The Nanaimo NightOwls have added five new players including local pitcher Garrett Goodall. The organization is putting the finishing touches on their roster, coaching staff and home stadium ahead of their inaugural season. (Dan Marshall/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Dan Marshall

Batter Up

Nanaimo NightOwls in home stretch towards inaugural opening day

Apr 29, 2022 | 10:26 AM

NANAIMO — With one month until the start of the Nanaimo NightOwls first West Coast League baseball season, the organization is applying the finishing touches on and off the field.

Several new player signings were announced in late April with pitchers Garrett Goodall, Nolan McCracken, Kyle Rosenfeld and Dylan Joyce, who also plays first base, joining the squad. Nanaimo also added outfielder Jon Sabotnik.

NightOwls general manager Jim Swanson said the pick up of 2018 WCL all-star Goodall is particularly special.

“Garrett is from Nanaimo and a former Victoria HarbourCat. Barring injury he is scheduled to be our opening night starter in Portland on May 31. He will throw the first pitch in Nanaimo NightOwls history.”

In early April, the NightOwls rounded out their coaching staff by bringing in Sean FitzGerald from Skagit Valley College of the NWAC as an assistant.

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He’ll work alongside head coach Greg Frady and pitching coach Gorm Heimueller.

“We’ll run with three full time coaches,” Swanson said. “Sean has a lot of energy and runs a great batting practice. He’s a real student of the game on the video and analytics side which I think will really augment our coaching staff.”

Serauxmen Stadium upgrades are ongoing and Swanson confirmed the NightOwls ballpark will be ready for the home opener on June 3, although some work may still be going on in the background.

“There will be some things that will be competed I think a little bit into the season by the City in the construction process. We’ll need to just react to that.”

The sale of single game tickets is tied into completion of newly installed seats.

Swanson hopes the club can announce single game tickets shortly but said in the meantime season tickets for the 33 home games and smaller 10 game packs have been selling well.

With the start of the WCL season coming on the heels of the college baseball campaign there is very little lead time and no training camp for the players.

Most of the roster will arrive in Nanaimo anywhere from May 27 to 29 ahead of the first league game on May 31 in Portland.

“Guys are in shape already and we really don’t need a training camp. We know what the players are about, we’ve scouted them, we’ve recruited them and we know exactly what they bring to the table.”

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