Summer Collegiate

Regina Red Sox release concept plans for a Baseball Stadium at the Railyards on Dewdney

Published

5 years ago

April 7, 2021

Regina, SK ( April 4, 2021) – The Regina Red Sox Baseball Club (Club) a franchise member of the Western Canadian Baseball League are pleased to release concept plans for a 3500-seat state-of-the-art baseball stadium with the proposed location being the vacant railyards on Dewdney Avenue.

While the Red Sox would be the anchor tenant, the stadium would also be used by other baseball teams and leagues, in addition to functioning as a first-class venue for spring and summer festivals, concerts, flea markets and movie nights in the park.

In conjunction with the concept plans, the Club is also pleased to announce the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with Living Sky Sports and Entertainment Inc. (LSSE). LSSE worked with the Club developing the concept plans and will help facilitate the Club’s financial participation with stadium construction costs.

Gary Brotzel, president of the Club said, “We are pleased to make this announcement today and encouraged to have been able to present our plans and vision to City Council this past Wednesday. A ballpark stadium is long overdue, and we hope the City of Regina see the merits of our vision and plan so we can work together to make this a reality. Brotzel added, “ We average 32 games per year with preseason and playoffs and we anticipate drawing 3200 plus fans per game. This means over a 100,000 people a year traveling to the downtown warehouse district between May and August. The vibrancy and economic activity of our entire downtown core will be positively affected by baseball games and the other events held at the stadium. For perspective, the Okotoks Dawgs, a team in our league, regularly attract 4000 fans per game – in a stadium similar to what we’ve proposed for the rail yards.”

Bernie Eiswirth, general manager of the Club said, “It’s becoming increasingly difficult for us to play at a 60-year-old field and recruit quality players and remain competitive – so we are very excited about the prospect of a new baseball stadium for Regina. As of now, Alberta teams have superior venues that gives them a significant recruiting advantage, but just as important, Currie’s old infrastructure severely limits our options for food and beverage, seating, parking and our ability to attract corporate sponsors. We need to offer a great environment with a competitive team, so fans have a memorable experience and want to keep returning to the ballpark. That’s not the case now playing a Currie.” Eiswirth added, “

Alan Simpson, Founder of LSSE commented, “We are eager to work with the Red Sox and the City of Regina to advance plans, complete further due diligence, figure out financing, and hopefully bring this proposed rail yard infrastructure project to fruition.” Simpson commented, “After touring Currie its apparent its best before date has long since passed. The baseball stadium the Red Sox envision would be a wonderful enhancement to our infrastructure in the downtown core. It would stand as a cornerstone of economic activity and pride in our community for the next 20 years.”

Stadium Concept Plans (View Video Below)

About Regina Red Sox

The Regina Red Sox are a summer league collegiate team based in Regina, Saskatchewan with roots stemming back to the 1940’s. The club operates as a franchise member of the Western Canadian Baseball League playing a 56-game schedule during the spring and summer with 28 home games plus preseason and playoffs held at the ball diamond at Currie Field. The Red Sox have a storied history in the city winning the WMBL title in 2011 and again in 2012. The Red Sox also won the SMBL (Saskatchewan Major Baseball League) championship in 1976 and 1977, and the SBL (Southern Baseball League) in 1942, 1953, 1955, 1960, 1964, and 1969. Connect with the Red Sox at www.reginaredsox.com or on Twitter @ReginaRedSox.

About LSSE

Living Sky Sports and Entertainment Inc. is a Saskatchewan based company initially incorporated for the purpose of launching a professional soccer club for the Province of Saskatchewan, and more generally, the development of the sports market in Saskatchewan. LSSE entered into an agreement with Canadian Soccer Business (CSB) and acquired the exclusive rights for the development and launch of a Canadian Premier League (CPL) team. Most recently, LSSE entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with the Regina Red Sox to assist with the development of a new baseball stadium in Regina. The founder and CEO of LSSE is Alan Simpson a life-long resident of Saskatchewan. Connect with LSSE at lssa.ca, on Twitter @livingskysports1, on Facebook @livingskysports and on Instagram @livingskysports.

For more information please contact:

Gary Brotzel
President
Regina Red Sox Baseball Club
gbrotzel@reginaresox.ca
306-536-8792

Bernie Eiswirth
General Manager
Regina Red Sox Baseball Club
beiswirth@accesscomm.ca
306-539-0960

Alan Simpson
President
Living Sky Sports and Entertainment Inc.
simpsonvideo@sasktel.net
306-536-3771

Summer Collegiate

Victoria HarbourCats – Former HarbourCat Austin Russell, a WCL all-star, hired to coach Collegiate Cats program

Published

5 hours ago

July 6, 2026

Dugout Wire Service

July 5, 2026

VICTORIA, B.C. — Former HarbourCat and WCL All-Star Austin Russell has been handed the reins of Victoria’s year-round collegiate baseball program.

The local product has been hired to lead the Victoria Collegiate Cats of the Canadian College Baseball Conference (CCBC), effective August 1. The team formerly called the Golden Tide will enter its sixth season this fall, based primarily out of Wilson’s Group Stadium at Royal Athletic Park.

“I’m incredibly grateful for this opportunity and excited to help build a Victoria Collegiate Cats program that the players, alumni and community can be proud of,” said Russell, who played with his brother Ty on the 2013 HarbourCats team. “My time playing college baseball had a tremendous impact on my growth as a person, both on and off the field, and my priority is to provide these young men with that same opportunity — an experience they can look back on with pride and one that helps prepare them for success as they move forward in life.”

Russell, 34, was a member of the inaugural HarbourCats team and the outfielder was selected to play in the WCL all-star game in 2013. He also played summer collegiate baseball in Moose Jaw, and played collegiately at Colby Community College, Southern Polytechnic State, and MacPherson College.

Russell won conference awards as a player at Colby and MacPherson, and still plays in the Mavericks League locally. He represented Victoria in the 2018 Baseball Canada Men’s Nationals on home soil, earning a silver medal.

Russell (left), along with Nick Pivetta (centre) and Connor Russell (no relation)(right) were three of the first HarbourCats players to be signed for the 2013 season (Photo: Christian J. Stewart).

He coached for many years in the Victoria Mariners youth system, and is excited to return to the college level. Pitching Coach Darius Opdam Bak and Assistant Coach Colton O’Brien will return and round out the coaching staff.

Russell will also join Opdam Bak and other WCL HarbourCats coaches in taking an active role with community development initiatives and youth camps.

“This is an exciting announcement for us and we could not be happier to put Austin into the leadership role with the Collegiate Cats as Head Coach,” said Jim Swanson, Managing Partner of the group that owns the Collegiate Cats, the Victoria HarbourCats and Nanaimo NightOwls (West Coast League), and the Edwards Family Training Centre (EFTC) indoor facility.

“Austin is well-known and respected in the baseball world, especially locally, and we know he will put tremendous effort and skill into the role as we continue to grow the Collegiate Cats. He’s excited to get started.”

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Summer Collegiate

Victoria HarbourCats – Cats Drop Third Game of Kelowna Series

Published

1 day ago

July 5, 2026

Dugout Wire Service

Kelowna, B.C. – The HarbourCats took on the Kelowna Falcons for the third game a row this afternoon, losing the final matchup by a score of 9-2.

The Falcons were the first side to find purchase on the offensive side in a long third inning. Cats starter Daniel Tovar (Northern Kentucky) allowed a couple of baserunners on a walk and an error, and was swapped out for right-hander Houston Tomlinson (Arkansas State). Kelowna strung together a few singles together on Tomlinson over the course of the inning, taking a 3-0 lead.

BOX SCORE

The home team followed that up with an uppercut in their next trip to the plate, smashing a three-run homer off of Tomlinson in the fourth to blow the game wide open.

Tate Collins (Arkansas State) took over for the fifth and pitched a clean inning, but was accosted for another scoring trio in the home half of the sixth. A single, a wild pitch, and a sacrifice fly gave the Falcons a daunting 9-0 lead.

The Cats at last found life in the seventh frame, kicked off by a solo bomb off the bat of Fresno State outfielder Marcus Nolen. Matthew Westley (George Mason) followed that homer up with a fine job of manufacturing a run. The Virginia product drew himself a walk, stole two bases, and advanced all the way home on a wild pitch to continue cutting a chunk out of that mountainous lead.

Carson Ackermann (Tacoma) took to the pitcher’s mound in the seventh and only allowed two baserunners across his two innings of work, but in the end the lead proved insurmountable and the Falcons secured a 9-2 win on home turf.

WCL STANDINGS

The HarbourCats will now travel back to Victoria and look to rebound on Tuesday night in the first matchup of a three-game mid-week series versus the Bend Elks.

Single game tickets for all HarbourCats games are now on sale at http://harbourcats.com/tickets. Season tickets, 12-pack and 32-pack game vouchers may also be bought online or by stopping by the HarbourCats office at 101-1814 Vancouver Street.

GET YOUR ALL-STAR TICKETS BEFORE THEY ARE GONE! Tickets for the 2026 WCL All-Star Home Run Derby (featuring former Blue Jay Kevin Pillar) and the West Coast League All Star Game on July 14-15 are selling fast. Get yours today! Each event is now on sale separately, or grab the package deal for both and save a few bucks at http://harbourcats.com/tickets! Or call the office at 778-265-0327 to order by phone.

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Summer Collegiate

Victoria HarbourCats – Two major events announced with Showpass West Coast League All-Star Game

Published

2 days ago

July 5, 2026

Dugout Wire Service

Legendary scout Marti Wolever to speak at luncheon

July 4, 2026

VICTORIA, B.C. — Having the West Coast League all-star festival in Victoria brings tremendous extra opportunities — like hearing from some of the best in the game.

The organizers of the Showpass West Coast League All-Star Game, presented by Canadian Club, are proud to announce two signature pieces of the two-day festival, and they are sponsored by valued partners of the Victoria HarbourCats Baseball Club — The Wilson’s Group of Companies, and the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce.

“Sponsors like Wilson’s and The Chamber make events like this possible — and with the big names and details, will get people fired up to attend,” said Jim Swanson, Managing Partner of the Victoria HarbourCats.

Both events are also held at the Studio 919 thanks to partnership with the Strathcona Hotel (919 Douglas Street).

HOT STOVE PANEL, presented by The Wilson’s Group of Companies
Tuesday, July 14 — 9pm-11:30pm
Studio 919, Strathcona Hotel
Admission — $10
TICKETS AVAILABLE HERE!

A soiree on baseball following the WCL All-Star Home Run Derby, fans are urged to keep the evening going with a social, relaxed, panel-style discussion of baseball and tons of stories — headlined by Kevin Pillar and legendary baseball scout Marti Wolever, and including HarbourCats head coach Todd Haney, himself a five-year MLB player, the dean of pitching coaches, Gorm Heimueller, who is celebrating his 50th year in the game, and legendary local baseball scout Walt Burrows.

Food and refreshments will be available for attendees to purchase.

OFFICIAL ALL-STAR LUNCHEON, presented by the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce
Wednesday, July 15, 11:30am-1pm
Studio 919, Strathcona Hotel
Tickets — $25 (Limited quantities available to the public).
TICKETS AVAILABLE HERE!

All of the all-stars and coaches will be there to hear a welcome from John Wilson, a member of the HarbourCats ownership group and also the CEO of the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce, from WCL commissioner Rob Neyer, and then keynote speaker Marti Wolever, who has been enshrined in the MLB Scouts Hall of Fame, and now is senior amateur scouting advisor for the Miami Marlins.

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