COVID-19 has canceled the season, but team still finding ways to keep community together

June 1, 2020

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

VICTORIA, B.C. — The 2020 season of the Victoria HarbourCats may be canceled, but that doesn’t mean we all can’t get together, in various ways, to celebrate the start of recovery.

On Saturday, June 6, starting at 7 pm, the HarbourCats will host — virtually, and in a come-and-go food truck fashion — their 2020 Home Opener and Fireworks Night. The date would have been the second 2020 regular season home game and the first of four of the team’s super-popular fireworks nights.

It will be held in the parking lot of the team office at 1814 Vancouver Street, where the HarbourCats have hosted food trucks off-on for the past two months.

The game and the fireworks — they won’t be real, but will be a replay of a past game and one of the fireworks shows held at Wilson’s Group Stadium at RAP, on a projection screen, while also being available on-line at the team’s video site, hcats.tv.

At the parking lot, will be hot dogs by Fat Daddy Catering, the tasty offerings of Kebab Me Krazy, and Sub Zero Ice Cream truck. Video setup will be thanks to Pacific Audio Works and Go Live Broadcasting, which produces all HarbourCats home games.

“We’ll be coordinated with lines and distance, as we all know is the necessity right now under health instructions — no more than 40 people will be on site at any time, hence the come-and-go nature of the physical setup outside our office,” said Jim Swanson of the HarbourCats. “It’s a chance to be outdoors, see people from safe distance and give a wave, and anyone with a device can watch the fireworks that we’ve become known for.

“We’re all missing the social aspects of life, and this event will safely allow that for those who wish to stop by. Those who still remain more comfortable at their own homes, we’re glad to see them on hcats.tv website.”

The team’s store will be open, with only one person/family allowed in at a time. Staff will closely monitor the numbers to keep the gathering within limits.

The team will also look to do a similar event, subject to the health rules, on June 30, the traditional date that the team offers fireworks to celebrate Canada Day.

Further food truck offerings at the team office parking lot will be announced later in the week as well.

“We’re still here, and we’ll be back,” said Swanson. “We’re literally all in this together, and we’re so thankful to our fans, our partners, our host families — they have been tremendous with essentially 100 per cent support through this all. And with our organization building a team in Nanaimo to start in 2021, and another major plan in the works as well, we’re focused on building a golden age of baseball on Vancouver Island. The excitement we feel back is intoxicating for us, especially in these challenging times.”

For more details visit our Facebook Event page at: https://www.facebook.com/events/266908217794727/

Victoria HarbourCats Baseball – WE WILL BE BACK!

Despite cancellation of the 2020 season due to COVID-19, the Victoria HarbourCats are gearing up for what will be a celebratory season and a return to West Coast League baseball in 2021.  Season tickets, 10-game flex packs and merchandise are now on sale through the HarbourCats offices at 101-1814 Vancouver Street, or by calling 778-265-0327.  Merchandise and 10-game packs may also purchased on-line through “The Cat Shop” at https://victoria-harbourcats-official.myshopify.com/.

Help support the best summertime sports entertainment in the City and lock in your 2021 tickets today!  Offices open 10-5 Tuesday to Friday.

Note: Thanks to all our fans who purchased 2020 game tickets or flex-pack vouchers!  Please keep them in a safe place and we will happily exchange them for tickets or vouchers to any regular season game in 2021 once the schedule has been released.

For more information, follow the HarbourCats at www.harbourcats.com  or at our Facebook page at  https://www.facebook.com/victoriaharbourcats/