PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – March 7, 2017

VICTORIA, B.C. – The Victoria HarbourCats have added re-enforcements across the diamond less than three months away from the 2017 West Coast League season.

Outfielder Aaron Case and infielder/outfielder Jake Garella from St. Louis University (NCAA Div. 1; Atlantic-10) will boost the offence while University of British Columbia right-handers Adam McKillican and Kyle Stubbins will bolster the HarbourCats pitching staff.

OF Aaron Case, St. Louis University, Junior, Orange, CA, 6/180

 INF Jake Garella, St. Louis University, Freshman, Edwardsville, Ill, 6-1/195

 RHP Adam McKillican, UBC, Freshman, Courtenay, BC, 6-4/200

 RHP Kyle Stubbins, UBC, Freshman, Delta, BC, 6-2/170

Aaron Case is off to a strong start as a veteran leader for St. Louis University. The Bilikens are 10-1, and Case it hitting .375 with two home runs and 13 RBIs. He has added three doubles and two triples while ranking in the top-30 in NCAA Div. 1 baseball by taking 14 walks resulting in a .545 on-base percentage.

Case began his collegiate career by spending two years at Cypress College in California, being named an All-Conference selection each season.

Jake Garrella brings defensive versatility, possessing the ability to play the infield and the outfield. Garrella has played six games early in his freshman season and is hitting .429 with two doubles and a pair of RBIs.

Garrella was a standout at Edwardsville High School, being named a second-team Louisville Slugger All-American as a senior. He set multiple school records and played all over the field, including a 0.19 ERA on the mound.

Adam McKillican is a Vancouver Island product as a native of Courtenay, BC who played for the Parksville Royals of the British Columbia Premier Baseball League prior to beginning his collegiate career at UBC. The imposing righty has been utilized early in his freshman year, logging 6.1 innings in four appearances, recording five strikeouts against just one walk.

Kyle Stubbins is another BC product coming out of Delta. Stubbins played for Whalley Chiefs in the BCPBL where he posted a 1.72 ERA with 36 strikeouts in 24 innings as a senior in 2016. He was also selected to play for Team BC at the 2015 Canada Cup.

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:

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.

March office hours are:

MONDAY-FRIDAY – 10:00am – 4:00pm

SATURDAY-SUNDAY – Closed (Except by appointment)