The Nanaimo NightOwls will open their second season on June 2 at home versus Walla Walla. (Nanaimo NightOwls)

By Dan Marshall

Summer Schedule

Nanaimo NightOwls announce schedule and new roster additions

Nov 18, 2022 | 9:10 AM

NANAIMO — The season schedule for the second year of NightOwls West Coast League baseball has been revealed.

Nanaimo will start at home with a three game series against the Walla Walla Sweets June 2-4.

Team co-owner Jim Swanson said it will be the first time the NightOwls and Sweets will play each other.

“It’s exciting to see a team like the Walla Walla Sweets, a great historic team from a small town in south eastern Washington. They used to have the San Diego Padres farm club so there’s a lot of baseball history there.”

Nanaimo will make the return leg to Walla Walla late in the season.

targeted job action

Striking Nanaimo postal workers disrupt Purolator operations

2h ago

final flight

Massive Philippine Mars waterbomber preparing for final Island departure

6h ago

Skatepark refresh

Town of Ladysmith seeks public insight in reforming skateboard park

21h ago

The Vancouver Island rivalry between the NightOwls and Victoria HarbourCats will be renewed July 18-20 in Nanaimo and Aug. 1-3

Both of those series are mid week.

“I look forward to the time when we get one of those series on a weekend,” Swanson said. “That way we can get to see more of an opportunity for the fans to go up and down. Last year there was a fan bus that came up from Victoria.”

Both Nanaimo and Victoria belong to the same ownership group.

“It was a lot of fun to see that happen and that rivalry develop,” Swanson added. “Nanaimo almost knocked Victoria out of the playoffs with one key win last year even though the HarbourCats won the season series.”

There are two special event days already on the calendar with a school day game likely on June 15 and an afternoon game on Canada Day.

New additions to the game day experience will include a new public address system, which will be available to other user groups, expanded food services and 350 new seats beside the third base dugout.

On the field the NightOwls have announced the return of local infielders Tim Holyk and Aaron Marsh.

Nanaimo has also confirmed four new players for 2023 including national junior team member Ty Doucette, Coombs product Brandon Nicoll, Wisconsin infielder Jax Hisle and starting pitcher Nathan Buchan.

Local news. Delivered. Free. Subscribe to our daily news wrap and get our top local stories delivered to your email inbox every evening

info@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @NanaimoNewsNOW