A night at the HarbourCats game

As the early summer sun begins to dip, the starting rosters have been announced, and the umpires have huddled before the first pitch, one would be forgiven for thinking they were at a baseball game somewhere in Middle America.

Instead, this diamond is in Victoria, and with a little extra fanfare the West Coast League hometown HarbourCats are ready to begin their 10th season.

Established in 2005, the WCL entered the COVID years with 12 teams, and emerged with 16. The HarbourCats are one of five teams from British Columbia and Alberta. The other seven reside in Washington state and Oregon.

“We are now the longest running elite baseball team that has ever called Victoria home, says general manager Christian Stewart. “Previous teams, [the] Seals, Capitals, and Royals–all pro at some level–each lasted just two years. So the fact that we have outlived them all is part of what makes it special.”

The afternoon of the home opener, City of Victoria staff put the finishing touches on the field at Royal Athletic Park, adjust the bases, and tarp home plate, as the team begins to trickle in for the first warm-up session of the 2023 season. Having come from all corners of North America; some fresh off university and college playoff runs, many players were meeting and meshing for the first time.

“Players arrive in the final week of May and get to know one another pretty quick,” explains Stewart. “It is a surprisingly small baseball world though, as some of these guys have played one another…so they come together real quick…and the hot start [to the season] is a function of good recruiting by coach [Todd] Haney, and putting the right guys at the right spot.”

The HarbourCats–the first team to win 40 games in the league’s truncated 54-game season— have won four pennants and have made the playoffs every year since 2015, except 2018 when they were eliminated on the last day of the season. The club has been successful on the field—and in the stands—in their first decade in Victoria.

And this being a developmental league, the ‘Cats have been successful in moving players onto The Show. “We have about 30 former players who are actively in pro ball at many levels and three currently active at MLB level,” says Stewart.

“Nick Pivetta [Boston], Andrew Vaughn [Chicago White Sox], Nathan Lukes, Toronto [and] Alex DeGoti also had some games with Houston. Last year, almost 300 WCL players were active in pro ball at some level and this spring, 20 WCL alumni were on World Baseball Classic rosters and 40 players were on MLB opening day rosters.”

Nearing the midway point of the season, the ‘Cats have scratched their way to a 16-8 record, good for third place in their division.

“Our hopes are always to come away with our first-ever West Coast League title,” Stewart says. “I can think of no better way to celebrate our 10th anniversary season.”

City of Victoria staff members put the final touches on the field as final preparations are made for opening night at Royal Athletic Park. Photo: James MacDonald / Capital Daily

A City of Victoria staff member cleans the diamond, as the final touches are made for opening night at Royal Athletic Park. Photo: James MacDonald / Capital Daily

Players and coaches gather for the first game warmup of the season at Royal Athletic Park. Photo: James MacDonald / Capital Daily

Players stretch in the outfield as the team warms up, prior to their opening game against the Kamloops NorthPaws. Photo: James MacDonald / Capital Daily

Players warm up in the batting cages at Royal Athletic Park. Photo: James MacDonald / Capital Daily

Players gather by the dugout prior to the opening game against the Kamloops NorthPaws. Photo: James MacDonald / Capital Daily

Players prepare to head to the field on opening day against the Kamloops NorthPaws. Photo: James MacDonald / Capital Daily

HarbourCats hats and gloves sit on top of the dugout at Royal Athletic Park. Photo: James MacDonald / Capital Dail

Jack Seward pitches against the Kamloops NorthPaws in the 2023 opening game at Royal Athletic Park. Photo: James MacDonald / Capital Daily

A player warms up on deck, as the HarbourCats face the Kamloops NorthPaws. Photo: James MacDonald / Capital Daily

Canada Geese circle the diamond at Royal Athletic Park during the opening game of the 2023 season. Photo: James MacDonald / Capital Daily

The crowd watches as HarbourCats players round the bases in their 13-3 win over the Kamloops NorthPaws on opening day. Photo: James MacDonald / Capital Daily