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Victoria HarbourCats – HarbourCats Announce 2023 School Spirit Day!

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Best Field Trip of the year once again offered by Mayfair Optometric Clinic and the HarbourCats.

February 9, 2023

Victoria, BC – The best school field trip in the City is back again and the Victoria HarbourCats and our friends at Mayfair Optometric Clinic would like to invite all elementary, middle and high schools in Greater Victoria to come and have some fun again and join us at the ballpark for our sixth annual School Spirit Game!

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 7, 2023 – 11:00 AM, vs. WALLA WALLA SWEETS

The response to this event is always incredible, with nearly 3,000 plus students and teachers taking part each season.  In fact our 2022 and 2019 games were the highest attended games during those seasons!  Join us again this year as we celebrate the 10th Anniversary of HarbourCats baseball and give your students the best field trip of the year!

“Dr. Taylor and Mayfair Optometric Clinic are proud participants in School Spirit Day,” said Mary Lou Newbold, CEO of the company.   “As much as 80% of a child’s learning is through vision.  Working with the HarbourCats and School Spirit Day is a great way to remind parents and teachers of the importance of kids getting annual eye exams.  It’s a really fun day for everyone and we LOOK forward to this game every year!”

This is a fun, low-cost attendance option for a great June field trip, for classrooms or for the entire school!   Just $7.00 per attendee, Like last year, we have kept the start time for the game at 11:00 am (from our usual 1:00 pm start time), to allow students and faculty to enjoy more of the game.

To book your tickets or for more information, please contact Christian J. Stewart, General Manager, by email: chris@harbourcats.com or phone:  Office: (778) 265-0327

The Victoria HarbourCats have also partnered again with Wilson’s Transportation to offer discounted rates on booking a bus for your students to get to and from the game at Wilson’s Group Stadium at Royal Athletic Park, should you require it.  For 2023, Wilson’s will be offering schools the following rates:

  • 56 Passenger School Bus = $252.50 + 5% GST per transfer; $530.25 roundtrip.  If the group has a full bus, the per person cost works out to $4.74 each way ($9.48 roundtrip)
  • 48 Passenger School Bus = $227.50 + 5% GST per transfer; $477.75 roundtrip.  If the group has a full bus, the per person cost works out to $4.98 each way ($9.95 roundtrip)
  • 24 Passenger School Bus = $177.50 + 5% GST per transfer; $372.75 roundtrip.  If the group has a full bus, the per person cost works out to $7.77 each way ($15.54 roundtrip)

Note that ALL bookings are subject to availability while supplies last, and the above “per person” rates are based on full buses. Buses book up fast, so once your ticket order is in place with us, be sure to contact the Sales staff at Wilson’s (sales@wilsonstransportation.com) to confirm your booking in plenty of time, as all bookings with Wilson’s must be confirmed no later than May 31st, 2023.

Thinking of a Year-End Staff Party for Teachers and Staff?

The HarbourCats also invite you to take advantage of our exciting group ticketing options this season, that may be suitable for a year-end party for staff and teachers – the Strathcona Rooftop Third Base Party Deck and our First Base Wilson’s Group Upper Deck Experience.

Third Base Party Deck

Located just beyond third base, down the left field foul line, our group Party Deck will put you and your staff right in the middle of the action and provide a unique view of the game.  Designed to be a casual space for mingling, socializing and watching baseball (think, big, backyard bash), the Party Deck can accommodate 50-100 people.  The deck can be reserved on a ticket only basis, or we can bundle in food and drink options from our fantastic food truck vendors.  Prices (based on 50 people minimum) begin at $1250 ($25 per person).

The Upper Deck Experience

Located on the concourse, just behind first base, the Upper Deck Experience allows fans to enjoy the game from the top of a classic, red, open-topped, Double Decker bus!  The experience also includes use of the lower level of the bus (the Lounge) and the space between the bus and the main seating area (the Patio) including (as an upgrade option) our new Rail Side Tables.  Suitable for groups of 25-50 people, the Upper Deck Experience is effectively your own personal suite for the night and when bundled with food, drink and other corporate VIP perks, it will provide your staff with one of the most memorable nights they will ever have at the park.  Upper Deck packages begin at $875 (tickets only) (25 people minimum)($35 per person).

To book your Party Deck or Upper Deck package, please contact Christian J. Stewart, General Manager, via e-mail at chris@harbourcats.com or phone:  Office: (778) 265-0327 

 Dates are limited and booking fast! Grab your spot today to avoid disappointment!

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Summer Collegiate

Victoria HarbourCats – HarbourCats to salute local legend Cliff Lequesne on July 17

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May 13, 2025

For immediate release

VICTORIA, BC — His voice, is everywhere in Victoria, in terms of sports, the signature of his presence at games and events for more than 40 years.

The Victoria HarbourCats will salute local broadcasting legend Cliff Lequesne on July 17 — as he continues to go strong as the morning news and sports icon at The Q, while handling in-house “voice of God” duties for the Royals, Grizzlies and Shamrocks.

His legendary run started at CFAX in 1972, learning from the unforgettable Ken Dobson, and he moved to The Q in 1987. He’s handled sports duties with the Pan Am Games, Commonwealth Games, the historic fastball teams that once ruled RAP, and even the Victoria Cougars — no, not the ones that won the Stanley Cup in 1925 (how old was Cliff then?), but the WHL version including the legendary 1981 run to the Memorial Cup.

“Cliff really IS sports in Victoria in so many ways, a worthy inductee into the Greater Victoria Sports Hall of Fame this past fall,” said Jim Swanson, who oversees the HarbourCats and is also a member of the Hall of Fame board.

“He’s one of the most likeable guys in Victoria, and remembers details, maybe only Cleve Dheensaw of the Times Colonist is in his category for sports media in the city. A gentleman and we are proud to honour him.”

Cliff — and his famous Cliff’s Call — and battery mate Ed Bain can be heard mornings on The Q.

Lequesne will be on the mic for the Emery Electric Fastpitch Challenge on Saturday, May 31, helping recall events of the past and introduce some of the fastball legends of yesteryear before a doubleheader (4pm, 6pm) between the host Sooke Loggers and the Lacey A’s, the first return of fastball to Wilson’s Group Stadium at RAP in decades. The games are possible because of Emery Electric and the support of the HarbourCats Foundation.

Tickets for the Emery Electric Fastpitch Challenge and the Cliff Lequesne Salute on July 17 are available at harbourcats.com/tickets.

The HarbourCats open their 2025 home schedule on Friday, June 6, with the Port Angeles Lefties visiting Wilson’s Group Stadium at RAP. Season Tickets, 10 and 32-Game Flex Passes and Single Game Tickets are now on sale for all 33 home games and four “Showcase” events through the HarbourCats new and one-and-only ticketing partner SHOWPASS at harbourcats.com/tickets.

Tickets and merchandise can also be purchased in person at the HarbourCats office at 101-1814 Vancouver Street or by calling 778-265-0327.

HOST FAMILIES NEEDED! The HarbourCats are in need to host families for the 2025 season! If you would love to host a collegiate level athlete for three months this summer and become an integral part of the HarbourCats family, please contact Host Family Coordinator Cindy Kent at hostfamily@harbourcats.com.  Compensation, grocery stipend and season tickets provided.  More details HERE

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Victoria HarbourCats – Cat’s add local pitcher and “Big Papi” as a catcher

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Victoria native and former Victoria Eagle Oliver Mabee, above, pitching for Nebrasks-Omaha, joins the HarbourCats pitching staff for 2025 (Photo courtesy Nebraska-Omaha Athletics).

May 12, 2025

For Immediate Release

VICTORIA, B.C. — Oliver Mabee always wanted to be a Victoria HarbourCat, and the former Victoria Eagles pitcher will get his chance.

Mabee, a local product, is completing his junior collegiate year so this is his last shot at playing at Wilson’s Group Stadium at Royal Athletic Park.

Meanwhile, Puerto Rico catcher Enrico Carrion doesn’t want to be called Kiki or Enrico — the hard swinging right-handed bat wants to be known as “Big Papi” by HarbourCats fans.

The two players are part of five players announced today by Head Coach Todd Haney:

  • RHP Hudson Lance, Coastal Carolina, 5-10/180, R/R, Trinity, NC
  • RHP Robert Sanford, Paris JC, 6-1/195, R/R, Carrollton, TX
  • LHP Dillon Dibrell, Central Oklahoma, 6-0/190, L/L, Piedmont, OK
  • RHP Oliver Mabee, Nebraska-Omaha, 6-6/215, R/R, Victoria
  • C Enrico ‘Big Papi’ Carrion, University of Hawaii, 5-11/195, R/R, Puerto Rico

“We are always thrilled to add proven arms to our pitching staff” said Coach Haney. “We expect significant contributions from each of the pitchers announced today and  Big Papi is a young, high energy catcher from Puerto Rico that we are excited to work with this summer.”

Mabee is an Oak Bay grad who was a two-way collegiate baseball player at Trinidad State, now focusing on his mound work at Nebraska-Omaha. He has a 6.66 ERA in 15 appearances with UNO, striking out 26 batters in 25.2 innings. He played for Kamloops in the WCL last summer as an outfielder and hit .231 with five RBIs in 18 games for the NorthPaws.

Carrion will be a freshman at the University of Hawaii in fall, with a powerful bat and already developed strong defensive skills.

Lance, who did a lot of winning as a pitcher and with his high school program, has made five appearances as a freshman at a top college in Coastal Carolina.

Sanford is 2-2 with a save in 15 appearances at Paris (TX) Junior College in a very strong conference.

Dibrell, who played for Port Angeles in the WCL in 2022, has five strikeouts in three innings so far with Central Oklahoma, making the full transition from infielder to pitcher.

The HarbourCats open their 2025 home schedule on Friday, June 6, with the Port Angeles Lefties visiting Wilson’s Group Stadium at RAP. Season Tickets, 10 and 32-Game Flex Passes and Single Game Tickets are now on sale for all 33 home games and four “Showcase” events through the HarbourCats new and one-and-only ticketing partner SHOWPASS at harbourcats.com/tickets.

Tickets and merchandise can also be purchased in person at the HarbourCats office at 101-1814 Vancouver Street or by calling 778-265-0327.

HOST FAMILIES NEEDED! The HarbourCats are in need to host families for the 2025 season! If you would love to host a collegiate level athlete for three months this summer and become an integral part of the HarbourCats family, please contact Host Family Coordinator Cindy Kent at hostfamily@harbourcats.com.  Compensation, grocery stipend and season tickets provided.  More details HERE

 

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Victoria HarbourCats – Lake returns to the ocean, one of six pitchers signed by HarbourCats

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Returning HarbourCat Shea Lake highlights six pitchers signed by the ‘Cats in preparation for the 2025 season  (Photo: Christian J. Stewart)

For immediate release

May 6, 2025

VICTORIA, B.C. — It’s a second season in Victoria for right-hander Shea Lake — he liked it so much in 2024, he had to say yes to a return engagement.

The former Hawaii Pacific University pitcher, now at West Texas A&M where he was a redshirt this spring, returns to Wilson’s Group Stadium at RAP for the 2025 season to work with pitching coach Scott Anderson.

“I am thrilled Shea, along with 10 returning pitchers will lead our pitching staff this summer,” said Anderson, in his third season under Head Coach Todd Haney. “The pitchers announced today are a great mix of proven college pitchers. They are excited to continue developing with our tremendous staff of pitching coaches and fired up to bring a championship to Victoria,” added Head Coach Todd Haney.

Lake had a 4.40 ERA last summer in five appearances, allowing just 10 hits in 16.1 innings pitched.

Announced to the roster today by Haney:

  • RHP John Ondus, Niagara, 6-2/215, R/R, Gowanda, NY
  • RHP Ethan McNish-Heider, Niagara, 6-4/215, R/R, El Cajon, CA
  • RHP Logan Salomon, Nevada-Reno, 6-5/230, R/R, Chandler, AZ
  • RHP Tyler Patrick, Fresno State, 6-1/215, R/R, Fresno, CA
  • RHP Shea Lake, West Texas A&M, 6-3/190, R/R, Temecula, CA
  • LHP/OF Tristin Thomas, West Texas A&M, 5-8/140, L/L, Carlsbad, NM

Lake is at West Texas A&M with Tristin Thomas, a redshirt freshman who is hitting .429 this season with one home run, while also throwing 12 innings off the mound.

In Ondrus and McNish-Heider, the HarbourCats get a pair of big right-handers who project as power pitchers at the college level — both are roughly a strikeout per inning, and are expected to provide proven experience in the bullpen.

Salomon is a large specimen at 6-5/230, and has had an impressive season — 31 innings pitched, and one five-inning relief outing in which he fanned nine batters, and another relief stint with seven strikeouts. He is 2-0 with a 3.77 ERA and one save.

Patrick, a high school star catcher and pitcher, is finishing his freshman season and is focusing on mound work. He’s thrown 25.1 innings with just eight walks, and has a 3.55 ERA.

The HarbourCats open their 2025 home schedule on Friday, June 6, with the Port Angeles Lefties visiting Wilson’s Group Stadium at RAP. Season Tickets, 10 and 32-Game Flex Passes and Single Game Tickets are now on sale for all 33 home games and four “Showcase” events through the HarbourCats new and one-and-only ticketing partner SHOWPASS at harbourcats.com/tickets.

Tickets and merchandise can also be purchased in person at the HarbourCats office at 101-1814 Vancouver Street or by calling 778-265-0327.

HOST FAMILIES NEEDED! The HarbourCats are in need to host families for the 2025 season! If you would love to host a collegiate level athlete for three months this summer and become an integral part of the HarbourCats family, please contact Host Family Coordinator Cindy Kent at hostfamily@harbourcats.com.  Compensation, grocery stipend and season tickets provided.  More details HERE

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