Summer Collegiate

Owls above .500 going into WCL second half

Published

1 year ago

July 3, 2023

Dugout Wire Service

This is the perfect time for evaluation and planning — 27 regular season games down for the Nanaimo NightOwls, and a 14-13 record marked by streaks and periods of stellar play.

Including a weekend sweep of the Port Angeles Lefties — near flawless baseball by the NightOwls on the Canada Day weekend.

The NightOwls will see non-league action this week at friendly Serauxmen Stadium — the Redmond Dudes on Monday, then a much-anticipated two game set against the best of Nanaimo local baseball players, Tuesday and Wednesday — and that gives the coaching staff an ideal opportunity to set up the second half chase for a playoff spot. The final 27 games open with a three game set in Walla Walla (Friday, Saturday and Sunday) before home games next Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday with the Wenatchee AppleSox.

The second year WCL team, with glorious weather nearly every home game and more in the forecast, opened with a sweep of the Walla Walla Sweets, then posted nearly half of the losses to date in being swept at Kelowna and at home in three close games against perennial power Bellingham.

Posting a 4-2 records in home-and-home series with Edmonton and Port Angeles, and splitting six games with Yakima Valley, the NightOwls find themselves trailing Bellingham, Wenatchee and Victoria, but in a deadlock with Kelowna for the presumed final playoff berth.

The excitement comes from averaging nearly six runs per game, led by dynamic shortstop and leadoff man Elijah Ickes, who is heading to the University of Hawaii this fall. RBI production has come from Ethan Rivera, Wylie Waters, Brandon Hupe and Aaron Marsh, with notable contributions from Riley Paulino, Reid Little and Mikey Easter. Rivera is tied for second in the league in home runs with four while Waters is third in average at .379.

On the mound, Bear Pinedo (three saves) has been the best reliever in the WCL with 18 strikeouts in 10 innings and just one hit allowed. Starters Payton Robertson, Seth Gurr, Cooper Littledike, Luca Hines, Nathan Buchan and Conner Gleissner are backed by a deep bullpen, giving Pitching Coach Gorm Heimueller plenty of options to manage over the final 27 games and into the playoffs.

Source

Summer Collegiate

Victoria HarbourCats – VISL, HarbourCats, NightOwls enter strategic partnership

Published

9 hours ago

November 22, 2024

Dugout Wire Service

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 21, 2024

VICTORIA, B.C. — Different sports, but the same community ideals.

The Victoria HarbourCats and Nanaimo NightOwls, of baseball’s West Coast League, and the Vancouver Island Soccer League (VISL), have entered into a strategic partnership intended to assist the entities in growing grassroots sports and improving facilities on Vancouver Island.

The VISL provides programming and championships on the Island and leads leagues which give the best soccer players an avenue to play the sport for life. Championships such as the Jackson Cup, with many finals played at Royal Athletic Park in Victoria, serve as the crown jewel of the VISL.

More than 6,000 participants are involved with the VISL — sports fans, who will keep track of the Island’s top baseball programs, the HarbourCats and NightOwls, who combined to draw more than 100,000 spectators in 2024.

The baseball teams and VISL will jointly promote each others’ schedules, and provide opportunities for youth participation.

“The atmosphere at HarbourCats and NightOwls games showcase the top fan engagement on the Island, a true gathering point in our communities,” said VISL Executive Director Vince Greco.

“Baseball fans are soccer fans, and soccer fans are baseball fans — it’s about supporting quality programs on the island and furthering awareness. Adding youth opportunities between the two will be the cherry on top.”

Watch for VISL events to recognize the work of the HarbourCats and NightOwls, and feature baseball games to celebrate the success of the VISL.

For more information on the VISL and their programs and offerings, please visit their website HERE.

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The HarbourCats 2025 schedule has now been announced! DETAILS HERE

Single-game tickets and 10-game flex pack voucher renewals are NOT YET AVAILABLE, but will be once the ticketing system is set up for the 2025 season. We will announce this when ready!

Season tickets and 10- game flex packs ARE available for sale by dropping in to the office at 101-1814 Vancouver Street or calling 778-265-0327.

Existing Season Ticket holders are encouraged, if they have not already done so, to renew their seats as soon as possible so as to lock in their seats for what is going to be another great season of HarbourCats Baseball.

Source

Summer Collegiate

VISL, and HarbourCats/NightOwls, enter strategic partnership

Published

18 hours ago

November 21, 2024

Dugout Wire Service

Different sports, but the same community ideals.

The Victoria HarbourCats and Nanaimo NightOwls, of baseball’s West Coast League, and the Vancouver Island Soccer League, have entered into a strategic partnership intended to assist the entities in growing grassroots sports and improving facilities on Vancouver Island.

The baseball teams and VISL will jointly promote each others’ schedules, and provide opportunities for youth participation.

“Baseball fans are soccer fans, and soccer fans are baseball fans — it’s about supporting quality programs on the island and furthering awareness. Adding youth opportunities between the two will be the cherry on top.”

Source

Summer Collegiate

Victoria HarbourCats – You’re Invited! Christmas Open House, November 28-29

Published

2 days ago

November 19, 2024

Dugout Wire Service

Please join us as we usher in the Holiday Season with our annual Christmas Open House!

When: Thursday and Friday, November 28 and 29
Time: 12 Noon to 7 PM each day
Where: HarbourCats office 101-1814 Vancouver Street.

Come by to say hello and enjoy some hot cider and other beverages and snacks and talk about our upcoming 2025 season!

Plenty of merchandise on hand for the HarbourCats fan on your Christmas list – all at 20% off for the month of November! Plus plenty of HarbourCats and Victoria Golden Tide items available on our special $10.00 clearance rack!

Season tickets and 10-game flex packs will also be available for sale and as a special BLACK FRIDAY bonus, we will throw in a free-gift with the purchase of any 10-pack or season ticket package.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Source