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NorthPaws end 2023 West Coast League season with back to back losses

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Author: Larry Read

KAMLOOPS, BC—The Nanaimo NightOwls won back to back games on the weekend to take two of three from the host Kamloops NorthPaws in West Coast League action.   In a battle of two teams who missed the WCT post season, Kamloops won the opening night (Fri Aug 4) 7-4 but then lost 4-1 on Saturday (Aug 5) and Sunday afternoon 8-3 to Nanaimo.

The NightOwls finished the season at 26-28 while the NorthPaws were 12-40.

The teams played on the Dearborn Ford Field at Norbrock Stadium.

SERIES RECAP:

Friday, August 4, 2023:NorthPaws 7 NightOwls 4

The NorthPaws snapped a three-game losing streak taking Nanaimo, who trailed 7-0 at one point. Kamloops had a season high two homers in this game.  Robin Villeneuve (Gatineau, QC) hit a two-run shot in the fourth inning. Villeneuve was 2-4 with three runs batted in and a run scored in the contest and has three home runs this summer.

The other homer came off the bat of Matthew McDonald (Kamloops, BC).  He led off the fifth inning with a solo blast.   He was 1-4 with a run scored. Gage Mestas (Durango, CO) was 3-5 with a run scored. Matthew Ward (Mississauga, ON) was 2-4 with a run scored while Drew Giannini (Troy, CA) was 2-5 with a run scored.

Christian Spitz (Overland Park, KS) went six innings for the win. He struck out four, gave up two walks on five hits to improve his record to 2-4. David Jeon (Coppell, TX) pitched the ninth inning for the save. It was his third of the year in 17 appearances. He struck out one.

Night Owls starter Brian Veniard (Jacksonville, Fla) fell to 1-2 on the year. He pitched only three and two thirds’ innings surrendering 10 hits, five runs, striking out seven and walking one.

Caden Casagrande (Earle, ID) led Nanaimo offensively going 1-4 with three RBI. Brandon Hupe (Delta, BC) went 1-3 with two runs scored while Ethan Rivera (Chino Hills, CA) and Liam Bushey (Abbotsford, BC) were both 2-4 with a run scored.

Link to Scoresheet:  http://baseball.pointstreak.com/boxscore.html?gameid=598528

Saturday, August 5 2023:NightOwls 4 NorthPaws1

The NightOwls snapped a five-game losing skid with the victory. They broke open a scoreless tie scoring once in the fifth, added another in the sixth and had a single run in both the eighth and ninth.  They had nine hits in the ball game.  The NorthPaws scored their only run in the bottom of the seventh inning when Ward hit his second home run of the season.  They had six hits and committed one error.

Hupe was 2-5 with a run scored for Nanaimo. Bryce Johnson (Bellingham, WA) was 1-2 with a RBI. Brandon Nicholl (Coombs, BC) was 1-4 with a run scored. Elijah Ickles (Wahiawa, HI) was 1-3 with a run scored.

Nathan Buchan (Mercer Island, WA) started his ninth game of the year and was the winner. He evened his record at 3-3 going seven innings. He pitched a five hitter with a run given up, three strikeouts and one walk. MacCallan Conklin pitched the last inning for his second save in three starts. He struck out two and walked two.

Liam Reynolds (Trumansburg, NY) fell to 0-3.  He started and went five innings, giving up a run, four hits, struck out five and walked six.

Villeneuve was 3-3 at the plate for Kamloops.  Ward  was 1-3  with a run scored and an RBI (thanks to that homer). Anthony Manuel (Antioch, CA) and Ray Jesse (Oak Lawn, IL) were both 1-4.

Link to Scoresheet: http://baseball.pointstreak.com/boxscore.html?gameid=598529

Sunday, August 6 2023:NightOwls 8 NorthPaws 3

The NightOwls scored one in the first, two more in the second and third innings to chase MacLain Roberts (Auckland, NZ) off the hit for Kamloops.   Roberts was 2-8 on the year. In this game, he went two and two thirds innings surrendering six hits, five runs, walking three and striking out one.  He started 10 games in his rookie WCL season.  He was one of four pitchers utilized by NorthPaws manager Keith Francis in the contest.

Nanaimo was led offensively by Wylie Waters (West Vancouver, BC).  He was 4-5 with three runs scored and three RBI. He also hit a home run.      Reid Little (Bellingham, WA) also hit a dinger for Nanaimo. He was 1-3 with two RBI and a run scored.  His homer game in the second inning.

For Waters and Little: it was the second home runs of the summer.

Elijah Ickles (Wahiawa, HI) was 2-3 with a run scored as well for the NightOwls.

Matt McDonald (Kamloops, BC) was 1-3 with a run scored and a RBI. He knocked one out of the park in the seventh inning with the NorthPaws down 8-2. Gage Mestas (Durango, CO) was 2-4 with a run scored. Anthony Manuel (Antioch, CA) was 1-2 with a run scored.

Jacob Fleury (Burlington, WA) was the winning pitcher.  He was the third of three pitchers and went three innings tossing a one hitter over that time. He had two strikeouts and two walks.  He was 5-0 on the year and it was his first relief appearance of 2013.

Link to Scoresheet:  http://baseball.pointstreak.com/boxscore.html?gameid=598530

HEAD COACH KEITH FRANCIS:

On the series: “ I am kind of disappointed the way we played today (Sunday). We didn’t get excited about playing today. Everyone was more focused on going home unfortunately. I understand that. I wished we played a little harder. That was the same story yesterday (Saturday). We had enough horses to get it done but we didn’t.

Admits that timely hitting and pitching depth were downfalls this year for Kamloops.  He credits those players who stuck it out.  “The effort I got from these guys, as bad as its been has been A plus. I know they didn’t give it to me today, but they did it all year long. 

 

Robin Villeneuve (Gatineau, QC).252 batting average, 3 homers, 6 doubles in 32 games

On season: “ It was a pretty tough summer. I came late and it took me a while to get going, but the last few games I started to put it around. It is hard to have a good chemistry when you don’t win but there were a lot of great guys on this team.

Cooper Neville (Glendale, AZ): .273 batting average, 183 at bats in 52 games, 22 RBI

On the year:  “ I don’t think we had the best odds of winning. We needed to have more guys coming in and our pitching could have been better. We should have had more pitchers at the end instead of losing them all at the same time. I think our hitters could have done a much better job (me included). I don’t know what happened. We just couldn’t get it all together at the same time.”

Nathan Grey (Queen Creek, AZ) 0-1 record 9 games as a pitcher, four starts, 1.71 ERA/.137 Batting average in 31 games. 95 at bats.

On adjusting to the West Coast League after making the jump from high school : “On the mound, it was an easy transition. I just felt comfortable out there. I know my stuff and I know what I could do. At the plate it was a little different, going from high school pitching to college pitching: it’s a little faster.  I am making adjustments to that and should be ready for the fall (going to Puma Community College in Arizona).”

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Summer Collegiate

Victoria HarbourCats – HarbourCats announce 2026 A&W Summer Kids Camps

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May 2, 2026

Victoria, BC – The Victoria HarbourCats are pleased to announce that their 2026 Summer Kids Camps offerings, sponsored by A&W, are now available for registration, including a FREE, one-day, MLB sponsored camp on MLB PlayBall Weekend, Saturday June 6th!

All camps will be run by Victoria HarbourCats and Victoria Collegiate Cats players and coaches and take place either at Wilson’s Group Stadium or at our indoor Edwards Family Training Centre on Cook Street.

THE OFFERINGS

MLB PLAY BALL WEEKEND CAMP
Saturday, June 6th, 12 noon to 3pm, Wilson’s Group Stadium at Royal Athletic Park
FREE ADMISSION, BUT REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED, Limited to 100 Registrants
Boys and girls ages 5 to 12 are invited to participate in the FREE three-hour camp at Wilson’s Group Stadium at Royal Athletic Park on Saturday, June 6 from 12:00 Noon to 3:00 pm. The camp is designed to give boys and girls the opportunity to develop their skills, regardless of experience or ability.
DETAILS AND REGISTRATION

OUTDOOR SUMMER CAMPS, AGES 8-17
Weekly camps beginning July 7th and ending August 28th, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Wilson’s Group Stadium at Royal Athletic Park
$225-$350 per player depending on week, all 8 weeks $2000. Limited to 30 registrants per week.
DETAILS AND REGISTRATION

INDOOR SUMMER CAMPS, HALF-DAY, AGES 8-11
Weekly camps beginning July 7th and ending August 28th, 9:00 AM to 12 Noon
Edwards Family Training Centre
$200-$250 per player depending on week, all 8 weeks $1,900. Limited to 15 registrants per week.
DETAILS AND REGISTRATION

INDOOR SUMMER CAMPS, HALF-DAY, AGES 12-17
Weekly camps beginning July 7th and ending August 28th, 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Edwards Family Training Centre
$200-$250 per player depending on week, all 8 weeks $1,900. Limited to 15 registrants per week.
DETAILS AND REGISTRATION

Our camps usually fill up fast, so please be sure to register today to secure your spot.

If you have any questions, please contact HarbourCats GM Christian Stewart at chris@harbourcats.com.

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Victoria HarbourCats – Emery Electric powers HarbourCats, food trucks, and RAP

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April 21, 2026

VICTORIA, B.C. — Practical power, provided — thanks to Emery Electric.

The Victoria HarbourCats are proud to recognize local company Emery Electric, a proud local business founded in 1930 by Ernie Emery and now overseen by Derek Emery.

What is this recognition all about? Well, working with the HarbourCats and the City of Victoria, Emery Electric has provided a major power upgrade to what is known during the baseball season as Wilson’s Group Stadium at Royal Athletic Park — one that brings significant environmental improvements.

Emery Electric will be a key part of the HarbourCats season, helping to highlight “Emery Electric electric plays” by the home team, and the WCL All-Star Game Festival’s home run derby, featuring former Blue Jays star outfielder Kevin Pillar, will be referred to as “Powered by Emery Electric.”

“What was completed by Emery Electric earlier this year is a significant piece of quality work and infrastructure improvement we are proud to have put in place — and it will bring enhanced service capacity to all who use the City-owned facility,” said Jim Swanson, Managing Partner of the HarbourCats. “There should be no more brown-outs in that area. Derek and his staff are so community-minded, it’s hard to describe.

“We can’t yell ‘THANK YOU’ loud enough. It’s a big addition for the City, no cost to taxpayers, and we are proud to help contribute.”

In short, the work will provide power for the equivalent of four food trucks along Caledonia Avenue — a cabinet housing 4x30amp, 120/208 volt, and 4x15amp, 120 volt was installed in the off-season. That means generators and various fuels, and the associated hum of the engines, can be removed from the park (gas and diesel prices these days, anyone?).

Cup-A-Roni is one of many food trucks operating during HarbourCats games that will benefit from the power upgrades installed during the off season.

Emery Electric is nearing 100 years of serving Victoria and indeed all of Vancouver Island in commercial, industrial and marine electrical contracting.

The HarbourCats have been the main user of Royal Athletic Park since 2013, the longest continuous single user group in the history of the facility, which opened in May of 1908. The HarbourCats have contributed many improvements including dressing room upgrades, the movable fence, and enhanced seating areas, all with no taxpayer burden.

The HarbourCats begin their 2026 season on May 29th with a visit to Portland and then return to Victoria for the Home Opener against the Edmonton Riverhawks on Tuesday, June 2, 6:30 pm.

Season tickets, single-game tickets, 12 and 32-game flex packs are now on sale at harbourcats.com/tickets or at the HarbourCats office at 1814 Vancouver Street.

Tickets for the All-Star Home Run Derby on July 14th are currently available in a package that also include tickets for the WCL All Star Game that will be held on Wednesday, July 15th and feature the top players in the league.  Prices for the package start at $40 for General Admission seats to $85 for field level Diamond Club Seats, and can be purchased ON-LINE, or by visiting the HarbourCats office at 101-1814 Vancouver Street, just around the corner from the stadium.

 

 

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Nanaimo NightOwls unveil VIDEOBOARD, elevating game-day experience at Serauxmen Stadium

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The Nanaimo NightOwls are raising the bar for fan engagement with the introduction of a brand-new videoboard ahead of the club’s highly anticipated fifth West Coast League season.

This major addition to historic Serauxmen Stadium will transform the in-game experience, delivering dynamic replays, interactive features, contests, live broadcast integration, and enhanced entertainment that brings fans closer to the action than ever before.

The videoboard is being delivered in partnership with Chris Jaycox Productions, led by Chris Jaycox — the creative force behind the NightOwls’ live streaming broadcast seen on www.NightOwls.TV

His team will oversee both production and execution, ensuring a seamless and high-quality experience from first pitch to final out.

“I’m excited to be part of such a great team and to help bring another level to the in-game experience for fans,” said Jaycox. “The videoboard will create new energy in the ballpark, featuring interactive promos, replays, contests, and the live broadcast, and really accentuate every moment of the NightOwls experience.”

The installation has been made possible thanks to the unwavering support of anchor sponsor Chinook Scaffolding, a stellar Island company whose contribution has been instrumental in bringing the project to life.

The NightOwls also extend sincere thanks to the City of Nanaimo for its collaboration and commitment to helping turn this vision into reality.

“This is a defining step forward for our organization and our fans,” said Tina Baker-Cornett, General Manager of the Nanaimo NightOwls. “We’re always looking for ways to elevate the experience at the ballpark, and this videoboard allows us to create something more immersive, more engaging, and more memorable for everyone who walks through our gates.”

Serauxmen Stadium, which opened 50 years ago, has never had a videoboard in its proud history.

The videoboard will make its debut on Opening Day of the NightOwls’ fifth WCL season on June 2, setting the stage for an exciting new era of baseball in Nanaimo.

Don’t miss out on the excitement as we raise the bar even higher!

Secure your Single Game, 10 Game Flex Passes, and limited Season Tickets now at

www.NanaimoNightOwls.com/ticketinfo

 

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