Connect with us

Summer Collegiate

Victoria HarbourCats – 2024 is the summer of THEME NIGHTS at Victoria HarbourCats baseball

Published

on

A summer’s worth of great baseball, fireworks and wacky promotions, set to begin June 7!

June 3, 2024

For Immediate Release

VICTORIA, B.C. – The themes – they are the thing.

For more than a decade now, The Wilson’s Group Stadium at Royal Athletic Park has been the place to be during the summer. The Victoria HarbourCats have long provided Victoria residents with countless theme nights full of fun and memories for fans of all ages.

This season the HarbourCats will host 32 home games, beginning on Friday, June 7 at 6:35 pm against Wenatchee, with exciting new theme nights and returning favourites to follow after that. The first Saturday home game of the season, June 8, will bring the first of four always-popular fireworks nights, also including June 30 (Canada Day), July 13, and August 5 (BC Day).

The HOME OPENING SERIES is sponsored by Starlight Investments – and Opening Night is presented by Wilson’s Transportation.

Fireworks sponsors this season include Re/Max, Odlum Brown, and Joan Wallace Driving School.

Calling all Swifties! The Cats are delighted to give fans the opportunity to see Taylor Swift when she performs at BC Place in Vancouver at the end of this year. The Eras Tour has been a global phenomenon since its first show in March 2023 and the HarbourCats are giving away a pair of tickets! Come to one or more HarbourCats games between June 25-28 to be entered into the draw to win tickets to her December show, thanks to Maxxam Insurance. The winner will be announced during Taylor Swift Night on June 28.

On June 13 at a special start time of 11:00, Mayfair Optometric Clinic’s annual School Spirit Day will bring over 3000 middle school and elementary school students to the ballpark. The lively fan atmosphere that these kids provide will be one of the best of the season.

Harvey the HarbourCat’s birthday will be celebrated at the July 7 afternoon game, which has been a fan favourite game in previous seasons.

The highlight of many dogs’ summer is the popular Bark in the Park game, presented by Bosley’s on Yates, on July 14 where fans are encouraged to bring their dog to the game.

Another returning giveaway will take place on July 10 when one lucky fan will win an extensive funeral package thanks to H.W. Wallace Cremation and Burial Centre. Also returning for 2024 is the ever-popular Odlum Brown “Jersey Off Our Backs” night on August 6, where fans can win a game-worn jersey off the back of a player following the game.

Full list of 2024 theme nights:

June 4: High School Baseball, Victoria Eagles vs Victoria Mariners
June 7: OPENING NIGHT! Opening series sponsored by Starlight Investments. Presented by Wilson’s Transportation. Forces Friday, presented by Galaxy Motors.
June 8: FIREWORKS! Opening series sponsored by Starlight Investments. Presented by Wilson’s Transportation
June 9: First Family Fun Sunday! Opening series sponsored by Starlight Investments
June 11: $10 Tuesday and Pregame Challenger Baseball, presented by Penninsula Co-op
June 13: School Spirt Day, sponsored by Mayfair Optometric Clinic
June 21: National Indigenous People’s Day, Forces Friday presented by Galaxy Motors
June 23: Beacon Hill Little League Day, Family Fun Sunday! With Dodd’s Furniture.
June 25: $10 Tuesday! Special Olympics Pre-Game Softball, sponsored by Penninsula Co-op. Day 1 to enter for Taylor Swift tickets
June 26: Grumpy Bum Pants Night with Helen Edwards. Winning Wednesdays with Red Arrow Brewing. IG Wealth Management Family Day. Day 2 to enter for Taylor Swift tickets
June 27: Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce Mixer. Day 3 to enter for Taylor Swift tickets
June 28: Taylor Swift Night! Presented by Maxxam Insurance. Forces Friday, presented by Galaxy Motors. Final day to enter for Taylor Swift tickets
June 30: Canada Day Fireworks! Sponsored by Re/Max. With Salsa Caliente Dance Company.

July 5: Forces Friday, presented by Galaxy Motors
July 6: Burpees for Charity, presented by KidSport. Sponsored by BCLC
July 7: Harvey the HarbourCat’s Birthday, Family Fun Sunday!
July 9: $10 Tuesday! Dan Duvall Pre-Game Stand-Up Comedy
July 10: Funeral Package Giveaway, presented by H.W. Wallace Cremation and Burial Centre. Winning Wednesdays with Red Arrow Brewing. Sponsored by Island Savings.
July 12: Forces Fridays, presented by Galaxy Motors
July 13: Summer Fireworks Spectacular! Sponsored by Odlum Brown
July 14: Bark in the Park presented by Bosley’s on Yates. Family Fun Sunday!
July 16: $10 Tuesday! HarbourCats Foundation Slo Pitch Home Run Derby
July 18: BC Transit Game Night
July 26: Kids Free Weekend, with Penninsula Co-op! Forces Friday, presented by Galaxy Motors
July 27: Kids Free Weekend, with Penninsula Co-op! Greater Victoria Sports Hall of Fame Night
July 28: Kids Free Weekend, with Penninsula Co-op! Family Fun Sunday!
July 30: $10 Tuesday! Anawim House Sock Toss!
July 31: Host Family Appreciation Night, Winning Wednesdays with Red Arrow Brewing.

August 1: Help Fill a Dream Foundation Day with BC Transit
August 5: BC Day Fireworks! Sponsored by Joan Wallace Driving School
August 6: Jersey Off Our Backs with Odlum Brown. $10 Tuesday!
August 7: Fan Appreciation Night sponsored by Passion Sports. Winning Wednesdays with Red Arrow Brewing
August 10-12: Divisional Playoffs, sponsored by Wilson’s Transportation
August 14: Championship Semi-Final, sponsored by Wilson’s Transportation
August 16: Championship Playoff, sponsored by Wilson’s Transportation

Check out https://harbourcats.com/events-promotions/ to see the full list of promotions at any time!

The best part is fans do not have to pick and choose which theme night to attend thanks to how affordable tickets are. Single-game ticket prices start as low as $15. There are six $10 Tuesday games where all general admission and premium reserved seats are on sale for just $10. Every Friday home game is “Forces Fridays” where military, first responders, and their families can buy general admission tickets for $7.50. Fans can also grab $11 General Admission vouchers from any Save-on-Foods store and on the weekend of July 26-28, thanks to Peninsula Co-Op, it is “Kids Free Weekend” where all kids 12 and under receive free admission to the three games against Kamloops.

At the park, fans will have plenty of food and beverage options at all the different food trucks that are stationed around the stadium, as well as the City concession and a new Fan Food ordering app will be available for fans seated in the Campbell Club and Diamond Club VIP section. “Winning Wednesdays” are back where all Red Arrow Brewing products will be sold for $6.

Between innings, activities such as “bubble balls,” “dizzy bats,” and other fun promotions will allow select fans to compete for prizes on the field and hopefully make the rest of the crowd laugh!

Fans can also come on the field following the game and run the bases and get autographs with the players on our “Family Fun Sundays,” following each of our five Sunday matinee games.

The HarbourCats are proud to be a part of the community here in Victoria and will give local organizations a platform to showcase their initiatives. This season they are partnering up with Habitat for Humanity and Soap for Hope Canada for a pair of full-season promotions. The Cats are also working with the HarbourCats Foundation to provide fundraising opportunities for over 30 different community organizations and youth sports teams through the HarbourCats 50-50 program, which this year, will be electronic for the first time!

Also of note, on June 11 there will be pregame challenger baseball while on June 25, Special Olympics softball teams will have the opportunity to play at the park ahead of the HarbourCats game against the Redmond Dudes. There will be more community giveaways throughout the season.

There is a lot for fans to be excited about off the field, however, the excitement does not stop there. Led by returning head coach Todd Haney, the Cats are determined to go one step further in 2024 after losing in the Championship Final in 2023. They will look to replicate their remarkable performances at home as they won 27 games and lost only two here in Victoria last season. In addition to returning players, the Cats have added some new players to their ranks, none more exciting than Lucas and Manny Ramirez Jr., the sons of 12-time MLB all-star and 2004 World Series MVP Manny Ramirez.

Experience the thrill of high-quality baseball in action or enjoy a day out in the sun with friends, HarbourCats baseball offers something for everyone to enjoy.

Victoria is on a six-game road trip to start the season, and now head to Kelowna for a three-game series with the Falcons starting Monday night, before returning to Victoria for the home opener against the Wenatchee AppleSox on Friday June 7 at 6:35 pm.

Tickets for that game are going fast and can be found on-line at our one and only ticketing partner Select Your Tickets at http://harbourcats.com/tickets, or can be bought at the office at 101-1814 Vancouver Street.

NEED A SCHEDULE?
The Victoria HarbourCats are proud to announce direct links to a DOWNLOADABLE SCHEDULE that will work on your iPhone or tablet, your Google calendar, or your Android device. Click here to access the calendars! Contact zach@harbourcats.com if you have any problems downloading the calendar to your device.

Source

Continue Reading
Click to comment

You must be logged in to post a comment Login

Leave a Reply

Summer Collegiate

THEY’RE BACK! Nykoluk, Cathers and Downer set to return to NightOwls

Published

on

November 13, 2026

NANAIMO, B.C. — Serauxmen Stadium is an intoxicating place to play and watch baseball.

The Nanaimo NightOwls program has become known for players wanting to return to play collegiate summer baseball — and three players have already signed to spend another season on Vancouver Island.

Since the 2022 debut WCL season, players have trekked back for encore appearances and the 2027 roster will be no different.

Aiden Nykoluk and Davis Downer are back for a second season, and local product Carter Cathers will spend a third season in Nanaimo when the summer of 2027 arrives on June 1. All three are right-handed hitting outfielders, with Cathers also able to play first base.

“These are guys who improved as NightOwls and understand the standards and goals of this organization, highlighted by making the playoffs in 2026,” said Head Coach Cody Andreychuk, who enters his third season at the helm.

Nykoluk and Cathers play for Andreychuk at NAIA University of Pikeville. Downer is in his first season in Div1 as a Huskie at the University of Washington.

Nykoluk, a California native who followed his brother Andrew’s footsteps by landing in Nanaimo last summer, was a standout who played in 41 games and had nearly 200 plate appearances — batting .318 with 47 hits and 32 RBIs, mostly playing left field.

Cathers had four home runs and seven stolen bases, including a memorable game in Corvallis as part of a sweep of the Knights, playing in 31 games overall and handling first base down the stretch and in the playoffs.

Downer, the NWAC player of the year for Everett CC, graduated to UW after spending 14 games as a NightOwl and registering seven extra base hits and 16 runs driven in.

Andreychuk and the front office are working on more player signings for 2027, with further announcements to come.

NightOwls Baseball Makes the Perfect Christmas Gift!

With familiar faces returning and another exciting season on the horizon, there’s no better time to secure your seats for 2027!

Single-game tickets go on sale December 1, 2026 — just in time for Christmas! Give the gift of summer nights, exciting baseball, and unforgettable memories at Serauxmen Stadium.

Skip the wrapping paper this year and put NightOwls baseball under the tree!

Source

Continue Reading

Summer Collegiate

Victoria HarbourCats – MAJOR SIGNING

Published

on

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 13, 2026

VICTORIA — Jeremiah Arnett experienced so much positive development as a member of the Victoria HarbourCats, he has signed up for more.

The West Coast League (WCL) pitcher of the year in 2026, also named the team’s top hurler, has announced his intention to return to Victoria for the summer of 2027, to again work with Head Coach Todd Haney and Pitching Coach Zach Swanson.

Arnett, a right-hander from Rice, is a 6-4/215-pound product of Waco, TX — all he did in 2026 was go 5-2 with a 2.15 ERA and 66 strikeouts (all league-best figures) in 54 innings stretched over 10 starts. He only walked 14 batters, and hit just one, surrendering 43 hits.

His 4.71 strikeout-to-walk ratio was elite for any level.

“Having the WCL Pitcher of the Year back in a HarbourCats uniform next summer is an incredible boost for our entire organization,” said Haney, another Texan who previously coached Arnett prior to their time together with the HarbourCats.

“Jeremiah didn’t just break franchise strikeout records and win the pitching Triple Crown last season—he set the standard for how our guys prepare and compete every single day.”

Arnett pitched for Team North in the Showpass WCL All-Star Game, played at Wilson’s Group Stadium at RAP — and he’ll have his sights set on doing that again when the game makes a second consecutive appearance in Victoria, July 14, 2027.

Arnett also was a first for the HarbourCats — the team’s first married player, as he and bride Emma truly enjoyed the summer in Victoria and getting to know their hosts, Dave Campbell and family.

The HarbourCats being their 2027 season at home on Tuesday, June 1, vs the island rival Nanaimo NightOwls. Single game tickets for that game and all 2027 games, including the All Star Game and Home Run Derby are expected to be available starting December 1st, possibly sooner.

Season Ticket Memberships, and 12 and 24-game flex packs for the 2027 HarbourCats Season are now available for purchase or renewal. New members may order their season 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 (click on the Memberships item), or can also call the office or pop in to pay for their 2027 seats.

Source

Continue Reading

Summer Collegiate

Victoria HarbourCats – Island Cup rivalry starts the summer for 2027 HarbourCats

Published

on

2027 WCL Schedule Released! All-star game returns, four fireworks nights, five weekends highlight HarbourCats home schedule

November 10, 2026

For immediate release

NOTE:  Single games tickets and ticket voucher exchanges are NOT YET AVAILABLE.  It is anticipated that these will be available on December 1, 2026, possibly sooner once our ticketing system has been updated. Watch for an update on this. 

VICTORIA — It won’t take long for the Victoria HarbourCats and Nanaimo NightOwls to compare notes in the heat of competition.

The two West Coast League island rivals will start the season on Tuesday, June 1, 2027, a 6:35pm start at Wilson’s Group Stadium at RAP — the opening of the 13th season of HarbourCats baseball in Victoria. (The team debuted in 2013, and is the longest-running baseball program of its kind in the capital city, operating continuously aside from the pandemic years of 2020 and 2021.)

It’s the first time in six seasons, since the NightOwls joined in 2022, the Island teams have opened the season against each other.

“We like this schedule a lot — it will give fans lots of great weekend dates, and so many opportunities for companies and groups to gather at a HarbourCats game and enjoy each other’s company,” said GM Christian Stewart.

“Of course, we are also hosting the Showpass WCL All-Star Game (presented by Canadian Club) again, with those festivities taking place July 13-14 — the home run derby, the game, and all the other activities planned around it. Those were two amazing days last summer and it will only get bigger this second time.”

Stewart and staff are now busy building the ticketing system to fit these dates. Season tickets and packages are available, and group opportunities are now open — single-game seats will be on sale shortly, with the HarbourCats announcing that when ready using all on-line platforms.

The HarbourCats will open with a six-game North Division homestand, with Nanaimo visiting June 1-2-3 and Bellingham arriving for a weekend series, Fri-Sat-Sun June 4-5-6, that will include the first FIREWORKS NIGHT of the season on Saturday, June 5.

School Spirit games are slated for Thursday, June 3 vs. Nanaimo, and Thursday, June 17 vs. the Wenatchee AppleSox — 11am starts at Wilson’s Group Stadium at RAP, while a Business Nooner Getaway day is being considered for another date on the schedule.

The ever-popular Fireworks dates will be Saturday, June 5 vs. Bellingham, Wednesday, June 30 vs. Nanaimo, the traditional BC Day Monday date on August 2, with a fourth fireworks night still looking to be confirmed in mid-July.

The HarbourCats will welcome 11 different teams to Wilson’s Group Stadium in 2027 including the NightOwls, Bells, Northpaws, AppleSox, Kelowna Falcons, Edmonton Riverhawks, Ridgefield Raptors, Redmond Dudes, Victoria Mavericks and Coquitlam Angels. They will also play the SIBL All-Stars on BC Day August 2, with fireworks following, in a reprise of one of the best attended nights of 2026.

There are five weekend series on the schedule, that will include five Sunday matinee games, our Family Fun Sundays where kids can run the bases and meet the players following the game.

Victoria will go on the road to face Nanaimo, Wenatchee, Kamloops, Bellingham, Kelowna, Edmonton, and southbound to play the Bend Elks and Marion Berries (Salem, OR). It will mark the first-ever meeting between the HarbourCats and Berries.

The full 2027 HarbourCats schedule is outlined below (subject to refinement), with other promotional dates and events still to be announced.

ALL-STAR FESTIVITIES — Showpass WCL Festival, presented by Canadian Club
Tuesday, July 13, Home Run Derby, 6:35PM
Wednesday, July 14, All-Star Game, 7:00PM

VICTORIA HARBOURCATS 2027 SCHEDULE
HOME DATES
Mon-Sat, 6:35pm (except School Spirit games, 11:05am), Sunday 1:05pm

Tues-Wed-Thurs, June 1-2-3 — vs. Nanaimo NightOwls (including opening night, June 1, School Spirit on June 3)
Fri-Sat-Sun, June 4-5-6 — vs. Bellingham Bells (FIREWORKS on Saturday, June 5)
Fri-Sat-Sun, June 11-12-13 — vs. Coquitlam Angels (KIDS FREE WEEKEND!)
Tues-Wed-Thurs, June 15-16-17 — vs. Wenatchee AppleSox (School Spirit on Thursday, June 17)
Mon-Tues-Wed, June 21-22-23 — vs. Redmond Dudes
Fri-Sat-Sun, June 25-26-27 — vs. Edmonton Riverhawks
Wednesday, June 30 — vs. Nanaimo NightOwls (PRE CANADA DAY FIREWORKS)
Tuesday, July 6 — vs. Nanaimo NightOwls
Thursday, July 8 — vs. Nanaimo NightOwls
Tuesday, July 13 — WCL Home Run Derby
Wednesday, July 14 — WCL All-Star Game
Thursday, July 15 — vs. Victoria Mavericks
Fri-Sat-Sun, July 16-17-18 — vs. Kamloops Northpaws
Monday, August 2 — SIBL All-Stars, Fireworks for BC Day
Tues-Wed-Thurs, August 3-4-5 — vs. Kelowna Falcons
Fri-Sat-Sun, August 6-7-8 — vs. Edmonton Riverhawks

ROAD DATES
Tues-Wed-Thurs, June 8-9-10 — at Wenatchee
Fri-Sat-Sun, June 18-19-20 — at Kamloops
Tuesday, June 29 — at Nanaimo
Thursday, July 1 — at Nanaimo
Fri-Sat-Sun, July 2-3-4 — at Bellingham
Wednesday, July 7 — at Nanaimo
Fri-Sat-Sun, July 9-10-11 — at Kelowna
Tues-Wed-Thurs, July 20-21-22 — at Bend
Fri-Sat-Sun, July 23-24-25 — at Marion
Fri-Sat-Sun, July 30-31/Aug 1 — at Edmonton
Mon-Tues-Wed, August 9-10-11 — at Kelowna

PLAYOFF DATES
Division semifinal — August 13-14-15
Division final — August 17
WCL final — August 19

TICKETS: Season Tickets, 12 and 24-Game Flex Packs and single-game tickets (when available) are available on-line at harbourcats.com/tickets or by calling the HarbourCats office at 778-265-0327.  Fans can also purchase in person at our office at 101-1814 Vancouver Street.  The office is open Tuesdays thru Friday 10AM to 4:30PM.

CHRISTMAS OPEN HOUSE! Yes the Holiday season is right around the corner!  Mark your calendars for Thursday and Friday December 3rd and 4th and drop in to our annual Christmas Open House! Grab your tickets, look for special deals on merchandise or just come in and chat baseball and enjoy some food and drink on us! 12 PM to 7PM both days!

 

Source

Continue Reading

Trending