2016 HarbourCats Coaching Staff Announced
November 19, 2015 - West Coast League (WCL)
Victoria HabourCats News Release
VICTORIA, B.C. - The Victoria HarbourCats ownership group, localized with the changes made last off-season, has stressed stability and a firm foundation.
With that in mind, the HarbourCats are pleased to announce the 2016 coaching staff, which is essentially the same staff with one local addition to the mix that led the HarbourCats to the franchise's first winning season, a 29-24 mark in 2015 that gave local baseball fans a real pennant chase to capture their attention, with the HarbourCats going 21-8 down the stretch.
The coaching staff for 2016, under the guidance of the General Manager, Jim Swanson, and key staff:
Head coach - Graig Merritt, previously announced as returning for a second season
Pitching coach - Alec Adame, returns for a second year, from East LA College
Assistant coach - Joe Meggs, his second year, ex-pro OF now Director of Operations at UW
Assistant coach - Jerry Pena, his second year in Victoria, seasoned coach with elite California programs
Bullpen coach - Andrew Wilson, a Victoria-raised coach with a winning pedigree, including a B.C. title
The HarbourCats staff includes three MLB scouts, as Merritt evaluates players for the Tampa Bay Rays, Adame has scouted for a number of teams as a pitching specialist, most notably the St. Louis Cardinals, and Swanson is area scout for the Detroit Tigers organization. Those connections are valuable to players, who come to the West Coast League, and to Victoria, looking to develop and make it to the next level.
"This is the crew we saw so much advancement with last year, as they learned the league and as we put a specific culture in place with the franchise," said Swanson. "The word is out in college baseball that Victoria is a place where players come to get better, and where striving for success and being baseball-first leads to a winning culture. We saw a lot of growth not just from our players last year, but also from our coaches, and getting Alec, Joe and Jerry back with Graig, and adding Andrew, covers the right bases for our 2016 season.
"So many of the players on last year's team made it a priority to come back, and that speaks to the level of the coaching staff and the teaching they did. It also says a lot about the program, and beyond that - it says great things about Victoria."
Swanson and Merritt have been working hard on the recruiting process, with contributions from Adame, Meggs and Pena. Wilson, who led Victoria's entry to a bantam provincial title last summer, spent time in 2015 as a volunteer in a part-time observation role, and meshed well with the staff.
"Andrew is a coach who has advanced beyond the level he's been at the last few years with his understanding of the game and what it takes to be successful, and this is a great opportunity to grow," said Swanson. "Andrew quickly gained the respect of the other HarbourCats coaches from the start. He'll play a key role as our bullpen coach, something we didn't have last year, and a role that will help not just with game management, but with the additional work the players thrive on before and between West Coast League games."
CHRISTMAS OFFERINGS
The HarbourCats will be announcing their Christmas offers next week, including tickets and merchandise that will help local baseball fans fill stockings and gift bags with great presents.
FESTIVAL OF TREES - The Victoria HarbourCats are proud to be carrying the torch as the only area sports team with a tree at the Festival of Trees, benefitting the B.C. Children's Hospital Foundation and taking place this year at the Bay Centre (formerly, the event was at The Empress.) The HarbourCats have teamed with the Greater Victoria Baseball Association to pull off what will be an amazing tribute to baseball - we think everyone will agree. The tree is now on display at the Bay Centre.
OFFICE HOURS
With the off-season now upon us, the team's office at 101-1814 Vancouver Street will see reduced hours through the end of November.
MONDAY - Closed
TUESDAY-FRIDAY - 9:30am-3:30pm
SATURDAY-SUNDAY -- Closed
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West Coast League Stories from November 19, 2015
- Sweets Announce Addition of Pair of Otters for 2016 - Walla Walla Sweets
- 2016 HarbourCats Coaching Staff Announced - Victoria HabourCats
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