Above: A number of fans and season ticket holders were out Tuesday night to celebrate the beginning of the HarbourCats season at the MAX FURNITURE MIXER and Season Ticket Pick Up event. (Photo: Norm LeBus)

by Norm LeBus, HarbourCats Special Contributor

May 29, 2024,  Victoria, BC – The 53rd Mayor of Victoria is a hard copy man.

When season ticket holder Dean Fortin arrives at Wilson’s Group Stadium, he does so with glossy, old-school stock paper tickets. Fans arriving at the park can present QR codes on their phones, print out PDF copies, or present tickets. Fortin, a ticket man, says he’s honouring hardball heritage.

“I mean, when it comes to baseball, it’s about tradition,” Fortin says. “The ability to have a ticket in hand and walk in, it just feels like you’re continuing to honour what makes baseball great.”

HarbourCats Managing Partner Jim Swanson (left) mugs for the camera at the Season Ticket Holder pick-up event Tuesday (Photo Norm LeBus)

The HarbourCats 10th anniversary season fell one game short in the WCL playoffs last August, losing to perennial power Corvallis at the Oregon city in the league playoff final.

Some of the team’s roughly 400 season ticket holders enjoyed a season-opening social and ticket pick up at Max Furniture Tuesday night.

Fortin is part of a group of eight people who invested in season tickets. Included among his neighbouring seat mates are two senior ladies whom Fortin said seemed to be extremely knowledgeable.  “It turns out they used to be umpires,” he explained. “We’re learning a lot from them.”

Season ticket holder Cherie Lewis is part of a sponsor family who billets one of the ‘Cats players. She’s sat between home and first every year for home games. “I can’t imagine sitting anywhere else,” she says.

Fans check out some of the new merchandise that was available at the Season Ticket Holder pick up event Tuesday at MAX Furniture Photo: Norm LeBus)

Helen Edwards, meanwhile, is a hard core fan. Edwards, friend Jeanette LaLonde and 42 others sit in the front row that actually sits on the field, protected only by nylon netting and their own wits.   “It’s fantastic,” she says. “Absolutely fantastic. “You get to see and hear everything.”

While baseball fans seem traditional, they are also practical: 27 homes games is a big commitment. If fans can’t make one game, a physical ticket is the easiest way to allow a friend to share in the fun.

“It’s easier to give someone a piece of paper (when you can’t attend),” Edwards said, adding: “Plus, I’m a little old fashioned.”

The HarbourCats season home opener is June 7 versus the Wenatchee AppleSox; opening pitch goes 6:30.

Season tickets and all game tickets can be purchased at the HarbourCats office 1814 Vancouver St, less than 100 metres from home plate at Royal Athletic Park, or on-line at http://harbourcats.com/tickets