WCL Victoria HabourCats

PBL Provincials Wrap Up, HarbourCats Play Tonight

August 2, 2015 - West Coast League (WCL)
Victoria HabourCats News Release


The North Shore Twins won the regular season of the BC Premier Baseball League, so only fitting they captured the Quality Foods BCPBL Provincials on the weekend at Sports Traders Diamond at RAP on Sunday with a lopsided win over the Nanaimo Pirates, who edged the Victoria Eagles earlier in the day in the semifinal.

The tournament went off without a hitch and was well-attended as the facility, one of the best in Canada, was showcased with some of the best high-school baseball in the country. The HarbourCats were honored to work with the Victoria Eagles to produce this event, yet another great spectacle to be held in the City of Victoria, and supported by our friends with the City.

The HarbourCats used the tournament to scout for future years, and have put two players on their watch list for the coming college fall/spring season -- OF Zach Diewert of the Nanaimo Pirates, who will go to Polk State in Florida this fall, and OF Brendan Turcotte of the Victoria Eagles, who will go to Central Arizona. Other players from the PBL provincials have been noted as the team looks in every area possible in its scouting process to build a championship program for years to come, with notable Island/BC players contributing through three seasons including Connor Russell, Kelly Norris-Jones, Alex Rogers, Griffin Andreychuk and Chris Fougner, to name a few.

"Diewert, Turcotte and a number of other players stood out, and now it's up to them to continue their development, focus on excellence in academics and baseball, and become the kind of players who can help us be a perennial playoff team in a great league like the WCL," said HarbourCats GM Jim Swanson. "We saw a lot of potential and we want to used local players -- but we will not simply add local players because they are from these parts, they need to contribute and belong to every facet of the program. This league is within their grasp, and now things become more competitive for these players and production, commitment to the game, work ethic and character are what will carry them forward. We saw strong pitching performances, a catcher who projects to play at this level, and strong potential from position players."

TICKETS, OFFICE HOURS

The Victoria HarbourCats will have their office open on Monday morning at 8:30 am for those wanting to secure seats for the BC Day Wallace Driving School Fireworks game -- Monday, August 3, with gates at 5:30pm and first pitch at 6:35pm. The team will be recognizing its host families before the game, and the 18-minute fireworks show will commence about 15 minutes after the final play and as soon as it's dark.

Call 778-265-0327, come to 101-1814 Vancouver Street or visit www.harbourcats.com/tickets to secure the best available seats.

This is the last regular season homestand for 2015, so people with 10-game packages have these games to use up those vouchers.

"At the rate tickets are moving, this will be an atmosphere that could very well rival our opening night when we set a WCL attendance record with 4,627," said Swanson. "We want Victoria to become that 10th player for us and help us get our franchise's playoff game. A big crowd gives our guys a big boost."

The game is presented by the Times Colonist, Victoria's daily newspaper.

The HarbourCats are playing the Yakima Valley Pippins, the first-ever visit by that team, and the Pippins are one of the teams the HarbourCats are chasing for that playoff berth.

Tickets are still available to welcome the team home from a successful road trip that has the HarbourCats in the thick of the playoff chase, seeking the wild card spot. The HarbourCats are 24-22 on the year.

Tuesday's game is Harvey's Birthday sponsored by Monk Office and CFAX, KOOL-FM and CTV -- the Bell Media group. It is also a 6:35pm game.

Wednesday is the FINAL REGULAR SEASON GAME, sponsored by Flight Centres -- with details to come on Monday about a special "experiential" trip to Arizona for Spring Training in March, with the HarbourCats as your guide. We will have a special player-focused presentation prior to the game that the team's fans will not want to miss.

The team is offering 2016 season tickets now at 2015 pricing, with no additional tax charge and no service fees, for a limited time. Premium seats are $350, including the in-demand Main Grandstand behind home plate, and general admission seating is $250 per season ticket.

HARBOURCATS IN WENATCHEE

The HarbourCats are closing out their series in Wenatchee, WA, tonight, with a 6pm start -- seeking to sweep the series and move closer to that playoff spot.

RHP Dominic Topoozian of Fresno State, an all-star this year, gets the start for Victoria.



West Coast League Stories from August 2, 2015


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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