Summer Collegiate
Victoria HarbourCats – HarbourCats Todd Haney named WCL Coach Of The Year
Coach Todd Haney had plenty to be smiling about in 2023, including a 38-15 overall record, a 25-2 record at home, a ton of new offensive records and a trip to the WCL Championship game. He has now been rewarded for all of that as the WCL Coach of the Year!
August 18, 2023
VICTORIA, B.C. — A record season for home wins, a North Division championship and a long list of records and league-leading offensive performances don’t happen without a great coaching staff— and a stellar head coach.
The Victoria HarbourCats are pleased to announce that third-year Head Coach Todd Haney has been named the top coach in the Weat Coast League for 2023, a most deserving honor.
Haney, a five-year Major League player out of Texas, led the HarbourCats to a 38-15 record including a 25-2 home mark, a league record for home victories that may never be broken. The team then went 3-1 in playoffs, eliminating Wenatchee and Bellingham at home — moving the mark at Wilson’s Group Stadium to 27-2 — before falling just short of the WCL title due to a 5-0 loss in Corvallis in a single-game championship matchup.
“Todd checks all the boxes for us — he develops players, he communicates effectively, and he teaches players how to win in a pro-style atmosphere that prepares them for returning to school or moving to the next level,” said Managing Partner Jim Swanson. “And, he and his wife Kira love Victoria and represent the city, the organization and the league at the utmost level.
Todd Haney relaxing pre-game earlier this season, with the look of a coach that has a team, at that time,, with a 13-1 record at home (Photo: Christian J. Stewart)
“I know Todd will be the first to deflect this onto the players, the ones who show dedication and commitment right to the end of the season and playoffs, and also to the front office — and he definitely has surrounded himself with outstanding coaches with Scott Anderson, Steve Sinclair, Troy Birtwistle, Jaxon Williams and Ethan Fox.”
Haney holds two of the top-10 best win totals in league history, posting 39 wins (54 game schedule) in 2019, his first year as head coach, and 38 in 2023 — and he has never missed the playoffs, getting to the postseason in 2022 after two years away because of the pandemic, with a 26-28 record that year and a combined 103-58 record overall in his three years at the helm.
“Todd is on a long-term contract with us and we are excited for next season, with his coaching approach and his recruiting network bringing in more exciting players for our fans to cheer for,” said Swanson. “I think I speak for everyone in our organization and our support base — Congrats, Todd, and Kira, well deserved.”
HeadCoach Todd Haney shares a chuckle as he prepares to submit the first line-up card of the 2023 season on June 2, 2023.
Season Tickets are now on sale for the 2024 season. Renew your seats or lock-in new seats by October 31, 2023 to take advantage of 2023 pricing. Contact Christian at 778-265-0327 or by e-mail at chris@harbourcats.com for details or to book.
Summer Collegiate
Victoria HarbourCats – Vancouver Island Brewing Named Official Craft Beer Partner of the Victoria HarbourCats
Summer Collegiate
Victoria HarbourCats – New Era Canada, Rawlings, Adidas join with WCL All-Star Game
Alan Choo has seen a lot of home runs in his life — hundreds from his father, and now a healthy number off his own bat in college.
The son of former MLB all-star outfielder Shin-Soo Choo, a Korean product who hit 218 long balls in his 16-season career, Alan himself has now established himself as a power hitter in the college ranks.
Choo, currently at Orange Coast College, is tied for third in home runs in the CCCAA with nine, including two in a game on Tuesday. He is a legitimate draft prospect for this coming July!!
“I’m so pumped to play for the NightOwls,” said Alan Choo, who turns 21 at the end of this week. “I’ve only heard great things about the organization and coaching staff and the players’ futures that go through the NightOwls. I’m super excited for the summer!”
Choo, a lefty hitter who plays first base and DH, is close friends with returning catcher Clark Springs, who is in D1 baseball at UT-Arlington. Choo, who was born in Phoenix Arizona, is a sophomore and checks in at 6’1” and 225 lbs.
“This is a big signing for us, adding a feared lefty power bat to hit in the middle of the order with returning all-stars Jacob Hayes and Talan Zenk,” said Head Coach Cody Andreychuk. “We will have big bats and depth on our roster, and we think Alan will be a leader for us so we can bring a championship to Nanaimo.”
Choo the senior was an outstanding Major League hitter, starting his big league time as a Seattle Mariner in 2005, then moving on to Cleveland, Cincinnati and Texas, where he played his final season in 2020. He received MVP votes in 2010 and 2013 and went to the all-star game in 2018, representing the Rangers. In seven of his seasons, he hit 20 or more home runs. He also stole 157 bases in his career, with three 20-20 seasons.
Shin-Soo Choo is still involved in the game after retirement, now as a scout.
Victoria HarbourCats – Vancouver Island Brewing Named Official Craft Beer Partner of the Victoria HarbourCats
Victoria HarbourCats – New Era Canada, Rawlings, Adidas join with WCL All-Star Game
Choo Signs with NightOwls – Son of MLB All-Star!
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Summer Collegiate1 week agoVictoria HarbourCats – Vancouver Island Brewing Named Official Craft Beer Partner of the Victoria HarbourCats
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Summer Collegiate2 weeks ago
Choo Signs with NightOwls – Son of MLB All-Star!
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Summer Collegiate1 week ago
Victoria HarbourCats – New Era Canada, Rawlings, Adidas join with WCL All-Star Game
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