Is there a new “Baby Shark” in this bunch? Two pitchers and two infielders bolster 2021 roster.

For Immediate Release

November 30, 2020

VICTORIA, BC – It is a school that has provided the HarbourCats with two of the most popular players in team history – Nick Plaia and Harrison Spohn – and Cal Baptist is now poised to add to that tally, as four more Lancers will head north to Victoria for the summer of 2021.

Whether right-handed pitchers Liam Rocha and Spencer Bengard and infielders David Martin and Mitch Simon can elicit the same “Baby Shark” popularity as Plaia, or team leadership and  poise as Spohn remains to be seen, but chances are pretty good all four will be quality players in the HarbourCats line-up in 2021.

“The  players we have received from Cal Baptist in the past have always been rock solid for us,” said HarbourCats GM and Managing Partner Jim Swanson.  “Everyone of course remembers what Nick and Harrison did for us, but we also had Matt Amrhein, who was lights out in a closing role for us in 2019 and a few years ago, DJ Porter played a huge role in getting us to the 2017 finals against Corvallis.  We have no doubt these four players will contribute in the same way in 2021.”

Rocha (6’1″ 191lbs.) from San Dimas, California and Bengard (6’1″ 217lbs.) from Moreno Valley, California, are both freshmen with impressive prep records behind them.  Rocha was a two-time All-Valley Vista League second team award winner, while Bengard was twice named Ivy League Pitcher of the year, with a no-hitter to his credit, posting a 1.89 ERA over 49 innings of work as a Junior.

It is anticipated that both will see regular action on the mound for the HarbourCats.

Both Martin and Simon will give the HarbourCats a number of options in the infield and outfield.  Sophomore Martin (6’1″ 185lbs.), from Chino Hills, California, can play catcher, first base and the outfield, and in the shortened 2020 Lancers season, had four hits, three RBI and a .429 on-base percentage in four starts.

Simon (6’0″ 170), another freshman, from Fallbrook, California, will be a key insert at third or second base.  He was a All-Southern first-team award winner and served as team captain at Linfield Christian in Temecula, California. He did see a bit of action for the Lancers in 2020, hitting a pair of homers during the shortened spring season.

“Cal Baptist not only produces quality players,” said HarbourCats head Coach Todd Haney, “they produce quality people. We look forward to welcoming these four players to our HarbourCats family and can’t wait to see what they will do for us.”

The HarbourCats are scheduled to begin their 2021 season on the road on June 1 against the expansion Edmonton Riverhawks in the first ever West Coast League game played in Alberta.  They will return home for the home opener on Friday, June 4 against their rivals from across the Strait of Juan deFuca, the Port Angeles Lefties.   The HarbourCats will also welcome two other expansion teams to Victoria this season, with both the Nanaimo Night Owls and Kamloops NorthPaws scheduled to make visits to Wilson’s Group Stadium.  FULL 2021 schedule details can be found HERE.

Season Tickets and 10-Game Flex Packs Now Available! (NOTE:  Single game tickets will go on-sale in early 2021)

If you are able, or if you know friends and colleagues who are able, please consider any of the following:

2021 Season tickets — the best way to help, one that guarantees you seats to all our games (usually 35 per year or so) plus other season ticket holder perks. Contact chris@harbourcats.com for details. SEASON TICKET PROMOTION NOW ON!  Get a free Prince of Whales whale watching pass (145.00 value) with every season ticket purchase! Plus other great perks!  Details HERE!

10-Game Flex Packs / Vouchers — Don’t want to commit, or can’t commit to season tickets? Consider 10-game flex packs – anytime vouchers that can be used in any combination…10 tickets at one game, 1 ticket at 10 games or anything in between. Season ticket voucher equivalents are also available.  Flex Packs can be purchased at the office and are also available on-line at:  https://victoria-harbourcats-official.myshopify.com/products/10-game-flex-pack-general-admission

Corporate Partnerships – Want to put your company name or brand in front of our 100,000 fans every season?  Or know someone who does?  Consider joining us as a partner.  From a simple program ad, to the most complex of game day sponsorship, complete with signage and tickets, we will customize any campaign to suit your needs and budget.  And with our new HCATS.TV platform and our ownership group’s expansion of a new team in Nanaimo in 2021, the opportunities are now Island wide! Contact john@harbourcats.com for details.

Fundraising / 50-50 – Have an organization that needs to raise funds now?  A $1000 investment buys you 100 anytime 2021 game vouchers for our Premium Reserved seats that you can then turn around and sell for $20 each, earning you your investment back, plus another $1000 in return. We will then hold a 50-50 date for you in 2021 and you can bring your group to the park to sell that game, taking home 50% of the proceeds. Contact chris@harbourcats.com for details.

Merchandise – Consider a HarbourCats merchandise purchase from our store at 1814 Vancouver Street, or from our on-line store, The Cat Shop, at https://victoria-harbourcats-official.myshopify.com/ New items, including 2020 game caps and player’s gear are arriving weekly and we need to clear them out!

OFFICE HOURS 

For August and September, we are officially open Monday through Friday 10 am to 5 pm.  We are often in and out of office during off-season, so best to call 778-265-0327 before venturing over to make sure. Closed Saturdays and Sundays.