Summer Collegiate

Victoria HarbourCats – Low Tide, Mid-Tide, Victoria suffers loss, gains tie, in doubleheader against Cascades

Published

4 years ago

September 26, 2021

Dugout Wire Service

Story and Photo by Christian J. Stewart

September 25, 2021, Victoria, BC – It must have been a weird phase of the moon Saturday, as the Tide was low all day, dropping the first game to the visiting University of Fraser Valley Cascades and then rallying late to salvage a tie in the second, in Canadian College Baseball Conference (CCBC) fall baseball action at Wilson’s Group Stadium in Victoria.

Golden Tide catcher Ryan Whelan tracks down a loose ball while keeping an eye on a Cascade baserunner in Game one Saturday (Photo: Christian J. Stewart)

The Cascades came out swinging in game one Saturday, jumping all over Victoria starter Cameron Dunn for three runs in the first and another two in the second, eventually building up an 11-1 lead after six innings of play.

Tide second baseman Brandon Green throws from his knees on this play in game one Saturday (Photo: Christian J. Stewart)

The Tide would score one in the eighth and then get a three-run home run from Zeke Holt in the ninth inning to make the score a little more respectable, but that would be as close as they would get as the Cascades closed out a 11-5 victory.

Chase Thomson had a good day Saturday with hits and RBIs n both games against the Cascades (Photo: Christian J. Stewart)

Josh Berenbaum was an offensive catalyst in the leadoff spot for Fraser Valley, with three singles, two runs scored and a pair of RBI. Dylan Merritt also had a pair of hits and pair of runs scored, while Charlie Towers had a triple, walk and pair of RBI to contribute to the winning effort.

For the Tide, in addition to Holt’s blast, Chase Thomson had a pair of hits and an RBI, while Austin Gurney had a pair of walks and a run scored in his Golden Tide debut.

Tide second baseman Myles Wall makes a nice play in game two Saturday (Photo: Christian J. Stewart)

Game two was a little more entertaining affair as the Cascades and Tide exchanged three-run innings in the top of the second and bottom of the third innings respectively, with the Cascades then scoring one in each of the top of the fifth and sixth innings to take a 5-3 lead into the eighth.

The Tide’s Ethan Keats would have a double and run scored in game two against the Cascades on Saturday (Photo: Christian J. Stewart)

The Tide would tie things with a pair of runs in the bottom of the eighth, but that would be all the scoring in the game, as relievers Ethan Dean (Tide) and Evan Petersen (Cascades) shut things down through the 10th inning when the game was called in a 5-5 draw, as the Cascades had to leave and catch the last ferry off the Island.

Tide third baseman Jordon Bond puts the tag on Cascade baserunner Dylan Merritt during this play in game two Saturday (Photo: Christian J. Stewart)

For the Tide, Chase Thomson led the way with a double and two RBI, while Ethan Keats had a walk, double and a run scored. Autin Wall also singled and scored.

Tide shortstop Austin Wall makes a nice play late in game two Saturday (Photo: Christian J. Stewart)

For Fraser Valley, Dylan Meritt had a single and a double, while Blake Badger had a single, walk and pair of runs scored to lead the Cascade offence. Petersen, who started the game as DH, also had a double and run scored.

Tide pitcher Ethan Dean would be solid in relief in the late innings of game two Saturday (Photo: Christian J. Stewart)

Saturday’s results drop the Golden Tide’s fall record to 4-5-1.

The Golden Tide are right back in action on Sunday as they host the Mid-Island Pirates in a doubleheader beginning at 3:00 pm at Wilson’s Group Stadium. Gates open at 2:00 pm and tickets are just $5.00 and $10.00 at the gate. Kids under 12 get in free.

The Tide’s Chase Thompson rounds third while looking for a sign from the coach during a Victoria rally in game two (Photo: Christian J. Stewart)

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Summer Collegiate

Victoria HarbourCats – 2026 HarbourCats Single-Game Tickets Now On Sale!

Published

3 days ago

December 1, 2025

Dugout Wire Service

All 2026 ticket types, including single-game, 6, 12 and 32 game flex -packs, season memberships and All-Star Game ticket packages are now available!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 1, 2025

Victoria, BC – The Victoria HarbourCats are pleased to announce that just in time for Christmas, single-game tickets for all 31 2026 regular season games and the 2026 WCL All-Star Game are now available for purchase.

Fans can see our schedule and purchase tickets on-line with our ticketing partner SHOWPASS at http://harbourcats.com/tickets, or stop by in person to the HarbourCats office at 101-1814 Vancouver Street. Fans can also call the office at 778-265-0327 to order.

Also announced today is the availability of 2026 ALL-STAR GAME ticket packages that include a Home Run Derby event on July 14th and the 2026 West Coast League All-Star Game on July 15th. Ticket packages that include both events are available now at https://www.showpass.com/wcl-all-star-home-run-derby-and-all-star-game-package/.

Individual All-Star Game and Home Run Derby event tickets will go on sale at a later date.

Note, if you are a season ticket holder, your seats are reserved for the Home Run derby and All-Star game, but as this is a separate purchase, you do need to contact the office to claim and pay for your seats.

FLEX-PACKS

Also on sale for 2026 are our regular 12-game and 32-game flex packs, as well as a new STOCKING STUFFER 6-Pack that will be offered until Christmas. The 6-Pack starts at $99 for General Admission seating and all 6-Packs will include a souvenir baseball that will fit nicely in the toe of the stocking of your favourite HarbourCats fan.

12 and 32-game flex packs can be bought on-line at http://harbourcats.com/tickets or in person at the HarbourCats office. The 6-Pack offering is only available in person at the HarbourCats office.

NOTE: If you already have ticket vouchers for the 2026 season, you may now begin to redeem them for single-games as desired. You can do so on-line assuming you are all set up in SHOWPASS to do so, or pop into the office and we can handle this for you!

SEASON TICKET MEMBERSHIPS

Season tickets are also still available for the 2026 season. Prices start at $400 for General admission seating and seats can be ordered on-line at https://www.showpass.com/m/victoria-harbourcats-season-tickets/ or by visiting the HarbourCats office.

MERCHANDISE

We also have a wide range of merchandise available for the baseball fan on your list including new 2026 All-Star game tee-shirts and our Nathan Lukes Blue Jays World Series commemorative tee-shirt. Items can be ordered on-line at The Cat Shop at https://victoria-harbourcats-official.myshopify.com/ or by visiting the HarbourCats office, where a 15% in store discount is in effect until Christmas!

The Victoria HarbourCats will begin their 2026 West Coast League season in late May of 2026, with the home opener against the Edmonton Riverhawks scheduled for Tuesday, June 2, 2026.

Plenty of excitement is on board for 2026 including:

Three fireworks nights (June 6, 30 and August 3)
Two 11:00 AM School Spirit Games (June 4 and 18)
Five Family Fun Sunday Matinees (June 7, 14, 28 July 19 and 26)
$12 Tuesdays and Thursdays (June 16, July 2, 7, 9, 28 and 30)

Stay up to date with other promotions and special events by visiting the HarbourCats web page at https://harbourcats.com/events-promotions/

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Summer Collegiate

Victoria HarbourCats – HarbourCats, EFTC and Richardson Sport announce Harvey’s Sports Stars!

Published

5 days ago

November 29, 2025

Dugout Wire Service

The Victoria HarbourCats, in association with Richardson Sport Inc. (RSI) and the Edwards Family Training Centre (EFTC) are excited to announce the launch of Harvey’s Sports Stars!

Harvey’s Sports Stars will give children exclusive access to a professional-quality indoor turf facility and a wide range of fun, skill-building sports programs. Whether they’re swinging a bat, learning new movement skills, or high-fiving mascot Harvey the HarbourCat, Harvey’s Sports Stars will be part of a vibrant sports community that celebrates fun and teamwork, while staying active!

Families can look forward to enjoying year-round opportunities to play, connect, and make lasting memories, through exciting RSI programming inside the HarbourCats’ exciting indoor training space, located at 1821 Cook Street.

YOU’RE INVITED TO OUR KICK-OFF EVENT!

With this exciting new partnership, RSI is inviting all kids and their families to join the exciting SPORTSAPALOOZA day taking place on Sunday, November 30th from 1:30-5:30pm at the Indoor Training Facility. – the EFTC – located at 1821 Cook St.

Our Sportspalooza Day is a chance for children to jump in, meet RSI coaches, see the indoor facility, and get a sneak peak at our upcoming Harvey’s Sports Stars Programming.

During this Demo Day, children will get to:

Explore the activities we offer
Meet the coaches and see the facility
Get a feel for the environment
Discover what makes this program so engaging and confidence-building

Spaces are limited, so we highly encourage you to claim your spot as early as possible.

The Victoria HarbourCats will begin their 2026 West Coast League season in late May of 2026, with the home opener against the Edmonton Riverhawks scheduled for Tuesday, June 2, 2026.

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

Pitching Coach Gorm hits a HUGE milestone

Published

1 week ago

November 26, 2025

Dugout Wire Service

The Nanaimo NightOwls will be using the 2026 season to celebrate Gorm Heimueller — the esteemed pitching coach, one of the best to ever do it in baseball! The 70-year-old marks a half-century in the game when he suits up in his fifth summer in the West Coast League with the Nanaimo NightOwls.

“First — thank you, Nanaimo,” said Heimueller. “I’m very grateful to the Nanaimo NightOwls organization for allowing me to come back as pitching coach in 2026. This will be my 50th year since I signed my first pro contract, but I’ve been very fortunate and blessed to be involved in this game that I’ve loved for more than 60 years. I’m looking forward to working with Jim, Tina, Anthony, and Cody in putting together an exciting and competitive team on the field for our amazing Nanaimo fans!”

Coach Gorm will tuck his golf clubs away in May — he recorded his second career ace recently — so he can do what he loves most, and that’s working with young pitchers.

“We are going to celebrate Gorm in 2026 — our players, our coaches, our staff could not have more admiration for him as a coach and as a human being,” said Jim Swanson, managing partner of the NightOwls, in announcing Heimueller and wife Lee Ann will return to Nanaimo in 2026 to work with Head Coach Cody Andreychuk and assistant Anthony Houk.

“Players love the man, they hang on his every word. Coaches send us pitchers specifically to get to work with him. He’s a gentleman, he relates well to everyone, and he tells the best stories. We have an absolute legend of the game in Nanaimo as the only pitching coach the NightOwls have ever known — and he’s a mentor to so many, in so many ways.

“Gorm has more than earned the opportunity to be celebrated for all he’s done for the game. I’m biased because he’s become a good friend, but he should be in the Hall of Fame.”

The NightOwls are unveiling a special “GORM50” logo that will be ever-present during the 2026 season — from players shirts, to merchandise. There is also a book being written on his stories and exploits, co-written by Swanson and fellow NightOwls owner Helen Edwards — both have authored books in their careers.

Heimueller, a Los Angeles native, who has World Series rings from coaching in the Twins and Phillies systems, started his baseball career as a lefty pitcher at Cal Poly — with a guy named Ozzie Smith as his shortstop.

Heimueller spent 10 years as a professional pitcher, throwing strikes around the globe (Venezuela, Australia, Canada, USA), and spent two years as mostly a starting pitcher with the Oakland A’s (1983-84), a team which featured Rickey Henderson in his prime. As legend has it, the manager at his first MLB spring training was Frank Robinson, with Billy Martin the manager at his second camp, and his first MLB strikeout victim was Cal Ripken Jr. He transitioned directly from playing to coaching in the minors and held pitching coordinator positions later in his pro tenure, including the San Diego Padres until 2020.

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