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Summer Collegiate

NorthPaws swept at home by Lefties

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3 years ago

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Author: Larry Read

KAMLOOPS, BC—The Kamloops NorthPaws returned home to Dearborn Ford Field at Norbrock Stadium this weekend and had a tough time of it.  They were swept in three straight West Coast League games by the Port Angeles Lefties.

On Sunday (June18) , the Lefties sent Fathers at the field home disappointed as they  beat the Paws 14-5.  This followed 2-1 and 11-1 victories on Friday and Saturday (June 16-17).

The Lefties are now 5-10 on the season while Kamloops drops to 4-11.  Port Angeles was led by Roberto Nunez who went 9 for 15 on the weekend.  He is hitting .446 which is third best in the WCL.

Kamloops has a 5-5 record in their last 10 starts.  Port Angeles is 3-7.

The Lefties and NorthPaws will meet again in Port Angeles on July 18th. It is a three-game series as well. 

Next up for the NorthPaws will be the Wenatchee AppleSox.  They will roll into the Dearborn Ford Field at Norbrock Stadium to conclude this  six game homestand.  Game one is Tuesday, June 20th. A reminder that all West Coast League games are available via their website: https://wcleague.watch.pixellot.tv/

SERIES RECAP:

Friday June 16, 2023-Port Angeles Lefties 2 Kamloops NorthPaws 1

The game marked the West Coast League debuts for four NorthPaw players: Alexi Gravel (pitcher, Repentigny, Que), Joey Baran (DH, Austin, TX), Tyler Glowacki (outfielder) and Rei Kimura (outfielder). 

Gravel pitched two thirds of an inning garnering a walk and a strikeout, Baran was 0-3, Glowacki was 2-3 with a run scored. Kimura was 1-3.

Kamloops let 1-0 after the third inning but the Lefties scored once in the fifth and sixth to seal the victory.  Hayden Walker (Albuquerque, NM) suffered his first loss in three starts. He went 5 2/3 giving up three hits, walking two and striking out one.  Joey Peralta (La Mirada, CA) picked up his first win of the year for Port Angeles. He tossed six innings of four hit ball with eight strikeouts.  CJ Lewis (Bloomington, IL) earned his first save of the year.  He struck out two in an inning of work.

Offensively, B.Y. Choi (South Korea) was 1-4 with and RBI for the Lefties.  Roberto Nunez (Salinas, CA) was 1-4.  Owen Alsup (Rosewell, NM) was 1-5.      Port Angeles moved to 3-10 on the year, ending a five-game losing skid.  The Paws record dipped to 4-9 as their two game winning streak was halted.

Link to Scoresheet:  http://baseball.pointstreak.com/boxscore.html?gameid=598678

Saturday, June 17, 2023-Port Angeles Lefties 11 Kamloops NorthPaws 1

The Lefties held a 6-0 lead on the NorthPaws until the bottom of the sixth inning when  Nolan Austin  (Kamloops, BC)  got to first on an error by Port Angeles third baseman.  Austin advances and later scores from third.    Catcher Joey Adge (Parker, CO) and Glowacki were both 2-4 at the plate.

The big inning for Port Angeles was the eighth when they scored five runs on two hits.

Wyatt Henry (Parker, CO) started the game on the mound for Kamloops and went three and a third innings, giving up five runs, seven hits, and struck out one.  His record fell to 0-2 on the year.   He was one of six pitchers utilized by the NorthPaws in this game.

Jack O’Brien (San Diego, CA) was the winning pitcher as the Lefties won their second in a row.  He went six and a third inning, surrendering four hits, one run, striking out four and walked one.     Offensively, Alsup was 2-4 with two runs scored and 3 RBI.   Nunez was 3-5 with two RBI and two runs scored. Sam Adams (Hurst, TX) was 2-3 with two runs scored and 2 RBI.   MJ Kim (South Korea) was 3-5 with two runs scored and 1 RBI.

The game marked the West Coast League debut for right-handed pitcher Anthony Manuel (Anticoch, CA) for Kamloops. He pitched an inning giving up two hits, one run and striking out one.  Manuel came on in the eighth inning.

Link to Scoresheet: http://baseball.pointstreak.com/boxscore.html?gameid=598679

Sunday, June 18, 2023 Port Angeles Lefties 14 Kamloops NorthPaws 5

Kamloops led 1-0 until the top of the third inning when the Lefties scored eight runs on nine hits including three on a double by Chris Schuchart (Poulsbo, WA). 

The NorthPaws rallied for three runs on their own in the bottom of the fourth when third baseman Drew Giannini (Tracy, CA) and Manuel were issued back-to-back walks and scored on an RBI single off the bat of Glowacki.  Later, catcher Jared Sucro (Kamloops, BC) singled and scored on a wild pitch.

Port Angeles added four runs in the sixth inning as Nunez blasted a grand slam over the left field wall. Nunez was 5-6 on the day with five runs batted in and two runs scored.   Zachary Kim (Northbrook, IL) was 3-4, with two runs scored and two runs batted in.  Schuchart was 1-5 with three RBI and a run scored. Alsup went 1-6 with two runs batted in and a run scored.

Brock Mayer (Torrance, CA) started for the Lefties. He went two and a third innings giving up six hits, two runs and struck out two. He was replaced by Nelson Smith (Miami, Florida) who went two innings giving up three runs, two hits, three walks and one strikeout. He moves to 1-2 on the year.     Maclain Roberts (Auckland,NZ) went two and two thirds’ innings surrendering 10 hits, eight runs, striking out two and walking one.   He is 0-3 on the year.

The NorthPaws utilized nine pitchers during the contest including Zack Beatty.  The Maple Park Illinois resident played in Kamloops last year and spent this past school year at Kansas Wesleyan (NAIA).

Link to Scoresheet: http://baseball.pointstreak.com/boxscore.html?gameid=598680

HEAD COACH KEITH FRANCIS:

“We didn’t pitch particularly well. Our starters let us down. They are much better than they showed. Coming out of the bullpen, we weren’t throwing strikes. We just didn’t get it done.   We weren’t hitting today (Sunday), we got double digit hits but up until then, we hadn’t been hitting the ball. I don’t have an answer for it.  Its contagious—once it gets going it gets contagious. I hope it gets going.”

On utilizing 8 pitchers on Sunday (14-5 loss):  

“It was a case of not burning everybody out. I wanted them to pitch one inning a piece. Like a little ‘light pen”.  I wanted to get them some work so they are all ready for next week.”

NORTHPAWS CATCHER/UTILITY JARED SUCRO (KAMLOOPS, BC):

“I think the bats are starting to heat up here. Pitchers are battling on the mound. It is just a matter of coming together. We hit well in one game but don’t pitch well. The next game it is the reverse.  Once we bring it together we should be fine.”

On catching:

“It was rough at the start. I hadn’t caught in a little bit.  Like my position (utility) says, I try to help the team out anyway I can.  Joey (Adge) has done a tremendous job back there. I just want to give him a bit of a break.  I am just battling to find the rhythm I had when I caught in high school.”

Dealing with so many different pitchers:

“It is just finding the right chemistry with them. You catch them in the bullpen and get to know them off the field generally.  That helps when they are coming onto the field. No matter who it is, you see a new  guy every inning—you are going to be ready for them.  It is just getting to know them.  That is the key to success.”

NEXT UP FOR THE NORTHPAWS:

This homestand comes to a close with a three-game series with the AppleSox of Wenatchee, Washington.  Game one is Tuesday June 20th at the Dearborn Ford Field at Norbrock Stadium.  Opening pitch each night is 6:35 PM.  Tuesday night is “Homer’s” Birthday with some special celebrations.  Wednesday night (June 21st) is Military Appreciation night.

Last year, the AppleSox won swept Kamloops on their home diamond, Paul Thomas Senior Stadium (July 19-21, 2022). The scores were 16-4,7-2, and 6-5.   The teams played here (Kamloops) where Wenatchee won the first two nights 14-10 and 12-10 before the NorthPaws won the last game 11-6.  Those games were played July 29-31, 2022.

The Lefties will hit the ferry and move into Nanaimo for a three-game set against the Night Owls. Game one is Tuesday( June 20th).

If you can’t make the 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).

TAILGATE PARTY:

The Molson’s Tailgate Party is hoppin’ 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.

For “Everything NorthPaws-Go to the website : https://www.northpawsbaseball.ca/ “

Kamloops North Paws tickets: ticketing@northpawsbaseball.ca

West Coast League: westcoastleague.com.

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Summer Collegiate

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

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5 days ago

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April 21, 2026

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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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Summer Collegiate

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

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6 days ago

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April 21, 2026

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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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Victoria HarbourCats – Superman landing — former Blue Jays star Kevin Pillar to headline unique Home Run Derby event at WCL All-Star Festival

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1 week ago

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April 18, 2026

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 18, 2026

VICTORIA, B.C. — It’s all the excitement of a HOME RUN DERBY with fun and unique twists… including points on defence.

And — with former Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Kevin Pillar, known as “Superman” for his fence thievery as well as his bat, as the star attraction.

Pillar, 37, who recently retired after a stellar 13-season, 1234-game career spent mostly as a Blue Jay, will be one of the West Coast League (WCL) Home Run Derby participants — he and his family are excited to be in Victoria for the event.

Pillar, a former Vancouver Canadian who also played for nine other MLB teams over his final seasons and is now doing some broadcasting on Sportsnet, hit 114 MLB home runs and was a fan favourite for how hard he played the game — and of course his memorable home run robbing catches at Rogers Centre.

Yes, the format will showcase a HR derby with gloves and sliding catches, even fence robberies, and an altered field configuration.

Intrigued? You should be — and no one should miss this.

The host committee of the 2026 WCL All-Star Game is excited to announce it will use the groundbreaking format/rules of Major League Baseball’s Home Run Derby X as part of the WCL All-Star Game Festival, July 14-15.

It will be the first time that a Canadian site will use the format, which MLB has successfully showcased in the US and overseas over the last few summers.

This event will be an important Day 1 aspect of the overall All-Star Game festival, Tuesday, July 14, 6:35pm.

“The West Coast League has a working relationship with Major League Baseball, so the fans will see something special on that Tuesday at Wilson’s Group Stadium at RAP,” said ASG co-chair Brenda MacFarlane. “This is all about the home runs, but the twists on defence make it an absolute blast — pardon the pun.

“Having Kevin Pillar as one of the players in this, wearing a Blue Jays uniform, will be a must-attend for any Jays fan, any sports fan.”

The rules involve a three-on-three, three-inning competition in which hitters have two minutes, thirty seconds during their time at the plate. The opposing team of three grab their gloves and can steal points in the “catch zone” near the fence, while hitters aim for a double-point target zone and use strategy to add “hot streak” bonus points.

With a unique defensive component in the 2026 WCL Home Run Derby, fans may get to see Kevin Pillar make some of the amazing catches that were a signature of his time with the Blue Jays.

“It’s a creative way to bring more of the game into a home run derby, and fans have loved it,” added MacFarlane.

The home run derby, which will start at 6:35pm on that Tuesday, July 14, is just part of the overall WCL All-Star Game Festival, which will take over so many locations on the Lower Island — more announcements to come. The main spot will of course be Wilson’s Group Stadium at Royal Athletic Park.

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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