The NightOwls finished with a 26-28 record in the 2024 WCL season finishing just outside the top four playoff sports in the North Division. (Nanaimo NightOwls)

By Dan Marshall

Gaining Momentum

NightOwls make progress but fall short of playoffs in year three

Aug 18, 2024 | 10:14 AM

NANAIMO — The NightOwls will enter season four of their foray into West Coast League baseball looking for their first playoff appearance.

The team went 26-28 in 2024, finishing just outside the playoffs in fifth place in the North Division.

Co-owner Jim Swanson said the club was in a lot of tight ball games that didn’t fall their way.

“In the second half we were a better team by a little bit. We ended the season 5-10 in games that were decided by one run in the ninth inning or later. In at least four games we were down to the final pitch where we would have had the win. The guys never quit and we had probably the best group of young players we put together.”

A night featuring baseball legend Manny Ramirez throwing out the first pitch at Serauxmen Stadium was one of the standout moments of the season.

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However the consensus highlight was at home on July 1.

“There were 3,100 people jamming the place for the fireworks night on Canada Day,” Swanson noted. “That was a lot of fun splitting a double header with Victoria and people really got their money’s worth that day.”

On the field an original NightOwl capped his three year career in style.

Aaron Marsh won’t be returning next summer but his final at bat was unforgettable.

“He’s a local guy who’s done a great job for us and was player of the year in 2023,” Swanson said. “He hit a home run in his last at bat. It was so poetic for what him and his family have brought to the program. We greatly appreciate them and we look forward to watching Aaron in his last year at UBC and where he goes from there.”

First baseman Wylie Waters had an excellent statistical season and may get some consideration for the MVP award in the league.

Waters did take home the MVP from the WCL all star game in July.

On the mound Adison Mattix made the all star team while Aidan Russell and Aidan Boice also excellent seasons.

For the second year in a row a one time NightOwl was chosen in the Major League Baseball draft.

Catcher Connor Caskenette was picked in the twelfth round by the Miami Marlins.

“Being able to have another draft pick that came through our program in Connor Caskenette and the things that have gone on with Elijah Ickes coming through our program and being drafted, those are big strengths and the WCL is a great product to put on the field for the fans in Nanaimo.”

While the NightOwls closed out their season on Aug. 7 there was West Coast League playoff baseball at Serauxmen Stadium for the first time.

The Victoria HarbourCats were unable to use their own park because of field preparations for an upcoming BC Lions CFL football game.

Swanson was thankful Nanaimo’s mayor and council and the NightOwls were able to work with the HarbourCats to host a post season game on Aug. 11.

“We were fortunate to have that as a plan B for with what happened in Victoria and we’re obviously not happy with how that played out. But we were able to be in front of more than 1,100 in Nanaimo and the NightOwls fans adopted the HarbourCats for one night. The game ended with a walk off home run for Victoria in the bottom of the ninth and you don’t get much better drama with that in sport.”

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