Summer Collegiate
Victoria HarbourCats – Team Black prevails in Game 1 of Golden Tide Intersquad World Series
Above: Team Black’s Zeke Holt celebrates scoring one of six runs in the second inning against Team Gold Wednesday.
Story and Photos by Christian J. Stewart
October 28, 2021, Victoria, BC – Team Black jumped out to an early 6-0 lead but then had to hang on for an exciting 14-13 win over Team Gold in Game 1 of the Victoria Golden Tide Inter-squad Wold Series on Wednesday afternoon at Wilson’s Group Stadium in Victoria.
Team Black shortstop Brandon Green puts the tag on Team Gold baserunner Tyler Burton during this first inning rundown on Wednesday.
The World Series, the first for the inaugural year of Golden Tide baseball, pits Team Gold (coached by Ethan Fox) against Team Black (coached by Kyle Orr) in a best of three series. The winning team not only gets bragging rights, but will be awarded with a night in the Wilson’s Transportation Group suite at a Victoria Royals game.
Team Gold’s Brody Alexandre had two hits, a walk and two runs scored in the loss to Team Black Wednesday.
The Series is being played under some unique rules, designed to speed up game play and keep the games exciting, as due to other events scheduled in the evenings at the stadium, games have to be completed by 6:30pm.
As such, pitchers are required to pitch within 10 seconds and teams have to hustle on and off the field between innings. Any delays or infractions will warrant a warning from Head Coach Curtis Pelletier and if a team is notified a second time, a run is granted to their opponents.
Team Black left-handed slugger Ryan Deagle had two singles, a double a walk and two RBI to lead the Team Black offence Wednesday.
Batters are also not allowed to call time outs, or a strike will be called, catchers have pinch runners at all times and in all the even numbered innings, teams begin the inning with a runner on second base.
While there were a few warnings in Wednesday’s game, there were no penalty runs awarded under the rules, however the runner at second in the even innings had a dramatic impact on the game, with seven of those eight runners ultimately scoring.
Team Gold’s Daniel Sawchyn, here celebrating a score, would have three hits and two RBI to pace the Team Gold offence.
This aspect came into effect immediately Wednesday, as Team Black would jump on Gold starter Brady Wilson for six runs in the top of the second inning, thanks to five five consecutive base hits, one of which, by high schooler Ryan Deagle, scored Alex Mclauchlan, the special runner, with the first run of the game.
Team Black’s Brett Paterson would be credited with the win in relief on Wednesday.
Team Gold would get one of those runs back in the second, when special runner Brody Alexandre scored despite a 1-2-3 inning and then they would jump into a brief 7-6 lead in the third, when they finally got to Black starter Ethan Dean for six runs on the strength of six hits.
A three-run fourth inning, keyed by an RBI single from Jaxson Cordle, would put Team Black back in front 9-6 and they would extend that lead to 14-9 heading to the bottom of the eighth (the agreed upon final inning due to curfew).
Team Black’s Jaxson Cordle slides safely into second base ahead of the throw to Team Gold second baseman Myles Wall.
Team Gold would not go down without a fight however and after a pair of walks and singles from Parker Harris, Daniel Sawchyn and Alexandre, they had closed the gap to 14-13 with the tying run sitting on second base. Reliever Haldon Craig would not be fazed however and struck out Jordan Bond to end the game and preserve the crucial game one win.
Team Gold’s Will Podmoroff hustles to third base during action Wednesday against Team Black.
For Team Black at the plate, Parksville Royal product Deagle had a great night, slashing two singles, a double, two RBI and scoring twice. Zeke Holt also had a three hit night with two runs scored, while Cordle, Ryan Whelan and Witt Nevins all had RBI base hits.
On the hill, Dean was picked up with some solid middle-inning relief by Brett Paterson, who gets credit for the win, going three innings and surrendering two runs on one hit and two walks. Nate Major pitched the seventh and part of the eighth innings and Craig would get the save.
Team Gold’s Jayden Puri would provide four innings of solid relief in Wednesday’s game.
For Team Gold, Sawchyn would lead the offence with three hits, two RBI and a run scored, while Alexandre would chip in with two hits a walk and two runs scored. Tyler Burton was his usual instigator in the leadoff spot, with a single, walking three times and scoring twice, while Victoria Eagle product Ryder Green would single, walk and score three times in the losing effort.
Team Black’s Zeke Holt would make a valiant effort to catch this foul pop-up in Wednesday’s game.
On the mound, Wilson would pitch through the fourth, taking the loss. Jayden Puri would take over in relief, finishing the game and giving up five runs on five hits and three walks in his four innings of work.
Game two in the series was scheduled for 4:00 pm on Thursday afternoon, but has now been cancelled because of extreme rain and weather. It will now be played Friday at 4:00 pm. Game three then (if needed), would likely then be held Sunday afternoon, with a time to be determined.
Tam Gold’s Jordan Bond slides safely into second, ahead of the throw to Team Black second baseman Austin Gurney.
The Golden Tide will also be in action on Saturday for their last formal game of the fall season, when they take on the Ontario Giants at 3:00 pm at Wilson’s Group Stadium in a single nine-inning game. Tickets are available at the gate. That game will be preceded by a game at 12 noon between the HarbourCats Players Development Club and the Giants U16 club. That game is included with the ticket for the Tide game at 3:00pm.
Team Black catcher Andrew Baxter puts the tag on Team Gold’s Jordan Bond on this play at the plate Wednesday.
Jenna Forter is the new GM of the Kamloops NorthPaws
The Kamloops NorthPaws has a new face at the helm.
Kamloops local Jenna Forter has been hired as the expansion team’s new general manager.
A graduate of Thompson Rivers University, Forter brings a wealth of experience in the tourism and hospitality industry to the NorthPaws front office. She also brings a worldwide perspective having grown up in Southeast Asia and living in Lake Louise and Revelstoke before moving to Kamloops in 2017.
“I have a passion for the Kamloops community and I truly believe in the legacy the NorthPaws want to build. I’m excited to be a part of building this expansion franchise,” says Forter.
With the announcement, Forter becomes the fifth active female GM in the West Coast League and the only active GM in the Kamloops sports community.
Forter takes the reins from interim general manager Sean Wandler who will remain with the organization.
“We’re excited to have Jenna as the next member of local, homegrown talent on our staff. Sean’s role as GM was always intended to be on an interim basis and he will still be an integral part of our team. We see this as a great addition to our staff as we work toward opening day in May,” says co-owner Jon Pankuch.
Forter joins head coach Cole Armstrong and operations manager Jamie Shinkewski as NorthPaws front office staff as the aforementioned homegrown talent.
Armstrong grew up in Surrey and spent summers with his grandparents around Heffley Lake before embarking on his career in professional baseball. He returned to BC to join the NorthPaws front office this summer after nearly two decades south of the border.
Shinkewski is a born, raised and returned Kamloopsian and has filled various roles across the Kamloops sports community.
Summer Collegiate
Victoria HarbourCats – HarbourCats Ready to Begin Ticket Exchanges for 2022 Season
New single- game ticket sales to begin December 9th, 2021
For Immediate Release
November 29, 2021
CLICK IMAGE FOR LARGER VERSION
Victoria, BC – The Victoria HarbourCats are excited to announce that beginning Tuesday, they are now ready to start exchanging unused 2020 and 2021 tickets and 2020, 2021 and 2022 ticket vouchers for specific game tickets for the 2022 West Coast League season at Wilson’s Group Stadium at Royal Athletic Park (SCHEDULE TO RIGHT and HERE).
PLEASE NOTE THIS IS FOR FANS WHO HAVE EXISTING 2020 and 2021 TICKETS OR 2020, 2021 and 2022 VOUCHERS / FLEX-PACKS FOR EXCHANGE ONLY!
NEW SINGLE GAME TICKET SALES WILL NOT BEGIN UNTIL DECEMBER 9th at 10:00 AM.
Ticket exchanges will begin at 10:00 AM, Tuesday, November 30th at the HarbourCats office at 101-1814 Vancouver Street, however in order to expedite this process and to ensure we are meeting required protocols for number of people in our small office at any one time, we are asking fans to PLEASE BOOK AN APPOINTMENT to come in and do the exchange.
Fans can book appointments at go.harbourcats.com
Please note, if you booked your 2020 or 2021 tickets on-line with Select Your Tickets and received e-mailed PDF tickets, you may call them directly at 250-220-7777 to make the exchange and do not need to come into the HarbourCats office to do this.
2020/2021 actual GAME tickets MUST be exchanged at the HarbourCats office, ideally prior to the start of our 2022 season. Such tickets will NOT be accepted at the stadium box office windows on 2022 game days.
For ticket voucher / flex-packs exchanges, while we would prefer all exchanges happen at the office and prior to the start of the season, we WILL accept ticket vouchers for exchange at the box office windows on 2022 game days, but, note, as we expect this to be a busy season of HarbourCats baseball, tickets for specific sections will be subject to availability on those days.
If you do not have vouchers and want to take advantage of the early exchange opportunities for 10-game flex pack holders noted above, you CAN purchase new or additional 2022 10-game flex packs at any time. These can be purchased at the HarbourCats office, or on-line at https://victoria-harbourcats-official.myshopify.com/products/10-game-flex-pack-general-admission
PURCHASING 2022 INDIVIDUAL GAME TICKETS
2022 single-game tickets will go on sale to the general public on December 9th, 2021. These will be available at the office, or on-line via Select Your Tickets at https://harbourcats.com/tickets. If you do not have 2020/2021 tickets for exchange, or 2020, 2021 or 2022 ticket vouchers, you will have to wait until that date to purchase single-game tickets for the 2022 season.
SEASON TICKET HOLDERS
If you are a FULL season ticket holder and you have paid in full for your seats prior to the 2020 or 2021 seasons, or have recently purchased seats for the 2022 season, there is no need for you to do anything at this time. Your seats are held for 2022, your payment has been applied and your tickets will be ready for pick-up sometime in Mid-May. Should you wish to upgrade your seats or add seats, or if you do not have season tickets and would to purchase them, please contact chris@harbourcats.com or call the office at 778-265-0327.
Should you have any questions at all on any of the above, please do not hesitate to contact Christian Stewart, Assistant GM of Ticketing and Media at 778-265-0327, or by e-mail at chris@harbourcats.com.
The Kamloops NorthPaws have resigned a quartet of players and a coach who were slated to be a part of the 2021 campaign.
Players Thomas Green, Marshal Luiz, Trey Newman, Colby Ring and assistant coach Sammie Starr have all recommitted to the Tournament Capital’s expansion franchise after missing the opportunity last summer when the 2021 season was cancelled due to pandemic-related circumstances.
“I wish Kamloops could’ve seen these guys this past summer but talking with them they continue to be excited to come to Kamloops and be a part of what we’re building with the NorthPaws,” says head coach Cole Armstrong.
Thomas Green
The middle infielder from Courtenay, B.C. joined the NCAA Division I Oakland University Grizzlies this fall.
He played the 2021 summer season for the Amarillo Sod Squad in Texas, putting up a .250 average with 15 RBIs in 35 games.
His cousin, Taylor Green, was drafted by and played for Milwaukee Brewers and is currently working in their scouting department.
Photo Credit: JSU Athletics
Marshal Luiz
A left-handed hitting junior catcher at Jackson State University, Luiz grew up in Surrey and had previously learned under Armstrong’s tutelage during high school.
He posted a .259 avg, 27 walks and 23 RBIs in 26 games for a Tigers team which finished a perfect 24-0 in league play during the 2021 season before falling in the Southwestern Athletic Conference championship.
“It’s pretty cool to have a West Coast League team not too far from home and be able to play competitive baseball in such a highly touted summer collegiate league. Being a B.C. guy, it’s going to be really cool to experience that and be a part of it,” Luiz said.
Photo Credit: UVU Athletics
Trey Newman
Trey Newman was the first player to officially sign a contract to play for the Kamloops NorthPaws, and he is again one of the first players to re-commit to the team’s delayed inaugural season.
The Arizonan catcher played his 2021 season at Utah Valley University leading the team with a .382 on-base percentage. He posted a .230 batting average and started 17 games behind the plate as a Covid freshman.
He transferred this summer to Central Arizona College, the 2021 NJCAA national championship runner-up, where he impressed through the fall.
Newman has committed to return to NCAA Division I next year with the Arizona State University Sun Devils.
Colby Ring
The crafty lefty from Langley is entering his junior season with the University of Antelope Valley Pioneers.
He will come to NorthPaws as one of the few players with prior experience in the West Coast League. He suited up for the Bellingham Bells during the 2019 season.
“I can argue the West Coast League has some of the best players in North America and it’s definitely one of the best leagues to play in during the summer,” Ring said.
Sammie Starr
An assistant coach at the University of British Columbia, Starr brings a wealth of knowledge to the NorthPaws staff.
Originally from Toronto, Starr played at UBC as an infielder before playing and coaching in the Baltimore Orioles minor league system where he crossed paths with Armstrong.
“As far as young coaching talent in Canada, he’s as good at it gets,” says the NorthPaws skipper.
The NorthPaws open the inaugural season on May 31 when the Edmonton Riverhawks come to Norbrock Stadium. The full regular season schedule is available online: https://www.northpawsbaseball.ca/schedule.
Reserve your seat to see the NorthPaws during the inaugural season. 10-Game Flex Plans and Season Tickets are on sale now. Visit https://tickets.northpawsbaseball.ca to join us at Norbrock Stadium next summer.
NorthPaws Introduce Jenna Forter as New GM
Victoria HarbourCats – HarbourCats Ready to Begin Ticket Exchanges for 2022 Season
2021 Commitments Re-Sign with NorthPaws
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