Wyant Boone, Garrison Ritter (pictured above) Return From 2017, ‘Cats Add Canadians Goodall and Manuel 

November 15, 2017, VICTORIA B.C. – The HarbourCats, and the coaching staff led by former MLB player Brian McRae, continue to grow the roster toward the team’s sixth season in Victoria and in the West Coast League.

Announced today are four right-handed pitchers, all with collegiate summer league experience, including two returning arms in Wyatt Boone (Seattle U) and Garrison Ritter (St. Martins). The other two announced today are Nanaimo product Garrett Goodall (Embry-Riddle) and Luke Manuel (Eastern New Mexico University).

2018 Signees, L to R: Wyatt Boone, Garrison Ritter, Garrett Goodall, Luke Manuel

Boone and Ritter both served as key starting pitchers down the stretch, with Boone (1-0, 4.90 ERA) starting three late regular season games and Ritter taking the ball in two playoff games. Ritter had two saves and a 1.22 ERA in the regular season, and posted a 2.84 ERA in the playoffs.

Manuel, from Surrey, B.C., was 0-1 with six saves, third best in the WCL, and a 2.75 ERA in 18 appearances/19.2 innings for the Bellingham Bells. Manuel then pitched for the Victoria Mavericks at RAP during the Baseball Canada Men’s Championship, winning his start against Red Deer. Manuel pitched in non-league games for the HarbourCats in 2015, so will be making his return to a HarbourCats uniform.

Luke Manuel pitched at RAP recently for the Victoria Mavericks at the 2017 Senior Men’s Nationals held here in Victoria in August (Photo: Christian J. Stewart)

Goodall is yet another up-island signing for the HarbourCats, who have had tremendous success with Vancouver Island players – Griffin Andreychuk, Adam McKillican, Alex Rogers and Ethan Fox spring immediately to mind. Goodall, from Nanaimo, has older brothers Liam and Aidan, who have had tremendous collegiate success. Garrett Goodall was with his brother Aidan as they helped the Swift Current 57s to the Western Major Baseball League title in 2017.

“This gives us a great start to our pitching staff, add these four to Ethan Fox and we’re excited with what we can give our new pitching coach, Ian Sanderson, to work with,” said Brad Norris-Jones, General Manager of the HarbourCats. “All four of these guys have proven they can get outs at the collegiate summer level. With the other pitchers we’re lining up for 2018, we think we’ll have a chance to compete at the top end again.”

RHP GARRETT GOODALL, Redshirt-Freshman, Embry-Riddle (Florida) – 6-1/185, was 3-1/5.40 in eight appearances/three starts for WMBL’s Swift Current 57s in 2017, helping the team to the WMBL title. Walked just four batters in 18.1 innings.

RHP LUKE MANUEL, Junior, Eastern New Mexico University – 6-3/190, formerly at New Mexico JC, closer for most of the 2017 season with the Bellingham Bells, struck out 25 in 19.2 innings with just 15 hits and six walks allowed.

RHP WYATT BOONE, Freshman, Seattle University – 5-10/210, from J Serra High School in Corona, CA, joins same school that Griffin Andreychuk graduated from last spring, was dominant in a start at Cowlitz last summer, three hits and four strikeouts with one walk over six innings, giving up one earned run in a 6-3 win.

RHP GARRISON RITTER, Freshman, St. Martins – 6-3/215, from West Linn High School in Oregon, two saves and combined 1.98 ERA in 13.2 innings in regular season and playoffs, surrendered just six hits. Started two of the team’s five playoff games, giving up four hits in 6.1 innings in the post-season.

Roster to date – 8 players – C Tanner Rempel; IF/OF Jason Willow; OF Hunter Vansau; LHP Ethan Fox; RHPs Wyatt Boone, Garrett Goodall, Garrett Ritter, Luke Manuel.

Wyatt Boone was a key late-season addition to the 2017 pitching staff (Photo: Christian J. Stewart)

NOVEMBER 30 CHRISTMAS OPEN HOUSE

The HarbourCats are hosting their annual Christmas Open House on Thursday, November 30, at the team’s office at 1814 Vancouver Street – deals on tickets, merchandise, novelties, and a chance to warm up while talking about the 2018 team.

A significant player announcement is expected to be made on November 29, which will add excitement to the event, which runs 8am to 8pm.

Tim Hortons will have its Mobile Truck on site from 9am to 11am, which is sure to draw a crowd as well.

The announcement of the team’s schedule for 2018 also will allow for single-game tickets, and 10-packs, to go on sale, including the June 1 Opening Night, Father’s Day, Canada Day, and the popular final series. Fireworks dates have already been set:

*-Saturday, June 2

*-Saturday, June 30 (Pre-Canada Day)

*-Friday, July 20

*-Monday, August 6 (B.C. Day long weekend)

Season tickets continue to be sold as well. The team’s pocket schedule will be out shortly, and major promotional dates and activities will be announced in the new year.

 The schedule appears at http://harbourcats.com/calendar/, with an I-Calendar option to add it to your smart phone or tablet.

2018 VICTORIA HARBOURCATS SCHEDULE

Exhibition game, Wednesday, May 30 at RAP, vs. Port Angeles Lefties

Exhibition game, Thursday, May 31, at Port Angeles Lefties

 HOME OPENING WEEKEND — June 1-2-3 (Fri-Sat-Sun), vs. Wenatchee

HOME, June 5-6-7 (Tues-Wed-Thurs), vs. Yakima Valley Pippins

HOME, June 9-10 (Sat-Sun), vs. Coquitlam Angels

Road, June 12-13-14 (Tues-Wed-Thurs), at Kelowna Falcons

HOME, June 15-16-17 (Fri-Sat-Sun), vs. Port Angeles Lefties

Road, June 18-19-20 (Mon-Tues-Wed), at Bend Elks

HOME, June 22-23-24 (Fri-Sat-Sun), vs. Bellingham Bells

Road, June 25-26-27 (Mon-Tues-Wed), at Walla Walla Sweets

HOME, June 29-30-July1 (Fri-Sat-Sun), vs. Kelowna Falcons

Road, July 2-3-4 (Mon-Tues-Wed), at Bellingham Bells (end of first half)

HOME, July 5-6 (Thurs-Fri), team TBA

Road, July 7-8-9 (Sat-Sun-Mon), at Corvallis Knights

HOME, July 10-11-12 (Tues-Wed-Thurs), vs. Bend Elks

Road, July 13-14-15 (Fri-Sat-Sun), at Cowlitz Black Bears

**July 16-17 — WCL All-star Game festivities, at Port Angeles

 HOME, July 18-19-20 (Wed-Thurs-Fri), vs. Corvallis Knights

Road, July 21-22-23 (Sat-Sun-Mon), at Port Angeles Lefties

HOME, July 24-25-26 (Tues-Wed-Thurs), vs. Walla Walla Sweets

HOME, July 28-29 (Sat-Sun), team TBA

Road, July 31-Aug1-2 (Tues-Wed-Thurs), at Yakima Valley Pippins

Road, Aug 3-4-5 (Fri-Sat-Sun), at Wenatchee AppleSox

HOME, Aug 6-7-8 (Mon-Tues-Wed), vs. Portland Pickles

Playoffs — first round, Aug 9-11; WCL championship, Aug 13-17.

MILITARY MONTH, NOVEMBER

In November, we salute our troops, their service, thanks to Galaxy Motors and Wilson’s Group of Companies. With Remembrance Day now behind us, the HarbourCats are excited to announce that all military members and families are eligible for two-for-one 2018 season tickets this month – contact the team office for information, 1814 Vancouver St., 778-265-0327, or email brad@harbourcats.com

NEW MERCHANDISE IN

The HarbourCats are starting to stock the shelves for Christmas with some new hat, t-shirt and knick-knacks arriving recently. Decorative Christmas balls, team mugs, lanyards and other items are due to arrive. The new Island Proud t-shirts, along with some ladies styles, are in the shop now and for sale.

GREAT TEACHERS CONTEST

The HarbourCats continue to take nominations for the Great Teachers Contest, sponsored by Mayfair Optometric Clinic. The winner for October was Mr. Borich, who teaches a Grade 2 class at Eagle View Elementary, and his whole class will be our guests at the annual SCHOOL SPIRIT GAME on June7, a special 11:35am start time.

Each month until May, the HarbourCats will select a teacher, whose class will be guests of Mayfair Optometric Clinic at the team’s annual School Spirit Game – a day-game on June 7, slated for an 11:35am start.

To nominate a great teacher, email a submission to greatteachers@harbourcats.com

SEASON TICKETS STILL AVAILABLE

The HarbourCats have seen an uptick in season ticket purchases, and as corporate partnerships are completed, the selection of season ticket locations and single-game walkup options is getting less and less. Seats in the Diamond Club, the two-year-old on-field section are sold out, but there remain available seats in the padded/served Campbell Real Estate Club Section, and in the Main Grandstand.

To buy season tickets, or to see the new merchandise coming in this fall, call the office (778-265-0327) or stop in at 101-1814 Vancouver Street.

OFFICE HOURS

With the off-season now upon us, the team’s office at 101-1814 Vancouver Street will see reduced hours through the end of November. Expanded hours will be announced for December as fans look to make tickets and merchandise a big part of their gift planning.

MONDAY-FRIDAY – Noon-6pm

SATURDAY-SUNDAY – Closed (Except by appointment)