Jeremiah Arnett (Rice University) (above) brings a veteran presence to the HarbourCats pitching staff. (photo courtesy of Rice University Athletics)
VICTORIA, B.C. — Big name schools are all over the latest group of Victoria HarbourCats player signed by Todd Haney.
The recruiting network of the head coach has unearthed power arms from Rice, Arkansas State and UC-San Diego, along with an outfielder from Fresno State and another from Hill College,
“Todd works very hard at putting a winning product on the field for our fans,” said Christian Stewart, GM of the HarbourCats. “We know these guys will compete in our environment, and in a very good league like the West Coast League. These guys also have a shot at being added to the list of eight players to play for us and go on to the MLB level.”
Announced today:
RHP Tate Collins, Arkansas State, 6-3/215, Little Rock, AR RHP Houston Tomlinson, Arkansas State, 6-0/200, Spring, TX RHP Jeremiah Arnett, Rice, 6-4/215, Waco, TX RHP Quincey Brown, UC San Diego, 6-2/175, Seattle, WA OF/1B Dryden Fuoco, Hill College, L/L, 6-1/205, Vancouver, BC OF Marcus Nolen, Fresno State, R/R, 6-3/220, Fresno, CA
Collins is a sophomore who was previously at Central Arkansas, and teammate his Tomlinson has started one game for Arkansas State as a redshirt freshman.
Arnett is a junior who will be expected to anchor the staff as a veteran pitcher. He’s 2-2 with a save over ten appearances, including six starts at Rice.
Brown, from Seattle, has made 14 appearances as a freshman and is striking out a batter per inning. He earned his first college win on Feb. 24 in a victory over rival University of San Diego.
Fuoco is from Vancouver and is having a strong junior college season — batting .307 with six home runs, 42 RBIs and four stolen bases in 53 games.
Nolen is a physical specimen who has nine home runs and 12 doubles through 47 games as a freshman, batting .246.
The HarbourCats begin their 2026 season on May 29th with a visit to Portland and then return to Victoria for the Home Opener against the Edmonton Riverhawks on Tuesday, June 2, 6:30 pm.
Season tickets, single-game tickets, 12 and 32-game flex packs and 2026 All-Star Game ticket packages are now on sale at http://harbourcats.com/tickets or at the HarbourCats office at 1814 Vancouver Street.
New taproom patio experience brings great local beer and a relaxed summer energy to a brand new gathering space at the ballpark.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
VICTORIA, B.C., May 12, 2026 — Vancouver Island Brewing and the Victoria HarbourCats are excited to share new details about the Islander FanZone, a new in-park activation debuting this season at Wilson’s Group Stadium at Royal Athletic Park.
Building on the recently announced partnership between Vancouver Island Brewing and the HarbourCats, the Islander FanZone will bring a true taproom patio experience to the ballpark; a new experience for fans of the HarbourCats to enjoy the game, and a physical footprint for fans of Vancouver Island Brewing to enjoy their products.
Designed to capture the laid-back spirit of a Vancouver Island summer, the space – located on the first base concourse behind Section 6 reserved seating – will feature high-top seating for up to 40 in different formats (a total capacity of 50), umbrellas, patio games, and artificial turf, creating a welcoming and social atmosphere for fans to gather, relax, and enjoy the game on Islander time.
The hybrid ticketed and VIP space will be ideal for a wide range of social occasions, from casual outings with friends to group gatherings and summer celebrations at the ballpark.
Fans visiting the Islander FanZone will be able to enjoy a lineup of Vancouver Island Brewing favourites, including Islander Lager, Broken Islands Hazy IPA, Breakpoint Pilsner and Seadog Amber Ale, a selection that brings some of the brewery’s most approachable and easy-drinking beers to the ballpark.
“We couldn’t be more excited to build this space and share a genuine craft beer experience at the ballpark with the Islander FanZone,” said Zach Van Der Ende, Director of Sales and Marketing, Vancouver Island Brewing. “Great beer and baseball have always been a perfect match, and we’re excited to help create a space where fans can come together, relax, and share great experiences all summer long.”
“The Islander FanZone is going to be a fantastic addition to the fan experience,” said Christian Stewart, General Manager of the Victoria HarbourCats. “It gives both loyal fans and newcomers an exciting way to take in a HarbourCats baseball game, whether they’re coming with family, meeting up with friends, or hosting a group event.”
The Islander FanZone reflects the shared vision behind the Vancouver Island Brewing and HarbourCats partnership: creating experiences that feel local, memorable, and made for summer. As the season gets underway, the new space will offer fans another reason to arrive early, stay longer, and take in everything that makes a night at the ballpark special.
About Vancouver Island Brewing Vancouver Island Brewing has been crafting beer on the Island since 1984, rooted in the community and landscapes that inspire every pour. Vancouver Island Brewing makes award-winning beers, from classic lagers to innovative ales, using quality ingredients and traditional brewing methods inspired by the island it calls home. Learn more at vibrewing.com.
About the Victoria HarbourCats The Victoria HarbourCats are a member of the West Coast League, a summer collegiate baseball league featuring top NCAA talent from across North America. The HarbourCats play their home games at Wilson Group’s Stadium at Royal Athletic Park in Victoria, B.C. Learn more at www.harbourcats.com.
Media Contacts: Zach Van Der Ende, Director Sales and Marketing Vancouver Island Brewing zach@vibrewingcom | 778-938-8220 Christian Stewart, General Manager Victoria HarbourCats chris@harbourcats.com | 778-265-0327
Victoria, BC – He works fast and he likes a crowd. That makes third-year pitcher Shea Lake a hit with his teammates – and even former coaches.
In the relative pressure cooker of Wilson’s Group Stadium at Royal Athletic Park, there’s an electricity on good summer nights that’s not coming from the overhead lights.
“It’s kind of like that white line fever,” former pitching coach Scott Anderson tells me from Portland. Scott spent three seasons mentoring the ‘Cats mound prospects. “Some of those guys when they come out across the foul lines and they get 3,000 people in the stands it’s a little bit different story.”
But at 6-3, Shea Lake stands tall on the mound.
“First off, when we’re in Victoria it’s a much better crowd than anywhere else,” he says.
“I just think the way that RAP kind of fits – all those people packed in close together, the energy just fills the room, especially playing night games, firework nights, all the stuff like that.”
Lake is one of the rare three-year players with Victoria. And like many of the ‘Cats, he’s had a nomadic path to BC’s capital.
In his case, ‘Cats fans can thank the U.S. Department of State.
After his freshman year at Hawaii Pacific the coaching staff placed Lake with the Swift Current 57s of the Westen Canadian Baseball League. But Lake’s passport did not arrive in time to play summer baseball. Instead, he’s in town for a trifecta: ’24, 25 and now 2026.
And the 2025 campaign was a busy one: Lake appeared in nine games and pitched 34 innings, compiling a 2-2 record and 3.20 ERA. And both fans and teammates appreciated his efficient pace on the hill. Lake works quickly.
“It’s one of the more underlying things in baseball that people don’t really see,” Lake says. “When your D is out there for a while, it kind of wears them out throughout the game. Getting them off the field and staying on their hitting side, it’s always good for the offense and the fans kind of like it — especially when you have an offense like us.”
And how would he describe himself on the hill?
“I’ve never been a big velocity guy,” he says. “It’s kind of just playing with the hitter and keeping them off balance, control the count and generating ground balls. The longer I’m out there the more it becomes like work, so keeping the pitch count low and trying to get the guys off the field as fast as I can.”
“He’s a pitcher that can pitch,” Anderson says. “Shea’s a solid guy that works with a good tempo and he changes speeds really well. He’ll be a good leader to the team. He’s a smart kid.
Lake is a mechanical engineering student at West Texas A &M near Amarillo. When it comes to his baseball future he thinks like an engineer – sound, fundamental concepts built on proven principles. About 10% of NCAA baseball players are drafted, but a much, much smaller percentage make it all the way to Major League Baseball.
“Of course there’s that chance,” he says. “If a big jump happens, that’s great; I think I have the ability, the capabilities to do it, you never know.
“I just keep my head down and work hard and we’ll see what happens. I wouldn’t say nothing’s really changed: I think just being the best version of myself every day and working as hard as I can is all I can really do.
“As long as I do that, I’m happy with myself.”
It’s a winning attitude.
Before he even crosses those white lines.
The HarbourCats season begins May 29th on the road versus the Portland Pickles, before returning to Victoria for the Home Opener against the Edmonton Riverhawks on Tuesday, June 2, 6:30 pm.
Season tickets, single-game tickets, 12 and 32-game flex packs and 2026 All-Star Game ticket packages are now on sale at harbourcats.com/tickets or at the HarbourCats office at 1814 Vancouver Street.
VICTORIA, B.C. — The most heart-warming happenings each summer are the work of Peninsula Co-op, an outstanding community leader on the island.
There is nothing “community” in the Victoria area that does not involve Peninsula Co-op, it seems — and that includes the HarbourCats’ entire summer schedule.
Thanks to the partnership of Peninsula Co-op, kids will attend for free on the June 12-13-14 weekend when the Springfield Drifters make their first-ever appearance at Wilson’s Group Stadium at Royal Athletic Park.
Then, before the Wednesday, June 17 game with the Redmond Dudes, the HarbourCats will take the field with the Special Olympics All-Stars, in an inspirational event that brings smiles to everyone, presented by Peninsula Co-op.
On Wednesday, July 8, the Challengers All-Stars will take over the field prior to a game with the HarbourCats and Bend Elks.
A major bonus for all Peninsula Co-op members is a $2 discount on HarbourCats game tickets (excluding WCL All-Star Game events), including playoffs.
Peninsula Co-op signage and messages will be front and centre for the whole league as well when the WCL All-Star Festival takes over the city, July 14-15.
“Peninsula Co-op keeps showing that caring about the community is good for everyone,” said Jim Swanson of the HarbourCats. “They participate with heart, which is why these events with Challenger and Special Olympics mean so much to so many.”
Single game tickets, season tickets, and 12 and 32-game flex packs, along with All-Star Game ticket packages are now on sale at harbourcats.com/tickets or at the HarbourCats office at 1814 Vancouver Street.
Pitcher Jack Marek (San Jacinto College)(above) is another strong arm joining the HarbourCats for 2026 (Photo courtesy of San Jacinto College)
VICTORIA, B.C. — Pitching quality and depth are the key to grinding out wins in a very tough competition environment like the West Coast League.
The Victoria HarbourCats are putting in the work to be ready with the arms they’ll need on the mound, working with first-year pitching coach Zach Swanson.
Veteran head coach Todd Haney and Swanson, the former HarbourCats hurler who is now a pitching coach at Hawaii Pacific University in Honolulu, are excited for the six new signees announced today.
“Todd definitely has a plan and philosophy on being successful with the pitching staff, and I’m excited to work with him and follow that plan,” said Swanson, a Lambrick Park grad who played five years of college baseball after going through both the Eagles and Mariners programs. “Our job as coaches will be to be ready and prepare the pitchers for this level of competition. I’m also excited to work with (assistant coaches) Darius Opdam Bak, Troy Birtwistle, Steve Sinclair and Carson Myers on the staff.”
Announced today for the 2026 roster:
RHP Bryson Toner, Hawaii, 6-3/190, Honolulu RHP Pierce Stone, Regis, 5-9/180, Round Rock, TX RHP Anson Stuckly, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, 6-1/200, Katy, TX RHP Jack Marek, San Jacinto College, 6-2/190, Liverpool, TX RHP Easton Reimers, North Dakota State, 6-2/215, Missoula, MT LHP Jack Clark, Cal State San Marcos, 6-0/185, San Diego RHP Davis Lee, University of Calgary, 6-5/210, Richmond
Clark, a lefty, is a key recruit from San Marcos — he didn’t allow a run in his first 14 college appearances, and now in his sophomore season has made nine starts this spring. He is 6-1/4.74 with a save, and strikes out a batter per inning.
Lee is a big-arm project with a fastball that has touched 95mph. Playing in the CCBC for the Calgary Dinos, the business student from Richmond and product of the PBL Delta Blue Jays has 16 strikeouts in 10.1 innings, and will work closely with Swanson and Opdam Bak to cut down on his walks.
Toner is a big right-hander who should have no challenge adjusting to life on a beautiful island — he’s from Honolulu. The Hawaii freshman was a dominant, highly-ranked pitcher in high school who will get valuable game experience as a HarbourCat this summer.
Stone is a sophomore who struck out more than a batter per inning as a freshman, while Reimers is a freshman who was state tournament MVP as a high school senior and a dominant innings-eater. Of note, his dad Cameron was a 35th round pick of the Blue Jays in 1988 and reached AAA.
Stuckly is a graduating high school senior who is committed to Texas A&M Corpus Christi, while Marek was an early commit to Southern Illinois now at San Jacinto College, with a fastball in the 90-92 range.
The HarbourCats begin their 2026 season on May 29th with a visit to Portland and then return to Victoria for the Home Opener against the Edmonton Riverhawks on Tuesday, June 2, 6:30 pm.
Season tickets, single-game tickets, 12 and 32-game flex packs and 2026 All-Star Game ticket packages are now on sale at harbourcats.com/tickets or at the HarbourCats office at 1814 Vancouver Street.
Victoria, BC – The Victoria HarbourCats are pleased to announce that their 2026 Summer Kids Camps offerings, sponsored by A&W, are now available for registration, including a FREE, one-day, MLB sponsored camp on MLB PlayBall Weekend, Saturday June 6th!
All camps will be run by Victoria HarbourCats and Victoria Collegiate Cats players and coaches and take place either at Wilson’s Group Stadium or at our indoor Edwards Family Training Centre on Cook Street.
THE OFFERINGS
MLB PLAY BALL WEEKEND CAMP Saturday, June 6th, 12 noon to 3pm, Wilson’s Group Stadium at Royal Athletic Park FREE ADMISSION, BUT REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED, Limited to 100 Registrants Boys and girls ages 5 to 12 are invited to participate in the FREE three-hour camp at Wilson’s Group Stadium at Royal Athletic Park on Saturday, June 6 from 12:00 Noon to 3:00 pm. The camp is designed to give boys and girls the opportunity to develop their skills, regardless of experience or ability. DETAILS AND REGISTRATION
OUTDOOR SUMMER CAMPS, AGES 8-17 Weekly camps beginning July 7th and ending August 28th, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM Wilson’s Group Stadium at Royal Athletic Park $225-$350 per player depending on week, all 8 weeks $2000. Limited to 30 registrants per week. DETAILS AND REGISTRATION
INDOOR SUMMER CAMPS, HALF-DAY, AGES 8-11 Weekly camps beginning July 7th and ending August 28th, 9:00 AM to 12 Noon Edwards Family Training Centre $200-$250 per player depending on week, all 8 weeks $1,900. Limited to 15 registrants per week. DETAILS AND REGISTRATION
INDOOR SUMMER CAMPS, HALF-DAY, AGES 12-17 Weekly camps beginning July 7th and ending August 28th, 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM Edwards Family Training Centre $200-$250 per player depending on week, all 8 weeks $1,900. Limited to 15 registrants per week. DETAILS AND REGISTRATION
Our camps usually fill up fast, so please be sure to register today to secure your spot.
If you have any questions, please contact HarbourCats GM Christian Stewart at chris@harbourcats.com.
The Victoria HarbourCats are proud to recognize local company Emery Electric, a proud local business founded in 1930 by Ernie Emery and now overseen by Derek Emery.
What is this recognition all about? Well, working with the HarbourCats and the City of Victoria, Emery Electric has provided a major power upgrade to what is known during the baseball season as Wilson’s Group Stadium at Royal Athletic Park — one that brings significant environmental improvements.
“What was completed by Emery Electric earlier this year is a significant piece of quality work and infrastructure improvement we are proud to have put in place — and it will bring enhanced service capacity to all who use the City-owned facility,” said Jim Swanson, Managing Partner of the HarbourCats. “There should be no more brown-outs in that area. Derek and his staff are so community-minded, it’s hard to describe.
“We can’t yell ‘THANK YOU’ loud enough. It’s a big addition for the City, no cost to taxpayers, and we are proud to help contribute.”
In short, the work will provide power for the equivalent of four food trucks along Caledonia Avenue — a cabinet housing 4x30amp, 120/208 volt, and 4x15amp, 120 volt was installed in the off-season. That means generators and various fuels, and the associated hum of the engines, can be removed from the park (gas and diesel prices these days, anyone?).
Cup-A-Roni is one of many food trucks operating during HarbourCats games that will benefit from the power upgrades installed during the off season.
Emery Electric is nearing 100 years of serving Victoria and indeed all of Vancouver Island in commercial, industrial and marine electrical contracting.
The HarbourCats have been the main user of Royal Athletic Park since 2013, the longest continuous single user group in the history of the facility, which opened in May of 1908. The HarbourCats have contributed many improvements including dressing room upgrades, the movable fence, and enhanced seating areas, all with no taxpayer burden.
The HarbourCats begin their 2026 season on May 29th with a visit to Portland and then return to Victoria for the Home Opener against the Edmonton Riverhawks on Tuesday, June 2, 6:30 pm.
Season tickets, single-game tickets, 12 and 32-game flex packs are now on sale at harbourcats.com/tickets or at the HarbourCats office at 1814 Vancouver Street.
Tickets for the All-Star Home Run Derby on July 14th are currently available in a package that also include tickets for the WCL All Star Game that will be held on Wednesday, July 15th and feature the top players in the league. Prices for the package start at $40 for General Admission seats to $85 for field level Diamond Club Seats, and can be purchased ON-LINE, or by visiting the HarbourCats office at 101-1814 Vancouver Street, just around the corner from the stadium.
VICTORIA, B.C. — It’s all the excitement of a HOME RUN DERBY with fun and unique twists… including points on defence.
And — with former Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Kevin Pillar, known as “Superman” for his fence thievery as well as his bat, as the star attraction.
Pillar, 37, who recently retired after a stellar 13-season, 1234-game career spent mostly as a Blue Jay, will be one of the West Coast League (WCL) Home Run Derby participants — he and his family are excited to be in Victoria for the event.
Pillar, a former Vancouver Canadian who also played for nine other MLB teams over his final seasons and is now doing some broadcasting on Sportsnet, hit 114 MLB home runs and was a fan favourite for how hard he played the game — and of course his memorable home run robbing catches at Rogers Centre.
Yes, the format will showcase a HR derby with gloves and sliding catches, even fence robberies, and an altered field configuration.
Intrigued? You should be — and no one should miss this.
The host committee of the 2026 WCL All-Star Game is excited to announce it will use the groundbreaking format/rules of Major League Baseball’s Home Run Derby X as part of the WCL All-Star Game Festival, July 14-15.
It will be the first time that a Canadian site will use the format, which MLB has successfully showcased in the US and overseas over the last few summers.
This event will be an important Day 1 aspect of the overall All-Star Game festival, Tuesday, July 14, 6:35pm.
“The West Coast League has a working relationship with Major League Baseball, so the fans will see something special on that Tuesday at Wilson’s Group Stadium at RAP,” said ASG co-chair Brenda MacFarlane. “This is all about the home runs, but the twists on defence make it an absolute blast — pardon the pun.
“Having Kevin Pillar as one of the players in this, wearing a Blue Jays uniform, will be a must-attend for any Jays fan, any sports fan.”
The rules involve a three-on-three, three-inning competition in which hitters have two minutes, thirty seconds during their time at the plate. The opposing team of three grab their gloves and can steal points in the “catch zone” near the fence, while hitters aim for a double-point target zone and use strategy to add “hot streak” bonus points.
With a unique defensive component in the 2026 WCL Home Run Derby, fans may get to see Kevin Pillar make some of the amazing catches that were a signature of his time with the Blue Jays.
“It’s a creative way to bring more of the game into a home run derby, and fans have loved it,” added MacFarlane.
The home run derby, which will start at 6:35pm on that Tuesday, July 14, is just part of the overall WCL All-Star Game Festival, which will take over so many locations on the Lower Island — more announcements to come. The main spot will of course be Wilson’s Group Stadium at Royal Athletic Park.
Tickets for the All-Star Home Run Derby on July 14th are currently available in a package that also include tickets for the WCL All Star Game that will be held on Wednesday, July 15th and feature the top players in the league. Prices for the package start at $40 for General Admission seats to $85 for field level Diamond Club Seats, and can be purchased ON-LINE, or by visiting the HarbourCats office at 101-1814 Vancouver Street, just around the corner from the stadium.
Six more D1 players, including five pitchers and Fresno State shortstop Brady Hewitt (above), ready to play in Victoria
April 15, 2026
For immediate release
VICTORIA, B.C. — The Victoria HarbourCats have had a lot of success working with Fresno State Bulldogs players, and Brady Hewitt could be the next key recruit from the D1 program.
Hewitt, the starter as a freshman, was all conference player of the year as a high school senior and is hitting .353 with 18 extra-base hits — 12 doubles, three triples and three home runs.
“We’ve had a lot of success with Fresno State guys putting on a HarbourCats uniform over the years,” said GM Christian Stewart, “and adding Brady and two promising pitchers keeps that tradition alive. Cayden Munster, Sky Collins, Tyler Patrick and Cam Schneider are recent Bulldogs who became fan favourites in Victoria.”
Added today to the HarbourCats 2026 roster are:
IF Brady Hewitt, Fresno State, R/R, 6-2/200, Simi Valley, CA
RHP Erik Rico, Fresno State, 6-0/195, Visalia, CA
RHP Brandon Thomas, Fresno State, 6-4/235, Cypress, CA
RHP Brandon Vasquez, St. Mary’s, 6-4/210, Round Rock, TX
RHP Aiden Barrientes, Texas Christian University, 6-1/195, Katy, TX
RHP Cade Nelson, Texas Christian University, 6-6/205, Katy, TX
Erik Rico, also a freshman, is working out of the bullpen after a strong high school career where he was also the quarterback of the football team. Thomas is an imposing figure on the mound with 12 appearances as a freshman so far, going 1-1 with a 4.29 ERA and 20 strikeouts in 21 innings.
Brandon Thomas is a freshman who has appeared in 21 innings so far this spring for the Bulldogs, building a 4.29 ERA with 20 strikeouts. As a senior in high school, he owned a 6-5 record with a 0.79 ERA, and 81 strikeouts in 79.1 innings of work.
6-6 TCU pitcher Cade Nelson should be a dominating figure on the mound for the HarbourCats in 2026 (Photo courtesy TCU).
Brandon Vasquez is a redshirt junior who is 3-2 with a 5.05 ERA in 34 college outings, which includes 10 starts and a complete game this season.
Freshman Aiden Barrientes was at the 2025 MLB draft combine, and set his high school’s strikeout record with 129, also named the Sports Illustrated player of the week in May of 2025. He is working out of the pen for the Horned Frogs.
Cade Nelson is from the same Texas town and high school as Barrientes, has started four games as a freshman at TCU, fanning 19 hitters in 18.2 innings so far this season.
The HarbourCats begin their 2026 season on May 29th with a visit to Portland and then return to Victoria for the Home Opener against the Edmonton Riverhawks on Tuesday, June 2, 6:30 pm.
Season tickets, single-game tickets, 12 and 32-game flex packs and 2026 All-Star Game ticket packages are now on sale at harbourcats.com/tickets or at the HarbourCats office at 1814 Vancouver Street.
Dillon Lopez celebrates his walk-off base hit that gave Victoria a 10-9 win over the Kelowna Falcons last July 12 (Photo: Justin Morash)
April 7, 2026
Story by Norm LeBus
Photos by Justin Morash
At 11 years old, I was five foot seven and almost as wide, so catcher or right field was the best guess in Little League. A late growth spurt and affinity for Gram’s baking meant I didn’t move very quickly, but I did take up a lot of space.
Squatting with a cage on my head, I closed my eyes when I saw a club swing overhead. Then a ball hit me right in the chest protector.
“Maybe join the outfielders,” coach said.
That was 1970.
I’ve always had a respect for catchers. A crouched blend of courage and mule stubbornness, donning and shedding protective amour between innings. Kind of a point guard in the summer heat, bending to a kneel then standing dozens of times a game, guiding eight on-field players into place and counseling shaky pitchers.
So, it’s validating to hear catching feels exactly like it looks.
“When I started, I’d be sore for a couple days after catching games,” Dillon Lopez says.
“I guess over time you kind of get used to hurting all the time. You get used to your body feeling not one hundred percent and you kind of roll with it.”
Lopez, 21, is currently a junior at NCAA Div 1 program St Mary’s University in San Antonio, his hometown. Lopez joined the Cats late in 2025, arriving July 1 after the team’s starting catcher, Jacob Silva, injured his toe sliding into a base in Kelowna.
“If Dillon had arrived earlier, he no doubt would have been one of our all-star selections,” Harbourcats GM Christian Stewart contends. “He’s just a guy you can send up to the plate with confidence and put behind the dish with confidence to handle any of our pitchers.”
Lopez, 5-10 and about 200 pounds, is kind of built for the job.
Dillon Lopez salutes the crowd after his walk-off base hit gave the Cats a dramatic 10-9 win over the Kelowna Falcons last July 12th (Photo: Justin Morash).
In the WCL, you’re crouched behind home plate in about seven pounds of armour, in what amounts to the engine room. Two opposing forces are trying to collide: a hickory or birch bat whirls past your ear at almost 100 miles an hour as a ball’s incoming at close to the same velocity. When the two intersect, it’s game action: foul ball or in-play on the diamond.
But most of the game, the ball lands in the catcher’s mitt for balls and strikes.
“It doesn’t come too close to my head,” Lopez says of the bat. “But it does come pretty close to my glove. All I try to do is focus on catching the ball.”
Every inch of the catcher is protected, including their throat. It’s kind of a dangerous place. And catchers need to keep it calm in the eye of the storm.
“We’re more of a coach on the field,” Lopez says. “We see everything and we keep everybody in check and remind everybody what they have to do.”
My right field recollections were a lot of daydreaming punctuated by one or maybe two fly balls a game and less grounders.
Not so if you play catcher.
“I love catching because I’m always in the game and helps me stay locked in on what ‘s going on,” Lopez says. “If definitely takes a lot of focus and some homework, understanding batters’ swings and their tendencies.
Lopez is also an outstanding hitter. Arriving July 1 last season, he played 24 games and hit .350 with four doubles, three home runs and 18 RBI.
Currently back in San Antonio for his junior year at St Mary’s University, Lopez is hitting .362 with eight dingers and 43 RBI in 35 games this spring.
Lopez is also outstanding in the classroom as a three-time conference honour roll student in his field of sport science.
And he’s a student of the game, studying both his swing and his catching form on video most nights during the season, ensuring his fundamentals don’t stray.
“Your swing can change slightly during the season,” he explains. “There’s mental fatigue and body fatigue and you have to push through the fog, stay true to fundamentals and not chase little fixes that up end altering the foundation.”
The last year has been a huge challenge for Lopez outside the lines. Three months before he joined the Cats in 2025, Lopez lost a family member after a lengthy illness.
Dillon Lopez should be a steady influence behind the plate for the HarbourCats again in 2026 (Photo: Christian J. Stewart)
His St Mary’s teammate, Garret Brooks, who also arrived in Victoria at the beginning of July, was instrumental at the start.
“He definitely helped me out with getting in there and getting situated,” Lopez recalls. “We hung out with a lot of the guys and kind of got to fit in a little bit, especially when it’s the middle of summer and everybody’s already used to each other.”
It didn’t hurt that both players made immediate impacts: Brooks hit .343 with six doubles and 13 RBI in 20 games; Lopez homered three times with 18 RBI, four doubles and hit .350 in 21 games.
Through 30 games in the current NCAA season that began in February, both players are rolling at St Mary’s: both are hitting well above .300 with a combined 12 homers and 63 RBI.
And when the calendar hits June, Lopez plans to be behind home plate for the first pitch.
“I feel like it should be much better transition wise,” Lopez says. “I get to experience opening day and get the fans to kind of know me a bit more than a new face.
“It’s exciting. I’m looking forward to winning a lot of games.”
Lopez and the HarbourCats begin their 2026 season on May 29th with a visit to Portland and then return to Victoria for the Home Opener against the Edmonton Riverhawks on Tuesday, June 2, 6:30 pm.
Season tickets, single-game tickets, 12 and 32-game flex packs and 2026 All-Star Game ticket packages are now on sale at harbourcats.com/tickets or at the HarbourCats office at 1814 Vancouver Street.
