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Victoria HarbourCats – HarbourCats helping unveil new “Lucy Tries” book

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Event to be held on April 25 with Grade 1 classes at PCS

Tuesday April 18, 2023

For Immediate Release

VICTORIA, B.C. — The well known “Lucy Tries” children’s book series is now on the diamond.

Author Lisa Bowes, known by many for her broadcasting career including as a groundbreaker reporting for TSN, has teamed again with Victoria-based publishers Orca Books for the latest in the popular series — Lucy Tries Baseball.

And the Victoria HarbourCats, the only West Coast League team to use a female player, when lefty reliever Claire Eccles suited up in 2017-18, are excited to help with the unveiling.

On April 25 at Pacific Christian School, the three Grade1 classes will have the book read to them virtually by Bowes. HarbourCats part owner Lori Swanson teaches one of the classes.

“This will be fun for our students, and the message in the book is that anything is possible, but first you have to try,” said Swanson.

Also joining that day will be mascot Harvey, the fan favorite at HarbourCats games, and Beacon Hill Little League players Lucy-May Johnstone and Louise Wald, along with local broadcaster Mira Laurence, also a groundbreaking sportscaster now doing the morning show on OceanFM.

“Thanks to the Harbour Cats for making this connection,” said Bowes, who makes her home in Calgary.

“I’m excited to introduce Pacific Christian School early readers to our multi-sport champion ‘Lucy.’ The mission of our series is to inspire children to be active and persevere and now with Book 6, we have the opportunity to do so again through the great game of baseball!”

The HarbourCats will also be promoting the book to the more than 2,500 elementary and middle school students and teachers that will be attending the annual School Spirt game against Walla Walla on Wednesday June 7th.

Those wishing to acquire the book or to learn more about the other books in the Lucy Tries series can do so via the Orca Book web site at https://www.orcabook.com/Lucy-Tries-Baseball.

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, all four fireworks nights, and the remainder of our 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.

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.

ATTENTION 2022 SEASON TICKET HOLDERS!  If you have not yet renewed and paid in full for your seats for the 2023 season, they have now been released and are now available for sale to the general public.  Chances are good that they are still available, so if you would like to renew, contact chris@harbourcats.com or call 778-265-0327 ASAP to have the best chance to grab the same seats as last year.

 

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Victoria HarbourCats – Cats Drop Season Opener in Portland

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The Cats fought hard but fell short in the first game of 2026

Portland, OR – The HarbourCats began the 2026 season tonight, falling 8-2 in the first game of the year to the Portland Pickles.

The Cats struck first in the season opener, as Kade Davis (UTSA) scored from third in the first inning on a Dryden Fuoco (Hill College) groundout. Portland returned fire in the bottom of the first, cashing in a run on a base knock to right field and tying the ballgame at 1-1.

BOX SCORE

HarbourCats starter Daniel Tovar (Northern Kentucky) saw his night come to an end following an action-packed second inning where he fielded all three outs. The Los Angeles product went two innings, giving up a pair of hits, one earned run, one walk, and a strikeout. Caden Shoul (Wenatchee Valley) kicked off the bottom of the third inning on the mound for the Cats, and the Pickles would break through with three more runs to claim a 4-1 lead.

A fruitful eighth inning broke the game open for Portland

Victoria got back on the board in the top of the fifth with Frankie Rutigliano (Portland) taking first on a dropped third strike and later scoring from third on a groundout from Jai Berezowski (Victoria Collegiate Cats).

Pierce Stone (Regis) worked the fourth and fifth innings for the Cats, refusing to surrender any runs on a pair of hits and a walk. Flynn Warren (Hawaii Pacific) took over for the sixth and seventh, and kept the lid on the Pickles through two hitless innings.

Portland added on in the eighth, as Cats reliever Marcus Janovsky (UBC) gave up four runs on three walks and a hit.

Victoria managed to load the bases in the ninth, but the runners were left on and Portland came away with the 8-2 win.

WCL STANDINGS

The HarbourCats will be in Portland all weekend, with 6:30 pm games on May 30 and 31, before returning home on June 2 for the Home Opener.

Single game tickets for all HarbourCats games and the 2026 West Coast League All-Star Game and Home Run Derby are now on sale at http://harbourcats.com/tickets. Season tickets, 12-pack and 32-pack game vouchers may also be bought online or by stopping by the HarbourCats office at 101-1814 Vancouver Street.

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Comeback win starts season for NightOwls

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May 29, 2026

RIDGEFIELD, WA — One game — one tough road game in a tough environment — one victory for the Nanaimo NightOwls.

And they did it the hard-but-fun way.

The NightOwls were down 5-0 after five innings against the home-field Ridgefield Raptors — that was far from game-over territory. A huge eighth inning, plating four runs, led the NightOwls to a 7-6 season-opening triumph.

The first day of the fifth season of Nanaimo West Coast League action started with a 4am bus-load gathering to head to Duke Point and a straight shot to Ridgefield, which is just north of the Vancouver, Wash./Portland area.

BOXSCORE LINK — Nanaimo NightOwls at Ridgefield Raptors | PrimeTime | Fri, May. 29, 2026 6:35 PM PDT

The NightOwls scored a couple in the sixth — a Preston Harrison double and a Jacob Hayes single, with Aidan Nykoluk adding an RBI double scoring Kyler Shojinaga in the seventh.

In the critical top of the eighth, shortstop Kyler Shojinaga (Hawaii Pacific) and Jack Bergstrom (Everett CC) drew two-out bases-loaded walks to close the deficit to 6-5, setting up a lead-changing two-run single to right by Nykoluk that set what would be the final score.

The Raptors hit two home runs but it wasn’t enough.

STANDINGS AND STATS LINK — West Coast League 2026 Standings – West Coast League Stats Only

Jack Schroeder of the University of Pikeville got the start and was strong with four hits and one run allowed in three innings. Lefty Jaxon MacDonald surrendered three hits and four runs in two innings, followed by Reed Sutton giving up a solo home run in his inning of work. Damian Pasillas had a scoreless inning and Jackson Roybal (Scottsdale CC) had an impressive eighth with two strikeouts and a tapper in front of the plate. He then retired the side in the ninth for his first WCL save.

The NightOwls will be in the southwest Washington village all weekend, with games Saturday (6:35pm) and Sunday (1:05pm), and Caleb Morrison of the University of Pikeville will be the starting pitcher for the NightOwls in the season’s second game. Former WCL all-star Adison Mattix takes the ball in the Sunday game.

WCL PIXELLOT VIDEO LINK — West Coast League Live

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Victoria HarbourCats – Showpass to be Title Partner of 2026 West Coast League All-Star Game Festival

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VICTORIA, B.C. — Showpass, one of North America’s fastest-growing event technology companies has stepped up to the plate as the Title Partner of the 2026 West Coast League All-Star Game Festival.

In what is a perfect alignment due to the high-demand nature of event tickets, Showpass is reflecting the premier level of collaboration needed to elevate the WCL All-Star Game and Home Run Derby to an unforgettable experience for fans, players, coaches, and all others who are so deeply ingrained with the WCL. The Home Run Derby will feature recent MLB star Kevin Pillar as one of the full participants.

The Showpass logo will now be involved in all digital usage of the event logo, topping the graphic.

Showpass is the official ticketing company for three West Coast League teams, the Bend Elks, and the Victoria HarbourCats and Nanaimo NightOwls — helping those teams achieve outstanding customer outcomes that are fan-friendly with online, in-office and ticket booth interfacing options.

“The WCL is building something special around summer baseball, and the All-Star Game is a showcase of what strong organizations and great communities can create together,” said Lucas McCarthy, Founder and CEO of Showpass. “The HarbourCats have put real vision behind this event, turning it into more than just a game day experience. At Showpass, we’re proud to support organizations that are pushing their events forward, investing in their fans, and creating moments that bring communities together. We’re excited to help elevate the 2026 WCL All-Star Game Festival in Victoria.”

The Showpass logo will be prominent on the field, and the fingerprints of their ticketing and live event technology platform will be a key aspect of the outstanding experience around this two-day event in Victoria, one of the top destination cities in the world. Fan engagement activations and video content across many platforms, produced by Showpass, will be prominent in bringing this partnership to life.

“Showpass has stepped up since our very first meeting, and fully understands what our Island teams are looking to accomplish — more than that, they understand the fan ticketing experience is essential to growing strong attendance and revenue numbers, and they do it with gusto and skill,” said Adrian Somers, Vice-President of Operations and Business for the HarbourCats and NightOwls. “Showpass will be front and centre during these events, and we are proud to walk shoulder-to-shoulder with them in all that we do, but especially this Showpass WCL All-Star Game.”

The 2026 Showpass West Coast League All-Star Game Festival takes place July 14-15 in Victoria, at sites across the city but primarly at Wilson’s Group Stadium at Royal Athletic Park. The feature events include the Home Run Derby on Tuesday, July 14 (6:35pm) and All-Star Game on Wednesday, July 15 (7pm), with activities at the stadium up to two hours prior to the start — live bands, food trucks, and special pre-game entertainment fans will not want to miss.

The best of the West Coast League will be on display. The league has produced top Major League Baseball draft picks such as No. 1 overall selections Travis Bazzana and Adley Rutschman, along with current MLB stars such as Tarik Skubal, Nathan Lukes, Nick Pivetta, Shane Bieber and Andrew Vaughn.

For more information on tickets, go to http://harbourcats.com/tickets

ABOUT SHOWPASS

Showpass is the operating system for independent live events, connecting every stage of the event lifecycle into one platform. From ticketing and marketing to operations, analytics, and financing, Showpass gives organizers one system to run, grow, and own their events. More than 175 million tickets have been issued through Showpass, powering music, sports, festivals, venues, cultural events, and everyday things to do across North America. Built with a mission to reignite the joy of live experiences, Showpass equips organizers with the tools and support needed to elevate the fan experience. Independently owned, Showpass is one of North America’s fastest-growing event technology companies, recognized by Deloitte’s Technology Fast 50 and named to The Globe and Mail’s Canada’s Top Growing Companies list for three consecutive years.

For media inquiries, contact:

Adrian Somers, Victoria HarbourCats
adrian@harbourcats.com

Katelyn Marchyshyn
Katelyn.marchyshyn@showpass.com

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