A fan favourite in 2017 when she became the first woman to pitch in the West Coast League, Eccles will be returning to the HarbourCats in 2018 for her final year of collegiate summer baseball eligibility.

Claire Eccles, 19, represented Canada at the 2016 Women’s Baseball World Cup in South Korea last September, making two appearances including a complete game in her one start.  In 8.2 innings pitched in the tournament, Eccles allowed just two hits while striking out five batters. Canada finished the Women’s Baseball World Cup in second place, capturing the silver medal.

I’m extremely excited to be getting the opportunity to play at such a high level of ball, and being the first female in Canada to do so,” said Eccles. “The Harbourcats seem like an amazing organization and I can’t wait to play for them. As much as this is an accomplishment for myself, I can’t help but realize that this is a step in the right direction for any girl with a dream of playing baseball. There’s a bigger picture out there.”

“On behalf of the Women’s National Team program, we would like to congratulate Claire and wish her success with the HarbourCats this season,” said Andre Lachance, manager of Baseball Canada’s Women’s National Team.

A graduate of Elgin Park Secondary in Surrey, B.C., Eccles batted .293 as a sophomore outfielder for the University of British Columbia softball team this spring. A fellow outfielder on the team is Mackenzie Siddall, daughter of Toronto Blue Jays radio broadcaster and former major league player Joe Siddall.

“We are excited to add Claire to the HarbourCats, and can’t wait to see her getting a chance to throw for us and compete for innings out of the bullpen,” said Brad Norris-Jones, General Manager of the HarbourCats. “Claire has competed at and been successful at many levels of the game, playing against both women and men, and we think her poise on the mound and experience internationally will give her a chance to get the outs we need.”