Summer Collegiate
Victoria HarbourCats – Haney names 2023 coaching staff, adds Anderson, Williams and local legend Sinclair
Friday, February 24, 2023
For Immediate Release
VICTORIA, B.C. — The coaching staff that will support Victoria HarbourCats Head Coach Todd Haney (above) in search of a West Coast League (WCL) title is a mix of new energy and tremendous experience.
Jaxon Williams
Haney, who enters his fourth year as a HarbourCats coach and third in the top job, is proud to add former Arkansas and Texas State player Jaxon Williams and veteran WCL pitching coach Scott Anderson, joining returning coach Troy Birtwistle, who will coach first base as he has since 2017.
Also joining the crew this year is Victoria legend and former MLB lefty Steve Sinclair. Curtis Pelletier remains part of the effort as youth program coach, collegiate Golden Tide head coach, and will provide specialist work with catchers and hitters.
“I’m excited about this group, no question,” said Haney, who played at the MLB level with the Expos, Cubs and Mets. “We have a great mix of youth and experience with the 2023 coaching staff, providing all of our players with a tremendous development opportunity for the summer. Troy, Curtis, Jaxon and Scott bring a wealth of knowledge to the team and the addition of Steve Sinclair makes us that much better!”
Scott Anderson
Williams, from Texas, was a scrappy infielder at Arkansas, then Texas State and has worked as a personal trainer and coached at the high school level since leaving college. The 25-year-old hit .265 with 10 home runs in 147 games combined in the SEC and Sun Belt Conference.
“Jaxon was one of my favorite players to coach at Texas State. Our players will love his energy and passion for the game,” said Haney who coached Williams for one season at Texas State.
Anderson’s record is distinguished, drafted three times — first round, second round and fourth round as a lefty pitcher — and starring at Oregon State. He earned six pro seasons, giving up just 362 hits in 459 innings. Anderson, who now lives in Phoenix, coached in Bend in the WCL and was named WCL manager of the year in 2009. The 67-year-old, one of the real characters in the game, led the Lefties pitching staff in Port Angeles in 2017.
Steve Sinclair
“I’m excited to work with Todd and for an organization like Victoria, they do everything the right way,” said Anderson, also a former MLB scout with Tampa, Cleveland and Baltimore. “The game experience for fans in Victoria is outstanding but it’s still about playing great baseball. Todd has the right approach for development, class and character.”
Sinclair pitched two seasons, for Toronto and Seattle, as a lefty specialist, making 45 MLB appearances. The Blue Jays traded Sinclair, a life-long Victoria resident, to the Mariners for first baseman David Segui in 1999. “We are thrilled Steve will have the opportunity to coach with us this summer. Scott Anderson is a proven winner and one of the top pitching coaches in the game. What a great learning experience for our pitching staff to have access to Scott and Steve on a daily basis during the summer season,” commented an excited Haney.
Ex-MLB players Greg Swindell and Mark Petkovsek were unable to return to Victoria for the summer, after serving with the team in 2022. “The HarbourCats organization will miss Greg and Mark, they loved Victoria and did a tremendous job of teaching last season ,” said Haney of his former college teammates.
Troy Birtwistle
HarbourCats 2023 Coaching Staff
- Todd Haney, Head Coach (third as Head Coach, fourth overall)
- Scott Anderson, Pitching Coach (first season)
- Jaxon Williams, Assistant Coach (first season)
- Troy Birtwistle, Assistant Coach (fifth season)
- Steve Sinclair, Assistant Coach (first season)
- Curtis Pelletier, Youth/Collegiate Development Coach (fourth season)
The HarbourCats celebrate their 10th Anniversary in 2023 and the season kicks off with the home opener against the Kamloops NorthPaws on Friday June 2, 2023. Single game tickets for that game and all 31 HarbourCats home games in 2023 are now on sale and can be purchased on-line through our one-and-only ticketing partner, Select Your Tickets, at harbourcats.com/tickets. They can also be purchased at the HarbourCats office at 101-1814 Vancouver Street, or at the Select Your Tickets box office at Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre. Fans can also call 778-265-0327 to order over the phone.
Curtis Pelletier
Season tickets and 10-game flex packs are also now on sale. For details on all ticketing options, including our special $10.00 Tuesdays, Forces Fridays and Save-on-Food Vouchers, please visit harbourcats.com/ticketinfo.
HOST FAMILIES! The HarbourCats are in need of host families for 2023! If you are interested, you can find more details HERE, or contact Cindy Kent, our Host Family Coordinator by e-mail at hostfamily@harbourcats.com.
Summer Collegiate
Victoria HarbourCats – Vancouver Island Brewing Named Official Craft Beer Partner of the Victoria HarbourCats
Summer Collegiate
Victoria HarbourCats – New Era Canada, Rawlings, Adidas join with WCL All-Star Game
Alan Choo has seen a lot of home runs in his life — hundreds from his father, and now a healthy number off his own bat in college.
The son of former MLB all-star outfielder Shin-Soo Choo, a Korean product who hit 218 long balls in his 16-season career, Alan himself has now established himself as a power hitter in the college ranks.
Choo, currently at Orange Coast College, is tied for third in home runs in the CCCAA with nine, including two in a game on Tuesday. He is a legitimate draft prospect for this coming July!!
“I’m so pumped to play for the NightOwls,” said Alan Choo, who turns 21 at the end of this week. “I’ve only heard great things about the organization and coaching staff and the players’ futures that go through the NightOwls. I’m super excited for the summer!”
Choo, a lefty hitter who plays first base and DH, is close friends with returning catcher Clark Springs, who is in D1 baseball at UT-Arlington. Choo, who was born in Phoenix Arizona, is a sophomore and checks in at 6’1” and 225 lbs.
“This is a big signing for us, adding a feared lefty power bat to hit in the middle of the order with returning all-stars Jacob Hayes and Talan Zenk,” said Head Coach Cody Andreychuk. “We will have big bats and depth on our roster, and we think Alan will be a leader for us so we can bring a championship to Nanaimo.”
Choo the senior was an outstanding Major League hitter, starting his big league time as a Seattle Mariner in 2005, then moving on to Cleveland, Cincinnati and Texas, where he played his final season in 2020. He received MVP votes in 2010 and 2013 and went to the all-star game in 2018, representing the Rangers. In seven of his seasons, he hit 20 or more home runs. He also stole 157 bases in his career, with three 20-20 seasons.
Shin-Soo Choo is still involved in the game after retirement, now as a scout.
Victoria HarbourCats – Vancouver Island Brewing Named Official Craft Beer Partner of the Victoria HarbourCats
Victoria HarbourCats – New Era Canada, Rawlings, Adidas join with WCL All-Star Game
Choo Signs with NightOwls – Son of MLB All-Star!
-
Summer Collegiate2 weeks agoVictoria HarbourCats – Faith guides pitcher Hudson Lance as he returns for 2026
-
Summer Collegiate2 weeks ago
Victoria HarbourCats – School Spirit Games partners pleased with near-sellout status
-
Summer Collegiate7 days ago
Choo Signs with NightOwls – Son of MLB All-Star!
-
Summer Collegiate19 hours ago
Victoria HarbourCats – Vancouver Island Brewing Named Official Craft Beer Partner of the Victoria HarbourCats
-
Summer Collegiate1 day ago
Victoria HarbourCats – New Era Canada, Rawlings, Adidas join with WCL All-Star Game
You must be logged in to post a comment Login