Summer Collegiate

Victoria HarbourCats – The host family tale of Helen and her boys

Published

11 months ago

July 3, 2024

Dugout Wire Service

July 3, 2024

For immediate release

VICTORIA B.C. — It’s all about the cookies — and the boys.

Helen Edwards is known for many things, her trademark red HC hat perhaps foremost among them at Victoria HarbourCats games.

But for “her boys,” she’s known for her cookies — as a symbol of her hospitality.

Helen is the epitome of opening a home for HarbourCats baseball players, providing a host stay for a combined 14 players since the end of the pandemic. And each one of them has fallen in love with her baking — chocolate chip or oatmeal raisin, the cookie jar may just be the busiest place in her Fairfield character home.

“We also had some with mini M&M’s, they love their cookies,” said Helen, a season ticket holder with the HarbourCats since 2014, and one of the foremost experts on Victoria sports. After all, she’s literally written the book on the history of professional hockey in the city, and has a book in publishing mode chronicling the first 10 years of her beloved HarbourCats.

“They’ll eat anything I make, they like my cooking — chili, chicken wings, lasagna, and you should’ve seen the mac and cheese that disappeared last night. That would have been enough for my family for a few days, and it was gone! It’s great that they love it, and it’s nice to have someone to cook for, and see it being eaten.”

Helen has written other books, on her father-in-law’s diary during WW1, and on heritage buildings in Victoria. She’s also part of the ownership group of the HarbourCats, joining the group in 2020 and being the significant contributor to the Edwards Family Training Centre on Cook Street, the indoor facility that serves the HarbourCats, the collegiate Golden Tide, and at least a dozen local baseball and softball groups, providing a sheltered place for training.

This season, Helen has pitchers Devin Holmes, Spencer Hatch, and Cade Rusch, son of former MLB pitcher Glendon Rusch. In 2023, she had a somewhat revolving door with stalwart Jesse Brown leading a Helen-homed group that included Ben Smedshammer, Kevin Shea, Rei Kimura and Zak Johnson. In the 2022 year coming out of covid, she took in Addison Sells, Jace Walker, Walker Bordovsky, Tyler Attal, Nick Taylor and Aidan McCann.

Edwards, a former shareholder of the Vancouver Canucks who also now provides charitable help to many causes as a philanthropist, truly enjoys her interactions with the players, spoiling them with dinners at team sponsor Moxie’s — and she’s a proud advocate of the HarbourCats program, standing up for the organization at all times, in all situations.

“I’m the age of their grandparents, but it doesn’t seem to matter — because we all love baseball and we talk baseball,” said Edwards.

“They are getting me into doing fantasy baseball even, that’s what we talked about. It’s all so cool. Being able to watch them is like watching my own kids play sports, there is a connection, and the people around me always ask which guys are my players. It’s fun to know that I’m helping them, too, and one of them may make it to the Majors one day, and even if they don’t — I’m proud of them.

“The other benefit is meeting the parents, with some there’s an instant connection, and it’s like you’ve known each other forever.”

Every organization needs ambassadors, and people who will go above and beyond — Helen is such an example for not just the HarbourCats, but the West Coast League.

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Summer Collegiate

NorthPaws fight off a late Riverdog rally to secure Exhibition victory

Published

5 hours ago

May 30, 2025

Dugout Wire Service

The Kamloops NorthPaws defeated the Kamloops Riverdogs 18U squad 4-3 in a game that came down to the wire. The NorthPaws scored four runs in the first three innings before the bats went silent. The Riverdogs, however, scored their three runs in the eighth and ninth innings.

The Paws got their offence from Many Recchi, Austin Coyle and a solo home run in the bottom of the first from former Riverdog Matthew MacDonald. The Kamloops native got the start behind the plate and went two for two with a base hit in his second and final at-bat of his night, earning him player of the game honours.

The Riverdogs threatened several times in the later stages of the game, including loading the bases with one out in the fifth inning and coming up empty-handed. They later faced the same situation in the eighth but only mustered one run.

The ninth inning saw the Riverdogs put up a pair of runs off RBI doubles and had runners at second and third with two outs. Reid Williamson hit a ball to the warning track in left field that was caught on the run by Recchi to end the game and secure the win for the NorthPaws.

Paws Head Coach Reily Jepson is also a former Riverdog and got his first taste of coaching against his old youth program.

“It’s different coaching against them; they had me on my toes for sure,” said Jepson.

For many of the players in the Northpaw lineup, this was their first game action in a couple of weeks, providing an excellent opportunity to get game experience before the regular season begins.

“Tonight was all about shaking off the rust for guys who haven’t played in a while and getting their feet under them – This was also the first time they were playing under us as a coaching staff, so they’re all a little nervous, so it’s just to get warm and get ready for the weekend,” said Jepson.

With both teams being local, the fans showed up and cheered on their beloved squads throughout the night.

“It was great to see people in the seats even though there may have been more RiverDogs fans, but it’s great to get the community involved,” Said Jepson.

The NorthPaws will hit the road for six games starting Friday in Port Angeles for a three-game series before heading back south of the border for three more to play the Belling Bells beginning Tuesday. The NorthPaws will be back at Norbrock Stadium for the home opener on Friday, June 6, where they take on their Interior rival, the Kelowna Falcons. The first pitch is set for 6:05; we hope to see you there!

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Summer Collegiate

Victoria HarbourCats – You’re invited! HarbourCats to host pre-season mixer, May 27th!

Published

1 week ago

May 23, 2025

Dugout Wire Service

Join HarbourCats players, coaches, staff and Harvey the HarbourCat this coming Tuesday at Mayfair Optometric clinic for the HarbourCats annual pre-season mixer!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELASE

May 23, 2025

Victoria, BC – The Victoria HarbourCats would like to invite all fans, season ticket holders, host families, partners and sponsors to our annual pre-season mixer, this year hosted by our fine friends at Mayfair Optometric Clinic, on Tuesday, May 27th at 5:00 pm.

Join us as we celebrate the start of another great season of West Coast League baseball and meet some of the players and coaches, grab some merchandise and enjoy a beverage and snack on us!

Red Arrow Brewing will be providing some of our signature Ballpark Blonde Ale, Ooh La La Cupcakes will be providing some tasty treats, various other food and snacks will be available and Samuel the Bartender will be on hand to help with serving drinks.

HarbourCats merchandise will also be available and we will have some door prizes to give away too!

Please be sure to join us and kick-off another great season of HarbourCats baseball!

The HarbourCats open their 2025 home schedule on Friday, June 6, with the Port Angeles Lefties visiting Wilson’s Group Stadium at RAP. 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.

HOST FAMILIES NEEDED! The HarbourCats are in need to host families for the 2025 season! If you would love to host a collegiate level athlete for three months this summer and become an integral part of the HarbourCats family, please contact Host Family Coordinator Cindy Kent at hostfamily@harbourcats.com. Compensation, grocery stipend and season tickets provided. More details HERE

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Summer Collegiate

Victoria HarbourCats – CHEK and HarbourCats combine for broadcast home run

Published

1 week ago

May 22, 2025

Dugout Wire Service

HarbourCats in 30 to air throughout the summer

May 22, 2025

For immediate release

VICTORIA, B.C. — Vancouver Islands’ local television station and Victoria’s top summer sports team are joining forces.

CHEK TV will air “HarbourCats in 30” after all home games played at Wilson’s Group Stadium at Royal Athletic Park this season. As the name suggests, it’s a 30-minute highlight package that will follow the popular CHEK News at 10pm, with HarbourCats in 30 slated to start at 10:30pm.

This follows in the shoes of the popular “Royals in 30” that CHEK has aired during the winter WHL season.

“The HarbourCats are such an important part of summer on the Island, and we’re proud to share that experience with an even wider audience,” said Rob Germain, General Manager of CHEK Media. “HarbourCats in 30 captures all the excitement of the game and the spirit of the fans—delivered after every home game on CHEK TV, CHEK+, and CHEK’s YouTube channel.”

The HarbourCats play nearly every day in summer, this year starting on the road in Kelowna on May 30. The home opener is June 6, vs the cross-strait rival Port Angeles Lefties — the HarbourCats, before the playoffs, will play 60 games in 68 days, with 33 of those at home in Victoria, the familiar stadium on the corner of Caledonia and Vancouver.

“We are beyond excited to team up with our longtime friends at CHEK for these highlight shows, so more people can see our players perform and work to make the highest level,” said Jim Swanson, Managing Partner of the HarbourCats. “We are proud of the events we put on, and also our success on the field. Having eight of our players reach the Major Leagues in just 10 seasons is a credit to the community, our coaches and our staff.”

CHEK was the first private television station in B.C. and is the first and only employee-owned TV station in North America, now celebrating nearly 70 years in the community and 15 years of being independently owned.

The HarbourCats debuted in 2013 and are the longest-operating baseball club in Victoria’s history. Three times the team has made it to the final WCL playoff game, and in 2016 set the WCL record with a 19-game winning streak.

Tickets and merchandise can also be purchased in person at the HarbourCats office at 101-1814 Vancouver Street or by calling 778-265-0327.

PRE-SEASON MEET AND GREET! – The HarbourCats invite all fans to their 2025 Pre-Season Mixer on Tuesday, May 27th, from 5pm to 7pm at Mayfair Optometric Clinic at 3196 Douglas Street just opposite the intersection with Tolmie Avenue. Meet some of the players, coaches and our staff, grab some merchandise, high five Harvey and enjoy some beverages and snacks on us!

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