PRESS RELEASE – Victoria HarbourCats Owner John McLean and General Manager Holly Jones are pleased to announce that the City of Victoria and the Victoria HarbourCats have been awarded the 2013 West Coast League (WCL) All-Star Game.
McLean and Jones, along with Victoria Mayor Dean Fortin and representatives from Tourism Victoria and SportHost Victoria were on hand Friday at the Tourism Victoria Information Centre at the Inner Harbour to make the big announcement.
The game will be a signature event of the HarbourCats inaugural 2013 schedule and will feature a range of activities including a Home-Run Derby and the All-Star Game itself which will be played at historic Royal Athletic Park, the home of the HarbourCats.
“We are absolutely thrilled that the WCL chose Victoria for this year’s event,” noted Jones. “The buzz around town about baseball being back has been tremendous and now fans have even more of a reason to be excited.”
The exact date of the game will be announced shortly, but is anticipated to be held during the week of July 22, 2013. The 2013 All-Star Game marks the first time the event will be hosted by a Canadian team.
“Victoria was an easy choice” said WCL President Ken Wilson. “In addition to the HarbourCats being one of our newest franchises, Victoria is now the largest market city in the league, a city with a rich baseball tradition, a great fan base and a strong minor baseball and softball community.”
The 2013 WCL All-Star Game will give fans a chance to see the top prospects in the WCL in action. Fans will have a chance during the season to cast a vote to select their team’s favourite player. The remainder of the All-Stars will be selected by scouts, coaches and owners from around the league.
The 2013 West Coast League All-Star Game will provide a significant economic boost to the City as the game will be attended by fans of all 11 teams in the league, family and friends of players, as well as team owners, executive and a wealth of Major League scouts.
“Today’s announcement by the HarbourCats is wonderful for our community” said SportHost Victoria Executive Director Hugh MacDonald. “Hosting sport related events in Victoria contributes more than $75 million a year in economic activity and I am pleased on behalf of SportHost Victoria to thank and congratulate the Victoria HarbourCats for bringing the 2013 All-Star Game to the region.”
For video highlights of the 2012 WCL All-Star Game in Walla Walla please visit:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gWSsy6y3nuk
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