Connect with us

Summer Collegiate

NorthPaws swept at home by Lefties

Published

on

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.

Source

Continue Reading
Click to comment

You must be logged in to post a comment Login

Leave a Reply

Summer Collegiate

Victoria HarbourCats – HarbourCats announce second School Spirit Day for 2025

Published

on

SCHOOL DAY SOLD OUT!  Second Mayfair Optometric Clinic School Spirit day added to 2025 schedule

January 22, 2025

For Immediate Release

VICTORIA, B.C. — Even with a chill still in the air, the Victoria HarbourCats have already sold out a summer baseball game.

How’s that for a warm feeling in January?

The super-popular Mayfair Optometric Clinic SCHOOL SPIRIT DAY, slated for June 12 at Wilson’s Group Stadium at Royal Athletic Park, has already sold out with area schools signed up with haste — the office already had a waiting list before the year changed to 2025.

So, the HarbourCats have decided to add a SECOND SCHOOL SPIRIT DAY — an 11am start on Thursday, June 19, with special $9.00 pricing for students and teachers to bathe in sunlight and cheer on the HarbourCats.

“The June 12 game filled up right away, and it led us to look at this second offering,” said Christian Stewart, GM of the HarbourCats. “More than 3,200 school kids are already coming to see us play that day against the Island rival Nanaimo NightOwls — and we can look to sell out a second game, also against the NightOwls, with the same energy the kids bring to the park.

“If you haven’t been to this game before, it’s magic with the excitement, and the lineups for Sub Zero Ice Cream and other concession items — it’s a day our food trucks and the city concession are very busy, that’s for sure!”

For any teachers or schools looking to join the fun, email chris@harbourcats.com or call the office at 778-265-0327, to get signed up.

Tickets for all games can be found online with our Showpass ticketing system, at harbourcats.com/tickets— single game tickets available including opening night, our famous fireworks nights, and all special promotions.

 

Source

Continue Reading

Summer Collegiate

Victoria HarbourCats – HarbourCats Partner with Showpass for new ticketing system

Published

on

Single game tickets for 2025 now on sale! 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 7, 2025

Victoria, BC – The Victoria HarbourCats are thrilled to announce an exciting new partnership with Showpass, a leading event ticketing platform, to provide fans with a seamless and enhanced ticketing experience for the upcoming season.

Showpass’s innovative technology will make purchasing tickets for HarbourCats games faster and more user-friendly than ever. Fans can now buy single-game tickets, season passes, flex passes and group tickets through the Showpass platform, which offers an intuitive interface and convenient features such as mobile ticketing, easy transfers, and quick scanning at the gate.

Also being implemented in Nanaimo with the NightOwls, the Showpass platform supports real-time updates and event notifications, keeping fans informed about game-day changes, promotions, and special events.

“We’re always looking for ways to enhance the fan experience,” said HarbourCats General Manager Christian Stewart. “Showpass provides a modern, efficient solution that makes attending a HarbourCats game more accessible and enjoyable for everyone.”

Here are a few of the highlights:

Season Ticket Holders

New Season Tickets are now available to be purchased online for the first time ever at https://www.showpass.com/m/victoria-harbourcats-season-tickets/  Visit the seat map, see what is available, select your preferred ticket type, and checkout securely.

Season Tickets will be delivered to all members by e-mail (planned for April 1, 2025) with an option for printing classic paper tickets. Members can transfer tickets as needed through their accounts, and print their tickets via PDF or simply save into their mobile wallet on their phone.

Renewals are simple, with reminder emails coming from Showpass late in the season, or early fall, with details for the following season and secure, online renewal.

NOTE:  Season Ticket holders who have not yet renewed their seats for 2025 should ensure they call or visit the office to do so as soon as possible so that all relevant details are updated in the new system and so their seats are locked in for 2025.  Any seats not paid / renewed by April 1, 2025 will be released for sale to the public at that time.

10-Game and Season Ticket Flex Packs
10-game flex packs and our Season Ticket equivalent flex-packs (32 vouchers) are also now available to purchase and manage on-line in the Showpass system.

https://www.showpass.com/10-game-flex-pack/

https://www.showpass.com/32-game-flex-pack/

Once purchased, fans can skip coming to the office or box office and can easily exchange their vouchers / credits on-line for the games that they wish to attend.  Once exchanged, fans can also e-mail those tickets to someone else, if they don’t plan to attend the game themselves.

Fans with existing 10-packs or season ticket packs purchased during the off-season can come into the office and get set up properly in the new system in order  begin to exchanging vouchers on their own.

Single-Game Tickets
Single game tickets are now available on-line and can be purchased at Harbourcats.com/tickets.

Scroll down the list to find the game of interest, including three “Showcase” games being held this season, click through to the seat map, select your seats and check-out with your tickets delivered to the e-mail used to set up your account.

Group Tickets
Group tickets (10 people or more) can also now be purchased on-line in most of our seating areas and larger groups can be set up and ticket sales managed through a convenient Group Sales platform within Showpass.

The Showpass system also comes with a very easy to use Help system to guide users through the ticketing sales or exchange process and of course, fans can always come to the office or the box office on game days to order their tickets in person.

The HarbourCats begin the 2025 season with a six-game road trip starting May 30th in Kelowna and finishing in Edmonton June 5th.  They return home for the Home Opener on Friday, June 6th at 6:35pm against the Port Angeles Lefties, with the first fireworks night of the season on Saturday June 7th at 6:35pm.

As noted, tickets for all home games are now on sale at HarbourCats.com/tickets.

About Showpass
Based in Calgary, Alberta, Showpass is a cutting-edge ticketing and event management platform trusted by organizations across North America. Known for its ease of use and robust features, Showpass empowers event organizers and attendees with a superior ticketing experience.  In addition to Victoria and Nanaimo, Showpass is being used by the Bend Elks in the West Coast League, the Vancouver Giants of the Western Hockey League, the Welland Jackfish Baseball Club in Ontario and has a large footprint in Victoria, being used by a number of smaller event venues such as Brewery and the Beast. Visit their website for more information at https://www.showpass.com/

Source

Continue Reading

Summer Collegiate

NightOwls Pitching Coach Fondly Recalls Time Playing with Rickey

Published

on

Every pitch Gorm Heimueller threw in the major leagues, Rickey Henderson had his back, positioned in the outfield behind him.

When news broke Saturday of the far-too-soon passing of the greatest base stealer the game has ever known — and likely will ever know — Heimueller was stunned, and saddened.

 

“I heard from a friend of Rickey’s, who had heard from (former MLB pitcher) Dave Stewart — this is a big blow for the baseball world, like Pete Rose a few months ago,” said Heimueller, who will be pitching coach again for the NightOwls again in 2025, the only pitching staff leader the West Coast League team has known since debuting at historic Serauxmen Stadium in 2022. This season will mark 49 years in the game for Heimueller, one of the most-respected people in all of baseball.

 

“I loved Rickey — but I loved everyone, I was in the big leagues. I got to play with Rickey and Joe Morgan, two Hall of Famers, it’s hard to believe they are both gone. Rickey looked like he was doing well and healthy. Very sad news.”

 

Henderson, who would’ve turned 66 on Christmas Day, passed away Friday, a surprise to everyone as he had appeared to be in good health. Initial reports indicated a bout of pneumonia claimed the Hall of Famer, who played with nine teams over 25 years and stole 1,406 bases. Canadian baseball fans will recall his short time with the Blue Jays in 1993, helping Toronto win its second consecutive World Series.

“The best part of playing with him was knowing I didn’t have to face him,” said Heimueller.

 

“My first game, he made a catch up against the wall — really good catch. People think of the stolen bases but look at all the home runs he hit. He was also unique as not many guys are right-handed hitters and then throw left-handed, very rare in the game. He was one of the more confident players I ever played with — and Rickey talked about Rickey, he had his ways about him that you never forget, that was the way he talked.

 

“That first game, in Baltimore, he’s leading off — I’m thinking this is pretty cool, and I’m the starting pitcher. I knew I was in the big leagues right there.”

Source

Continue Reading

Trending