West Coast League

Amid its second straight cancelled West Coast League season, the Victoria HarbourCats are hoping the recently relaxed public gathering restrictions will allow them to play exhibition games this summer. (Photo by Christian J. Stewart/Victoria HarbourCats)

Victoria HarbourCats exploring possibility of exhibition ball games for late summer

Unable to assemble signed squad, HarbourCats may play other Canadian teams in West Coast League

 

Victoria HarbourCats’ pitcher Ethan Fox hurls one toward the plate during 2018 West Coast League baseball action game at Wilson’s Group Stadium. The Cats announced their 2019 season schedule today. Don Descoteau/Victoria News

HarbourCats nail down 2019 West Coast League baseball schedule

Another busy summer planned for Victoria’s collegiate level ballclub

 

Victoria HarbourCats’ Ryan Ober leaps to grab a throw as a Portland player dives into second base, during Wednesday night’s West Coast League baseball game at Wilson’s Group Stadium in Victoria. The Pickles posted a 10-3 victory to eliminate the Cats from playoff contention on the last day of the regular season. Don Descoteau/Victoria News

Baseball’s HarbourCats wind up WCL season with loss to Pickles

Victoria needed a win to make the league playoffs, now looks ahead to 2019

 

WATCH: Busy exhibition weekend follows WCL sweep for HarbourCats

WATCH: Busy exhibition weekend follows WCL sweep for HarbourCats

Victoria baseball club prepares to close out regular season, gunning for playoff spot

WATCH: Busy exhibition weekend follows WCL sweep for HarbourCats
HarbourCats’ Jedd Fagg (right) is congratulated by his brother Jaaxon after hitting a two-run single in the bottom of the 10th to give Victoria a 5-4 win over the Bend Elks at Wilson’s Group Stadium. Jedd Fagg and two teammates are headed to the West Coast League all-star game next week in Port Angeles. Photo Christian J. Stewart/Victoria HarbourCats

Tuesday’s HarbourCats hero joining two teammates at WCL all-star game

Jedd Fagg hits walk-off two-run single in 10th, Victoria beats Bend 5-4

HarbourCats’ Jedd Fagg (right) is congratulated by his brother Jaaxon after hitting a two-run single in the bottom of the 10th to give Victoria a 5-4 win over the Bend Elks at Wilson’s Group Stadium. Jedd Fagg and two teammates are headed to the West Coast League all-star game next week in Port Angeles. Photo Christian J. Stewart/Victoria HarbourCats
Victoria third baseman Jason Willow makes a play against Bellingham in Saturday evening’s West Coast League game. The local baseball product went four-for-12 at the plate in his first weekend with the HarbourCats, but Victoria lost two of three games to the North Division-leading Bells, including 4-3 on a late home run Sunday. (Photo by Christian J. Stewart/Victoria HarbourCats)

Late Bellingham homer sinks HarbourCats at home

Visiting Bells take two of three West Coast League games in Victoria, Cats off to Walla Walla

Victoria third baseman Jason Willow makes a play against Bellingham in Saturday evening’s West Coast League game. The local baseball product went four-for-12 at the plate in his first weekend with the HarbourCats, but Victoria lost two of three games to the North Division-leading Bells, including 4-3 on a late home run Sunday. (Photo by Christian J. Stewart/Victoria HarbourCats)
Unfurling a banner dedicated to the memory of late Greater Victoria umpire Doug Hudlin before the HarbourCats game Sunday were City Coun. Marianne Alto (left), niece Barbara Hudlin and Cats’ players Justin Solt and Ryan Green. Doug Hudlin, who passed away in 2014, was named to the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame last year and was a firm, yet beloved figure on local minor baseball diamonds for decades starting in 1953. The banner is hung in a place of honour at Wilson’s Group Stadium at Royal Athletic Park. Spencer Pickles/Black Press

Baseball HarbourCats sit at .500 heading into Bend road trip

Port Angeles wins two of three in weekend WCL series in Victoria

Unfurling a banner dedicated to the memory of late Greater Victoria umpire Doug Hudlin before the HarbourCats game Sunday were City Coun. Marianne Alto (left), niece Barbara Hudlin and Cats’ players Justin Solt and Ryan Green. Doug Hudlin, who passed away in 2014, was named to the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame last year and was a firm, yet beloved figure on local minor baseball diamonds for decades starting in 1953. The banner is hung in a place of honour at Wilson’s Group Stadium at Royal Athletic Park. Spencer Pickles/Black Press
Former Toronto Blue Jays infielder Kelly Gruber will serve as an honorary coach during this weekend’s home exhibition games between the Victoria HarbourCats and Coquitlam Angels senior men’s baseball team at Wilson’s Group Stadium at Royal Athletic Park. Photo courtesy Victoria HabrourCats

HarbourCats featuring former Blue Jays star as weekend coach

1992 World Series champ Kelly Gruber honorary coach for exhibitions vs. Coquitlam men’s team

Former Toronto Blue Jays infielder Kelly Gruber will serve as an honorary coach during this weekend’s home exhibition games between the Victoria HarbourCats and Coquitlam Angels senior men’s baseball team at Wilson’s Group Stadium at Royal Athletic Park. Photo courtesy Victoria HabrourCats
Port Angeles Lefites base runner Matthew Christian dives safely back into third base after overrunning the bag, as Victoria HarbourCats infielder Tanner Haney’s (11) looks to toss the ball to Clyde Chung-Chi Yen for the tag. The Lefties overcame a 6-1 deficit to win 8-6. Don Descoteau/Black Press

Sun shines on visitors in HarbourCats’ exhibition opener

Victoria in Port Angeles tonight for second half of West Coast League home-and-home

Port Angeles Lefites base runner Matthew Christian dives safely back into third base after overrunning the bag, as Victoria HarbourCats infielder Tanner Haney’s (11) looks to toss the ball to Clyde Chung-Chi Yen for the tag. The Lefties overcame a 6-1 deficit to win 8-6. Don Descoteau/Black Press
The Victoria HarbourCats may not see 2017 top slugger Hunter Vansau back in the lineup for a while, but the University of Mississippi outfielder is planning on returning to the Island once his season with the Ole Miss Rebels ends. Photo Christian J. Stewart/Courtesy Victoria HarbourCats

PLAY BALL: HarbourCats test WCL waters with exhibitions, open season at home Friday

New-look Victoria looks to improve on successful 2017 baseball season

The Victoria HarbourCats may not see 2017 top slugger Hunter Vansau back in the lineup for a while, but the University of Mississippi outfielder is planning on returning to the Island once his season with the Ole Miss Rebels ends. Photo Christian J. Stewart/Courtesy Victoria HarbourCats
Victoria HarbourCats were prominent in the West Coast League season-end awards, announced this week. Jack Owen (from left), was named the WCL’s top pitcher, while outfielder Hunter Vansau and pitcher Adam McKillican, along with catcher Shane McGuire and pitcher Travis Kuhn (not shown) were named to the all-WCL second team. Don Descoteau/Victoria News

HarbourCats’ Owen named West Coast League’s top pitcher

Victoria left-hander was tough to score against this baseball season

Victoria HarbourCats were prominent in the West Coast League season-end awards, announced this week. Jack Owen (from left), was named the WCL’s top pitcher, while outfielder Hunter Vansau and pitcher Adam McKillican, along with catcher Shane McGuire and pitcher Travis Kuhn (not shown) were named to the all-WCL second team. Don Descoteau/Victoria News
Bringing in Claire Eccles this season as the first female player in West Coast League baseball history was among the bold moves made by the Victoria HarbourCats in 2017. Don Descoteau/Victoria News

WCL season a win despite finals loss for Victoria: Swanson

Fans, business community, players continue to be attracted by HarbourCats program

Bringing in Claire Eccles this season as the first female player in West Coast League baseball history was among the bold moves made by the Victoria HarbourCats in 2017. Don Descoteau/Victoria News
Victoria HarbourCats starting pitcher Adam McKillican takes high fives after finishing off an inning in Saturday’s game 1 of the West Coast League championship series against Corvallis at Royal Athletic Park. The Cats won 5-4 with an RBI single by Po-Hao Huang in the bottom of the ninth. Don Descoteau/Victoria News

Victoria squeaks out WCL final victory with walk-off single in game 1

Po-Hao-Huang slaps big single to centre to score Andrew Schaps for winning run

Victoria HarbourCats starting pitcher Adam McKillican takes high fives after finishing off an inning in Saturday’s game 1 of the West Coast League championship series against Corvallis at Royal Athletic Park. The Cats won 5-4 with an RBI single by Po-Hao Huang in the bottom of the ninth. Don Descoteau/Victoria News
Andrew Schaps rounds second for the Victoria HarbourCats in West Coast League playoff action Tuesday at Royal Athletic Park. North Division playoff champ Victoria hosts South champion Corvallis game 1 in the best-of-three West Coast League championship final this Saturday at RAP. Don Descoteau/Victoria News

HarbourCats finale Saturday should be Victoria’s hot ticket

West Coast League baseball final opens at Royal Athletic Park tomorrow night

Andrew Schaps rounds second for the Victoria HarbourCats in West Coast League playoff action Tuesday at Royal Athletic Park. North Division playoff champ Victoria hosts South champion Corvallis game 1 in the best-of-three West Coast League championship final this Saturday at RAP. Don Descoteau/Victoria News
Victoria HarbourCats batter Po-Hao Huang takes a cut against the Kelowna Falcons. Huang hit a home run and knocked in five runs to lead the HarbourCats to an 11-5 victory Wednesday in Kelowna. The win gave Victoria a 2-0 sweep of the North Division playoff series and a berth into the West Coast League championship series. Game 1 goes Saturday against either Corvallis or Yakima Valley, with the South winner determining where the opener will be played. Don Descoteau/Victoria News

Historic Victoria baseball win moves team to WCL championship final

HarbourCats sweep Kelowna, will play either Yakima Valley or Corvallis in best of three

Victoria HarbourCats batter Po-Hao Huang takes a cut against the Kelowna Falcons. Huang hit a home run and knocked in five runs to lead the HarbourCats to an 11-5 victory Wednesday in Kelowna. The win gave Victoria a 2-0 sweep of the North Division playoff series and a berth into the West Coast League championship series. Game 1 goes Saturday against either Corvallis or Yakima Valley, with the South winner determining where the opener will be played. Don Descoteau/Victoria News
Victoria HarbourCats slugger Harrison Bragg takes a mighty cut in West Coast League playoff action Tuesday at Royal Athletic Park. He homered for the third time in two games as Victoria beat Kelowna 8-2 to take game 1 of the best-of-three North Division final. Game 2 goes Wednesday in Kelowna with game 3, if necessary, scheduled for Thursday. Don Descoteau/Victoria News

Victoria strikes first in WCL baseball playoffs

HarbourCats down Falcons 8-2 in North Division opener, can clinch series in Kelowna tomorrow

Victoria HarbourCats slugger Harrison Bragg takes a mighty cut in West Coast League playoff action Tuesday at Royal Athletic Park. He homered for the third time in two games as Victoria beat Kelowna 8-2 to take game 1 of the best-of-three North Division final. Game 2 goes Wednesday in Kelowna with game 3, if necessary, scheduled for Thursday. Don Descoteau/Victoria News
Lefties’ second baseman Bryan Hill is tagged out by HarbourCats’ pitcher Radd Thomas in Sunday’s West Coast League baseball game at Civic Field in Port Angeles, won 17-16 in 11 innings by the Lefties. The HarbourCats captured the North Division second half title and open the playoffs tonight (6:35 p.m., Aug. 8) at home against Kelowna. Jay Cline/Black Press

Playoff time in Victoria: HarbourCats host Kelowna tonight at RAP

Baseball action extended for ‘Cats in West Coast League

Lefties’ second baseman Bryan Hill is tagged out by HarbourCats’ pitcher Radd Thomas in Sunday’s West Coast League baseball game at Civic Field in Port Angeles, won 17-16 in 11 innings by the Lefties. The HarbourCats captured the North Division second half title and open the playoffs tonight (6:35 p.m., Aug. 8) at home against Kelowna. Jay Cline/Black Press
Victoria HarbourCats reliever James Bradwell in action versus the Kelowna Falcons during West Coast League baseball action at Royal Athletic Park. The home team let a 4-0 lead slip away late Tuesday and wound up losing 6-5 in 11 innings.The Cats and Falcons are back at it Wednesday and Thursday at RAP, starting at 6:35 p.m. Don Descoteau/Victoria News

Victoria HarbourCats have a target on their back

North Division leaders overtaken late by Kelowna, lose in 11

Victoria HarbourCats reliever James Bradwell in action versus the Kelowna Falcons during West Coast League baseball action at Royal Athletic Park. The home team let a 4-0 lead slip away late Tuesday and wound up losing 6-5 in 11 innings.The Cats and Falcons are back at it Wednesday and Thursday at RAP, starting at 6:35 p.m. Don Descoteau/Victoria News
Victoria HarbourCats teammates Indigo Diaz, left, Jack Owen, Hunter Vansau and Adam McKillican are heading to the West Coast League’s all-star game next week in Yakima, Wash. They were decked out in their retro Victoria Mussels minor league uniforms for Tuesday night’s game at Royal Athletic Park against Yakima Valley. Don Descoteau/Victoria News

Victoria’s Fab Four off to West Coast League all-star game

Newcomers making a big impact for HarbourCats in second half of WCL season

Victoria HarbourCats teammates Indigo Diaz, left, Jack Owen, Hunter Vansau and Adam McKillican are heading to the West Coast League’s all-star game next week in Yakima, Wash. They were decked out in their retro Victoria Mussels minor league uniforms for Tuesday night’s game at Royal Athletic Park against Yakima Valley. Don Descoteau/Victoria News
HarbourCats base runner Riley Zayicek gets a lead off first base on Bend Elks pitcher Grant Larson during Sunday’s West Coast League game at Royal Athletic Park. The visitors won 6-1 to take two of three from Victoria, which returns to action Tuesday at home with the the first of three games against Yakima Valley. Don Descoteau/Victoria News

WATCH: Victoria drops two of three at home to Bend after sweeping Kelowna

HarbourCats now 5-2 in second half of West Coast League baseball season

HarbourCats base runner Riley Zayicek gets a lead off first base on Bend Elks pitcher Grant Larson during Sunday’s West Coast League game at Royal Athletic Park. The visitors won 6-1 to take two of three from Victoria, which returns to action Tuesday at home with the the first of three games against Yakima Valley. Don Descoteau/Victoria News