HarbourCats sign players to tryout agreements, including Canadians

VICTORIA, B.C. — Players brought in on 10-day deals have shown more than full value in the past, and that’s the hope with a group of HarbourCats signings being announced today.

In addition to RHP Justin Solt of Lower Columbia College, who is signed to a full contract, the HarbourCats are pleased to announce the addition of two members of the University of Fraser Valley Cascades, and a signing from Douglas College.

Infielder/outfielder Riley Jepson, a prospect for the coming MLB draft, and catcher Ryan Green have been added on short-term agreements. It’s expected Jepson, who wanted to stay close to his Kamloops home should the draft lead to him signing a pro contract, will hear his name called, and if so is expected to sign. He was the top hitter this past spring in the Canadian Colleges level, while Green was the starting catcher most games for the Cascades in playoffs, who finished second in the season-ending tournament. Jepson hit .351 with two home runs and 17 RBIs in 15 regular season games, while Green, a product of the Abbotsford Cardinals PBL program under Corey Eckstein, hit .200 and provided solid defence behind the plate.

Catcher-outfielder Jake MacDonald from Douglas College has been signed and will be on the roster for pre-season games May 30 (in Victoria) and May 31 (in Port Angeles), before the real action starts June 1-2-3 at Wilson’s Group Stadium at Royal Athletic Park, with the Wenatchee AppleSox providing the competition. MacDonald hit a team-high .302 with a home run, five doubles and 11 RBIs. Catcher Sam Nastari from De Anza College in California will arrive for pre-season workouts after hitting .348 with three home runs while being team captain this past spring.

“College teams in playoffs, injuries and academics can lead to late-spring adjustments, and we’re glad to add these players,” said Jim Swanson, Managing Partner of the HarbourCats. “Working with UFV for the first time, with Brian Finnie, Larry Krause and Shawn Corness, is a good step for both programs. The Douglas program has outstanding coaches in Cav Whitely and Jordan Broatch, and Jake can come in and help us from the start. Nastari has power potential that might play very well at our park, while Solt is a player we’ve watched for some time, knowing he would be with us this summer.”

Solt, 6-3 and 175 from Spokane, was 4-0 with a 2.97 ERA in 33 innings, striking out 31 and walking just five for Lower Columbia.

SKYDIVERS FOR OPENING NIGHT

Among many, many things happening on opening night, the HarbourCats are excited to announce that members of the Victoria Skydiving Club will be dropping in to Wilson’s Group Stadium at RAP on Friday, June 1, the regular season home opener, helping punctuate the start of the 2018 season.

Skydivers have been a popular feature of HarbourCats games for a few years, bringing the fans out of their seats before a pitch is even thrown. Gates open that night at 5pm for a scheduled 6:35pm first pitch — and it’s recommended fans get there early.

MONK AUTOGRAPH ZONE
Thanks to Monk Office Supplies, every home game will now include the Monk Autograph Zone, located on the concourse down the right field side. Fans, and especially kids, can get signatures on items, including a special page in the souvenir program, by visiting the table, with selected players spending time pre-game interacting with HarbourCats fans.

SEASON TICKET HOLDERS!
Season Tickets are now being printed and may be picked up at our offices between 9AM – 5:00PM Monday to Friday. We will also have them available for our pre-season MAX FURNITURE FAN MIXER at 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM Friday May 25th at Max Furniture, 2745 Bridge St, Victoria.  Join us there for a drink, some appies and to welcome in the new season!

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 Wilson’s Group Stadium at historic Royal Athletic Park in Victoria. Opening night is June 1, 2018 with games scheduled through mid-August.   See harbourcats.com for more details.

2018 Tickets Now on Sale: Season Tickets,  Ticket Packs, 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 harbourcats.ticketrocket.co

Office Hours:  MONDAY-FRIDAY – 9:00 am – 6:00 pm.
SATURDAY – 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.
SUNDAY – Closed (Except by appointment).

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HARBOURCATS CONTACT:
Mr. Jim Swanson
Managing Partner
Victoria HarbourCats Baseball Club
Cell Phone: 250-744-7277
Office: 778-265-0327
E-Mail: jim@harbourcats.com