Summer Collegiate

Victoria HarbourCats – HarbourCats Announce 2023 School Spirit Day!

Published

3 years ago

February 9, 2023

Dugout Wire Service

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 – ALL-STAR GAME PACKAGES ARE DAYS AWAY — BE READY!

Published

17 hours ago

October 31, 2025

Dugout Wire Service

THIS IS A SPECIAL note for all HarbourCats season ticket holders to get their seats set up next week to be in line for the 2026 All-Star Game festival packages, July 14-15, 2025 – full details soon to be released.

Individual Season Ticket Members who have fully renewed or have initiated a payment plan for their 2026 seats, will have first dibs on securing their seats for the All-Star festivities via a special pre-sale window.

We will also offer this pre-sale window to anyone who has purchased a Season Ticket Equivalent Flex Pack (32-Game Flex Pack).

If you are a 2025 HOST FAMILY, please let us know as soon as possible if you intend to return as a host for 2026 and we will save your seats AND you will also be eligible for the pre-sale window for the All-Star activities.

If your season seats are part of a CORPORATE SPONSORSHIP deal, again please let us know as soon as possible that you will be renewing that sponsorship for 2026 (contact your sales rep) and we will save your seats AND you will also be eligible for the pre-sale window for the All-Star activities.

Once the pre-sale window has passed, any unclaimed Season Ticket seats (for All-Star festivities only) will be released and we will open up sales to the general public.

**IF YOU ARE a traditional 10/12-pack holder, now is the time to trade up for Season Tickets or a 32-Pack Season Ticket Voucher Equivalent to get All-Star Game privileges!

Contact GM Christian Stewart at the HarbourCats office (778-265-0327 or chris@harbourcats.com) to make arrangements!

The excitement around baseball and the 2026 season has hit new heights!

Season ticket memberships and 12-game flex packs (new for 2026!) are now on sale for the HarbourCats 2026 season at http://harbourcats.com/tickets. BE SURE TO LOCK IN YOUR SEASON TICKETS TODAY to get first right of refusal on your seats for the 2026 WCL All-Star game that will be played here in Victoria. These will be going on sale SOON!

Season tickets, 12-packs and team merchandise are also available at the HarbourCats office at 101-1814 Vancouver Street, Tuesday thru Friday, 10am-4pm.

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Summer Collegiate

Victoria HarbourCats – Haney, HarbourCats bring back former player to lead pitching staff

Published

3 days ago

October 28, 2025

Dugout Wire Service

October 28, 2025

For immediate release

VICTORIA, BC — A very familiar name and face is returning to Victoria to lead the pitching staff of the HarbourCats.

Zachary Swanson — who has served as batboy, pitcher and play-by-play voice of the team — has been hired as Pitching Coach for the 2026 season by Todd Haney, the Head Coach who is entering his sixth season as the Victoria skipper.

Swanson is in his first year as the pitching coach at Hawaii Pacific University (D2) in Honolulu, under Head Coach Dane Fujinaka, a former HarbourCats catcher who coached in the Toronto Blue Jays system.

“After coaching Zach a couple of seasons, I am thrilled for the opportunity to coach with him now,” said Haney, who started Swanson on the mound against the Corvallis Knights in Game 1 of the WCL championship series in 2019.

“Zach brings energy, experience and expertise to the HarbourCats coaching staff. Our pitchers will love working with him.”

Swanson, the son of Managing Partner Jim Swanson, is a Lambrick Park grad who spent time with both the Eagles and Mariners BCPBL programs. He spent two college years with the San Diego Christian (NAIA) Hawks, then moved to the Park-Gilbert (NAIA) Buccaneers in Arizona, under Head Coach Kelly Stinnett, a long-time MLB catcher, to complete his college playing career.

Swanson will work with Bullpen Coach Darius Opdam Bak, who filled the same role last summer under now-retired Scott Anderson, who held the pitching coach job for three seasons. Opdam Bak is a former HarbourCats and Victoria Golden Tide (CCBC) pitcher who is now Pitching Coach of the Golden Tide.

Swanson, who will be 26 by next season, earned his MBA and graduated Summa Cum Laude from the Park-Gilbert business program. He served as pitching coach at Skyline High School (6A) in Mesa, AZ before accepting the HPU offer. He is married to Madeline, and they reside in Kailua, HI.

“This is an extremely special opportunity for me, to return home and coach in front of this amazing city is such a privilege,” said Swanson. “I’m excited to coach some great young men and bring a West Coast League championship home to Victoria.

“It is a tremendous honour to have the chance to coach alongside Coach Haney, someone I consider a mentor. His intensity and passion for player development combined with his true joy for the game are traits that I admire as a coach.”

Swanson was 7-3 in his collegiate career, including playoffs and non league, including five starts.

Opdam Bak was a HarbourCat for two seasons and spent four seasons with the Golden Tide, as a dependable starter. He made eight starts last spring for the Tide, going 3-1 — he made 17 CCBC starts overall.

Season tickets, 12-packs and team merchandise are also available at the HarbourCats office at 101-1814 Vancouver Street, Tuesday thru Friday, 10am-4pm.

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Summer Collegiate

Victoria HarbourCats – 2026 HarbourCats schedule features many highlights

Published

1 week ago

October 24, 2025

Dugout Wire Service

Wilson’s Group Stadium at Royal Athletic Park will be abuzz with fans packing the seats for at least 31 home games in 2026, as well as the West Coast League All-Star Game.

October 23, 2025

For immediate release

VICTORIA, BC — Who is the next Nathan Lukes, to don the V-Cat logo and start a path to the World Series?

That will come into focus starting in May of 2026 when the Victoria HarbourCats — the first collegiate summer league team of Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Lukes, a playoff star this fall — begin an eventful West Coast League campaign with a road series in Portland.

It won’t just be the games with the HarbourCats to look forward to, it will also be about the 2026 WCL All-Star Game being played at Wilson’s Group Stadium at Royal Athletic Park as part of a planned Festival of Baseball, July 14-15. The HarbourCats are hosting the event in both 2026 and 2027.

“No question, this is the most anticipated season yet for us — the All-Star Game, after a very strong schedule leading up to that, and playoffs to follow,” said Christian Stewart, the GM of the HarbourCats. “The variety of visiting teams, the rivalries with teams like Nanaimo, Wenatchee and Bellingham, facing the other tough Canadian teams — it’s a great mix for our fans and our corporate partners.”

The HarbourCats open on the road on Friday, May 29, against the Pickles, then are back on the island for the home opener on Tuesday, June 2, against the Edmonton Riverhawks.

Tentative plans for fireworks dates are Saturday, June 6 (vs. Kelowna Falcons, now managed by former Blue Jay Gregg Zaun), Tuesday, June 30 (vs. the Nanaimo NightOwls), and a special event on Monday, August 3 featuring local talent and a fireworks show to follow.

Further plans to announce popular features such as the Woofability Bark in the Park, the Mayfair Optometric School Spirit game (and maybe a second game!), something we are calling “Early Father’s Day,” and Harvey’s Birthday will be announced soon. Game times remain the popular 6:35pm, except for Sundays (1pm) and the School Spirit games (11am).

“Getting two teams from Oregon at our park this year will be fun — we have the first visit from the Springfield Drifters (June 12-13-14) and a rare appearance by the Bend Elks (July 7-8-9),” said Stewart, who is taking season ticket bookings and doling out 12-packs of tickets already.

“We plan to have the All-Star Game package on sale in short order, too — we love that we have so much time to plan out the WCL schedule and make it work for promotions and logistics. We are known for our creative ideas — this schedule will make things a lot of fun next summer.”

HOME GAMES 2026
June 2-3-4 (T-W-Th), vs. Edmonton Riverhawks
June 5-6-7 (F-Sa-Su), vs. Kelowna Falcons
June 12-13-14 (F-Sa-Su), vs. Springfield Drifters
June 16-17-18 (T-W-Th), vs. Redmond Dudes (non-league)
June 24 (Wed), vs. Nanaimo NightOwls
June 26-27-28 (F-Sa-Su), vs. Bellingham Bells
June 30 (Tues), July 2 (Thurs), vs. Nanaimo NightOwls
July 7-8-9 (T-W-Th), vs. Bend Elks
ALL-STAR GAME FESTIVITIES — Tuesday, July 14, and Wednesday, July 15
July 17-18-19 (F-Sa-Su), vs. Wenatchee AppleSox
July 24-25-26 (F-Sa-Su), vs. Kamloops NorthPaws
July 28-29-30 (T-W-Th), vs. Port Angeles Lefties
August 3 (Mon), vs. SIBL All-Stars (non-league)

ROAD GAMES 2026
The HarbourCats visit the following teams — Portland Pickles (May 29-30-31), Edmonton Riverhawks (June 9-10-11), Port Angeles Lefties (June 19-20-21), Nanaimo NightOwls (June 23, 25, July 1, and July 21-22-23), Kelowna Falcons (July 3-4-5), Kamloops NorthPaws (July 10-11-12), Bellingham Bells (July 31, August 1-2), Wenatchee AppleSox (Aug 3-4-5).

NOTE: SINGLE-GAME TICKETS, ALL-STAR GAME TICKETS and FLEX-PACK VOUCHER RENEWALS ARE NOT YET AVAILABLE. We are finalizing a few logistics and dates and building the 2026 ticketing system and anticipate all those to go on sale in the next few weeks.

Season tickets and 12-game flex packs are NOW on sale on line at harbourcats.com/tickets or by stopping into the HarbourCats office at 101-1814 Vancouver Street.

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