| Kamloops NorthPaws | |
| League: | West Coast League |
| Location: | Kamloops, British Columbia |
| Stadium: | NorBrock Stadium |
| Founded: | 2020 |
| Colours: | Black, red, cream |
| Manager: | Cole 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.
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]
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]
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]
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.
| 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 |