Kamloops NorthPaws

Kamloops NorthPaws
Information
LeagueWest Coast League
LocationKamloops, British Columbia
BallparkNorBrock Stadium
Founded2020
ColoursBlack, red, cream
     
ManagerCole Armstrong

The Kamloops NorthPaws are a collegiate summer baseball team located in Kamloops, British Columbia. The NorthPaws are members of the West Coast League and since 2022 have played their home games at NorBrock Stadium.

History

The Kamloops NorthPaws were founded in 2020 as an expansion member of the West Coast League. The franchise was announced on September 9, 2020, by owners Norm Daley, Neal Perry, and Jon Pankuch.[1] The moniker NorthPaws was selected to denote Canadian pride and show cohesion among local baseball programs. Additionally, the name is a play on the term southpaw. The colors red and black were chosen with the incorporation of cream to provide a vintage look. Surrey native, Cole Armstrong was tabbed as the club's first manager.[2]

The NorthPaws debut season was delayed to 2022 when the league's Canadian teams sat out the 2021 season due to COVID-19 restrictions.[3][4]

2022

The NorthPaws finished third in the North Division with a 26-27 record.[5] Zach Beatty (McCook Community College) and Felix Chenier Rondeau (Oklahoma City University) combined for nineteen home runs. Pitcher Ben Polack (San Jose State) picked up five wins on the mound while Sean Heppner threw 43 strikeouts and held an ERA of 2.64.[6] 19,007 total fans attended regular season home games for an average of 760 per game.[7]

The NorthPaws qualified for the postseason as a wildcard. Their season ended in the Divisional Series where they were swept by the AppleSox.[8] 1,180 total fans attended the NorthPaws' one home game in the playoffs.[9]

2023

The NorthPaws failed to improve on their previous season and finished 2023 last in the North Division with the league worst 12-40 record.[10] 16,496 total fans attended home games for an average of 717 per game.[11]

2024

Outfielder and pitcher Joey Nico (Westmont College) was named player of the week on July 1st. Nico connected for ten base hits over the week and earned his first home run and save in the NorthPaws' 7-5 win over the Sweets.[12]

On July 9th, Joey Rico was selected to represent the NorthPaws in the All Star Game.[13]

The NorthPaws improved on their 12-42 record from the previous season posting a 15-39 record. Despite the improvement, the NorthPaws would still finish last in the north division for the second straight season being twenty games behind the division leading AppleSox.[14] 8,343 fans attended games for an average of 309.[15]

The NorthPaws failed to make the playoffs for the second year in a row.

Season-by-season record

Year League Division Finish Wins Losses Win% GB Postseason Manager
2022 WCL North 3rd 26 27 .491 7 Lost North Divisional Series 0-2 (AppleSox) Cole Armstrong
2023 WCL North 8th 12 40 .231 25.5 Did Not Qualify Keith Francis
2024 WCL North 8th 15 38 .283 19 Did Not Qualify Jose Bautista
League Champions Division Champions Playoff Team

Playoff appearances

  • 2022 Wildcard Berth

References

  1. ^ Hastings, Marty (September 9, 2020). "Kamloops NorthPaws baseball franchise coming to West Coast League next summer; more expansion on way". Kamloops This Week. Archived from the original on September 10, 2020. Retrieved December 1, 2020.
  2. ^ Kaisar, Victor (October 8, 2020). "Kamloops NorthPaws hire Surrey native Cole Armstrong as inaugural head coach". Radio NL - Kamloops News. Retrieved December 1, 2020.
  3. ^ "New for 2021: Kamloops Northpaws". Ballpark Digest. August Publications. September 9, 2020. Retrieved January 20, 2024.
  4. ^ Reichard, Kevin (April 14, 2021). "Canadian WCL teams scrap 2021 season". Ballpark Digest. August Publications. Retrieved January 20, 2024.
  5. ^ "West Coast League - 2022 standings". Pointstreak Sports Technologies.
  6. ^ "West Coast League - 2022 leaders". Pointstreak Sports Technologies.
  7. ^ "West Coast League - 2022 attendance". Pointstreak Sports Technologies.
  8. ^ "West Coast League - 2022 schedule". Pointstreak Sports Technologies.
  9. ^ "West Coast League - 2022 post-season attendance". Pointstreak Sports Technologies.
  10. ^ "West Coast League - 2023 standings". Pointstreak Sports Technologies.
  11. ^ "West Coast League - 2023 attendance". Pointstreak Sports Technologies.
  12. ^ King, Chris (July 1, 2024). "Rico and Hangas Receive WCL's Moss Adams Weekly Accolades".
  13. ^ King, Chris (July 9, 2024). "WCL All-Star Game Rosters Announced".
  14. ^ "West Coast League - standings". Pointstreak Sports Technologies.
  15. ^ "West Coast League - attendance". Pointstreak Sports Technologies.


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