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Summer Collegiate

NorthPaws Coaches Learn Along With Players

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2 years ago

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KAMLOOPS, BC—One of the main purposes of the West Coast League is to develop. For the second year Kamloops NorthPaws franchise, they have taken the 2023 season as a learning experience in every sense.

Not only have the players on this year’s roster learned the ups and downs of summertime baseball, but so too have the coaching staff.

For Keith Francis, Jose Bautista and Fernie Lorea, this season has had more valleys than peaks as they languish in the lower depths of the WCL North Division.

Not to look for excuses, but the coaching staff was ‘behind the eight ball’ before the start of the campaign.  Very few of the players recruited to play for the NorthPaws this season were familiar to the three coaches.   Francis took over the head coaching job March 31st, just weeks before the start of the season.

“As the season has progressed, I have learned so much about what it takes to compete at a successful level,” he says.  “We didn’t get enough pitching for this level. For those who we were expecting to produce offensively have struggled.  Add to that, some of the players who were supposed to be here didn’t show up due to injuries. They couldn’t help that.  Those who did come here tried to the best of their ability.”

Francis put the players through three days of training before the season started.  “There are whole lot of 4 o clock hitters (time for batting practice), but there are very few 7 o clock hitters.  We found that out this year.”

He and the coaching staff tried different methods to kick start the players in batting practice while at the same time, keeping a positive attitude.  “I try to be a turtle,” Francis says.  “Coming out of my shell every day as it is a new day.  In baseball, you have a chance to win every day.  That is one philosophy the players have come to accept.”

The NorthPaws did have a number of returnees from their inaugural season.  Francis praised infielder Tommy Green and pitcher Tyrelle Chadwick for their efforts.  “Tommy was a leader both on the field and in the dugout.  Chadwick led by example when he was on the mound. “

“We had some younger players who tried to step up despite their inexperience.”   Francis pointed to Cooper Neville (Glendale, AZ) and Nathan Grey as two players who have tried to make the most of their opportunity here.  “Cooper has been unbelievable and consistently our best player. He has been positive every night.  Nathan struggled offensively but as a pitcher, his skills have really come a long this year.”

Jose Bautista came back to Kamloops this season after being with the NorthPaws on their inaugural run.  He says the key difference between the two years has been the pitching.  “Pitching is key in this league. Last season we had a lot of players who had control of their pitches and were in the right way.  This year, the talent level wasn’t as deep.  A few guys were doing pretty well but overall, it was tough.”

Bautista felt many of the pitchers on this year’s club were behind developmentally for the calibre of the West Coast League.  “It is a big challenge for them to try and compete.”

During a short season, Bautista tries to build a relationship quickly.  “We try to focus in on one or two fundamentals.” He admits he had to accelerate the learning process.

“With the age of the players here, I have concentrated on getting the pitchers to believe in themselves,’ he says. “Most players get it quickly.  I just get them to focus on strikes. “

He points to the development of Tyrelle Chadwick, Hayden Walker and Christian Spitz as highlights.  “ They improved and did a good job when they were out there.”

The pitching coach also credited the development of New Zealander MacLain Roberts as well. ‘Coming from a country where there isn’t much baseball. He has been able to handle himself when he got the chance.”

Bautista feels one of the biggest challenges for himself was to have the players focus on the ‘job ‘aspect of baseball rather than them focusing on the ‘social’ aspect of summer baseball.

He agrees with Francis that patience must be a strong suit during the trials and tribulations of this season.  “I have to have patience—I have eight kids,” he laughs.  Adding that his pitching staff become his surrogate children during the summer.

Baustista coached 22 seasons in professional baseball.  He has experienced less than ideal seasons.  “The difference is in the pros, you have a longer season so there is always hope to turn it around.  Here, time is so short.”

Fernie Lorea is the third member of the NorthPaws coaching staff.  Just a year removed from playing university baseball himself, he was an assistant coach at New Mexico State before coming to Kamloops.  He believes the team has bought into ‘learn from all experiences’ philosophy.  “You need to love to learn. You lose –you learn. You win—you learn. No matter what it is a learning experience.”

Lorea believes the biggest thing he will take away from the 2023 campaign is the be patient and see how everything plays out before you jump on things.  He says it is easier said than done at times.

“What I have said to the players in the dugout is to put it (losses) behind you.  This is a new set up, a new game, new everything.  If there isn’t someone to say that to them (the players), they could lose hope. If that happens in baseball, you are just defeated”.

Lorea praised the leadership displayed by his former summer ball teammate Green. “Being able to see his leadership style, many of the guys took what he offered to heart.”

Lorea’s big takeaway from the year?  “Just how everything was so hard this year. Not in a bad way but something I could grasp and learn from. “

Francis on what he has learned this year. “ What I have learned the most is how the roster should be put together.  I have learned from the other teams on what it takes to succeed.  The league is very competitive. “

Message for NorthPaws fans?  “Hang in there. I think this has a real future here.  It was a less than successful season but the fans have stuck with us.  We will get the right players here next year and be successful.”

Bautista has a message for fans as well.  “They have been very supportive. I hope they will continue to do that. We will be better and the results will be better moving forward.”

Francis and and Lorea will head to Pima Community College in Arizona at the conclusion of the West Coast League season. Bautista will return home to the Dominican Republic.

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Summer Collegiate

NightOwls Resign Standouts Rohne and Florence

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December 10, 2025

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Head Coach, Cody Andreychuk is proud to announce that reliever, Jakin Rohne and small ball specialist, IF, Ryder Florence will return to the Owls Nest in ’26!

Florence, who has a high baseball IQ and can play short, third, second or outfield, is a savvy, athletic baserunner with a strong arm, and a bat that finds gaps. He’s played 58 games for the NightOwls and will surpass 200 WCL plate appearances in 2026.

Rohne, an Islander, took huge steps last summer under esteemed pitching coach Gorm Heimueller. Rohne, with good breaking stuff, has developed into a starter for his CCBC program. Rohne made 14 appearances with a 2.59 ERA in 2025, taking an aggressive approach against tough WCL batters.



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Victoria HarbourCats – HarbourCats load up on catchers, add two arms — including a two-way star in Davis

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December 10, 2025

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Catcher Jacob Silva is one of four more returning players for 2026 announced by the HarbourCats today (Photo: Christian J. Stewart)

December 10, 2026

For immediate release

VICTORIA — Under Todd Haney as Head Coach, the catching position has been an area of strength. That will continue with the 2026 edition of the Victoria HarbourCats.

Haney, entering his seventh season with the HarbourCats— sixth in the top role — is happy to be bringing back two more catchers from the 2025 team, including local product Jai Berezowski, the team leader of the CCBC Victoria Golden Tide.

Berezowski will both provide support for and learn from fellow returnees Dillon Lopez (St. Mary’s, announced previously) and Jacob Silva (UT-San Antonio), veterans who play at the NCAA D1 level. Silva can also play in the outfield.

“We will be strong behind the dish, depth not only defensively but guys who are versatile and can fill the DH role with their bat— we have other strong catchers lining up as well,” said Haney. “Jai has really grown in his time with us, and has earned trust. Dillon is all-star level and Jacob showed that same promise last year before an injury sliding hard into a base. These guys play the right way. We are very happy they wanted to come back and be HarbourCats — players love to return to Victoria.”

Local product Jai Berezowski will return for his third season as a HarbourCat in 2026 (Photo: Christian J. Stewart)

Silva had a home run and triple in 11 games, batting .292 and stealing four bases. He joins Lopez who hit .350 with three home runs, 18 RBIs and just 12 strikeouts in 21 regular season games, then hit .286 in the playoffs.

Also added is exciting two-way star Kade Davis, a teammate of Silva’s at UTSA — who could be one of the players to watch in the WCL in 2026 with his mound work and potent left-side bat. Davis hit .361 with five home runs at Temple College in 2025, while also throwing 54 innings including four starts, with 49 strikeouts and just 47 hits allowed. He can play the outfield or first base.

Speaking of returnees, right-hander Hudson Lance is back — he made seven appearances, five of them starts, and the best was five scoreless innings on June 19 against Nanaimo, giving up four hits. He walked only three batters in 26.1 innings as a HarbourCat.

Hudson Lance will return for his second season on the mound in 2026 (Photo: Christian J. Stewart)

Berezowski is not the only local player signed by Haney. Pitcher Garen Geoghegan, a product of the Victoria Eagles (PBL) now at Whitman, was a workhorse and strike-thrower for Eagles Head Coach Mitch Davidoff, and then helped the Victoria Mavericks to a men’s provincial title.

Berezowski hit .269 over 24 games in total, including playoffs and non-league. He mashed four home runs and his best game may have been a defensive gem when he threw out five baserunners. This will be his third season with the HarbourCats.

The list of new signees:

  • LHP/OF Kade Davis, UTSA, 6-0/175, L/L, Cedar Park, TX
  • C/OF Jacob Silva, UTSA, 5-10/210, R/R, San Antonio
  • RHP Hudson Lance, Coastal Carolina, 5-10/180, R/R, Trinity, NC
  • RHP Garen Geoghegan, Whitman, 5-10/185, R/R, Victoria
  • C Jai Berezowski, Victoria CCBC, 6-2/200, R/R, Victoria

___

The Victoria HarbourCats will begin their 2026 West Coast League season in late May of 2026, with the home opener against the Edmonton Riverhawks scheduled for Tuesday, June 2, 2026.

Plenty of excitement is on board for 2026 including:

  • Three fireworks nights (June 6, 30 and August 3)
  • Two 11:00 AM School Spirit Games (June 4 and 18)
  • Five Family Fun Sunday Matinees (June 7, 14, 28 July 19 and 26)
  • $12 Tuesdays and Thursdays (June 16, July 2, 7, 9, 28 and 30)

Season ticket memberships, single-game tickets, 12-game flex packs (new for 2026!) and 2026 WCL All-Star Game ticket packages are now on sale for the HarbourCats 2026 season at http://harbourcats.com/tickets.

All ticket types  and team merchandise are also available at the HarbourCats office at 101-1814 Vancouver Street, Monday thru Friday, 10am-5pm from now until December 22nd.

CRAZY CHRISTMAS CLEARANCE! From now until December 23rd, select HarbourCats apparel, including replica and game-worn jerseys, is on sale for 50% off!  Load up now in time for Christmas at https://victoria-harbourcats-official.myshopify.com/collections/50-off-crazy-christmas-clearance

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Victoria HarbourCats – HarbourCats 2026 School Spirit games now open for registration

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2 days ago

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December 8, 2025

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Take your class to the ballpark for the best field trip of the season! 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 8, 2025

Victoria, BC – The Victoria HarbourCats Baseball Club is pleased to announce that their ever popular School Spirit games are back again for 2026 and now open for registration!

Due to the ever increasing popularity of these games, the HarbourCats will once again be offering two separate games for teachers and students to choose from:

  • Thursday, June 4th, 11:00am vs. Edmonton Riverhawks
  • Thursday, June 18th, 11:00am vs. Redmond Dudes

Tickets are just $9.00 per person!

Last season our two School Spirit games saw over 4,100 students and teachers enjoy a day at the ballpark and we hope to topple that number this year!  Seats are limited and do fill up fast, so if you are a teacher, be sure to get your class on the list today! And if you are a parent, please let your child’s teacher know about this great opportunity!

To register your class, or if you have any detailed questions, please e-mail HarbourCats General Manager Christian Stewart at chris@harbourcats.com with all relevant contact information and let him know what game you wish to attend, your school name and the total number of students, teachers and parent chaperones you anticipate. In addition, if there are any special access or wheelchair needs for your class, we need to know that too!

Numbers do not have to be precise at this time as we will be in touch in the new year to refine totals and collect payment then.

The Victoria HarbourCats will begin their 2026 West Coast League season in late May of 2026, with the home opener against the Edmonton Riverhawks scheduled for Tuesday, June 2, 2026.

Plenty of excitement is on board for 2026 including:

  • Three fireworks nights (June 6, 30 and August 3)
  • Two 11:00 AM School Spirit Games (June 4 and 18)
  • Five Family Fun Sunday Matinees (June 7, 14, 28 July 19 and 26)
  • $12 Tuesdays and Thursdays (June 16, July 2, 7, 9, 28 and 30)

Season ticket memberships, single-game tickets, 12-game flex packs (new for 2026!) and 2026 WCL All-Star Game ticket packages are now on sale for the HarbourCats 2026 season at http://harbourcats.com/tickets.

All ticket types  and team merchandise are also available at the HarbourCats office at 101-1814 Vancouver Street, Monday thru Friday, 10am-5pm from now until December 22nd.

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