Victoria Capitals
Encyclopedia
The Victoria Capitals were members of the Canadian Baseball League
that lasted two months before the league ceased operations in 2003. The Capitals played out of Royal Athletic Park
and led the league in attendance, averaging over 1,000 fans per game. They featured former Toronto Blue Jays
pitcher Steve Sinclair and were managed by former Atlanta Braves
shortstop Andres Thomas. Due to a highly receptive community, the Capitals were able to attract fans by combining local business sponsorship with affordable family entertainment. Unfortunately, the other teams in the league did not receive such a response. The league was forced to halt play in the middle of the 2003 season after new league owner Jeff Mallett
(part owner of the San Francisco Giants
and co-founder of Yahoo) decided the league business model was destined for failure. Although the intent was to restart the league in 2004, the league's assets were eventually sold off and play was never resumed.
In 2004, the Victoria Royals were formed and featured some of the players and management of the Capitals. Unlike the Capitals, the Royals were a semi-pro team featuring college players from both Canada and the United States. There was a strong local presence, as many of the players and coaches were originally from Victoria. Local players included Curtis Pelletier, Matt Gunning, Steve Bailey, Kyle Swenson, Joel Perkins, Graham Campbell, Bryan Allen, Gautam Srivastava, Henry Mabee and Shawn Loglisci. Coached by Marty Hall and Daryn Lansdell, the Royals had a good season winning the PWL crown. Also, unlike the Capitals, the Royals finished their season, playing teams from Washington, British Columbia, and Alberta. At the end of the season, management decided that the return of the Royals was unlikely for 2005, due to lack of support from the local business community. Since the end of the season in 2004, Victoria has been without high-level baseball; however, that is set to change in 2009 with the arrival of the Golden Baseball League
's Victoria Seals
.
Canadian Baseball League
The Canadian Baseball League, was an independent minor league that operated in 2003. The league's only Commissioner was Major League Baseball Hall of Famer and Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame member Ferguson Jenkins...
that lasted two months before the league ceased operations in 2003. The Capitals played out of Royal Athletic Park
Royal Athletic Park
Royal Athletic Park is a multi-purpose, fully lit stadium in Victoria, British Columbia. It is primarily used for baseball, soccer, softball and football, but also hosts special events, such as the annual Great Canadian Beer Festival.-History:...
and led the league in attendance, averaging over 1,000 fans per game. They featured former Toronto Blue Jays
Toronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League ....
pitcher Steve Sinclair and were managed by former Atlanta Braves
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
shortstop Andres Thomas. Due to a highly receptive community, the Capitals were able to attract fans by combining local business sponsorship with affordable family entertainment. Unfortunately, the other teams in the league did not receive such a response. The league was forced to halt play in the middle of the 2003 season after new league owner Jeff Mallett
Jeff Mallett
Jeffrey Mallett is best known for building internet giant Yahoo! from its start-up phase into the global franchise it is today...
(part owner of the San Francisco Giants
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
and co-founder of Yahoo) decided the league business model was destined for failure. Although the intent was to restart the league in 2004, the league's assets were eventually sold off and play was never resumed.
In 2004, the Victoria Royals were formed and featured some of the players and management of the Capitals. Unlike the Capitals, the Royals were a semi-pro team featuring college players from both Canada and the United States. There was a strong local presence, as many of the players and coaches were originally from Victoria. Local players included Curtis Pelletier, Matt Gunning, Steve Bailey, Kyle Swenson, Joel Perkins, Graham Campbell, Bryan Allen, Gautam Srivastava, Henry Mabee and Shawn Loglisci. Coached by Marty Hall and Daryn Lansdell, the Royals had a good season winning the PWL crown. Also, unlike the Capitals, the Royals finished their season, playing teams from Washington, British Columbia, and Alberta. At the end of the season, management decided that the return of the Royals was unlikely for 2005, due to lack of support from the local business community. Since the end of the season in 2004, Victoria has been without high-level baseball; however, that is set to change in 2009 with the arrival of the Golden Baseball League
Golden Baseball League
The Golden Baseball League, based in San Ramon, California, was an independent baseball league. It later merged with the Northern League and the United Baseball League to form the North American League in the western United States, western Canada and Mexico....
's Victoria Seals
Victoria Seals
The Victoria Seals were a professional baseball team based in Victoria, British Columbia. The Seals were a member of the North Division of the independent Golden Baseball League, which is not affiliated with either Major League Baseball or Minor League Baseball. They joined the GBL on October 1,...
.