WCL Victoria HabourCats

HarbourCats, Ticket Rocket Sign Multi-Year Deal; Two Players Released

Published on July 8, 2015 under West Coast League (WCL)
Victoria HabourCats News Release


VICTORIA, B.C. - Local, local, local. Tickets, tickets, tickets.

The past two seasons, the Victoria HarbourCats have made a concerted effort to bring every part of their business back to local roots - now, including the recent ownership change and now with the ticketing operations shift, major aspects have that all-Victoria feel.

The HarbourCats and Ticket Rocket are pleased to announce a five-year pact to work together on ticketing operations and initiatives that will further entrench the HarbourCats as the premier summer sports franchise on Vancouver Island, providing affordable family entertainment in a familiar outdoor, open-air venue - Sports Traders Diamond at RAP.

Ticket Rocket was co-founded by Matthew Davey, Chris Noel, Sean Toohey and Donna Lee. Davey is a Belmont and UVic grad that now splits his time between Victoria and New Zealand. While down in NZ, Matthew founded TicketDirect, an international event ticketing company started in 1999, which has grown to be the one of largest ticketing companies in New Zealand and one of the fastest growing event services companies in Australia. Chris and Sean are the owners of Hipwood Digital, a Victoria based Digital Agency with a background in sports and entertainment. Donna Lee, who also went to high school in Victoria, was previously cofounder of Mascot Secret, a mobile ticketing startup that Hipwood was a technical partner of. The Ticket Rocket team has taken on the challenges and nuances of baseball scheduling and ticketing with gusto and expertise.

"As a company, we could not be more pleased to be aligned with a strong and growing brand like the HarbouCats, and we're proud to be teamed with them on a long-term agreement," said Davey. "Our business is expanding, and having more clients in North America and in the baseball world is giving us a fresh new challenge and one we're more than excited to tackle. There are so many opportunities with the HarbourCats to grow this franchise, and we're happy to play a part in that."

The changeover took place prior to the season, but now all major integrations are well beyond the testing stages, allowing this announcement to happen.

"It has proven to be a great fit, being a local company with area knowledge and having quality people just a short walk away if any issues arise," said Jim Swanson, GM/VP of the Victoria HarbourCats. "With our ownership change came the necessity of evaluating all previous contracts and determining the best fits and opportunities for advancement. We're very excited about Ticket Rocket's approach and their ideas for new initiatives. We made the change close to the season and I can't say enough about the professionalism of the Ticket Rocket staff."

Ticket Rocket's new seat-selection system, the strong graphics, and the integration with the HarbourCats' website have earned notice from fans. The HarbourCats have drawn more than 26,000 people already this season to Sports Traders Diamond at RAP, and the team is leading the West Coast League in attendance again, this time with an average of 1,791 per game, including a WCL all-time record of 4,627 on Opening Night (June 5, 2015).

Tickets are available at www.harbourcats.com/tickets, with the links sending customers directly to the site. A major portion of HarbourCats fans enter the gates with tickets purchased on-line, whether it be season tickets, flex packs, picnic table reservations, or single-game purchases.

PLAYER MOVES

The HarbourCats are releasing RHP/OF Kyle Francis, who suffered an elbow injury, and OF Kevin Amezquita. From East LA College, Amezquita was 6-33 (.182) with a home run, two doubles, four runs driven in, and two stolen bases. Francis was .222 at the plate (10-45) with a double and seven RBIs, and on the mound he was 0-0 with a 3.72 ERA, 11 walks and 10 strikeouts in nine appearances covering 9.2 innings.

CAMPS REMINDER

The Toronto Blue Jays Honda Super Camp still has spots available, July 12-13 - register through the link here: http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com/tor/baseball_academy/honda_super_camps.jsp

HARBOURCATS HOME GAME TICKETS ON SALE, ON-LINE

HarbourCats fans can get to the front of the line now by going on-line to purchase tickets for the 2015 season - that includes next weekend's games, the final Fireworks Game, slated for August 3, and special promotional days we're going to announce soon on July 16 (Black Press baseball card giveaway), July 17 (SuperBath Car Wash/SuperHero Night), and surprise promos for July 24, July 25, and July 28. You won't want to miss these events!

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West Coast League Stories from July 8, 2015


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