Summer Collegiate

NorthPaws/HarbourCats split and rained out

Published

3 years ago

July 28, 2023

Dugout Wire Service

KAMLOOPS, BC—The Kamloops NorthPaws got back in the win column but unfortunately, they were unable to capture their West Coast League series at Dearborn Ford Field at Norbrock Stadium. On Thursday (July 27), the third game of the series was cancelled with one out in the bottom of the fifth inning because of a rainstorm. The game will be replayed at a later date.

The NorthPaws and the visiting Victoria HarbourCats were battling to see who would win the series after Victoria won 2-0 on Tuesday (July 25) and the Paws won their 10 th game of the season on Wednesday (July 26) with a 6-3 victory.

Victoria leaves Kamloops with a record of 11-6 in the second half and 30-14 overall. Kamloops is 10-33 overall and 3-13 in the second half.

The NorthPaws will hop the ferry and head to Nanaimo for a three game set against the NightOwls. It’s the first time the two teams have played against each other this season.

The HarbourCats hit the road after this game to entertain the Kelowna Falcons. They play tomorrow.

All West Coast League games are available via their website: https://wcleague.watch.pixellot.tv/

SERIES RECAP:

Tuesday, July 25, 2023:HarbourCats 2 NorthPaws 0

The NorthPaws honored their billet parents before the contest. They saw an exciting game and a strong pitching performance from Nathan Gray (Queen Creek, AZ). Gray pitched seven strong innings, giving up two hits, one run, striking out six and walking two. Gray is 0-1 on the year in nine appearances.

The HarbourCats lost Tyler Davis (Fresno, CA) in the fourth inning. He was ejected after arguing with home plate umpire Blaise Leveay. At that point, Davis had struck out twice. He was replaced by Ryan Magdic (Beamsville, ON).

Joey Baran (Austin, TX) got the start at catcher for Kamloops and threw two base runners out in the first five innings.

Victoria opened the scoring in the seventh when Dallas Macias (Parker, Co) walked and scored on a single from Tripp Clark (Waco, TX). Clark was 3-4 in the ball game with that run batted in. Macias was 0-2 with a run scored.

Then in the eighth, Jesse Brown (Seattle, WA) doubled and scored on a wild pitch. The HarbourCats had four hits and one error. Kamloops had three hits in the ball game.

Cody Howard (The Woodlands, TX) was the third of four Victoria pitchers and got the win. He went two innings, striking out four, walking one and giving up a hit. He went to 2-0. Carson Latimer (Delta, BC), pitched the final two innings getting his second save in 11 appearances. He walked two and struck out one.

Offensively for Kamloops, Drew Giannini (Tracy, CA) was 2-4. Anthony Manuel (Antioch, CA) was 1-3.

Link to Scoresheet: http://baseball.pointstreak.com/boxscore.html?gameid=598692

Wednesday, July 26, 2023: NorthPaws 6 HarbourCats 3

The NorthPaws snap a five-game losing streak with the victory as they pounded out 10 hits without committing an error.

Baran led the way going 2-3 with three runs batted in and a run scored. Two of those runs came in the bottom of the first inning on a double as he drove in Cooper Neville (Glendale, AZ) and Robin Villeneuve (Gatineau, QC). Baran hit a double in the third inning to drive in Neville who led it off with a ground rule double as the ball got stuck in the fence in right field. Matthew Ward (Mississauga, ON) hit a 385 foot shot over the left field fence for his first homer of the summer to account for one of the other Kamloops runs. Ward was 1-3. Manuel was 2-3 with a run batted in.

New Zealand lefty MacLain Roberts improved his record to 2-6 with the win. He went five and two thirds on a five hitter, giving up three runs while walking five and striking out five.

Jed Decooman (Vancouver, BC) was the starter and losing pitcher for Victoria. He lasted three innings giving up five hits on three hits. The HarbourCats offense was led by Magdic who was 2-3 with a run scored. Clark was 1-3 with a run batted in

Link to Scoresheet: http://baseball.pointstreak.com/boxscore.html?gameid=598693

Thursday, July 27, 2023: game cancelled due to lightning in fifth inning.

At the time of the cancellation, Victoria held a 2-0 lead with Kamloops batting with one out in the bottom of the fifth. The HarbourCats had scored both their runs in the top of the third inning when Marco Pirrcuello (Rockin, CA) advanced to first base on an error and later scored along with teammate Brandon Green (Olds, AB). Green had singled. Both players came home on an error charged to NorthPaws catcher Ward.

Alexis Gravel (Repentgny, QC) was on the mound for Kamloops at the time.

The game will be replayed before the end of the 2023 West Coast League season. Date, time and venue will be determined later.

NEXT UP FOR THE NORTHPAWS:

The North Paws will play the Night Owls in Nanaimo tomorrow (July 28) through to Sunday (July 30)

They return home to host Kelowna on August 1st before going to Elks Stadium in the “Little Apple” to meet the Falcons for their final two road games of the West Coast League season.

If you can’t make the home games, they are all webcast on https://wcleague.watch.pixellot.tv/ . Some home games will also be shown on Shaw TV in Kamloops (Cable 10 or 105 with Blue Curve).

PLAYERS TO WATCH ON NANIAMO:

1. Jakob Fleury (Burlington, WA) leads Nanaimo with 4-0 record coming out of the bullpen. He has an E.R.A. of 2.32 in 10 appearances.

2. Payton Robertson (Lynden, WA) is 4-1 with an E.R.A. of 3.68. He has started seven of the eight games he has appeared in.

3. Wylie Waters (West Vancouver, BC) is ninth in the West Coast League in batting average (.343) with 18 R.B.I.

4. Aaron Marsh (Nanaimo, BC) is 19th in the West Coast League with a batting average of .313 with 16 R.B.I.

5. Ethan Rivera (Chino Hills, CA) has a team leading four home runs.

TAILGATE PARTY:

The Molson’s Tailgate Party is operating before every NorthPaws home game. It runs Tuesday through Saturday 5-630 PM. The Party runs Sundays noon-1 PM. Hotdogs and a Pilsner are sold for $ 12.00 plus tax.

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Summer Collegiate

Victoria HarbourCats – Vancouver Island Brewing Named Official Craft Beer Partner of the Victoria HarbourCats

Published

6 days ago

March 18, 2026

Dugout Wire Service

New partnership brings classic Vancouver Island craft beer to Wilson’s Group Stadium Royal Athletic Park, celebrating the ultimate Islander summer.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 18, 2026

VICTORIA, B.C. — Vancouver Island Brewing (VIB) and the Victoria HarbourCats Baseball Club today announced a new long-term partnership that will bring Vancouver Island Brewing to Wilson’s Group Stadium at Royal Athletic Park starting at the Home Opener on June 2, 2026. As part of the agreement, Vancouver Island Brewing is now the Official Craft Beer Partner of the Victoria HarbourCats.

At the heart of the partnership is Islander Lager, VIB’s crisp, easy-drinking lager made for laid-back summer adventures, now set to become a game-day staple at Royal Athletic Park. Fans will also find selections from Vancouver Island Brewing’s core lineup on offer throughout the season, along with the new Islander Fan Zone space, creating even more ways to enjoy the best of the Island at the ballpark.

“Vancouver Island summers are all about community, sunshine, and something cold in your hand,” said Ana Wagner-Chazalon, Marketing Manager at Vancouver Island Brewing. “The HarbourCats are one of those classic summer experiences in Victoria, and we’re proud to partner with them to make local craft beer part of the game-day ritual.”

“We’re always looking for partners who share our love for this community and everything that makes Victoria summers so special,” said Jim Swanson, Managing Partner of the Victoria HarbourCats. “Vancouver Island Brewing is as Island as it gets, and having a local craft beer in the hands of our fans on a warm evening at the ballpark just feels right. We can’t wait for Opening Night.”

The Vancouver Island Brewing and HarbourCats partnership is designed to feel local in the best way: familiar, fun, and undeniably Island. The partnership will extend beyond the ballpark, with collaborative programming and storytelling planned throughout the 2026 season. Additional details, including about the new in-park Islander FanZone experience, will be shared closer to the Home Opener on June 2.

About Vancouver Island Brewing
Vancouver Island Brewing has been crafting beer on the Island since 1984, rooted in the community and landscapes that inspire every pour. Vancouver Island Brewing makes award-winning beers, from classic lagers to innovative ales, using quality ingredients and traditional brewing methods inspired by the island it calls home. Learn more at vibrewing.com.

About the Victoria HarbourCats
The Victoria HarbourCats are a member of the West Coast League, a summer collegiate baseball league featuring top NCAA talent from across North America. The HarbourCats play their home games at historic Royal Athletic Park in Victoria, B.C. Learn more at www.harbourcats.com

Media Contacts:
Ana Wagner-Chazalon, Marketing Manager Vancouver Island Brewing ana@vibrewingcom | 250-216-0701
Jim Swanson, Managing Partner Victoria HarbourCats jim@harbourcats.com | 250-889-5204

Tickets for all 2026 HarbourCats games, as well as the 2026 All-Star Game and Home Run Derby July 14-15, Season Tickets and Flex-Packs are now on sale at harbourcats.com/tickets or at the HarbourCats office at 101-1814 Vancouver Street just around the corner from the stadium.

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Summer Collegiate

Victoria HarbourCats – New Era Canada, Rawlings, Adidas join with WCL All-Star Game

Published

7 days ago

March 18, 2026

Dugout Wire Service

March 17, 2026

VICTORIA, BC — The best caps, and the best gear, from the best baseball brands.

The organizing committee of the 2026 West Coast League All-Star Game is proud to announce the involvement of strategic baseball-brand partners in producing a memorable event, with the WCL All-Star Game Festival slated for July 14-15 in Victoria.

The game itself will be played on Wednesday, July 15, at Wilson’s Group Stadium at Royal Athletic Park, home of the Victoria HarbourCats.

New Era Canada will be providing a special selection of WCL All-Star Game caps, and fan wear, while Rawlings will produce the official player/coach gear along with fan garments. Adidas is providing backpacks for all the coaches and the players who are selected to participate in this spectacular event, that will include community activations, kids camps, off-site socials, and a home run derby (on Tuesday, July 14).

“Everyone involved will love the items that will showcase the branding for this event, and we thank these partners for coming on board,” said Adrian Somers, VP of Business and Operations for the HarbourCats, and a member of the event steering committee. “These brands are synonymous with baseball, and the look and feel of these items will be at that all-star level.”

The All-Star Festival begins the morning of July 14, 2026 with a kids camp and wiffle ball scrub game on the lawn of the BC Legislature, followed by a Home Run Derby at Wilson’s Group Stadium that evening. The actual All-Star game takes place on Wednesday evening July 15th at 7:00 pm.

Ticket packages are now on sale for the Home Run Derby and the All-Star Game and are available on-line HERE, or by stopping in at the HarbourCats office at 101-1814 Vancouver Street to order in person.

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Summer Collegiate

Choo Signs with NightOwls – Son of MLB All-Star!

Published

2 weeks ago

March 12, 2026

Dugout Wire Service

Alan Choo has seen a lot of home runs in his life — hundreds from his father, and now a healthy number off his own bat in college.

The son of former MLB all-star outfielder Shin-Soo Choo, a Korean product who hit 218 long balls in his 16-season career, Alan himself has now established himself as a power hitter in the college ranks.

Choo, currently at Orange Coast College, is tied for third in home runs in the CCCAA with nine, including two in a game on Tuesday. He is a legitimate draft prospect for this coming July!!

“I’m so pumped to play for the NightOwls,” said Alan Choo, who turns 21 at the end of this week. “I’ve only heard great things about the organization and coaching staff and the players’ futures that go through the NightOwls. I’m super excited for the summer!”

Choo, a lefty hitter who plays first base and DH, is close friends with returning catcher Clark Springs, who is in D1 baseball at UT-Arlington. Choo, who was born in Phoenix Arizona, is a sophomore and checks in at 6’1” and 225 lbs.

“This is a big signing for us, adding a feared lefty power bat to hit in the middle of the order with returning all-stars Jacob Hayes and Talan Zenk,” said Head Coach Cody Andreychuk. “We will have big bats and depth on our roster, and we think Alan will be a leader for us so we can bring a championship to Nanaimo.”

Choo the senior was an outstanding Major League hitter, starting his big league time as a Seattle Mariner in 2005, then moving on to Cleveland, Cincinnati and Texas, where he played his final season in 2020. He received MVP votes in 2010 and 2013 and went to the all-star game in 2018, representing the Rangers. In seven of his seasons, he hit 20 or more home runs. He also stole 157 bases in his career, with three 20-20 seasons.

Shin-Soo Choo is still involved in the game after retirement, now as a scout.

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