Join the Victoria HarbourCats and the Nanaimo Night Owls as we travel to Seattle to watch the Toronto Blue Jays and the Seattle Mariners
March 23, 2023
VANCOUVER ISLAND — Take me out to the ball game…
Some big hitters in the baseball world have teamed up with Uniglobe Carefree Travel and The Wilson’s Group of Companies for a trip to see the Toronto Blue Jays face the Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Park in Seattle this summer.
The two island West Coast League teams, the Victoria HarbourCats and Nanaimo NightOwls, are helping with the promotion and arrangements — and there will be a way to win a trip for two with a contest to come out through the teams’ social media platforms.
“This is always a trip people ask for, and we are thankful to Wilson’s and Uniglobe for putting this in place — we get a lot of calls,” said Jim Swanson, Managing Partner of the WCL NightOwls and HarbourCats. “There are options for people starting from either Victoria or Nanaimo, and the seats are outstanding.
The trip includes bus transportation for two games, July 22 and 23, and the tickets are on the 100 level, with a night of accommodation at the Bellevue Marriott Hotel. A deposit of $150 will reserve your spot on this amazing opportunity, with pricing starting at $730 per person based on double occupancy of the room.
“Watch for the prize information — we’re excited to announce that in later April, and running into the early part of our season,” said Swanson.
TO REGISTER — please contact Neal Chark at Uniglobe Carefree Travel, 1-604-767-2042 or by email, nealc@uniglobecarefree.ca
PLEASE DO NOT CONTACT THE HARBOURCATS OR NIGHTOWLS DIRECTLY TO REGISTER!
TRIP DETAILS
Two Games- One night
Depart on July 22nd and return evening of July 23rd.
Round trip coach and ferry transportation from Victoria to Seattle (bus will meet Nanaimo passengers at BC Ferries Terminal)
Overnight Accomodation at the Bellevue Marriott Hotel
Level 100 Tickets for games on July 22nd and 23rd
$730.00 pp plus GST based on 2 people sharing
$889.00 for single occupancy plus GST
*If you are travelling from Nanaimo deduct $30.00 pp as your ferry cost is not included.
A $150.00 pp non refundable deposit will guarantee your spot.
Final Payment May 31st, 2023
To register- please contact Neal Chark @ Uniglobe Carefree Travel 6047672042 or by email nealc@uniglobecarefree.ca
VICTORIA, B.C. – The Victoria HarbourCats are proud to announce that Canadian Club has been named the Presenting Sponsor of the 2026 West Coast League All-Star Game, marking a major milestone in a new long-term partnership with Suntory Global Spirits. The All-Star Game sponsorship forms part of a long-term agreement between the HarbourCats and Suntory, bringing Canadian Club, one of the world’s most admired whisky brands to the forefront of one of summer baseball’s premier events.
As Presenting Sponsor, Canadian Club will play a central role in shaping the fan experience at the 2026 West Coast League All-Star Game, set to take place at Wilson’s Group Stadium at Royal Athletic Park July 15th, 2026, preceded by the Home Run Derby July 14th, 2026.
Beyond the All-Star Game festivities, fans can expect to see Suntory Global Spirits brands integrated throughout the ballpark this season with a series of elevated and immersive activations, including:
• Top Deck Lounge by Sipsmith Gin – a refreshed, unique double-decker British bus experience offering premium views and a vibrant social atmosphere. • Canadian Club House – a newly themed hospitality space along the third base line designed for groups and premium experiences. • Additional in-game and on-site activations designed to enhance the overall fan experience throughout the 2026 season.
Fans, groups, and organizers are encouraged to visit harbourcats.com/groups to find availability and booking information for all premium spaces as the Home Opener draws closer.
“Partnering with Canadian Club as the Presenting Sponsor of the 2026 West Coast League All-Star Game is a tremendous step forward for our organization,” said Jim Swanson, Managing Partner of the Victoria HarbourCats. “This long-term agreement with Suntory Global Spirits allows us to elevate not only the All-Star Game, but the entire fan experience at the ballpark.”
“As long-time community supporters, we’re excited to continue our work and expand our visible presence in Victoria and be part of such a marquee event,” said Karissa Dahl of Suntory Global Spirits. “Canadian Club has a long history of bringing people together, and the HarbourCats provide the perfect platform to connect with fans in a fun and meaningful way.”
The 2026 West Coast League All-Star Game will bring together the league’s top talent for a celebration of collegiate summer baseball, with Canadian Club at the centre of the festivities.
Details on All-Star Game programming, events, and ticketing will continue to be announced in the coming weeks leading up to the festival.
ABOUT THE VICTORIA HARBOURCATS The Victoria HarbourCats are a premier summer collegiate baseball organization competing in the West Coast League, delivering high-quality baseball and entertainment to fans at Wilson’s Group Stadium at Royal Athletic Park in Victoria, British Columbia.
Media Contact:
Jim Swanson (778) 265-0327 jim@harbourcats.com www.harbourcats.com
ABOUT SUNTORY GLOBAL SPIRITS Suntory Global Spirits is a world leader in premium spirits with a mission of inspiring human connections. Their includes notable brands such as -196, Canadian Club, Jim Beam, Maker’s Mark, Sipsmith Gin, Alberta Distillers, and other globally-recognized products. With an unwavering attention to detail and enduring respect for nature, Suntory crafts spirits of the highest quality and delivers brilliant experiences to people around the world.
Jeremiah Arnett (Rice University) (above) brings a veteran presence to the HarbourCats pitching staff. (photo courtesy of Rice University Athletics)
VICTORIA, B.C. — Big name schools are all over the latest group of Victoria HarbourCats player signed by Todd Haney.
The recruiting network of the head coach has unearthed power arms from Rice, Arkansas State and UC-San Diego, along with an outfielder from Fresno State and another from Hill College,
“Todd works very hard at putting a winning product on the field for our fans,” said Christian Stewart, GM of the HarbourCats. “We know these guys will compete in our environment, and in a very good league like the West Coast League. These guys also have a shot at being added to the list of eight players to play for us and go on to the MLB level.”
Announced today:
RHP Tate Collins, Arkansas State, 6-3/215, Little Rock, AR RHP Houston Tomlinson, Arkansas State, 6-0/200, Spring, TX RHP Jeremiah Arnett, Rice, 6-4/215, Waco, TX RHP Quincey Brown, UC San Diego, 6-2/175, Seattle, WA OF/1B Dryden Fuoco, Hill College, L/L, 6-1/205, Vancouver, BC OF Marcus Nolen, Fresno State, R/R, 6-3/220, Fresno, CA
Collins is a sophomore who was previously at Central Arkansas, and teammate his Tomlinson has started one game for Arkansas State as a redshirt freshman.
Arnett is a junior who will be expected to anchor the staff as a veteran pitcher. He’s 2-2 with a save over ten appearances, including six starts at Rice.
Brown, from Seattle, has made 14 appearances as a freshman and is striking out a batter per inning. He earned his first college win on Feb. 24 in a victory over rival University of San Diego.
Fuoco is from Vancouver and is having a strong junior college season — batting .307 with six home runs, 42 RBIs and four stolen bases in 53 games.
Nolen is a physical specimen who has nine home runs and 12 doubles through 47 games as a freshman, batting .246.
The HarbourCats begin their 2026 season on May 29th with a visit to Portland and then return to Victoria for the Home Opener against the Edmonton Riverhawks on Tuesday, June 2, 6:30 pm.
Season tickets, single-game tickets, 12 and 32-game flex packs and 2026 All-Star Game ticket packages are now on sale at http://harbourcats.com/tickets or at the HarbourCats office at 1814 Vancouver Street.
NANAIMO, BC — Once players have landed in Nanaimo, they definitely want to come back.
Right-hander Blake Hager has signed to return to historic Serauxmen Stadium— celebrating its 50th year — and pitch for a coach in Gorm Heimueller who is now in his 50th year in the game.
Hager is a NCAA Division 1 starting pitcher and brings immediate experience and stability to the pitching staff.
Hager, Parker King of Campbellsville and Damian Pasillas have been signed as pitchers, along with and exciting group of position players by Head Coach Cody Andreychuk:
RHP Damian Pasillas, Azusa Pacific, 6-1/195, San Diego, CA
RHP Blake Hager, Morehead State, 6-3/205, Pikeville, KY
SS Beau Musser, University of Hawaii, 5-9/150, L/R, Los Gatos, CA
C Blake Helsper, Hawaii Pacific, 5-8/175, L/R, Irvine, CA
RHP Parker King, Campbellsville, 5-11/160, Anaheim, CA
OF Diego Escandon, Columbia Basin, 5-10/170, R/R, Edmonds, WA
Hager previously pitched for the NightOwls in the 2025 season, 2-1 with a 7.71 ERA in six appearances, one of them a start. He’s started five games this spring for Morehead State, going 2-0 with a 6.84 ERA.
Pasillas has 45 innings this spring for Azusa Pacific, with two wins.
Musser is a highly-regarded, lefty-swinging shortstop signed to be a freshman at UH in fall. Described as a Brett Gardner type who plays a strong shortstop. Is being groomed to take the role at UH when former NightOwls star and Texas draft pick Elijah Ickes moves to the pro level.
Helsper handled the majority of the catching duties for Div2 Hawaii Pacific this season, especially down the stretch — a tough, scrappy hitter and hard worker behind the plate, he struck out just nine times and walked 12 times, hitting .328, in 112 at bats over 39 games. He started 30 games and had 38 hits, five of them doubles, and stole four of five attempted bases.
King was at Orange Coast in junior college before landing at Campbellsville, where he is 3-0 with a 4.28 ERA this season over 14 appearances. He has a save and 26 punch-out’s with just nine walks in 33.2 innings for a very good NAIA school.
Escandon has identical .291 averages the last two seasons, and has an exciting mix of power and speed — seven home runs and 51 stolen bases combined.
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