VICTORIA, B.C. – The Victoria HarbourCats have made a significant addition to their 2017 roster, signing Taiwanese outfielder and utility player, Po-Hao Huang for the 2017 season.

OF/UTIL Po-Hao Huang (Poe-HOW-Wong), Fu Jen Catholic University (Taiwan), Sophomore, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan, 5-11/175

Huang played in North America in the summer of 2016, competing in the Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League for the Newark Pilots. In 28 games, Huang hit .260 with a homerun and 17 RBIs. He also added five doubles and two triples.

Huang is a left-handed bat who also brings valuable versatility to the HarbourCats roster, possessing the ability to play both corner infield positions as well as the outfield.

“Going into our historic fifth season in Victoria, this is an historic signing and brings an international relationship that we are excited to bring our fans for the first time, “ said HarbourCats managing partner Jim Swanson. “Po-Hao hit .360 with notable power numbers and was a run-producer in the first half of last season, and we expect him to flourish under the professional guidance of new head coach Brian McRae. It’s not impossible, given our ties to international baseball, that we could look further at non-North American players.”

The HarbourCats roster now stands at 21 players.

(View roster here: http://harbourcats.com/team_categories/2017/)

Right-handed pitcher Carter Loewen has been removed from the team’s roster as he recovers from an injury. The HarbourCats have also released outfielder Zach Diewert.

The HarbourCats open the 2017 season on the road, June 1, in the inaugural game for the Port Angeles Lefties. Victoria’s home opener is set for Monday, June 5, a 6:35pm first pitch against the Wenatchee AppleSox.

WINTER BASEBALL TRAINING

 The HarbourCats are offering a series of instructional youth baseball camps at the Westshore Training Academy (2950 Westshore Parkway, Victoria, BC).

HarbourCats personnel will conduct the camps including Jim Swanson (MLB scout), Troy Birtwistle (HarbourCats assistant coach), Andrew Wilson (HarbourCats assistant coach), Brad Norris-Jones (HarbourCats general manager) and other guest instructors.

 Dates:

February 25 – 26

March 11 – 12

March 25 – 26

Saturday sessions run from 3:00pm until 5:00pm, and Sunday sessions run from 6:00pm until 8:00pm.

Registration for all 12 sessions (six sessions remain) costs $175 or $20 for single sessions.

A HarbourCats t-shirt and hat is included with registration.

Brad Norris-Jones will be conducting individual or group sessions on select weeknights (Monday to Thursday).

2017 SEASON TICKETS

Over 60,000 fans attended HarbourCats games in 2016 for an average of 2,239 fans per game, which led the West Coast League and ranked ninth in all of North America among summer-collegiate clubs.  Secure your favorite seat today for the 2017 season.

Seating location and pricing options are as follows—

DIAMOND CLUB SEATS (Field Level Box Seats in 2016)

$550 (SOLD OUT)

MAIN GRANDSTAND (Section 10, covered)

$395

PREMIUM SEATING (Sections 6-7-8-9-11-12, blue bucket seats)

$375

GENERAL ADMISSION (Silver bleachers, picnic areas, wheelchair seating, soccer grandstand)

$275

*All prices listed are base price, and do not include fees or GST.

Visit the HarbourCats office at 101-1814 Vancouver Street or call (778)-265-0327 to purchase season tickets or for more information. You can also email brittany@harbourcats.com for further details, or go to the team website at harbourcats.com.

2017 SEATTLE VACATION

The HarbourCats are staging their second consecutive fan vacation to Seattle in 2017 to see the Blue Jays take on the Mariners.

The 2017 vacation takes place June 9-11, 2017 and will include:

• Travel on Wilson’s Transportation buses from to and from Victoria and Seattle. Ferry cost also included.
• Field level tickets for all three Blue Jays @ Mariners games at Safeco Field.
• Two nights at the Hilton Embassy Lynnwood.

Total cost is $798 per person (based on double occupancy). Different rates available for triple as well as single occupancy.

Registration for HarbourCats season ticket holders is $725 (based on double occupancy). The trip is not expected to interfere with the HarbourCats home schedule, as the team is expected to be on the road during this time.

To register, contact Carey Shelby at Flight Centre (1-866-299-5614) or carey.shelby@flightcentre.ca

OFFICE HOURS

The HarbourCats office (1814 Vancouver Street, 778-265-0327) is open and operating under off-season hours.

Office hours for the months of January through March are:

MONDAY-FRIDAY – 10:00am – 4:00pm

SATURDAY-SUNDAY – Closed (Except by appointment)