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WCL Victoria HabourCats

Successful Weekend in Victoria, Duncan

June 23, 2014 - West Coast League (WCL)
Victoria HabourCats News Release


The weekend, it couldn't have gone much better for the HarbourCats, and their two "BASEBALL DAYS" events -- Saturday in Victoria, and Sunday in Duncan.

Tonight, 7:11pm, the HarbourCats start a three-game home series against the Bend Elks, with games also played Tuesday and Wednesday. The HarbourCats (5-7, 3 games back of first place in West Division) took two of three from the Elks a week ago in Bend. Preston Ryan (University of New Mexico) is the probable starter for the HarbourCats on FAIRWAY MARKETS night, with special giveaways to fans.

The HarbourCats were busy on a glorious weekend with excellent weather, filling a gap in their West Coast League schedule with two days of events intended to promote the game of baseball and build the game at all levels.

Saturday, which was Baseball Day in Victoria as declared by the Mayor of Victoria, started with a lively youth skills camp at Sports Traders Diamond, with HarbourCats coaches and players leading more than 30 players through skill-development drills -- and having a lot of fun while doing it.

The afternoon saw the first 'celebrity game' in HarbourCats history, with Mayor Dean Fortin's team, bolstered by other local politicians and media, and HarbourCats owner John 'Yogi' McLean, taking on executives from the Greater Victoria Baseball Association. If you know someone who played in that game, chances are they are a tad sore still today as they got a real appreciation for what it takes to be a HarbourCats player. (Oh, the GVBA won, but it was a good game!)

Saturday night, a crowd of 1,036 took in an exhibition game that saw the HarbourCats defeat the Langley Sr. Blaze (of the amateur Pacific International League) 5-0.

On Sunday, the show moved up-island as the HarbourCats and Blaze met for a second time, with the Blaze winning the game 10-5 on the strength of home runs from Scott Webster and Joe Germaine. Sean Watkins drove in two runs for the HarbourCats, who got a strong relief outing from Jacob McAdams (one hit allowed in 2.2 innings pitched), but the bigger story was the crowd that rimmed the field at Evans Park -- an estimated 1,200 took in the game, held on the final day of the season for Duncan Junior Baseball Association teams.

In the middle of the game, two contestants from Duncan had a chance to win $25,000 in a pitch contest -- an exciting moment on the field. Sponsored by Island Savings, two more contestants will be chosen for an August 3 event at Sports Traders Diamond at Royal Athletic Park, so make sure to come to games to enter, or enter at Island Savings.

None of the great weekend activities could be done without sponsors -- Island Savings, Wilson's Transportation and Times Colonist, and help in Duncan from Tim Hortons and CUPE#358. The HarbourCats would like to thank them all, along with all the participants in Saturday's events, and a special thanks to Kevin Olender and Tina Baker from Duncan Junior Baseball.

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West Coast League Stories from June 23, 2014


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