Baseball

Peninsula Baseball and Softball Association held a special ceremony last month with all the teams to mark the 30th anniversary of Rotary Park, the association’s current home. The ceremony, held April 9, saw former North Saanich mayor and former Sidney councillor Ted Daly throw the ceremonial first pitch. (Courtesy Kyle Robinson Photography)

Community spirit hits a home run at North Saanich’s Rotary Park

Many volunteers consider the facility a second home

Peninsula Baseball and Softball Association held a special ceremony last month with all the teams to mark the 30th anniversary of Rotary Park, the association’s current home. The ceremony, held April 9, saw former North Saanich mayor and former Sidney councillor Ted Daly throw the ceremonial first pitch. (Courtesy Kyle Robinson Photography)
Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Yusei Kikuchi (16) throws during the first inning of MLB baseball action against the New York Yankees in Toronto on Wednesday, May 4, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christopher Katsarov
Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Yusei Kikuchi (16) throws during the first inning of MLB baseball action against the New York Yankees in Toronto on Wednesday, May 4, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christopher Katsarov
Newly acquired coach Anthony Pluta tours the Island Training Centre in Langford. The multisport centre offers off-season training and more to baseball and softball players. (Photo by Sheldon Mack/Pacific FC)

Former pro baseball pitcher training next generation in Langford

Anthony Pluta reunited with teammate Charlie Strandlund at Island Training Centre

Newly acquired coach Anthony Pluta tours the Island Training Centre in Langford. The multisport centre offers off-season training and more to baseball and softball players. (Photo by Sheldon Mack/Pacific FC)
Longtime Toronto Blue Jays broadcaster Buck Martinez is stepping away from the broadcast booth after being diagnosed with cancer. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP Photo/Paul Sancya

Toronto Blue Jays broadcaster Buck Martinez leaving TV booth after cancer diagnosis

Former catcher’s association with the team dates back to 1981

Longtime Toronto Blue Jays broadcaster Buck Martinez is stepping away from the broadcast booth after being diagnosed with cancer. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP Photo/Paul Sancya
Toronto Blue Jays’ Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is congratulated after hitting a two-run home run during the third inning of the team’s baseball game against the New York Yankees on Wednesday, April 13, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Guerrero slugs 3 HRs despite gash on hand, Blue Jays beat Yankees

Toronto moves to 4-2 on season after 6-4 win in New York

Toronto Blue Jays’ Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is congratulated after hitting a two-run home run during the third inning of the team’s baseball game against the New York Yankees on Wednesday, April 13, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
VIU Mariners teammates have some fun in left field during a pop-up drill at practice last week at Mariner Field. The team starts the CCBC regular season this Saturday, April 2, at Serauxmen Stadium. (Greg Sakaki/News Bulletin)

Opening day almost here for Nanaimo’s VIU Mariners baseball club

Team hosts Victoria Golden Tide for doubleheader Saturday, April 2, at Serauxmen Stadium

VIU Mariners teammates have some fun in left field during a pop-up drill at practice last week at Mariner Field. The team starts the CCBC regular season this Saturday, April 2, at Serauxmen Stadium. (Greg Sakaki/News Bulletin)
(Contributed)

Kelowna man headed to the New York Yankees organization

McDonald will be a strength and performance coach

(Contributed)
Chicago White Sox minor league outfielder Duke Ellis prepares for batting practice during a minor league baseball spring training workout Thursday, March 10, 2022, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Test for MLB players will be how their new deal looks to them in 2026

Agreement reached Thursday raises the competitive-balance tax threshold by $34 million

Chicago White Sox minor league outfielder Duke Ellis prepares for batting practice during a minor league baseball spring training workout Thursday, March 10, 2022, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Victoria Eagles player Oliver Mabee takes batting practice at the Pacific FC indoor facility in Langford. He and teammate Tyrus Hall head to Arizona this March as part of a high-level exhibition tour organized by the Langley Blaze. (Megan Atkins-Baker/News Staff)

Victoria Eagles baseball duo gear up for high-level Arizona road trip

Tyrus Hall, Oliver Mabee look to impress recruiters during 12-day, 22-game stretch

Victoria Eagles player Oliver Mabee takes batting practice at the Pacific FC indoor facility in Langford. He and teammate Tyrus Hall head to Arizona this March as part of a high-level exhibition tour organized by the Langley Blaze. (Megan Atkins-Baker/News Staff)
Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred outside Roger Dean Stadium on Monday, Feb. 28, 2022, in Jupiter, Fla., after a labor negotiating session with baseball players. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

MLB cancels opening day after sides fail to end lockout

Commissioner Rob Manfred is canceling first two series of a season that was set to begin March 31

Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred outside Roger Dean Stadium on Monday, Feb. 28, 2022, in Jupiter, Fla., after a labor negotiating session with baseball players. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Henry Naysmith, 11, watches a pitch from his father, Andrew, as younger brother Beau, eight, waits his turn to take batting practice inside Central Saanich Little League’s training facility in Centennial Park. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)

Indoor facility hits a home run for Central Saanich Little League, greater community

Well-used training space continues to build community, 18 months after opening

Henry Naysmith, 11, watches a pitch from his father, Andrew, as younger brother Beau, eight, waits his turn to take batting practice inside Central Saanich Little League’s training facility in Centennial Park. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)
Former Nanaimo Pirates catcher Connor Caskenette has signed with the Nanaimo NightOwls. (Photo submitted)

Nanaimo NightOwls sign former Pirates and Royals standouts

WCL baseball club announces additions of Connor Caskenette and Aaron Marsh

Former Nanaimo Pirates catcher Connor Caskenette has signed with the Nanaimo NightOwls. (Photo submitted)
Parksville Royals players Thomas Plant and Ryan Deagle will join the University of Victoria Golden Tide this coming September. (Michael Briones photo)

Two mid-Island baseball products sign with UVic

It’s a nice way to start the season if you can swing…

  • Jan 9, 2022
Parksville Royals players Thomas Plant and Ryan Deagle will join the University of Victoria Golden Tide this coming September. (Michael Briones photo)
Canada’s Amanda Asay of Prince George, B.C., prepares to throw the ball in an undated handout photo. Asay, a longtime National team member, died of injuries sustained in a skiing accident in Nelson, B.C., Baseball Canada said Sunday. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Baseball Canada, *MANDATORY CREDIT*

Longtime Canadian women’s baseball star Amanda Asay dies after skiing accident in Nelson

Amanda Asay, who was from Prince George, B.C., was 33 when she died

Canada’s Amanda Asay of Prince George, B.C., prepares to throw the ball in an undated handout photo. Asay, a longtime National team member, died of injuries sustained in a skiing accident in Nelson, B.C., Baseball Canada said Sunday. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Baseball Canada, *MANDATORY CREDIT*
Brandon Caben with the Victoria Breakers Baseball Club helps load groceries into a trolley recently at the Goldstream Food Bank. The new club aims to help make youth better baseball players and citizens through community service. (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)

New Victoria baseball club lends helping hand at Goldstream Food Bank

Victoria Breakers aims to develop youth into better players and citizens

Brandon Caben with the Victoria Breakers Baseball Club helps load groceries into a trolley recently at the Goldstream Food Bank. The new club aims to help make youth better baseball players and citizens through community service. (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)
Pitcher Adam McKillican signed a free agent deal last summer with the Texas Rangers. Photo supplied

Comox Valley product enters professional baseball ranks

6’5” pitcher signed a free agent deal with the Texas Rangers

Pitcher Adam McKillican signed a free agent deal last summer with the Texas Rangers. Photo supplied
FILE - Los Angeles Dodgers’ Max Scherzer pitches against the San Francisco Giants during the ninth inning of Game 5 of a baseball National League Division Series Thursday, Oct. 14, 2021, in San Francisco. Eight-time All-Star Max Scherzer is nearing a $130 million, three-year contract with the New York Mets, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity Monday, Nov. 29, because the agreement was still being worked on and would be subject to a successful physical.(AP Photo/John Hefti, File)

Even if games go on, Major League Baseball lockout could alienate Gen Z

Those born between 1995 and 2010 have never experience a baseball lockout or strike

FILE - Los Angeles Dodgers’ Max Scherzer pitches against the San Francisco Giants during the ninth inning of Game 5 of a baseball National League Division Series Thursday, Oct. 14, 2021, in San Francisco. Eight-time All-Star Max Scherzer is nearing a $130 million, three-year contract with the New York Mets, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity Monday, Nov. 29, because the agreement was still being worked on and would be subject to a successful physical.(AP Photo/John Hefti, File)
The Atlanta Braves celebrate after winning baseball’s World Series in Game 6 against the Houston Astros Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2021, in Houston. The Braves won 7-0. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
The Atlanta Braves celebrate after winning baseball’s World Series in Game 6 against the Houston Astros Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2021, in Houston. The Braves won 7-0. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Red Sox baseball pitcher Nick Pivetta celebrates another strikeout to end the inning during Sunday’s game 4 of the American League Divisional Series on Sunday in Boston. Victoria’s Pivetta picked up the win as the Red Sox beat Tampa Bay 6-4 with a walk-off homer in the 13th inning. (Facebook/Boston Red Sox)

Victoria-born pitcher helps propel Red Sox into Monday potential series-clincher

Pivetta’s strong relief stint, Vazquez’ walk-off homer in 13th highlight 6-4 win over Rays in ALDS

  • Oct 11, 2021
Red Sox baseball pitcher Nick Pivetta celebrates another strikeout to end the inning during Sunday’s game 4 of the American League Divisional Series on Sunday in Boston. Victoria’s Pivetta picked up the win as the Red Sox beat Tampa Bay 6-4 with a walk-off homer in the 13th inning. (Facebook/Boston Red Sox)
Chase Thompson had a hit early for the Tide. (Photo by Christian J. Stewart)

The Tide turns for a 9-6 win over Victoria Mariners at Royal Athletic Park

It was the Victoria Golden Tide college baseball team’s fifth game of all time on Saturday

Chase Thompson had a hit early for the Tide. (Photo by Christian J. Stewart)