Summer Collegiate

Seven top prospects added to NightOwls roster for 2023

Published

2 years ago

February 22, 2023

Dugout Wire Service

You can never have enough pitching, and you can never have enough positional flexibility.

Greg Frady, the Head Coach of the Nanaimo NightOwls, prepping for their second season in the WCL, has added four more power arms and three key position pieces for the 2023 season, including three from NAIA powerhouse Arizona Christian — lefty Bear Pinedo, righty Payton Robertson, and pro-speed outfielder Justin Ramirez.

Also signed are two hard throwers from University of the Pacific in Owen McWilliam and Caden Casagrande, and versatile offensive-minded catchers Ethan Rivera (San Marcos) and Michael Easter (ELAC).

“There’s a lot of excitement for our coaches and staff watching players like Ramirez and Rivera get off to strong starts, and seeing the pitchers working hard to get good hitters out,” said Frady. “That’s what we’re seeing, and that’s what we project from these guys this summer at Serauxmen Stadium.”

LHP Andrew ‘Bear’ Pinedo, Arizona Christian, 6-0/200, Palm Springs, CA
OF Justin Ramirez, Arizona Christian, 5-9/160, Eastvale, CA
RHP Payton Robertson, Arizona Christian, 6-2/195, Lynden, WA
C/1B Ethan Rivera, Cal State San Marcos, 6-1/210, Chino Hills, CA
C/Utility Michael Easter, East LA College, 6-1/205, Arcadia, CA
RHP Owen McWilliam, Pacific, 5-11/185, Bainbridge Island, WA
RHP Caden Casagrande, Pacific, 5-11/180, Eagle, ID

Pinedo, from Palm Springs, is a bulldog lefty who wants the ball every single game. Ramirez is a classic leadoff hitter with blazing speed but also has 10 extra-base hits already this season. Robertson, from Lynden, WA and formerly at Skagit Valley College, is sorting out class tranfers but has WCL experience from Bellingham and Yakima in past seasons.

Easter, a lefty hitter, is committed to Azusa Pacific for the fall, jumping to the D1 level. He’s a low-strikeout extra-base bat with seven runs batted in already in 11 games, hitting .349, and he can take off the catching gear to play just about any corner infield or outfield position.

Rivera is batting cleanup with regularity at D1 San Marcos, splitting time between catcher and first base. He’s at .342 with a team-high nine runs driven in while starting all 10 games. Only twice has he failed to register a hit.

McWilliam and Casagrande, both Pacific Northwest guys, can also swing it, but are projected as high-K arms who can be effective out of Pitching Coach Gorm Heimueller’s bullpen.

Source

Summer Collegiate

Victoria HarbourCats – VISL, HarbourCats, NightOwls enter strategic partnership

Published

12 hours ago

November 22, 2024

Dugout Wire Service

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 21, 2024

VICTORIA, B.C. — Different sports, but the same community ideals.

The Victoria HarbourCats and Nanaimo NightOwls, of baseball’s West Coast League, and the Vancouver Island Soccer League (VISL), have entered into a strategic partnership intended to assist the entities in growing grassroots sports and improving facilities on Vancouver Island.

The VISL provides programming and championships on the Island and leads leagues which give the best soccer players an avenue to play the sport for life. Championships such as the Jackson Cup, with many finals played at Royal Athletic Park in Victoria, serve as the crown jewel of the VISL.

More than 6,000 participants are involved with the VISL — sports fans, who will keep track of the Island’s top baseball programs, the HarbourCats and NightOwls, who combined to draw more than 100,000 spectators in 2024.

The baseball teams and VISL will jointly promote each others’ schedules, and provide opportunities for youth participation.

“The atmosphere at HarbourCats and NightOwls games showcase the top fan engagement on the Island, a true gathering point in our communities,” said VISL Executive Director Vince Greco.

“Baseball fans are soccer fans, and soccer fans are baseball fans — it’s about supporting quality programs on the island and furthering awareness. Adding youth opportunities between the two will be the cherry on top.”

Watch for VISL events to recognize the work of the HarbourCats and NightOwls, and feature baseball games to celebrate the success of the VISL.

For more information on the VISL and their programs and offerings, please visit their website HERE.

—

The HarbourCats 2025 schedule has now been announced! DETAILS HERE

Single-game tickets and 10-game flex pack voucher renewals are NOT YET AVAILABLE, but will be once the ticketing system is set up for the 2025 season. We will announce this when ready!

Season tickets and 10- game flex packs ARE available for sale by dropping in to the office at 101-1814 Vancouver Street or calling 778-265-0327.

Existing Season Ticket holders are encouraged, if they have not already done so, to renew their seats as soon as possible so as to lock in their seats for what is going to be another great season of HarbourCats Baseball.

Source

Summer Collegiate

VISL, and HarbourCats/NightOwls, enter strategic partnership

Published

21 hours ago

November 21, 2024

Dugout Wire Service

Different sports, but the same community ideals.

The Victoria HarbourCats and Nanaimo NightOwls, of baseball’s West Coast League, and the Vancouver Island Soccer League, have entered into a strategic partnership intended to assist the entities in growing grassroots sports and improving facilities on Vancouver Island.

The baseball teams and VISL will jointly promote each others’ schedules, and provide opportunities for youth participation.

“Baseball fans are soccer fans, and soccer fans are baseball fans — it’s about supporting quality programs on the island and furthering awareness. Adding youth opportunities between the two will be the cherry on top.”

Source

Summer Collegiate

Victoria HarbourCats – You’re Invited! Christmas Open House, November 28-29

Published

3 days ago

November 19, 2024

Dugout Wire Service

Please join us as we usher in the Holiday Season with our annual Christmas Open House!

When: Thursday and Friday, November 28 and 29
Time: 12 Noon to 7 PM each day
Where: HarbourCats office 101-1814 Vancouver Street.

Come by to say hello and enjoy some hot cider and other beverages and snacks and talk about our upcoming 2025 season!

Plenty of merchandise on hand for the HarbourCats fan on your Christmas list – all at 20% off for the month of November! Plus plenty of HarbourCats and Victoria Golden Tide items available on our special $10.00 clearance rack!

Season tickets and 10-game flex packs will also be available for sale and as a special BLACK FRIDAY bonus, we will throw in a free-gift with the purchase of any 10-pack or season ticket package.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Source