Team gets behind today’s “Spread the Word” initiative

VICTORIA, B.C. — The Victoria HarbourCats will face their most determined opponent of the 2018 season when the team hosts a game against the Victoria team that has advanced to the Special Olympics nationals in Antigonish, Nova Scotia July 31 to August 4– the 2018 Special Olympics Canada Summer Games.

On Saturday, June 9, before a scheduled game with the Coquitlam Angels at Royal Athletic Park, HarbourCats players will take to the field for a softball game against the reigning B.C. Special Olympics champions from Victoria. This game is proudly presented by our sponsors Peninsula Co-op.

This announcement coincides with today’s annual day of awareness for the “Spread The Word To End The R-Word” campaign– supported by Special Olympics BC, and Special Olympics internationally. More information on the campaign can be found at www.r-word.org.

The Victoria Special Olympics team won provincials last summer in Kamloops, to earn a trip to Nova Scotia this coming August. The game with the HarbourCats, at 5:30pm on Saturday, June 9, will then be followed by the HarbourCats facing the Angels, who are B.C.’s representative to the Baseball Canada Men’s Championship, slated for RAP August 22-26. Team B.C. won the title a year ago, beating New Brunswick in the final.

“This will be a fun night for so many reasons — those Special Olympics softball players are good friends of ours, and are big HarbourCats fans,” said GM Brad Norris-Jones. “To get to help them prepare for the Special Olympics Canada Summer Games by playing our team at RAP, is something we’re so happy to do. People will love watching this game, and staying to see us face Coquitlam, which is one of the best teams in Canada as well. What a night of community and baseball that will be fun for everyone.”

Special Olympics athletes open hearts and minds to the abilities of individuals with intellectual disabilities, as they show their talents through sport and help lead the way to a more inclusive world. Special Olympics Play Unified opportunities bring people with and without intellectual disabilities together in sport events, helping break down barriers with the power and joy of sport and set an example for respect and inclusion on and off the field of play.

“The members of Special Olympics Team BC 2018 have been training very hard over the last three years to progress through qualifying competitions and now, to be ready to be at their best at the 2018 Special Olympics Canada Summer Games,” said Special Olympics BC Vice President, Sport Lois McNary.

“The athletes on Team BC and in the Special Olympics BC – Victoria softball program work hard in their weekly Special Olympics programs and ongoing training, and they will put on a great display of sport and sportsmanship along with the Harbour Cats. Thanks to the Harbour Cats for this opportunity to raise awareness and funds for Special Olympics BC – Victoria and send the Team BC softball players off to Nova Scotia knowing their community is behind them!”

A regular ticket to the June 9th game is all you need to see both games on that day.  Gates will open at 5:00 pm on June 9th so that all fans can arrive early and cheer the Special Olympians on to victory! Tickets will be on sale at the box office on game day, at our office at 1814 Vancover Street, or order on-line directly for this game at http://www.ticketrocket.co/event/details/102134/victoria-harbourcats-vs-coquitlam-angels.

About The Victoria HarbourCats
The HarbourCats are Victoria’s entry in the West Coast League (WCL), a summer, collegiate, wood bat baseball league, featuring the top college-age players from across North America and the world. One of the elite teams in the league, the HarbourCats won a record 40 games in 2016 and followed that up in 2017 as the WCL’s North Division Playoff Champions, coming one game short of their first ever WCL Championship.  In 2018, their sixth season, the team will play a 54-game regular season schedule, with 27 of those games and eight additional non-league games, being played at historic Royal Athletic Park in Victoria. Opening night is June 1, 2018 with games scheduled through mid-August.   See www.harbourcats.com for more details.

2018 Tickets Now on Sale: Season Tickets, 10-Game Flex-Packs and Single Game tickets are now on sale for the 2018 season. Visit the office at 101-1814 Vancouver Street or call 778-265-0327 to order. Single game tickets can also be purchased on-line at http://harbourcats.ticketrocket.co

Office Hours:  March office hours:  MONDAY-FRIDAY – 10am-5pm (usually open until 6pm weekdays); SATURDAY-SUNDAY – Closed (Except by appointment).