Summer Collegiate

Victoria HarbourCats – HarbourCats Announce 2023 School Spirit Day!

Published

2 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

NightOwls bring back all-star starter Mattix

Published

2 days ago

December 4, 2024

Dugout Wire Service

One of the best pitchers in the West Coast League is returning to The Nest.

All-star Adison Mattix will be back for a third season with the Nanaimo NightOwls. The right-hander from Everett CC made a team-high 10 starts in 2024 and was the only player from the NWAC college baseball conference to be named to the WCL all-star game, where he helped the North Division to victory.

The happiest person with this news is legendary NightOwls pitching coach Gorm Heimueller — and Heimueller’s presence on the staff of new head coach Cody Andreychuk is a major reason Mattix will be spending a third summer with the program in Nanaimo.

Mattix, a power right-hander at 6-4/200, was 1-2 with a 3.04 ERA and 48 strikeouts in 41.1 innings in 2024. He gave up just 30 hits and two doubles. He was a reliever, making nine appearances, in 2023, striking out 15 batters in 16 innings.

The highlight start in 2024 was an 11-strikeout effort over six innings in a 8-1 home win vs. Kamloops on June 25, that made him the league leader in strikeouts at that point. He gave up three hits and no walks or runs.

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Summer Collegiate

Local players and returning talent set for 2025 NightOwls duty

Published

1 week ago

November 27, 2024

Dugout Wire Service

Five names, all familiar to local baseball fans.

Head Coach Cody Andreychuk, a local product entering his first year at the helm of the Nanaimo NightOwls, is pleased to announce the signing of five players for the 2025 duty. Three are returnees from the 2024 squad, two are Mid-Island Pirates graduates.

All five players are at the junior college level, with previous announcements featuring mostly NCAA D1 scholarship athletes.

Nonomiya, from Japan but whose mom is Pakistani, recently was the starting pitcher and hit a home run for Pakistan to win the final of the Arabic region tournament. In the summer of 2024, he made seven appearances as a pitcher — three of those as the starter.

Florence, as a graduating high school player, saw action in 25 games last summer and drove in seven runs, playing strong defence. Known for his big arm from the left side of the infield, and an instinctual baserunner, he was an offensive catalyst in high school and has carried that to Scottsdale.

Carmichael, a Swiss Army Knife for the NightOwls in 2024, is being used primarily as a right-handed reliever at ELAC this season, but can still play nearly every position and run the bases, providing a hard-throwing bullpen option for pitching coach Gorm Heimueller, and giving Andreychuk the ability to make moves in the last half of the game. Carmichael has the nickname ‘Cowboy’ because he has competed in junior NFR events — and is a real glue guy with teammates. Carmichael made five pitching appearances in 2024, and batted .195 with a couple of doubles and three stolen bases in limited action.

Cathers spent time with the Canadian national junior team and the power hitting outfielder has made a good first impression at Cloud County.

Laukkanen, whose brother Josh was on the inaugural NightOwls team in 2022, was with the NightOwls for a few days in 2024 prior to setting foot on a college campus. Lucas left the team to stay at a lower level with less competition for playing time. Lucas has plans on being starting shortstop this spring at Cloud County.

Both Cathers and Laukkanen played in the Futures Showcase put on by the Blue Jays at Rogers Centre in Toronto.

Season tickets and 10pks are available now by emailing GM Tina Cornett, tina@nanaimonightowls.com, and tickets and merchandise make great Christmas gifts — nanaimonightowls.com to find the Team Shop.

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Summer Collegiate

Victoria HarbourCats – VISL, HarbourCats, NightOwls enter strategic partnership

Published

2 weeks ago

November 22, 2024

Dugout Wire Service

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 21, 2024

VICTORIA, B.C. — Different sports, but the same community ideals.

The Victoria HarbourCats and Nanaimo NightOwls, of baseball’s West Coast League, and the Vancouver Island Soccer League (VISL), have entered into a strategic partnership intended to assist the entities in growing grassroots sports and improving facilities on Vancouver Island.

The VISL provides programming and championships on the Island and leads leagues which give the best soccer players an avenue to play the sport for life. Championships such as the Jackson Cup, with many finals played at Royal Athletic Park in Victoria, serve as the crown jewel of the VISL.

More than 6,000 participants are involved with the VISL — sports fans, who will keep track of the Island’s top baseball programs, the HarbourCats and NightOwls, who combined to draw more than 100,000 spectators in 2024.

The baseball teams and VISL will jointly promote each others’ schedules, and provide opportunities for youth participation.

“The atmosphere at HarbourCats and NightOwls games showcase the top fan engagement on the Island, a true gathering point in our communities,” said VISL Executive Director Vince Greco.

“Baseball fans are soccer fans, and soccer fans are baseball fans — it’s about supporting quality programs on the island and furthering awareness. Adding youth opportunities between the two will be the cherry on top.”

Watch for VISL events to recognize the work of the HarbourCats and NightOwls, and feature baseball games to celebrate the success of the VISL.

For more information on the VISL and their programs and offerings, please visit their website HERE.

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The HarbourCats 2025 schedule has now been announced! DETAILS HERE

Single-game tickets and 10-game flex pack voucher renewals are NOT YET AVAILABLE, but will be once the ticketing system is set up for the 2025 season. We will announce this when ready!

Season tickets and 10- game flex packs ARE available for sale by dropping in to the office at 101-1814 Vancouver Street or calling 778-265-0327.

Existing Season Ticket holders are encouraged, if they have not already done so, to renew their seats as soon as possible so as to lock in their seats for what is going to be another great season of HarbourCats Baseball.

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