Wenatchee, they swept Victoria earlier in the season, so hold the tie-breaker in that respect.  Thus, the HarbourCats (and the Bells for that matter) have to hope that Wenatchee loses four of their next seven games, which include a game tonight against Port Angeles, a weekend series against Edmonton and three more next week against the Lefties in Port Angeles.

Whoever comes out of that mix, then knows their playoff spot is secured, while the other teams then try to vie for the second-half title, as well as two wildcard spots that are also available to the next two teams.

WCL Playoff Procedure Details at https://westcoastleague.com/playoff-procedures/

It may sound like a tough road for Victoria, but nevertheless, with playoff possibilities on the line, Canada Day Fireworks Friday and a Canada Day and Sunday matinee on the schedule, it is going to be a fabulous weekend of baseball at Wilson’s Group Stadium.

Tickets for all games are selling fast, especially Friday’s fireworks night with some sections already sold out, so fans are urged to avoid disappointment and get their tickets on-line as soon as they can at our one and only ticketing partner Select Your Tickets at https://harbourcats.com/tickets.

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Summer Collegiate

Victoria HarbourCats – You’re invited! HarbourCats to host pre-season mixer, May 27th!

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7 days ago

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May 23, 2025

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Join HarbourCats players, coaches, staff and Harvey the HarbourCat this coming Tuesday at Mayfair Optometric clinic for the HarbourCats annual pre-season mixer! 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELASE

May 23, 2025

Victoria, BC – The Victoria HarbourCats would like to invite all fans, season ticket holders, host families, partners and sponsors to our annual pre-season mixer, this year hosted by our fine friends at Mayfair Optometric Clinic, on Tuesday, May 27th at 5:00 pm.

Join us as we celebrate the start of another great season of West Coast League baseball and meet some of the players and coaches, grab some merchandise and enjoy a beverage and snack on us!

Red Arrow Brewing will be providing some of our signature Ballpark Blonde Ale, Ooh La La Cupcakes will be providing some tasty treats, various other food and snacks will be available and Samuel the Bartender will be on hand to help with serving drinks.

HarbourCats merchandise will also be available and we will have some door prizes to give away too!

Please be sure to join us and kick-off another great season of HarbourCats baseball!

The HarbourCats open their 2025 home schedule on Friday, June 6, with the Port Angeles Lefties visiting Wilson’s Group Stadium at RAP. Season Tickets, 10 and 32-Game Flex Passes and Single Game Tickets are now on sale for all 33 home games and four “Showcase” events through the HarbourCats new and one-and-only ticketing partner SHOWPASS at harbourcats.com/tickets.

Tickets and merchandise can also be purchased in person at the HarbourCats office at 101-1814 Vancouver Street or by calling 778-265-0327.

HOST FAMILIES NEEDED! The HarbourCats are in need to host families for the 2025 season! If you would love to host a collegiate level athlete for three months this summer and become an integral part of the HarbourCats family, please contact Host Family Coordinator Cindy Kent at hostfamily@harbourcats.com.  Compensation, grocery stipend and season tickets provided.  More details HERE

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Victoria HarbourCats – CHEK and HarbourCats combine for broadcast home run

Published

1 week ago

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May 22, 2025

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HarbourCats in 30 to air throughout the summer

May 22, 2025

For immediate release

VICTORIA, B.C. — Vancouver Islands’ local television station and Victoria’s top summer sports team are joining forces.

CHEK TV will air “HarbourCats in 30” after all home games played at Wilson’s Group Stadium at Royal Athletic Park this season. As the name suggests, it’s a 30-minute highlight package that will follow the popular CHEK News at 10pm, with HarbourCats in 30 slated to start at 10:30pm.

This follows in the shoes of the popular “Royals in 30” that CHEK has aired during the winter WHL season.

“The HarbourCats are such an important part of summer on the Island, and we’re proud to share that experience with an even wider audience,” said Rob Germain, General Manager of CHEK Media. “HarbourCats in 30 captures all the excitement of the game and the spirit of the fans—delivered after every home game on CHEK TV, CHEK+, and CHEK’s YouTube channel.”

The HarbourCats play nearly every day in summer, this year starting on the road in Kelowna on May 30. The home opener is June 6, vs the cross-strait rival Port Angeles Lefties — the HarbourCats, before the playoffs, will play 60 games in 68 days, with 33 of those at home in Victoria, the familiar stadium on the corner of Caledonia and Vancouver.

“We are beyond excited to team up with our longtime friends at CHEK for these highlight shows, so more people can see our players perform and work to make the highest level,” said Jim Swanson, Managing Partner of the HarbourCats. “We are proud of the events we put on, and also our success on the field. Having eight of our players reach the Major Leagues in just 10 seasons is a credit to the community, our coaches and our staff.”

CHEK was the first private television station in B.C. and is the first and only employee-owned TV station in North America, now celebrating nearly 70 years in the community and 15 years of being independently owned.

The HarbourCats debuted in 2013 and are the longest-operating baseball club in Victoria’s history. Three times the team has made it to the final WCL playoff game, and in 2016 set the WCL record with a 19-game winning streak.

The HarbourCats open their 2025 home schedule on Friday, June 6, with the Port Angeles Lefties visiting Wilson’s Group Stadium at RAP. Season Tickets, 10 and 32-Game Flex Passes and Single Game Tickets are now on sale for all 33 home games and four “Showcase” events through the HarbourCats new and one-and-only ticketing partner SHOWPASS at harbourcats.com/tickets.

Tickets and merchandise can also be purchased in person at the HarbourCats office at 101-1814 Vancouver Street or by calling 778-265-0327.

HOST FAMILIES NEEDED! The HarbourCats are in need to host families for the 2025 season! If you would love to host a collegiate level athlete for three months this summer and become an integral part of the HarbourCats family, please contact Host Family Coordinator Cindy Kent at hostfamily@harbourcats.com.  Compensation, grocery stipend and season tickets provided.  More details HERE

PRE-SEASON MEET AND GREET! – The HarbourCats invite all fans to their 2025 Pre-Season Mixer on Tuesday, May 27th, from 5pm to 7pm at Mayfair Optometric Clinic at 3196 Douglas Street just opposite the intersection with Tolmie Avenue.  Meet some of the players, coaches and our staff, grab some merchandise, high five Harvey and enjoy some beverages and snacks on us!

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Victoria HarbourCats – HarbourCats to salute local legend Cliff Lequesne on July 17

Published

2 weeks ago

on

May 13, 2025

By

May 13, 2025

For immediate release

VICTORIA, BC — His voice, is everywhere in Victoria, in terms of sports, the signature of his presence at games and events for more than 40 years.

The Victoria HarbourCats will salute local broadcasting legend Cliff Lequesne on July 17 — as he continues to go strong as the morning news and sports icon at The Q, while handling in-house “voice of God” duties for the Royals, Grizzlies and Shamrocks.

His legendary run started at CFAX in 1972, learning from the unforgettable Ken Dobson, and he moved to The Q in 1987. He’s handled sports duties with the Pan Am Games, Commonwealth Games, the historic fastball teams that once ruled RAP, and even the Victoria Cougars — no, not the ones that won the Stanley Cup in 1925 (how old was Cliff then?), but the WHL version including the legendary 1981 run to the Memorial Cup.

“Cliff really IS sports in Victoria in so many ways, a worthy inductee into the Greater Victoria Sports Hall of Fame this past fall,” said Jim Swanson, who oversees the HarbourCats and is also a member of the Hall of Fame board.

“He’s one of the most likeable guys in Victoria, and remembers details, maybe only Cleve Dheensaw of the Times Colonist is in his category for sports media in the city. A gentleman and we are proud to honour him.”

Cliff — and his famous Cliff’s Call — and battery mate Ed Bain can be heard mornings on The Q.

Lequesne will be on the mic for the Emery Electric Fastpitch Challenge on Saturday, May 31, helping recall events of the past and introduce some of the fastball legends of yesteryear before a doubleheader (4pm, 6pm) between the host Sooke Loggers and the Lacey A’s, the first return of fastball to Wilson’s Group Stadium at RAP in decades. The games are possible because of Emery Electric and the support of the HarbourCats Foundation.

Tickets for the Emery Electric Fastpitch Challenge and the Cliff Lequesne Salute on July 17 are available at harbourcats.com/tickets.

The HarbourCats open their 2025 home schedule on Friday, June 6, with the Port Angeles Lefties visiting Wilson’s Group Stadium at RAP. Season Tickets, 10 and 32-Game Flex Passes and Single Game Tickets are now on sale for all 33 home games and four “Showcase” events through the HarbourCats new and one-and-only ticketing partner SHOWPASS at harbourcats.com/tickets.

Tickets and merchandise can also be purchased in person at the HarbourCats office at 101-1814 Vancouver Street or by calling 778-265-0327.

HOST FAMILIES NEEDED! The HarbourCats are in need to host families for the 2025 season! If you would love to host a collegiate level athlete for three months this summer and become an integral part of the HarbourCats family, please contact Host Family Coordinator Cindy Kent at hostfamily@harbourcats.com.  Compensation, grocery stipend and season tickets provided.  More details HERE

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