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NorthPaws Add Jepson To Coaching Staff

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12 months ago

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KAMLOOPS, BC—The Kamloops NorthPaws have added some local talent to their coaching staff for the 2024 West Coast League season.

The NorthPaws have agreed to terms with Riley Jepson of Kamloops.   Jepson is a graduate of the Kamloops Minor Baseball and Kamloops Riverdogs programs.  He will be the team’s hitting and infield coach.

“I am super excited to be back in a place where I got to play growing up and to be with a bunch of guys who want to advance their baseball careers,” Jepson says.  I hope to help them on their journeys. I, obviously had a lot of great coaches. I am hoping I can do the same for them.”

A first baseman, third baseman and outfielder, Jepson most recently played with Great Falls Montana in the Pioneer League in 2023.  He hit .374 with 120 hits and 49 runs batted in in 82 games.

Jepson had a ‘cup of coffee’ in the professional ranks. He was signed by the Chicago White Sox in 2022 and played with the Winston-Salem Dash, the Sox’s High-A affiliate.   While there, the 6’4” Jepson had 42 at bats, notching five hits, scoring a run, achieving one stolen base and had five runs batted in.

“I am hoping my extensive background will help the players focus on the summer,” he states.  “The summer is a grind for a lot of kids. They finish a 50-game college season and are instantly into another 50 game schedule. To help guide them after playing two 90 game seasons myself, I am hoping to teach them that it is a process. Not every day is going to be perfect. They need to learn how to grow from each day.”

The 26-year-old left the KMBA for a two-year stint with the University of Fraser Valley Cascades in the Canadian Collegiate Baseball Conference.  He had a stellar career where he still holds the league’s record for best batting average in a single season (.489).   He is still fourth in the CCBC history books in walks with 27 (2018, 2019).

At Fraser Valley, he was also named a CCBC all-star and was the leagues top hitter for two years in a row (2018, 2019).  He also helped lead them to their first league championship in 2019.

Following that, he went to the University of Texas at Tyler (NCAA Div II) for two seasons (2020-21). While there, he was a 2nd team “All Lone Star” selection and co-Male Athlete of the Year.

Jepson isn’t a stranger to coaching. He spent three years as an assistant coach at UFV. He is now the Cascades head coach.

Jepson joins Pitching Coach TC Fairfield as members of Bautista’s staff.  He hopes the fact that he is close in age to the players on the Kamloops roster will be a benefit.

“Having Riley joining us is great,” says NorthPaws head coach Jose Bautista about Jepson. “ It means a lot to bring two new coaches that bring more energy and positivity to the team. I think we are going to have the best season.”

“I actually got in touch with Jose through my old coach at Great Falls (Tommy Thompson),” Jepson stated. “Tommy knows Jose and told him I was interested in helping with the North Paws. Fortunately, this worked out.”

Jepson was a multi-sport athlete growing up. He played hockey with the Thompson Blazers in 2012-13 before playing two seasons with the KIJHL Sicamous Eagles.  He played 52 games with the Eagles in 2012-13 where he scored 14 goals and added 17 assists.  He also played one game in the BC Hockey League with the Salmon Arm Silverbacks.  His last year of Junior hockey was 2013-14 where he had 12 goals and 15 assists in 52 games with the Eagles.

The NorthPaws open their 2024 West Coast League season May 31st at Dearborn Ford Field at Norbrock Stadium.  Their opponents will be the Victoria HarbourCats.

Tickets and full schedule information are available from the Kamloops NorthPaws website.

For More Information:  Jenna Forter – General Manager – jforter@northpawsbaseball.ca

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February 5, 2025

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Summer Collegiate

Victoria HarbourCats – Victoria Fire Local 730 and HarbourCats, Golden Tide baseball teams team up for summer show of support

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3 days ago

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February 3, 2025

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February 3, 2025

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

VICTORIA, BC — Teamwork is needed in fighting fires, as it is on a baseball diamond.

It’s also needed in the community — and that’s why the Victoria Firefighters Association Local 730 of the International Association of Firefighters (IAFF) and the West Coast League’s Victoria HarbourCats, along with the collegiate Victoria Golden Tide of the CCBC, are teaming up for a meaningful symbolic partnership that will run through the 2025 season.

“With the recent devastation we are seeing in Los Angeles, and the wildfires that have decimated areas on our side of the border — I think of Jasper this past summer, among others — it’s important for us all to show support for those who do the dangerous work of keeping us safe,” said Jim Swanson, Managing Partner of the HarbourCats. “We are open supporters of all first responders and military in our area, the people who take the risk to serve our communities.

“Victoria firefighters are true heroes in our community, and deserve our thanks, respect and recognition.”

The IAFF membership across North America includes more than 350,000 who put themselves in harm’s way to save lives and property — the very definition of teamwork.

This summer, HarbourCats players will wear Victoria Firefighter Union hats during batting practice and workouts, and will choose selected games to take them into action. The Golden Tide will do the same this spring with college home games in the CCBC.

The hats will be produced locally by HarbourCats merchandise and apparel partner Passion Sports, located in downtown Victoria on Government Street, working with General Manager Dylan Marsden and owner Greg Wallis.

“Our people truly appreciate the support we get from so many people in the community, and the HarbourCats have been strong partners for so many,” said Union president Jeremy Wilson. “We will be proud to see our logo on the field with both the HarbourCats and Golden Tide.”

The fires in LA have been a stark reminder to all how important it is to do all we can to be ready for anything — the devastation of such a populated area has stunned everyone.

The Golden Tide start their season in late March, while 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 three “Showcase” events through the HarbourCats new and one-and-only ticketing partner SHOWPASS at harbourcats.com/tickets.

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

ATTENTION 2024 SEASON TICKET HOLDERS:  If you have not already done so, please renew your seats for 2025 so that they can be locked into the new ticketing system.  Season Tickets will be sent to all members electronically this season on April 1, 2025, perhaps sooner.  Any seats not renewed by that time will be released and placed back into the system. Contact Christian at the office at 778-265-0327 to renew.

For more information, contact:

Christian Stewart, GM, Victoria HarbourCats
chris@harbourcats.com

Jeremy Wilson, President, Victoria Firefighters Union
presidentlocal730@gmail.com

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Victoria HarbourCats – ‘Men Without Hats’ declared official band of the HarbourCats

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7 days ago

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January 31, 2025

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The Safety Dance will be played for all home team home runs

January 30, 2025

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

VICTORIA, B.C. — A Victoria-based band is now the official rock group of the Victoria HarbourCats.

MEN WITHOUT HATS, originally from Montreal but now Island-based with co-founders and brothers Ivan Doroschuk and Colin Doroschuk living in Victoria, has been declared the OFFICIAL BAND OF THE VICTORIA HARBOURCATS.

Their smash hit legendary song The Safety Dance (“We can DANCE if you want to!”) will be played whenever a HarbourCats player hits a home run, and the iconic Pop Goes The World will be used to add spice after pop ups lead to outs by the visiting team.

“I am humbled that Men Without Hats has been chosen as the OFFICIAL BAND of the Victoria HarbourCats, and that Safety Dance will be the home run song,” said Ivan Doroschuk, lead singer — and a baseball fan back to his days going to Expos games at Parque Jarry.

“I’ve been a huge fan and proud supporter of the HarbourCats for many years so I truly consider this to be a great honour. I’m looking forward to watching another amazing season of ball! Let’s go HarbourCats!”

Doroschuk is a season ticket holder with the HarbourCats, attending games at Wilson’s Group Stadium at RAP when MWH isn’t on yet another tour, playing their classic songs and debuting new material. In 2021, the band unveiled No Friends of Mine, a rework of the 1982 classic The Safety Dance — it’s become a smash hit on tours that have taken the band through Canada, the United States, the Caribbean, and to Europe in recent years.

Men Without Hats routinely showcases with other 80s staples such as The Thompson Twins, Right Said Fred, The Motels, Escape Club, Haircut 100 and others — including the Totally Tubular Festival dates slated for June and July, starting in San Jose on June 27 and planned to complete in Indianapolis on July 24. Other stops include New York, Detroit and Cincinnati — proof of the demand that has grown for their distinct sound.

“It’s been great to get to know Ivan at our games, and to have him even sing the anthems for us — which we will try to plan again,” said Jim Swanson, managing partner of the HarbourCats.

“This is an exciting announcement for us, cross-branding our events with their great music.”

The Safety Dance and Pop Goes The World were inducted into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2020.

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 three “Showcase” events through the HarbourCats new and one-and-only ticketing partner SHOWPASS at harbourcats.com/tickets.

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

Get your copy of the full 2025 Schedule HERE.

ATTENTION 2024 SEASON TICKET HOLDERS:  If you have not already done so, please renew your seats for 2025 so that they can be locked into the new ticketing system.  Season Tickets will be sent to all members electronically this season on April 1, 2025, perhaps sooner.  Any seats not renewed by that time will be released and placed back into the system. Contact Christian at the office at 778-265-0327 to renew.  

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