Connect with us

Summer Collegiate

Victoria HarbourCats | HarbourCats commit to Head Coach Haney for the long-term

Published

on

Five-Year MLB veteran signs on to coach HarbourCats through 2026 season.

June 18, 2021

VICTORIA, B.C. — It’s always good when a great thing can be made to last.

The Victoria HarbourCats are pleased to announce that Todd Haney, the team’s Head Coach and a five-year MLB player (Expos, Cubs, Mets), has agreed to a five-year contract extension, that will see him slated to lead the team from the 2022 season through the summer of 2026.

Better yet for the organization, it was Haney himself who sought the extension.

“We love Victoria. And we really miss Victoria, with what’s gone on with the pandemic and losing two seasons,” said Haney, from his home in Waco, Texas. “Kira and I consider it our second home. We love the city, the people, and the opportunity to lead the HarbourCats program.”

Haney, who took over as Head Coach for the 2019 season, led the team to the third-best all-time regular season record of 39-15, and to within a game of the West Coast League title. He was an assistant coach in Victoria for the 2018 season.

“Todd has been a perfect fit for us, in how he recruits and develops players, how he works with every single person in the organization, and how he interacts with our fans and partners,” said GM Jim Swanson. “We’re humbled to have Todd and Kira wanting to be part of this, and we think it says a lot about Victoria and what an amazing city this is.”

Haney will look to retain the coaching staff that was planned for the 2021 season, including Mark Petkovsek, Greg Swindell, Curtis Pelletier and Troy Birtwistle. Petkovsek, the Pitching Coach, played nine years in the Majors, while Swindell, the Bench Coach, spent 17 years in a MLB uniform — which gives the HarbourCats a staff with a combined 31 years of MLB playing experience. Haney, Petkovsek and Swindell were college teammates with the Texas Longhorns.

All Texas Longhorn alumni, Mark Petkovsek (left), Todd Haney (centre) and Greg Swindell (right), will bring 31 years of MLB experience to the HarbourCats coaching staff in 2022.

Pelletier, the Hitting/Catching Coach, and Birtwistle, First Base Coach, are Victoria products.

“A lot of work is going on to be ready for the 2022 season, including recruiting, and locking in the coaching staff is perhaps the most important part of those efforts,” added Swanson. “This is a five-year extension for Todd, but really I have in mind he will be our coach as long as he wants to be.”

HOW TO SUPPORT YOUR HARBOURCATS

It has been a tough two summers without HarbourCats baseball, but rest assured we will be back with a vengeance in 2022 and we expect our games will be the hottest ticket in town! Lock your spots in NOW with season tickets, or 10-game flex packs! Gift cards and merchandise are also available!

Season Tickets and 10-Game Flex Packs Now Available! (NOTE: Single game tickets for 2022 will go on-sale in late 2021 once our schedule is available)

If you are able, or if you know friends and colleagues who are able, please consider any of the following:

2022 Season tickets — the best way to help, one that guarantees you seats to all our games (usually 35 per year or so) plus other season ticket holder perks. Contact chris@harbourcats.com for details.

10-Game Flex Packs / Vouchers — Don’t want to commit, or can’t commit to season tickets? Consider 10-game flex packs – anytime vouchers that can be used in any combination…10 tickets at one game, 1 ticket at 10 games or anything in between. Season ticket voucher equivalents (35 vouchers) are also available. Flex Packs can be purchased at the office and are also available on-line at: https://victoria-harbourcats-official.myshopify.com/products/10-game-flex-pack-general-admission

Corporate Partnerships – Want to put your company name or brand in front of the 80,000 to 100,000 fans we anticipate next season? Or know someone who does? Consider joining us as a partner. From a simple program ad, to the most complex of game day sponsorship, complete with signage and tickets, we will customize any campaign to suit your needs and budget. And with our new HCATS.TV platform and our ownership group’s expansion of a new team in Nanaimo in 2022, the opportunities are now Island wide! Contact john@harbourcats.com for details.

Fundraising / 50-50 – Have an organization that needs to raise funds now? A $1000 investment buys you 100 anytime 2022 game vouchers for our Premium Reserved seats that you can then turn around and sell for $20 each, earning you your investment back, plus another $1000 in return. We will then hold a 50-50 date for you in 2021 and you can bring your group to the park to sell that game, taking home 50% of the proceeds. Contact chris@harbourcats.com for details.

Merchandise – Consider a HarbourCats merchandise purchase from our store at 1814 Vancouver Street, or from our on-line store, The Cat Shop, at https://victoria-harbourcats-official.myshopify.com/ New items, including 2020 game caps and player’s gear are arriving weekly and we need to clear them out!

Gift Cards
Can’t decide yet on tickets or merchandise? A HarbourCats Gift Card is the next best solution! Come in to the office to set one up for any denomination, or order fixed denominations on-line HERE. Exchangeable for tickets or merchandise at the office or at the park!

OFFICE HOURS

During this time we are officially open Monday through Friday 10 am to 5 pm. We are often in and out of office however, so best to call 778-265-0327 before venturing over to make sure. Closed Saturdays and Sundays.

For up to date details on the HarbourCats and the 2022 West Coast League season, stay tuned to the HarbourCats web site at https://www.harbourcats.com and join the HarbourCats Facebook Fan Community Group page at https://www.facebook.com/groups/harbourcats

 

 

Source

Continue Reading
Click to comment

You must be logged in to post a comment Login

Leave a Reply

Summer Collegiate

Down 5-1 NorthPaws rally to steal game one against the Riverhawks

Published

on

The Kamloops NorthPaws won a thriller at home against the Edmonton Riverhawks 8-6 in game one of the weekend series. The Riverhawks led five one and hit back-to-back home runs, but the NorthPaws were able to claw their way back into the game mainly because of five brilliant innings from Nolan Austin on the mound. Kamloops scored three in the eighth and shut the door, winning the series opener.

“If we lose that game, we’re 1-3 on the week, and morale isn’t going to be the highest, but I think our group is at a point where we never feel like we’re never out of games,” said Head Coach Reily Jepson.

Edmonton would get off to a quick start by scoring three runs off four singles and a wild pitch. Kamloops responded in the bottom of the second as shortstop Anthony Setticassi sent an RBI double to right center field. The Riverhawks wasted no time in the top of the third, hitting back-to-back solo home runs to left and right field, taking a 5-1 lead.

In the bottom of the third, the NorthPaws scored a pair of runs on a past ball and a wild pitch while only recording one hit in the inning. Righty Nolan Austin took over in the fourth inning and recorded three straight scoreless innings while not allowing a hit, slowing down the Riverhawk’s offence.

“Nolan was going after hitters tonight; that was as good as anyone’s pitched all year,” said Pitching Coach Jack Slominski.

The bottom of the sixth saw Jared Hall lead off with a walk and move to second after a wild pitch. Left fielder Joey Rico sent a double to the gap in left-center, scoring Hall. Rico then advanced to third after a Matt MacDonald ground ball. First baseman Keegan Drinkle hit a sacrifice fly to left field, scoring Rico tying the game.

Edmonton responded in the seventh, with catcher Kyle Yip hitting a triple with two outs. Austin uncorked a wild pitch that brought the go-ahead run home for the Riverhawks. That was the lone run Austin gave up over his five innings in relief.

The NorthPaws rallied in the bottom of the eighth with Jared Hall reaching base, and Rico hit his second double of the night. Drinkle was at the plate and sent a grounder to second base. Hall broke for home and dove in safely. Pinch hitter Kalen Applefield had runners at second and third. The lefty hit a grounder through the right side, scoring Rico and giving the NorthPaws their first lead of the game. Drew Abercrombie and Elijah Clayton both walked, loading the bases for Connor Clark. The right fielder stayed tough in the batter’s box and worked a walk, extending the lead.

Julio Garcia was on in the top of the ninth for his second save opportunity in as many days. Garcia was excellent, going three up and three down, sending the fans home happy with a NorthPaw win. Despite a rigid back-to-back, having travelled from Wenatchee the night before, the team showed grit, scoring eight runs on only five hits.

“It’s cool to see, these guys the whole night said in the dugout that they would be coming back in that game, and they did,” said Jepson.

The second game of the series will go at the same time from the same place, 6:35 pm at Norbrock stadium, as the NorthPaws look to take the first two games against the Riverhawks. You can find the game on West Coast League TV.

 

 

 

Source

Continue Reading

Summer Collegiate

Great Pitching From The NightOwls As They Hold Off Kelowna And The Weather For A 4-3 Win

Published

on

KELOWNA, B.C. — The Nanaimo NightOwls headed out to the Okanagan to take on the Kelowna Falcons June 13th, for the start of a three-game series. Despite the weather not being cooperative, and a delay in the 9th inning. The NightOwls were able to battle the elements and the Falcons to hold on for a 4-3 win. That makes it two in a row for Nanaimo and puts them at 7-6 on the season.

It was a masterclass on the night from starting pitcher Ricardo Villegas. He went five innings, allowing just two runs on four hits, walking two but striking out 7 Kelowna batters on the night. The Nanaimo Night Owls would finish the day with a combined 13 strikeouts. Villegas received the win on the night, while Carter Chard-Hill picked up the save.

A couple of big innings were all the Nanaimo NightOwls needed to take the opening game of the series against the Kelowna Falcons. Two runs in the second inning thanks to RBIs from Hunter Stencil and Andrew Ivy. Andrew went two for five on the night with an RBI and a stolen base. Hunter finished with one RBI, a hit, and a base on balls.

The fourth inning saw the NightOwls extend their lead thanks to a bomb to left field from Caden Petrey. He had a great night at the plate, going two for three with a home run, two RBI, and a walk.

For back-to-back nights, Jacob Hayes has been impressing at the plate. He hit a grand slam on Thursday night in Victoria and continued with the hot bat in Kelowna against the Falcons. The Anacortes, WA, native had another two hits and improved his hit streak to nine games.

Reliever Brennan Kettle gave up one run but got out of an 8th inning jam with a strikeout to strand a runner at second and third to keep the score 4-3 for the NightOwls heading into the 9th. There was a brief weather delay before the 9th inning started. Things got a bit nervous for Nanaimo with runners on first and third with 2 outs, but Carter Chard-Hill finished things off, getting the final batter to fly out for the save.

Nanaimo finished the night with four runs on nine hits and one error, while the Kelowna Falcons had three runs on nine hits with one error. The rain delay lasted approximately an hour before they were able to finish the 9th inning.

The Nanaimo NightOwls continue their road trip in Kelowna against the Falcons on Saturday and Sunday, June 14th and 15th. Nanaimo heads back to Victoria for a three-game stint before returning home on June 20th against the Port Angeles Lefties for a weekend series. Make sure to get your tickets and follow the team on our website and social media when they are out on the road for the latest information and updates!

Source

Continue Reading

Summer Collegiate

Victoria HarbourCats – Cats blow away Bells in series opener

Published

on

Jacob Silva has four hits in his first four HarbourCats games (Photo: Christian J. Stewart) 

June 13, 2025

For immediate release

VICTORIA, B.C. – The Victoria HarbourCats bounce back in a big way, snapping the division-leading Bellingham Bells’ five-game winning streak, winning 12-1 to open the weekend series.

The Cats got on the board in the first inning for the fifth straight game when Jacob Silva (TCU) hit a deep fly ball to right field with the bases loaded that went in and out of Gavin Long’s glove. The error allowed two runs to score. Cayden Munster (Fresno State) followed that up with a sacrifice fly, giving the home team a 3-0 lead after the opening frame.

BOX SCORE

No more runs were scored until the fourth inning, when the Bells’ pitching lost control and the Cats took advantage. Three walks and one hit by pitch gave the Cats plenty of opportunity to drive in runs, and they did just that, scoring five in the inning, giving them a resounding 8-0 lead.

Thomas Bridges has walked just one batter in 11 innings of work this season (Photo: Christian J. Stewart) 

Jake Butler (George Mason) debuted and had his first hit in that big inning, an RBI single.

WCL STANDINGS

Thomas Bridges (TCU) made his third start of the season and picked up where he left off. The right-hander threw four shutout innings, giving up three hits and one walk, while striking out a season high five batters. Bridges has yet to give up a run this season in 11 innings pitched.

Carson Burks (Hill College) took over in the fifth and threw three innings, giving up one run on three hits, walking one, and striking out three.

BUY TICKETS HERE

Victoria added to their lead in the fifth inning through an Owen Clyne bases-loaded walk, his second RBI of the evening, and Xander McAfee scoring on a wild pitch, making it 10-0.

The Bells broke the shutout with a Brock Sell sacrifice fly in the seventh inning.

Xander “Boogie” McAfee (Texas Arlington) hit an RBI single in the eighth, which was followed by a Jacob Doyle (Nevada) sacrifice fly to make it 12-1, Victoria.

Cayden Munster has six hits in his first three games as a HarbourCat (Photo: Christian J. Stewart)

WATCH GAMES HERE

Dustin Davidson (Brookhaven) closed out the game, pitching two scoreless innings, striking out three batters.

The HarbourCats had nine hits and drew eight walks Friday night. Victoria is now 7-6 on the season, gaining ground on Bellingham, who fall to 9-4.

Game two of the series is tomorrow at 6:35 PM. Logan Rumberg (George Mason) is projected to make his HarbourCats debut as the starting pitcher. Buy tickets at HERE

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.

Source

Continue Reading

Trending