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NorthPaws Upping Entertainment In 2024 West Coast League Season

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KAMLOOPS, BC—With the weather getting better, it’s time to get excited about the 2024 edition of the Kamloops North Paws baseball team.  The third year West Coast League club has unveiled its schedule for the coming year.

The 57-game season includes 31 at home.  The NorthPaws have non-league games against Kamloops Minor Baseball, the Kelowna Falcons and Coquitlam Angels.

The NorthPaws home opener will be Friday May 31st at Dearborn Ford Field at Norbrock Stadium. For the second straight season, the Paws will open against the Victoria HarbourCats.

 “We are extremely excited for the upcoming season,” states North Paws General Manager Jenna Forter. “Our coaching staff have been hard at work recruiting some great players from across North America and Europe. Although we have several new faces, we have some returning local Kamloops players that we are excited to have on the team. Jose, TC and Riley have all been well received by the players and the community.  The coaches and our organization are planning on a strong comeback in 2024.”

She adds: “Our schedule includes 31 home games, with a pre-season exhibition game vs the RiverDogs on May 29th at 6:35 pm at Dearborn Ford Field at Norbrock Stadium, these additional games include seven weekend series and some great theme nights that we are thrilled to announce with our schedule.”

Game times for 2024 will be 6:35 PM for most nights. Sunday games will have 2:05 pm opening pitch.

Again, this coming season, the NorthPaws will have several theme nights. These include Father’s Day, Homer’s Birthday, Canada Day, Family Appreciation night and new this year: “School Spirit Day”.

“School Spirit Day” will be Thursday June 6th where the Paws will tangle with the Bellingham Bells. It will be an 11:30 AM start time. There will be free tickets for students and faculty along with an affordable healthy lunch option.

 Says Forter: “The NorthPaws have been occupied in entertainment planning during our off-season and I am happy to share that we have some big theme nights and promotions coming in 2024.  We are excited to announce pre-game entertainment, merchandise promotions and major giveaways to kick off our season.  Other notable theme nights include our School Spirit Day on June 6 when the NorthPaws invite classes from the schools in Kamloops and surrounding areas for a memorable and educational field trip to our park, Homer’s Birthday – Bark at the Park– sponsored by Bosley’s Valleyview on Friday June 21st.

Forter says, “To celebrate Homer’s Birthday with his furry friends, we are inviting fans to bring their pups for a night of baseball and supporting the BCSPCA.”

Other special events this year include a Pre-Canada Day Weekend Celebration with entertainment and prizes, along with the return of ‘Save On Foods Family Day. Forter adds, “We are introducing Throwback Tuesdays by Molson Coors – the events will feature ticket specials, beer batter drink prices all night and hot dog specials.”

“As we have a huge focus on community engagement this season, “she adds. “We are delighted to also announce that the NorthPaws will be hosting an MLB Pitch, Hit and Run event on July 17th. This MLB event is an exciting addition to our promotions line up and will allow participants aged 7-14 to compete in a free competition to show off their baseball skills and get one-on-one time with our coaching staff and players. Participants with the highest scores will have the chance to move onto the National competition and the finals hosted by one of the Major League Teams – this is one of the community events we are most excited to offer Kamloops in 2024.”

The NorthPaws are making a concerted effort to make their fans happy both on the field and in the stands, but also in the pocketbook.“Our fans are exceptionally loyal, we are extremely grateful for them especially after the challenging 2023 season – it’s something that is not only recognized by our organization, but throughout the West Coast League.” The NorthPaws GM states. “ We are planning on bringing more value to our fans through the introduction of youth and seniors passes, and promotions throughout the season including Fan Appreciation Night to thank them for their devotion for the past two seasons.”

For information on sponsorship, the schedule, and seasons tickets: visit the Kamloops NorthPaws website: www.northpawsbaseball.ca

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Please contact:  Jenna Forter

                                                                              NorthPaws General Manager

                                                                              Jforter@northpawsbaseball.ca

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Summer Collegiate

Victoria HarbourCats – 2026 HarbourCats Single-Game Tickets Now On Sale!

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All 2026 ticket types, including single-game, 6, 12 and 32 game flex -packs, season memberships and All-Star Game ticket packages are now available!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 1, 2025

Victoria, BC – The Victoria HarbourCats are pleased to announce that just in time for Christmas, single-game tickets for all 31 2026 regular season games and the 2026 WCL All-Star Game are now available for purchase.

Fans can see our schedule and purchase tickets on-line with our ticketing partner SHOWPASS at http://harbourcats.com/tickets, or stop by in person to the HarbourCats office at 101-1814 Vancouver Street. Fans can also call the office at 778-265-0327 to order.

Also announced today is the availability of 2026 ALL-STAR GAME ticket packages that include a Home Run Derby event on July 14th and the 2026 West Coast League All-Star Game on July 15th. Ticket packages that include both events are available now at https://www.showpass.com/wcl-all-star-home-run-derby-and-all-star-game-package/.

Individual All-Star Game and Home Run Derby event tickets will go on sale at a later date.

Note, if you are a season ticket holder, your seats are reserved for the Home Run derby and All-Star game, but as this is a separate purchase, you do need to contact the office to claim and pay for your seats.

FLEX-PACKS

Also on sale for 2026 are our regular 12-game and 32-game flex packs, as well as a new STOCKING STUFFER 6-Pack that will be offered until Christmas. The 6-Pack starts at $99 for General Admission seating and all 6-Packs will include a souvenir baseball that will fit nicely in the toe of the stocking of your favourite HarbourCats fan.

12 and 32-game flex packs can be bought on-line at  http://harbourcats.com/tickets or in person at the HarbourCats office. The 6-Pack offering is only available in person at the HarbourCats office.

NOTE: If you already have ticket vouchers for the 2026 season, you may now begin to redeem them for single-games as desired.  You can do so on-line assuming you are all set up in SHOWPASS to do so, or pop into the office and we can handle this for you!

SEASON TICKET MEMBERSHIPS

Season tickets are also still available for the 2026 season. Prices start at $400 for General admission seating and seats can be ordered on-line at https://www.showpass.com/m/victoria-harbourcats-season-tickets/ or by visiting the HarbourCats office.

MERCHANDISE

We also have a wide range of merchandise available for the baseball fan on your list including new 2026 All-Star game tee-shirts and our Nathan Lukes Blue Jays World Series commemorative tee-shirt. Items can be ordered on-line at The Cat Shop at https://victoria-harbourcats-official.myshopify.com/ or by visiting the HarbourCats office, where a 15% in store discount is in effect until Christmas!

The Victoria HarbourCats will begin their 2026 West Coast League season in late May of 2026, with the home opener against the Edmonton Riverhawks scheduled for Tuesday, June 2, 2026.

Plenty of excitement is on board for 2026 including:

  • Three fireworks nights (June 6, 30 and August 3)
  • Two 11:00 AM School Spirit Games (June 4 and 18)
  • Five Family Fun Sunday Matinees (June 7, 14, 28 July 19 and 26)
  • $12 Tuesdays and Thursdays (June 16, July 2, 7, 9, 28 and 30)

Stay up to date with other promotions and special events by visiting the HarbourCats web page at https://harbourcats.com/events-promotions/

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Victoria HarbourCats – HarbourCats, EFTC and Richardson Sport announce Harvey’s Sports Stars!

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The Victoria HarbourCats, in association with Richardson Sport Inc. (RSI) and the Edwards Family Training Centre (EFTC) are excited to announce the launch of Harvey’s Sports Stars!

Harvey’s Sports Stars will give children exclusive access to a professional-quality indoor turf facility and a wide range of fun, skill-building sports programs. Whether they’re swinging a bat, learning new movement skills, or high-fiving mascot Harvey the HarbourCat, Harvey’s Sports Stars will be part of a vibrant sports community that celebrates fun and teamwork, while staying active!

Families can look forward to enjoying year-round opportunities to play, connect, and make lasting memories, through exciting RSI programming inside the HarbourCats’ exciting indoor training space, located at 1821 Cook Street.

YOU’RE INVITED TO OUR KICK-OFF EVENT!

With this exciting new partnership, RSI is inviting all kids and their families to join the exciting SPORTSAPALOOZA day taking place on Sunday, November 30th from 1:30-5:30pm at the Indoor Training Facility. – the EFTC – located at 1821 Cook St.

Our Sportspalooza Day is a chance for children to jump in, meet RSI coaches, see the indoor facility, and get a sneak peak at our upcoming Harvey’s Sports Stars Programming.

During this Demo Day, children will get to:

  • Explore the activities we offer
  • Meet the coaches and see the facility
  • Get a feel for the environment
  • Discover what makes this program so engaging and confidence-building

Spaces are limited, so we highly encourage you to claim your spot as early as possible.

Register here: https://www.richardsonsport.ca/harveyskidsclub

The Victoria HarbourCats will begin their 2026 West Coast League season in late May of 2026, with the home opener against the Edmonton Riverhawks scheduled for Tuesday, June 2, 2026.

Season ticket memberships and 12-game flex packs (new for 2026!) are now on sale for the HarbourCats 2026 season at http://harbourcats.com/tickets. BE SURE TO LOCK IN YOUR SEASON TICKETS TODAY to get first right of refusal on your seats for the 2026 WCL All-Star game that will be played here in Victoria.  These will be going on sale SOON!

Season tickets, 12-packs and team merchandise are also available at the HarbourCats office at 101-1814 Vancouver Street, Tuesday thru Friday, 10am-4pm.

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Pitching Coach Gorm hits a HUGE milestone

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The Nanaimo NightOwls will be using the 2026 season to celebrate Gorm Heimueller — the esteemed pitching coach, one of the best to ever do it in baseball!  The 70-year-old marks a half-century in the game when he suits up in his fifth summer in the West Coast League with the Nanaimo NightOwls.

“First — thank you, Nanaimo,” said Heimueller.  “I’m very grateful to the Nanaimo NightOwls organization for allowing me to come back as pitching coach in 2026. This will be my 50th year since I signed my first pro contract, but I’ve been very fortunate and blessed to be involved in this game that I’ve loved for more than 60 years.  I’m looking forward to working with Jim, Tina, Anthony, and Cody in putting together an exciting and competitive team on the field for our amazing Nanaimo fans!”

Coach Gorm will tuck his golf clubs away in May — he recorded his second career ace recently — so he can do what he loves most, and that’s working with young pitchers.

“We are going to celebrate Gorm in 2026 — our players, our coaches, our staff could not have more admiration for him as a coach and as a human being,” said Jim Swanson, managing partner of the NightOwls, in announcing Heimueller and wife Lee Ann will return to Nanaimo in 2026 to work with Head Coach Cody Andreychuk and assistant Anthony Houk.

“Players love the man, they hang on his every word. Coaches send us pitchers specifically to get to work with him. He’s a gentleman, he relates well to everyone, and he tells the best stories. We have an absolute legend of the game in Nanaimo as the only pitching coach the NightOwls have ever known — and he’s a mentor to so many, in so many ways.

“Gorm has more than earned the opportunity to be celebrated for all he’s done for the game. I’m biased because he’s become a good friend, but he should be in the Hall of Fame.”

The NightOwls are unveiling a special “GORM50” logo that will be ever-present during the 2026 season — from players shirts, to merchandise. There is also a book being written on his stories and exploits, co-written by Swanson and fellow NightOwls owner Helen Edwards — both have authored books in their careers.

Heimueller, a Los Angeles native, who has World Series rings from coaching in the Twins and Phillies systems, started his baseball career as a lefty pitcher at Cal Poly — with a guy named Ozzie Smith as his shortstop.

Heimueller spent 10 years as a professional pitcher, throwing strikes around the globe (Venezuela, Australia, Canada, USA), and spent two years as mostly a starting pitcher with the Oakland A’s (1983-84), a team which featured Rickey Henderson in his prime. As legend has it, the manager at his first MLB spring training was Frank Robinson, with Billy Martin the manager at his second camp, and his first MLB strikeout victim was Cal Ripken Jr. He transitioned directly from playing to coaching in the minors and held pitching coordinator positions later in his pro tenure, including the San Diego Padres until 2020.

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