PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – May 3, 2017

VICTORIA, B.C. – Head coach Brian McRae and the Victoria HarbourCats have bolstered their pitching staff less than a month ahead of the 2017 West Coast League season, signing right-handed pitcher Chavez Fernander. The team has also added offensive punch, signing outfielders Ryan Hooper and D.J. Porter as well as catcher Shane McGuire.

RHP Chavez Fernander, Polk State College, Freshman, Grand Bahama, Bahamas 6-3/205

OF Ryan Hooper, UC Davis, Junior, Moraga, CA, 6/180

OF D.J. Porter, Cal Baptist, Junior, Rancho Cucamonga, CA, 6/200

C Shane McGuire, San Diego, Freshman-commit, Kent, WA, 6-1/200

Chavez Fernandez is an exciting pitching prospect with an outstanding arm, who has contributed immediately in his freshman season at Polk State College. In 18 appearances this spring, Fernander has worked to a 1.80 ERA with a save. Fernander has recorded 39 strikeouts in 25 innings pitched against only five walks and 25 hits.

The Bahamian right-hander will compete for a key role on the HarbourCats pitching staff this summer under head coach, former major league player Brian McRae.

Ryan Hooper is a steady offensive threat and a veteran leader at UC Davis (NCAA Div. 1; Big West). Hooper is batting .302 in 34 games to date, with four home runs, six doubles and 16 RBIs. The athletic outfielder has also stolen eight bases.

Hooper joins right-handed pitcher Blake Hannah on the HarbourCats roster from UC Davis, a program that has a track record of sending quality players to Victoria who find success in the WCL.

D.J. Porter brings another power bat into the fold for the HarbourCats. The outfielder is hitting .289 in 42 games at Cal Baptist with 10 doubles, five home runs and 33 RBIs. He is among team leaders in each category.

Hooper and Porter add two potent outfield bats into the mix for McRae, a 10-year major league outfielder with five teams, primarily the Kansas City Royals and Chicago Cubs.

Rounding out the club’s newest signings is Shane McGuire, a highly touted young catcher who will report to the University of San Diego (NCAA Div. 1; WCC) following the West Coast League season. Currently a senior at Kentwood High School, McGuire has been named a 2017 Rawlings-Perfect Game Honorable Mention All-American and West All Region First Team.

McGuire is the second San Diego commit on the HarbourCats roster, joining returning right-handed pitcher Greg Casper.

The HarbourCats roster now stands at 41 players.

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

The HarbourCats open the 2017 WCL season on June 1 on the road against the WCL’s newest team, the Port Angeles Lefties. Their home opener at Royal Athletic Park is June 5 when the Wenatchee AppleSox visit Victoria.

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 (Fees and taxes included) options are as follows—

CAMPBELL REAL ESTATE CLUB SEATS (Padded & served. First two rows of Grandstand.)

$589.50

DIAMOND CLUB SEATS (Added in 2016)

$589.50 (SOLD OUT)

MAIN GRANDSTAND (Section 10, covered)

$426.75

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

$405.75

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

$300.75

*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.

PORT ANGELES OPENING DAY EXCURSION

The HarbourCats have partnered with Black Ball Ferry Line to provide Victoria baseball fans an opportunity to ‘get off the rock’ and follow the HarbourCats to Opening Day in Port Angeles, WA.

Black Ball, which operates the Coho Ferry, is providing travel packages for fans to travel from Victoria to Port Angeles on Thursday, June 1 to watch the HarbourCats open the 2017 West Coast League season against the Port Angeles Lefties.

It is also the inaugural game in Lefties franchise history and marks the beginning of a rivalry between two of the closest markets in the WCL, separated by just a 90-minute Coho sailing.

Registration deadline is May 10.

Click here to register and for more information: https://www.cohoferry.com/packages/details/port-angeles/victoria-harbourcats-vs-port-angeles-lefties-in-port-angeles-june-1-2017-including-red-lion-hotel-and-ferry-

 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.

May office hours:

MONDAY-FRIDAY – 9:00am – 5:30pm

SATURDAY-SUNDAY – Closed (Except by appointment)