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NorthPaws  Secure New Pitching Coach

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2 years ago

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KAMLOOPS, BC—The Kamloops NorthPaws have gone to California to secure their new pitching coach.  The WestCoast League team is pleased to announce that T.C. Fairfield has agreed to lead their pitchers in the 2024 season.

“I am super excited to be part of a budding franchise in a league I remember participating in way back when I went to Pacific University in 2012-13,” he says.   Fairfield played for Portland that season.

“I’ve wanted to be a coach in this league since I started doing summer ball back in 2017 and Kamloops is an awesome spot to do it in.”

Fairfield likes what he sees in the Kamloops franchise.  “The ownership and front office group have a very strong vision for building a successful team within an awesome sports community. When interviewing for this position, I was really craving a commitment to a growth mindset in the organization from the top down.  The NorthPaws willingness to completely invest in the players and team experience, as well as improving the stadium experience really stood out to me and made me want to jump aboard.”

Fairfield and new head coach Jose Bautista have already had a few conversations about how they want the pitching staff to work.

“I am super excited to work with Jose. His style meshes so nicely with mine. It is going to be so much fun having two guys on the same wave length.  He is kind of a pro style guy as well.  We have to let the guys learn from mistakes and being there to help them. We will respect the game and handle our business the right way. We are going to have a club that is really talented and something Kamloops can be proud of as representative.”

What about the aspect of a large pitching staff?  Fairfield says bring it on. “There will be more than 20 pitchers. Right now, we have 16 pitchers who we have offered contracts. We are expecting 10 or so more within the next month. When I was at San Jose State, as a pitching coach—we had 24 pitchers.  20 would be light. I am ready for it. Getting to know the different personalities and stories—it is so exciting.”

“My pitching philosophy is different from most people,’ he explains. “ I believe every single guy is an individual and is different. I can’t go into this thinking that every pitcher will operate the same way. It is more of a personal connection. Getting to know them, their styles and what it takes to get the most out of them. I think that getting the most out of each guy through their skill set and strength makes me a better coach as well.”

Fairfield says he is more of a mental coach than a mechanical one.

“The summer season is a short one, but the newest NorthPaws coach thinks he can pass on some helpful tips for the pitchers game.  “ You get guys who have this small window of opportunity to improve their skills.  It is my job to send them back to their coaches in University with a better idea of managing their day to day routine and their arsenal. The short season gives the players a sense of urgency to improve and maximize their skills. I can’t make you superman in two months but I can help you learn more about yourself and better schedule a routine and a maintenance plan or work on a grip.”

Fairfield has seven years of head coaching experience in summer baseball including with the South Bay Storm in San Jose  and the Dubsea Fishsticks in Seattle last season.   He is currently the pitching coach at Gavilan College in Gilroy, California.

“I love baseball,” he states.  “You can’t take me away from being on the field.  I love sharing experiences and helping others in their journey loving this game.”

Fairfield adds, “The chance to work with top level talent and help them develop as ballplayers and professionals is always fun.  The higher level of competition involved the more fun it gets.”

Fairfield hasn’t been to Canada.  He is looking forward to working and living in Kamloops and enjoying the natural surroundings including the North and South Thompson Rivers.

Academically, Fairfield is a graduate of Pacific University in Oregon (2014) and has a Masters degree in Kinesiology (2016) from Fresno Pacific University in California.

Article written by Larry Read

All inquiries to General Manager Jenna Forter – jforter@northpawsbaseball.ca

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Summer Collegiate

Victoria HarbourCats – HarbourCats to salute local legend Cliff Lequesne on July 17

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4 days ago

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May 13, 2025

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May 13, 2025

For immediate release

VICTORIA, BC — His voice, is everywhere in Victoria, in terms of sports, the signature of his presence at games and events for more than 40 years.

The Victoria HarbourCats will salute local broadcasting legend Cliff Lequesne on July 17 — as he continues to go strong as the morning news and sports icon at The Q, while handling in-house “voice of God” duties for the Royals, Grizzlies and Shamrocks.

His legendary run started at CFAX in 1972, learning from the unforgettable Ken Dobson, and he moved to The Q in 1987. He’s handled sports duties with the Pan Am Games, Commonwealth Games, the historic fastball teams that once ruled RAP, and even the Victoria Cougars — no, not the ones that won the Stanley Cup in 1925 (how old was Cliff then?), but the WHL version including the legendary 1981 run to the Memorial Cup.

“Cliff really IS sports in Victoria in so many ways, a worthy inductee into the Greater Victoria Sports Hall of Fame this past fall,” said Jim Swanson, who oversees the HarbourCats and is also a member of the Hall of Fame board.

“He’s one of the most likeable guys in Victoria, and remembers details, maybe only Cleve Dheensaw of the Times Colonist is in his category for sports media in the city. A gentleman and we are proud to honour him.”

Cliff — and his famous Cliff’s Call — and battery mate Ed Bain can be heard mornings on The Q.

Lequesne will be on the mic for the Emery Electric Fastpitch Challenge on Saturday, May 31, helping recall events of the past and introduce some of the fastball legends of yesteryear before a doubleheader (4pm, 6pm) between the host Sooke Loggers and the Lacey A’s, the first return of fastball to Wilson’s Group Stadium at RAP in decades. The games are possible because of Emery Electric and the support of the HarbourCats Foundation.

Tickets for the Emery Electric Fastpitch Challenge and the Cliff Lequesne Salute on July 17 are available at harbourcats.com/tickets.

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

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

HOST FAMILIES NEEDED! The HarbourCats are in need to host families for the 2025 season! If you would love to host a collegiate level athlete for three months this summer and become an integral part of the HarbourCats family, please contact Host Family Coordinator Cindy Kent at hostfamily@harbourcats.com.  Compensation, grocery stipend and season tickets provided.  More details HERE

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Victoria HarbourCats – Cat’s add local pitcher and “Big Papi” as a catcher

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5 days ago

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May 12, 2025

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Victoria native and former Victoria Eagle Oliver Mabee, above, pitching for Nebrasks-Omaha, joins the HarbourCats pitching staff for 2025 (Photo courtesy Nebraska-Omaha Athletics).

May 12, 2025

For Immediate Release

VICTORIA, B.C. — Oliver Mabee always wanted to be a Victoria HarbourCat, and the former Victoria Eagles pitcher will get his chance.

Mabee, a local product, is completing his junior collegiate year so this is his last shot at playing at Wilson’s Group Stadium at Royal Athletic Park.

Meanwhile, Puerto Rico catcher Enrico Carrion doesn’t want to be called Kiki or Enrico — the hard swinging right-handed bat wants to be known as “Big Papi” by HarbourCats fans.

The two players are part of five players announced today by Head Coach Todd Haney:

  • RHP Hudson Lance, Coastal Carolina, 5-10/180, R/R, Trinity, NC
  • RHP Robert Sanford, Paris JC, 6-1/195, R/R, Carrollton, TX
  • LHP Dillon Dibrell, Central Oklahoma, 6-0/190, L/L, Piedmont, OK
  • RHP Oliver Mabee, Nebraska-Omaha, 6-6/215, R/R, Victoria
  • C Enrico ‘Big Papi’ Carrion, University of Hawaii, 5-11/195, R/R, Puerto Rico

“We are always thrilled to add proven arms to our pitching staff” said Coach Haney. “We expect significant contributions from each of the pitchers announced today and  Big Papi is a young, high energy catcher from Puerto Rico that we are excited to work with this summer.”

Mabee is an Oak Bay grad who was a two-way collegiate baseball player at Trinidad State, now focusing on his mound work at Nebraska-Omaha. He has a 6.66 ERA in 15 appearances with UNO, striking out 26 batters in 25.2 innings. He played for Kamloops in the WCL last summer as an outfielder and hit .231 with five RBIs in 18 games for the NorthPaws.

Carrion will be a freshman at the University of Hawaii in fall, with a powerful bat and already developed strong defensive skills.

Lance, who did a lot of winning as a pitcher and with his high school program, has made five appearances as a freshman at a top college in Coastal Carolina.

Sanford is 2-2 with a save in 15 appearances at Paris (TX) Junior College in a very strong conference.

Dibrell, who played for Port Angeles in the WCL in 2022, has five strikeouts in three innings so far with Central Oklahoma, making the full transition from infielder to pitcher.

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

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

HOST FAMILIES NEEDED! The HarbourCats are in need to host families for the 2025 season! If you would love to host a collegiate level athlete for three months this summer and become an integral part of the HarbourCats family, please contact Host Family Coordinator Cindy Kent at hostfamily@harbourcats.com.  Compensation, grocery stipend and season tickets provided.  More details HERE

 

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Victoria HarbourCats – Lake returns to the ocean, one of six pitchers signed by HarbourCats

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2 weeks ago

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May 6, 2025

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Returning HarbourCat Shea Lake highlights six pitchers signed by the ‘Cats in preparation for the 2025 season  (Photo: Christian J. Stewart)

For immediate release

May 6, 2025

VICTORIA, B.C. — It’s a second season in Victoria for right-hander Shea Lake — he liked it so much in 2024, he had to say yes to a return engagement.

The former Hawaii Pacific University pitcher, now at West Texas A&M where he was a redshirt this spring, returns to Wilson’s Group Stadium at RAP for the 2025 season to work with pitching coach Scott Anderson.

“I am thrilled Shea, along with 10 returning pitchers will lead our pitching staff this summer,” said Anderson, in his third season under Head Coach Todd Haney. “The pitchers announced today are a great mix of proven college pitchers. They are excited to continue developing with our tremendous staff of pitching coaches and fired up to bring a championship to Victoria,” added Head Coach Todd Haney.

Lake had a 4.40 ERA last summer in five appearances, allowing just 10 hits in 16.1 innings pitched.

Announced to the roster today by Haney:

  • RHP John Ondus, Niagara, 6-2/215, R/R, Gowanda, NY
  • RHP Ethan McNish-Heider, Niagara, 6-4/215, R/R, El Cajon, CA
  • RHP Logan Salomon, Nevada-Reno, 6-5/230, R/R, Chandler, AZ
  • RHP Tyler Patrick, Fresno State, 6-1/215, R/R, Fresno, CA
  • RHP Shea Lake, West Texas A&M, 6-3/190, R/R, Temecula, CA
  • LHP/OF Tristin Thomas, West Texas A&M, 5-8/140, L/L, Carlsbad, NM

Lake is at West Texas A&M with Tristin Thomas, a redshirt freshman who is hitting .429 this season with one home run, while also throwing 12 innings off the mound.

In Ondrus and McNish-Heider, the HarbourCats get a pair of big right-handers who project as power pitchers at the college level — both are roughly a strikeout per inning, and are expected to provide proven experience in the bullpen.

Salomon is a large specimen at 6-5/230, and has had an impressive season — 31 innings pitched, and one five-inning relief outing in which he fanned nine batters, and another relief stint with seven strikeouts. He is 2-0 with a 3.77 ERA and one save.

Patrick, a high school star catcher and pitcher, is finishing his freshman season and is focusing on mound work. He’s thrown 25.1 innings with just eight walks, and has a 3.55 ERA.

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

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

HOST FAMILIES NEEDED! The HarbourCats are in need to host families for the 2025 season! If you would love to host a collegiate level athlete for three months this summer and become an integral part of the HarbourCats family, please contact Host Family Coordinator Cindy Kent at hostfamily@harbourcats.com.  Compensation, grocery stipend and season tickets provided.  More details HERE

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