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Summer Collegiate

RiverHawks take two of three against NorthPaws

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Author: Larry Read

KAMLOOPS, BC—Fans saw a little bit of everything as the Edmonton RiverHawks took the host Kamloops NorthPaws 2-1 in a three-game set at Dearborn Ford Field at Norbrock Stadium.  The two teams evened their six game West Coast League regular season series at three a piece.

This time: Edmonton won the opener 5-2 on Tuesday (July 11), The NorthPaws needed extra innings to snap their seven-game losing streak winning 5-4 in 10 innings Wednesday (July 12).  Edmonton rallied from a 4-0 deficit to score twice in the fifth and seven times in the sixth inning en route to a 9-5 win on Thursday (July 13).

Edmonton moves to 3-4 in the second half and has an overall record of 10-23.  Kamloops falls to 2-8 in the back half with an overall record of 8-28.

The Paws will have five days off before their next series.  They don’t play again until Tuesday, July 18th when they visit the Lefties in Port Angeles.

Edmonton is moving down Highway 97 to play the Falcons in Kelowna.  That three-game set at Elks Stadium will begin tomorrow (July 14).

All West Coast League games are available via their website: https://wcleague.watch.pixellot.tv/

SERIES RECAP:

Tuesday, July 11, 2023: RiverHawks 5 NorthPaws 2

The NorthPaws saw their winless streak extend to seven as they fell to Edmonton by three.  The RiverHawks scored two in the second and third innings and added one in the fourth.  Kamloops scored both their runs in the seventh.

The 661 fans on hand saw Kamloops have a chance to close the gap in the bottom of the eighth when they loaded the bases but couldn’t push anything across.

Catcher Nico Libed (Chula Vista, CA) was 1-3 with two runs batted in. Will Gardner (St Albert, AB) was 1-4 with a run scored and an run batted in for the RiverHawks.  Halen Knoll (Edmonton, AB) started and was the winning pitcher going seven innings surrendering three hits, two runs, striking out four and walking one.  He is 4-3 on the year in his seven starts.   Shaun Atamanchuk (Beaumont, AB) pitched the last inning and two thirds for his third save.

Kamloops starter Griffin Almond (Thornbury, ON) went seven and two thirds for the loss (2-3).  He gave up four hits, four runs and walked three.

Offensively, Tommy Green (Courtenay, BC) and Cooper Neville (Glendale, AZ) were both 1-3.  Green had two runs batted in. Neville scored a run.

Link to Scoresheet: http://baseball.pointstreak.com/boxscore.html?gameid=598686

Wednesday, July 12, 2023: NorthPaws 5  RiverHawks 4  (10 innings)

The NorthPaws battled back in this one as the snapped a seven-game losing skid and their third victory in five meetings with Edmonton this year.

Kamloops scored three times in the bottom of  the fifth to erase a 4-1 deficit.  In the 10th, Phoenix Sommay (Temecula, CA) led off with a walk.  The NorthPaws loaded the bases before Bennett Freiter (White Rock, BC) hit a sacrifice fly to bring in Sommay with the winning run.

David Jeon (Coppell, TX) pitched the last inning to get the win for Kamloops. He struck out two as he moved to 2-2 on the year. He was the third of three Paws pitchers.  Noah Bourqouis (Surrey, BC),  the third of three RiverHawks pitchers took the loss.  He is 0-2 on the year as he went two and a third innings, giving up a hit, a run, walking four and striking out two.

Joey Baran (Austin, TX) was 2-5 with two runs scored and a run batted in.  Sommay was 2-5 with a run scored and an run batted in while Neville scored a run and was 2-3.

For Edmonton, Gardner was 2-3 at the dish with two runs batted in.

Link to Scoresheet: http://baseball.pointstreak.com/boxscore.html?gameid=598687

Thursday, July 13, 2023: RiverHawks 9 NorthPaws 5

Kamloops opened a 3-0 lead after the first inning and were up 4-0 until Edmonton scored twice in the top half of the fifth.   After the NorthPaws make it 5-2, The RiverHawks sent nine men to the plate and spit out three Kamloops pitchers en route to a seven run sixth inning.  That inning included two home runs—by Mark Mossanna (Chandler, AZ) and Jakob Poturnak (Vancouver, BC). 

Edmonton had 11 hits in the ball game along with six errors.   Kamloops had only four hits and left 14 men on base.

Brendan Lopeppky (Calgary, AB), the fourth of five RiverHawk pitchers earned the win.  He pitched three innings, giving up three walks, one hit and had three strikeouts.   Anthony Manuel (Antioch, CA)  was tagged with the loss, responsible for all nine runs through an inning of work.

Offensively: Poturnak was 3-4 with a run scored.  Mossanna was 1-5 with two runs batted in and a run scored while Jonny McGill (Richmond, BC) was 1-3 with two runs batted in and a run scored as well for Edmonton. 

Neville was 0-3 with two runs batted in and a run scored. Sommay was 0-4 with two runs batted in.   Green  and Tyler Glowacki (San Diego, CA) were both 1-5 with runs scored.

Green was playing his last game with Kamloops as he joins NCAA Div I Purdue this fall.

Link to Scoresheet: http://baseball.pointstreak.com/boxscore.html?gameid=598688

HEAD COACH KEITH FRANCIS on Thursday’s loss:

“We had the lead with one hit. They had made several errors and gave us many opportunities to put the game away and we didn’t take advantage of it. We had guys in scoring position again but couldn’t get that hit.  We can’t when it counts and it comes back and bites you.  Baseball Gods have a way of turning against you if you don’t score when you have to.”

On the seven-run inning: “Did he leave Manuel in too long?”  “I did a horrible job. I told the team that too. I thought that was the worst job I have done all year with my pitching staff. It’s on me. I should have done better.”

SHORTSTOP TOMMY GREEN (COURTENAY, BC) on Edmonton Series:  “We lost a close one on night one. Night two the walk off crew did it again. We gave it to the fans.  Good crowd tonight, we were hanging in there but one tough inning did us in.  It was very symbolic of how this season has gone for us.  There is still time for the guys to turn it (the season) around.”

OUTFIELDER CASEY WAYNE (PHOENIX, AZ):

“I thought we played hard in this series. Our energy was there in comparison to our previous two series. Playing at home really helped.  The fans were amazing. They did a great job of keeping us involved.  We did a lot better on the field and in the dugout to keep the energy high.  Sometimes it doesn’t roll our way.”

NEXT UP FOR THE NORTHPAWS:

After their break and a three game set in Port Angeles,  the next home game for Kamloops is Friday, July 21st against the Bellingham Bells.The teams met in Washington State July 4-6th.

Opening pitch on Friday, July 21st will be 6:35 PM at Dearborn Ford field at Norbrock Stadium.

If you can’t make the home 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).

NEW FAN PROMOTION:

The NorthPaws are looking for their newest fans.  The team is running a promotion right now which sees you capture a $15 ticket for any home game for the remainder of the season. There are only 100 of these tickets avvilable.  Visit tickets.northpawsbaseball.ca and click “Find tickets” on the game you would like to attend. Enter “NEWESTFAN’ into the promo code box and the tickets are unlocked!.

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.

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Summer Collegiate

Victoria HarbourCats – HarbourCats announce second School Spirit Day for 2025

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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.

 

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Victoria HarbourCats – HarbourCats Partner with Showpass for new ticketing system

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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/

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NightOwls Pitching Coach Fondly Recalls Time Playing with Rickey

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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.”

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