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The Incredible Stories of Gorm Heimueller

Published

2 years ago

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There may only be one man alive who, in the span of four minutes, can weave a story that includes the best basketball player of all time, a sure-fire hall-of-fame Major League manager, the legendary captain of the Yankees, two all-star catchers, and an accused killer.

Yes, a tale capped with an alleged murderer.
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Gorm Heimueller, now the pitching coach of the Nanaimo NightOwls of the West Coast League, is that guy. (Writer’s recommendation — buy Gorm dinner any chance you have, and sit back and listen to the stories. Worth every penny from a guy whose first spring training managers were Frank Robinson and Billy Martin.)
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This story — well, it’s worth the read for sure.
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Heimueller, a former MLB pitcher with nearly 50 years in the game (should it be mentioned that his college shortstop at Cal Poly was Ozzie Smith?), has World Series rings from developing pitchers for the Twins and Phillies, but his true wealth is the stories he can tell about the people he’s met. (His true wealth aside from his lovely wife LeeAnn, of course. You can’t forget LeeAnn, the Finnish Canadian.)

Gorm (it should be mentioned he once struck out Reggie Jackson, twice, and Rod Carew in a game in the Bigs) heard the news of the recent arrest of ex-Twins lefty Dan Serafini (more on that later) and was left recalling his fall in the fairly-new Arizona Fall League in 1994, sent by the Twins to help the Chandler Diamondbacks, playing games at the archaic former Brewers spring stadium.

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Ah, yes, 1994 — no October MLB playoffs due to the August walkout and players strike that surely kept the Montreal Expos and Toronto Blue Jays from their collision course in an all-Canadian World Series. (We all know the Expos would have needed six games to halt the Blue Jays’ run of World Series titles at two, right? Right.)

“We were the only baseball around, there was a lot of attention on us and that was fun,” said Gorm.

Gorm’s team’s catchers were Charles Johnson and Jason Kendall, who would go on to all-star status at the MLB level. A player in the league that fall was none other than Michael Jordan, who for still mysterious reasons abruptly left the Chicago Bulls in the midst of their dynasty to strike out a lot with the Birmingham Barons, AA affiliate of the White Sox. Ex-Expo Terry Francona, surely headed to the Hall of Fame as a manager, had Jordan on his teams both in Arizona and Birmingham — where Jordan famously bought a tricked-out bus for the team’s travel comfort.

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Gorm’s fall league shortstop? Gangly, barely 20 years old, defensively inconsistent at the time but taken sixth overall in 1992 by the Yankees — Derek Jeter.

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“Jeter and Serafini attended my son’s fifth birthday party that fall. I saw Jeter a few years later and, I hated doing this, but I wanted to get something signed so I went up to him — he said ‘Hey, Gorm! How are you’,” said Heimueller. “I was shocked he remembered me. And he was glad to sign some things for me.”

Actually a Jeter connection is why Heimueller is coaching for the NightOwls in the first place. His good friend in the game, legendary scout Marti Wolever, who was scouting supervisor for the Yankees when Jeter was drafted, worked with Gorm in the Phillies organization and they are close friends to this day.

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The classy Wolever, a member of the Professional Scouts Hall of Fame and a former minor league outfielder, was a top scout with the Detroit Tigers in 2016 when Jim Swanson, now GM of the NightOwls, was added as an Associate Scout by the Tigers. Wolever connected Swanson and Heimueller for the pitching coach opening in Nanaimo, putting NightOwls history in motion.

This whole story germinated from news that Serafini, who pitched for four MLB teams over an 11-year span, was arrested for murder and attempted murder tied to an attack in 2021 in the Lake Tahoe area.
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“I remember him well — he gave me a gift at the end of that fall season to thank me for putting up with him being such a pain in the ass,” said Gorm, laughing.
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“I liked him, and he went on to pitch for us with the Twins. But I guess with all those names it just shows you never know what’s going to become of people, right?” he added.

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Summer Collegiate

Victoria HarbourCats – School Spirit Games partners pleased with near-sellout status

Published

9 hours ago

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March 6, 2026

By

March 5, 2026

For immediate release

VICTORIA, BC — The kids always bring the energy — and the noise, in sections teeming with students.

The Victoria HarbourCats are pleased to recognize the valuable partners who have helped the team close in (already, in March!) on sellouts for the two SCHOOL SPIRIT GAMES planned for the 2026 West Coast League baseball season — just a part of the big summer plans at Wilson’s Group Stadium at Royal Athletic Park.

On Thursday, June 4 (11:05am), the MAYFAIR OPTOMETRIC CLINIC SCHOOL SPIRIT GAME has limited seating still available for the meeting with the visiting Edmonton Riverhawks.

Then, the KIDSPORT GREATER VICTORIA SCHOOL SPIRIT GAME on Thursday, June 18 (also 11:05am) vs. the Redmond Dudes, is essentially at capacity already as schools/teachers have already snapped up seats and sections. A wait list is being taken, but schools still wanting to attend a game are urged to book into the June 4th game instead.

“The popularity of these games is undeniable, and they are a perfect match for Mayfair Optometric Clinic and KidSport Greater Victoria to reach an excited audience,” said Christian Stewart, General Manager of the HarbourCats.

The games are such a hot commodity for school field trips that Stewart had teachers getting on the list right after last year’s games, and then inquiries as early as the opening of schools in September.

For any teachers or schools wanting to secure remaining seats for the June 4th game, contact Christian at chris@harbourcats.com or call 778-265-0327. Tickets are just A$9.00 each.

Single game tickets for all HarbourCats games and the 2026 West Coast League All-Star Game and Home Run Derby are now on sale at our Showpass site at harbourcats.com/tickets. Season tickets, 12-pack and 32-pack game vouchers may also be bought on-line or by stopping in to the HarbourCats office at 101-1814 Vancouver Street.

SEE SCHEDULE HERE

Need to gear up with HarbourCats merchandise? Then be sure to stop into the office, or else visit The Cat Shop online at https://victoria-harbourcats-official.myshopify.com/

 

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Kentucky Influence Will Be Strong For NightOwls, Nine Players Signed

Published

2 days ago

on

March 4, 2026

By

March 4, 2026

Nanaimo NightOwls head coach Cody Andreychuk is from the Harbour City — but spends most of his time now as dugout boss at the University of Pikeville in Kentucky.

So, it’s no surprise the next nine players signed are playing college baseball in the Bluegrass State — talent from UPike, and Western Kentucky.

And two of them? From Nanaimo, of course, continuing the tradition of local flavour with the NightOwls.

Announced today by “Coach Chuk”:

 

LHP Bryson Vawter, Western Kentucky, L/L, 6-1/210, Topeka, Kansas

LHP Rodney Whaley, Western Kentucky, L/L, 6-2/195, Ashland, Nebraska

RHP Jacob O’Day, Western Kentucky, R/R, 6-3/185, Bloomington, Illinois

RHP Jack Schroeder, UPikeville, R/R, 6-1/205, Cody, Wyoming

RHP/IF Reed Sutton UPikeville, L/R, 6-2/215, Nanaimo

LHP Caleb Morrison, UPikeville, L/L, 5-10/170, Georgetown, KY

IF Easton Mould, UPikeville, R/R, 5-10/165, Nanaimo

SS Francis Subero, UPikeville, S/R, 5-11/185 San Jose De Ocoa, Dominican Republic

OF Ethan Reynolds, Western Kentucky, R/R, 5-11/210, Bowling Green, KY

 

“There is a hard-nosed way of playing the game in Kentucky that our fans at Serauxmen Stadium will like — these guys all work hard and grind,” said Andreychuk. “The pitching depth from this group will important, and I really like having Nanaimo guys in Mould and Sutton. I know these players very well, what they can do.”

This is an intriguing group of additions —- it includes returning local second baseman Mould, and fellow Pirates product Sutton, who got a short stint as a NightOwl in 2025. Mould played 37 games for the NightOwls in 2025 and is the double play partner this spring at UPike with Dominican shortstop Subero, who is batting .356 with 11 runs driven in over 13 games.

O’Day fanned 63 hitters in 58 innings for Heartland CC before transferring to WKU. Vawter had a 3.84 ERA and 87 strikeouts in 72 innings at Kansas City CC, while Whaley is another lefty and a product of power junior college program Iowa Western.

Schroeder and Morrison will be counted on for quality bullpen innings, and Reynolds is a versatile fielder with a bat that finds gaps.

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Victoria HarbourCats – Community-first approach for All Star Game committee, leading WCL showcase

Published

1 week ago

on

February 26, 2026

By

February 26, 2026

For immediate release

VICTORIA, BC — With an exciting announcement earlier this week (SEE HERE), and ticket packages available and selling fast, it’s time to publicly unveil the leadership stars of the 2026 West Coast League Baseball All-Star Game committee.

It’s a group that, combined, knows one word well — community.

Dave Cockle and Brenda MacFarlane are the co-chairs, working closely with Victoria HarbourCats leadership — President John Wilson, part owner and community advocate Helen Edwards, Managing Partner Jim Swanson, General Manager Christian Stewart, Marketing Director John Pollard, and Adrian Somers, VP of Operations/Business.

Cindy Kent and Dave Garton, who wear many hats for the HarbourCats including host family and gameday events, are involved in planning and execution.

Cockle is the retired former longtime Oak Bay fire chief who is active with many boards including Kiwanis (Board Chair of Oak Bay Kiwanis Pavillion) and their advocacy for seniors and affordable housing, a director with SVI Rangers, and the HarbourCats advisory committee, and was chair of the 2017 and 2018 Baseball Canada Men’s Championship.

MacFarlane is — well, what isn’t she involved with? With IG Wealth Management, she gives her time to the Victoria Hockey Legacy Society (Scotiabank Hockey Day in Canada, 100 Year Stanley Cup “Century Celebration”) among other charity work and involvement literally too numerous to list here.

“What a group — seriously, we are so glad to have people who understand what it means to really captivate Victoria with memorable events, who get the vision and logistics mix that make things shine,” said Swanson.

The 2026 WCL All-Star Festival will take over Victoria, helping fill hotels and seats, on July 14 and 15, culminating with the game on Wednesday, July 15. The HarbourCats will also host the festival in 2027.

The leadership group involved goes WAY deeper than those named above.

  • Vince Greco, a well known local sports leader, is spearheading the youth camps component, some of which is still to be announced.
  • Stewart is overseeing ticketing, graphics, photography and media, and stadium planning — yes, the famous HarbourCats food trucks scene will be on full display for the home run derby and game.
  • Veteran pro baseball scouts Walt Burrows and Marti Wolever and coach Gorman Heimueller will direct the WCL player scouting combine, supported by HarbourCats and Collegiate Cats coaches.
  • Nanaimo NightOwls GM Tina Cornett is heavily involved with planning and administration.
  • Doug Sturgeon, known well in local ball circles, is coordinating the community wiffle ball game slated for the B.C. Legislature lawn on July 14.
  • Chris Jaycox of Chris Jaycox Productions is overseeing the broadcast, featuring the play-by-play of Warren Dean, that will allow people from around the world to see many of the events.
  • Samantha Newton will oversee transportation needs for players, team officials and VIPs, with the LA Limousine fleet as a featured addition.
  • Shawn Leckie, Stacey Gillespie, Raphael Oliveira, Kevin Schmidt and Garton will provide setup and logistics leadership both at Wilson’s Group Stadium at RAP, and for events away from the main venue.
  • Kelly and Rory Kurta will oversee some special projects that have yet to be finalized and able to be announced — stay tuned!

Major partners and sponsors will be recognized as this major event comes closer to reality in Victoria.

The All-Star Festival begins the morning of July 14, 2026 with a kids camp and wiffle ball scrub game on the lawn of the BC Legislature, followed by a Home Run Derby at Wilson’s Group Stadium that evening.  The actual All-Star game takes place on Wednesday evening July 15th at 7:00 pm.

Ticket packages are now on sale for the Home Run Derby and the All-Star Game and are available on-line HERE, or by stopping in at the HarbourCats office at 101-1814 Vancouver Street to order in person.

 

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