When Jax Hisle opened his uniform package in the offices of the Nanaimo NightOwls, he knew this was meant to be.
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Hisle, an 18-year-old infielder/outfielder heading to Parkland College after graduating early and taking a gap year to add strength, saw No. 9 staring back at him as he stood in the depths of historic Serauxmen Stadium.
That was the number his grandfather Larry Hisle Sr. wore as a member of the Milwaukee Brewers, where he was an all-star in 1978 and finished third in MVP voting after a season with a .290 average, 34 home runs and 115 RBIs. No one with the West Coast League team knew that number meant so much — call it a fateful and welcomed coincidence for the 6-3/205 pound switch hitter who has a pro frame already, and was on display at the Hank Aaron Invitational last summer.
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The elder Hisle debuted with Philadelphia in 1968, was later traded to the Minnesota Twins and led the American League in RBIs with 119 in 1977 and went to his first of two all-star games. He played 14 MLB seasons and just shy of 1200 games in total.
“His reaction caught me off guard, and was priceless— I’d like to say we planned it, but we didn’t,” said Jim Swanson, GM of the NightOwls, who recruited Hisle (pronounced HIGH-suhl) — more on that tie later.
Jax, who tripled in a game in Kelowna on the team’s first road trip, is extremely proud of his grandfather, known best in Canada for his time as hitting coach of the Toronto Blue Jays under Cito Gaston — yes, THOSE years, the World Series banner flying north of the border for the first time, 1992 and 1993. He refined the swings of many Hall of Famers such as Paul Molitor, Dave Winfield and Rickey Henderson, and sweet swingers like John Olerud, Devon White and Joe Carter.
Jax’s father, Larry Jr., is also a role model, in part for being named the Wisconsin Gatorade Basketball Player of the Year for high school basketball (being 6-5 surely helps), and playing pro ball including two seasons as a power-bat outfielder with the Grand Forks (ND) Varmints of the independent Prairie League. He played collegiate ball at the University of Dayton for Mark Schlemmer, also his manager for one season with the Varmints.
Swanson was the administrator/commissioner of that league in 1996 and the GM of the Varmints for the 1997 season, and the two have kept in touch since then. Hence, the signing of prospect Jax, born years after the Prairie League went defunct.
VICTORIA, B.C. — Add another former Major League player to the coaching staff of the Victoria HarbourCats of the West Coast League — and one who definitely has opinions on how the game should be played.
Jeff Frye, who registered nine years and 15 days of MLB service and 667 big-league games overall, joins the staff led by Head Coach Todd Haney, another former MLB infielder who himself played parts of five seasons with the Expos, Cubs and Mets. Haney enters his seventh season as Victoria’s Head Coach in 2027 and has been with the HarbourCats since 2018.
The versatile Frye, who now lives in Maryland, played mostly second base for Texas, Boston, Colorado and the Toronto Blue Jays, and hit for the cycle as a member of the Blue Jays. Frye had a career .290 batting average and slugged 16 home runs — he had 626 hits in the big leagues, 162 of them for extra bases. He also stole 56 bases and only struck out 279 times in 2,451 plate appearances.
“I am absolutely thrilled to welcome Jeff to our coaching staff. Jeff knows exactly what it takes to compete at the highest level,” said Haney.
“He brings a winning mindset, tremendous baseball knowledge and a passion for helping players succeed. His incredible experience and expertise will elevate our player development as we continue our focus of bringing a championship home to our fans.”
Frye is also very well known in baseball social media circles (follow @shegone03 on X) for unabashedly standing up for the game’s fundamentals and traditional values — which are also important to Haney and the HarbourCats organization.
“I’m excited about the opportunity to coach with my buddy Todd Haney in the beautiful city of Victoria B.C.,” said Frye, who was born in California but played high school and college baseball in Oklahoma before being drafted by the Rangers in 1988 (30th round). (Haney, a native Texan, was a 38th round pick of the Seattle Mariners in 1987, the same draft the Mariners chose Ken Griffey Jr. first overall.)
“I’ve always had the desire to get back on the field teaching the game I love and it’s finally here. Let’s get to work!”
Frye, who celebrates his 60th birthday today, played college baseball at Carl Albert State College and Southeastern Oklahoma State, where he set program records with a .455 batting average in 1988 and a .420 career batting average. Despite being an undersized guy — a playing profile very much like Haney had in college and pro — Frye was all-conference twice, an all-American, conference player of the year, and was inducted into the Southeastern athletics hall of fame.
Frye also used two summers with the Fort Smith Red Sox in the Jayhawk League (1986-87) as valuable development, so he understands the value of baseball players playing baseball for a quality organization.
The HarbourCats franchise has a legacy of attracting former MLB players to be part of the coaching staff, including Greg Swindell, Mark Petkovsek, Brian McRae, and current local assistant coach Steve Sinclair, who played parts of two seasons with the Blue Jays and Mariners. The team also had Manny Ramirez as a guest coach in 2024 when his two sons, Manny Jr. and Lucas, played for the team.
The HarbourCats have started the recruiting process for 2027 already, and Season Ticket Memberships are now available for purchase or renewal. New members may order their seats on-line if desired at http://harbourcats.com/tickets (click the Memberships tab), or by calling the office at 778-265-0327.
Existing members who have accounts in good standing on SHOWPASS can simply log into their account to renew, or can also call the office or pop in to pay for their 2027 seats.
Renew or purchase your seats by September 30th to be eligible to win a round trip airfare on Harbour Air to Vancouver.
The HarbourCats 2027 schedule is expected to be announced in late October 2026, with single-game tickets expected be to available by December 1, 2026.
VICTORIA, B.C. — Hard-throwing right-hander Nathan Mueller has used a summer with the Victoria HarbourCats to land an MLB contract.
The six-foot-five, 215-pound Fort Worth product, who was at Texas A&M – Corpus Christi, has inked a deal with the Milwaukee Brewers, after spending the summer in the West Coast League in Victoria.
Mueller, 22, joined the team for the second half and made five appearances, including a start. He had 14 strikeouts and just three walks in 9.2 innings, including six strikeouts in three innings of work on July 29 against Port Angeles. He topped 97mph as a HarbourCat.
“From day one, Nate arrived in Victoria to take full advantage of his summer baseball opportunity, and signing with the Brewers is a testament to his work ethic, professional mindset and competitive drive,” said Todd Haney, Head Coach of the Victoria HarbourCats.
The HarbourCats have had eight former players advance to play at the MLB level, including current stars Nathan Lukes (Blue Jays), Nick Pivetta (Padres), Cade Smith (Guardians), Andrew Vaughn (Brewers) and Chase Meidroth (White Sox), who all play prominent roles on their teams.
This past summer, six other former HarbourCats were drafted or signed after the MLB selection process in July – Cody Howard, Carson Cormier, Owen Clyne, Ryne Palmer, Cade Rusch, and Will Zielinski.
Season Ticket Memberships for the 2027 HarbourCats Season are now available for purchase or renewal. New members may order their seats on-line if desired at http://harbourcats.com/tickets (click the Memberships tab), or by calling the office at 778-265-0327.
Existing members who have accounts in good standing on SHOWPASS can simply log into their account to renew, or can also call the office or pop in to pay for their 2027 seats.
Renew or purchase your seats by September 30th to be eligible to win a round trip airfare on Harbour Air to Vancouver.
The HarbourCats 2027 schedule is expected to be announced in late October 2027, with single-game tickets expected be to available by December 1, 2027.
Renew or book new memberships by September 30, 2026 for your chance to win a return flight on HarbourAir to Vancouver.
August 25, 2026
Victoria, BC – Season Ticket Memberships and 12-Flex and 24-Flex Ticket packages are now available for purchase and renewal for the 2027 Victoria HarbourCats season.
All renewals and new memberships, as well as any purchasers of 24-Flex ticket packages that occur by September 30, 2026, will be entered into a draw to receive a return trip ticket to Vancouver courtesy of HarbourAir. Two such prizes will be awarded.
In addition, all renewals, new memberships and 24-Flex purchasers, will have first right to purchase 2027 West Coast League All-Star game and Home Run Derby Tickets once they are available later this fall.
Existing members who have accounts in good standing on SHOWPASS can simply log into their account to renew, or can also call the office or pop in to pay for their 2027 seats.
Season tickets offer the utmost in savings over single-game pricing and have the benefit of including all non-league and exhibition games (except All-Star events) as well as free playoff tickets should we qualify in 2027.
FULL-SEASON MEMBER PERKS * Same seat every game! * Free playoff tickets! * Non-League games and special event games (except 2027 All-Star Game Events) included at no extra cost! * First right of refusal for purchase of tickets to other special events when scheduled * SHOWPASS Online Account Management * No Ticket Wasted Program and On-Line Exchange * Cat Shop Merchandise Discount (15%) * No extra charges for Premium game pricing (Home Opener and Fireworks nights)
2027 MEMBERSHIP LEVELS General Admission – $425 + GST – First-come, first-served rush seating in the silver bleachers behind Sections 6, 8,9 and 11 and in the soccer grandstand down the first baseline.
Premium Reserved – $525 + GST – Assigned seating along the first base line (Sections 6-9) and third baseline (Sections 11-12). Close to the action! Only 8 rows in each section.
ReMax Grandstand Reserved – $600 + GST – Assigned seating in Rows E-M in the covered grandstand directly behind home plate. Padded seats (bottom), and access to the mobile Fan Food in-seat food and beverage ordering system with in-seat delivery.
Peterbilt Pacific Club Seats – $725 + GST – Assigned seating in Rows A-D in the covered grandstand directly behind home plate. Close to the action! Padded seats (backs and bottom), and access to the mobile Fan Food in-seat food and beverage ordering system with in-seat delivery.
NEW FOR 2027! Nordic Fencing Dugout – $725 + GST – VIP on-field seating, right next to the HarbourCats dugout down the first base line. Comfy custom sling back style chairs. Access to the mobile Fan Food in-seat food and beverage ordering system with in-seat delivery.
Elements Casino Diamond Club – $850 + GST – (SOLD OUT, WAIT LIST) – VIP on-field seating, closer to home plate than the pitcher! Comfy custom sling back style chairs. Access to the mobile Fan Food in-seat food and beverage ordering system with in-seat delivery.
MILITARY 2 for 1 DISCOUNT If you are an active or retired military member, we offer a 2 for 1 discount on season tickets. This is NOT available to book on-line, so if interested in this, please call our office at 778-265-0327, or stop in at the office at 1814 Vancouver Street and we will set this up for you.
2027 FLEX PACKS 12 and 24-game Flex Packs are also now available on-line or at the office and offer the utmost in flexibility for those who can’t make every game. Redeemable for any regular season games including opening night and fireworks night (not eligible for All-Star events or playoffs). Flex packs essentially serve as ticket credits that you apply to a purchase and come in both digital format (a single discount code that you use for every redemption), or hardcopy paper vouchers (each with a distinct discount code printed on them).
Digital vouchers are perfect if you will be using the vouchers just for yourself and redeeming all the tickets under your account. These can be purchased on-line at the appropriate links at HarbourCats.com/tickets
Hardcopy vouchers are better suited if you plan on distributing vouchers to family, friends, clients, etc. and then having them redeem using the voucher codes. Hardcopy vouchers are NOT available online but can be arranged by calling the office at 778-265-0327 or dropping in to set up.
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