NightOwls full of optimism for fifth season

• Share on Facebook
• Share on Bluesky
• Share on X
• Copy Link

Fans will see the new scoreboard for the home opener on June 2 when the NightOwls start a three game series versus the Kelowna Falcons.

Batter Up

NightOwls full of optimism for fifth season

2h ago

shelter space

'Bigger than one winter:' Oceanside dry shelter advocates get RDN support letter

15h ago

wraparound supports

Nearly $1.3 million targeting Nanaimo & Oceanside veteran homelessness

19h ago

Kelowna will be a team that generates some extra buzz this year with a former major league baseball player behind the bench.

“They’re always a tough team,” Swanson said. “They’ve got a new head coach in Gregg Zaun the former Blue Jays catcher and broadcaster. Just having him in the ball park will bring extra excitement in the league, especially in the Canadian cities.”

Swanson said success on the field starts in the front ice and the staff led by general manager Tina Cornett has laid the foundation.

“We do like the players we’ve put together. Our coaching staff with Cody Andreychuck and Gorm Heimueller with some of our new coaches is a really exciting group. We’re going to do the best we can to develop players in a winning atmosphere. We’ve been close the past couple of years but it’s a testament to the West Coast League that after four years we haven’t tasted that first playoff game. We can all imagine what it would be like to have a Nanaimo crowd excited for that first playoff game and the amosphere at Serauxmen Stadium would be off the charts.”

Fans will know many returning players including three year NightOwls Ryder Florence and Cole Carmichael.

2025 all-stars Talan Zenk and Jacob Hayes are also back for a second season.

“You don’t get those guys if they didn’t value the program, the development and the opportunity to play in front of the fans. It’s quality baseball and people realize there are legitamitely players going from the West Coast League to the major leagues.”

The WCL season runs from May 29 until Aug. 5.

Nanaimo has 27 regular season home games plus four exhibition games at Serauxmen Stadium.

Swanson said fans will have plenty to enjoy at the ballpark both on and off the field.

“We have some new ideas around theme nights that we’ll be announcing soon but that video scoreboard in left field is a 20 by 10 foot board. It’s very clear with a new generation of video. It’s going to provide opportunities for people to showcase their products and services through advertising and promotions in the park and it’s going to show graphics for our players. It will grow and improve as we go on.”

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

Follow us on: Twitter (X) | Bluesky | Facebook