Summer Collegiate

Easing of outdoor crowd restrictions too little, too late for HarbourCats and NightOwls.

Published

4 years ago

June 29, 2021

Dugout Wire Service

If only things were where we are now six months ago. Even two months ago.

The Province today announced that after July 1, outdoor gatherings in British Columbia can have up to 5,000 people in attendance, or up to 50% capacity, whichever is greater. While that is great news for many, and for all of us in British Columbia moving forward, unfortunately, it is too little, too late for sports teams like the Victoria HarbourCats and Nanaimo NightOwls, who had to make critical business decisions two months ago regarding the 2021 West Coast League Baseball season.

At that time, with the border still closed – and it is still slated to be closed until July 21 – and with the vaccination levels then nowhere near what they are right now, with COVID cases still high, the HarbourCats had to make the tough decision to forego playing the 2021 season, the second-straight lost season due to the pandemic.

It also meant at the time, the HarbourCats had to release all the players they had signed, so that they could find somewhere else to play this year. So for fans hoping to see the HarbourCats rapidly put a team together and start playing games, it is not going to happen.

There may be an opportunity though for the HarbourCats to put together some sort of exhibition game or series with their sister team the Nanaimo NightOwls later this summer, and Managing Partner for both teams, Jim Swanson, is starting to explore that possibility.

“With our U.S. teams in the West Coast League already well into their 2021 WCL season, and with the border still closed, it will be impossible for us to ramp up any kind of regular season,” said Swanson. “But we are exploring some kind of exhibition series between our two teams, albeit altered from what we’ve been proud to put on the field for so many years. If something is able to be done, we will let everyone know any plans at a later date.”

On a longer term, the news today means that the HarbourCats and NightOwls can both proceed full speed ahead for a full season of West Coast League baseball season in 2022, the eighth for the HarbourCats and the inaugural first for the NightOwls, with fans in full attendance.

While the 2022 West Coast League schedule is not expected to be released until October, fans should be warned now that tickets for 2022 will be in high demand. With four new teams in the league – the NightOwls, the Kamloops NorthPaws, the Edmonton Riverhawks and the Springfield (Oregon), Drifters, and the fact that fans will be itching to get to a game after a two-year absence, it could be a record-setting attendance year at Wilson’s Group Stadium in Victoria, and close to a sell out for every game, in the smaller Serauxmen Stadium in Nanaimo.

“With many fans having vouchers to exchange from both 2020 and 2021 and the demand for tickets for people who will just want to see a game again, we are suggesting that if you have been sitting on the fence about getting HarbourCats season tickets, now is time to act,” said HarbourCats Assistant GM of Ticketing and Media Christian Stewart. “Season tickets are by far the best value for your money, and we have plenty of options available for Victoria in all seating areas, except our field level Diamond Club seats.”

Fans can also purchase 10-game flex pack vouchers now, but will have to renew them, along with all fans holding 2020 and 2021 vouchers, once the schedule is released in the fall. Flex-pack vouchers are also available as a “season ticket equivalent,” whereby for the same price as a season ticket, fans get 35 vouchers to use in any combination and for any regular season game that they wish.

“We can’t wait to entertain fans back at the ballpark again,” added Stewart. “Hopefully we can get something together for a game or two in July or August, but either way, 2022 is going to be amazing and we want as many fans as possible to be there with us when we celebrate the full return of HarbourCats baseball and the inaugural season for the NightOwls in Nanaimo.”

For more information on tickets for both teams, please visit or contact:

Victoria HarbourCats
https://harbourcats.com/ticketinfo/
Contact: Christian Stewart chris@harbourcats.com
Phone: 778-265-0327

Nanaimo NightOwls
https://nanaimonightowls.com/tickets/
Contact: Raymond Kirk ray@nanaimonightowls.com
Phone: 250-709-2882

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Summer Collegiate

Opportunistic Knights take first game

Published

22 hours ago

July 23, 2025

Dugout Wire Service

NANAIMO, B.C. — The Corvallis Knights got hits when it counted, the Nanaimo NightOwls did not.

In the first ever visit by the Knights to historic Serauxmen Stadium, Corvallis narrowly outhit the NightOwls 10-8 in a 10-3 victory on Tuesday night with the Island Savings Christmas in July promotion keeping fans entertained. Game 2 in the series hockey jersey night goes Wednesday night, with the final game billet appreciation night set for Thursday, both 6:35pm starts.

Ryder Florence was 2-4 and was robbed of extra bases with a spectacular diving catch with the bases loaded and two outs, or this game could’ve turned back to the home club.

Jacob Hayes gave Nanaimo a 2-1 lead in the first inning with a two-run blast to left, the all-star’s eighth homer of the year, giving him 30 runs batted in on the season.

https://baseball.pointstreak.com/standings.html?leagueid=145&seasonid=34070

Moosa Nonomiya was the notable pitching outing of the night, with 3.1 scoreless innings and just one hit allowed. Starter Blake Hager walked six and avoided bigger damage, while reliever Dylan Thompson came in and let the lead grow to the point it was tough to mount a comeback.

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Summer Collegiate

Victoria HarbourCats – Fish Sticks pile on the runs, win 12-4

Published

22 hours ago

July 23, 2025

Dugout Wire Service

July 22, 2025

For immediate release

VICTORIA, B.C. – The Victoria HarbourCats welcomed the Dub Sea Fish Sticks to town for non-league action, and it was the visitors who came out on top, winning 12-4.

The Fish Sticks jumped out to an early lead, putting two runs on the board in the top of the first inning, including a Matt Churchill RBI double.

Jai Berezowski (Golden Tide) hit his fourth home run of the campaign in the bottom of the second, a two-run shot, to tie up the ballgame.

BOX SCORE

Declan Brown (Wenatchee Valley) made his first HarbourCats appearance of the season and drove in a pair with a double to cap off the big second inning, making it 4-2.

Churchill continued his strong night with a solo home run in the top of the third to cut the deficit in half.

Jake Butler showed his versatility tonight starting the game at first base (Photo: Justin P. Morash)

Clayton Broeder (Angelo State) started the game for the Cats and went three innings, giving up three runs on three hits while striking out three and walking four.

WATCH GAMES HERE

Jake Finkelstein (Georgia Gwinnett) replaced Broeder to start the fourth inning and found himself in a jam, walking the bases loaded. A pair of hits, including another Churchill double, mixed in with some poor defence allowed the Fish Sticks to plate four runs in the frame, giving the visitors a 7-4 lead.

Finkelstein pitched a scoreless fifth inning but surrendered five runs in the sixth, which gave Dub Sea a resounding 12-4 lead.

The Fish Sticks bullpen shut things down from there, shutting out the Cats for the final seven innings.

Marcus Janovsky (UBC) pitched the final three innings for Victoria, giving up no runs on one hit while striking out a pair.

WCL STANDINGS

The two teams are back in action tomorrow at 6:35 PM. Fun promotions are happening all week at the ballpark. Tomorrow is Winning Wednesday, where select Red Arrow products are just $6. Thursday, July 24, is Country Night! Get yourself gussied up in your country outfits and come on down to the ballpark for a night of all things country. Rob Curtis will be performing on the field when the gates open at 5:30 PM. Friday is the start of Peninsula Co-op’s Kids Free Weekend! Friday, Saturday, and Sunday’s games are free for kids 12 and under.

Due to popular demand, we are expanding our $12 Tuesday seats. All remaining Premium Reserved seats (normally $22 per seat) for the July 29 game against Kamloops are now just $12. PLUS, WE NOW HAVE $12 THURSDAYS! All remaining Premium Reserved seats for our Thursday games on July 24 and July 31 are now just $12. Come watch the best baseball in town for the best price anywhere!

BUY TICKETS HERE

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

For more updates, be sure to follow @HarbourCats on all social channels (Facebook, Twitter and Instagram).

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Summer Collegiate

Victoria HarbourCats – Tonight: Parent Information Session on U.S. College Baseball Pathways

Published

2 days ago

July 22, 2025

Dugout Wire Service

Monday, July 21, 2025 – 7:00 PM at Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre

The Victoria HarbourCats are proud to host an important evening for parents of young ballplayers looking to better understand the journey to playing college baseball in the United States.

Tonight’s session will begin at 7:00 PM, hosted in the Wilson’s Lounge at the Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre, with a live Zoom option available for those unable to attend in person. This interactive discussion is open to all parents interested in helping their child navigate the next steps in their baseball development.

The session will be chaired by HarbourCats Managing Partner Jim Swanson, and will feature a panel of experienced parents from programs such as the Victoria Eagles and Mariners. These panelists will share firsthand insight on what families can expect—from recruiting timelines to the realities of college baseball life.

Key topics will include:

Understanding the U.S. College Baseball System:
An overview of the different levels—NCAA, NAIA, Junior College (JuCo)—as well as Canadian alternatives like UBC and the Golden Tide.
Recruitment and Exposure:
How players get noticed, including tips on recruiting windows, highlight videos, email outreach, tournaments, and showcase events.
Financing College Baseball:
A look at athletic scholarships, academic awards, NIL (Name, Image & Likeness) opportunities, and other financial options.
What Life Is Really Like in a U.S. Baseball Program:
Honest discussion on the expectations, time commitments, and lifestyle student-athletes experience once they’re enrolled.

There will also be an open Q&A period, giving attendees a chance to ask specific questions and get practical advice directly from those who’ve been through it.

Event Details:

Wilson’s Lounge, Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre
Monday, July 21 – 7:00 PM
Zoom Link: Click here to join the session

Whether your child is just starting high school ball or already drawing interest from scouts, this is a valuable opportunity to learn how to support their goals and plan ahead.

We look forward to seeing you there.

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