Québec Capitales
Information
LeagueFrontier League (2020–present) (East Division)
LocationQuebec City
BallparkStade Canac
Founded1999
Nickname(s)Caps
League championships(9) 2006, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2017, 2022, 2023
Division championships(6) 2002, 2004, 2005, 2017, 2022, 2023
Former league(s)Northern League (1999-2002)

Northeast League (2003-04)

Can-Am League (2005-19)
ColoursGold, navy blue, white
     
MascotCapi
Playoff berths
18
2000
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2015
2016
2017
2018
2022
2023
OwnershipJean Tremblay, Pierre Tremblay, Marie-Pierre Simard
ManagerPatrick Scalabrini
General ManagerCharles Demers
PresidentMichel Laplante
MediaLe Journal de Québec, Le Soleil, TVA Sports, RDS, CHYZ 94,3
Websitecapitalesdequebec.com

The Québec Capitales (French: Les Capitales de Québec) are a professional baseball team based in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. The Capitales have been members of the Frontier League since the 2020 season after a merger between the Can-Am League and the Frontier League in October 2019. Since the 1999 season, the Capitales have played their home games at Stade Canac (known as the "Stade Municipal" until 2016).

The team was established in 1999 as a member of the independent Northern League. Their mascot is Capi the Lion.

History of baseball in Quebec City

Québec City has been home to many baseball teams. The Québec Athletics played in the Québec Provincial League during the 1940 season, and in the Canadian-American League from 1941 to 1942. The Québec Alouettes followed as a member of the Canadian-American League from 1946 to 1948. The Quebec Braves played from 1949 to 1950, as they too were part of the Canadian-American League, and from 1950 to 1951 in the Provincial League. The Québec Indians played in the Provincial League from 1958 to 1970. The Québec Carnavals were the AA affiliate of the Montreal Expos from 1971 through 1975, as members of the Eastern League. In 1976, the team changed its name to the Québec Metros and continued to play until 1977.

Quebec Capitales

Capitales game at Stade Canac in July 2019.

In 1999, the Capitales joined the Northern League (East Division) as an expansion team. The Capitales are one of two Canadian teams in the league, the other being the Trois-Rivieres Aigles. As of 2019, the Capitales are the most successful team in the Can-Am League on and off the field, having won the League championship more times (7) than any other team and being among the tops in attendance every season averaging over 3,000 fans per game since 2001. Since 2000, the Capitales have made the playoffs 16 times.

In 2006, the Capitales won their first championship in team history. Although the team had the second-worst record in team history they still qualified for last postseason spot with a 44–44 record. They defeated the top seed North Shore Spirit in dramatic come from behind fashion winning the last two games to win the series 3 games to 2. In the championship series, the Capitales took a 2 games to none advantage before the Brockton Rox came back to even the series. In the final and decisive game, the Capitales defeated the Rox on their home field by coming from behind and won by a score of 5–4 to win the Can-Am League Championship 3 games to 2.

Jonathan de Marte on the mound during a Quebec Capitales game, August 2019

In 2009 the Capitales became the first franchise in the reborn Can-Am League to win multiple championships and the fourth team in the entire history of the Northeast/Can-Am League to win more than one championship (joining the New Jersey Jackals, who won two Northeast League and two Northern League championships, the Albany-Colonie Diamond Dogs, who won the first Northeast League Championship and one Northern League Championship, and the Adirondack Lumberjacks, who won one Northeast League and one Northern League championship). The Capitales won the 2nd half regular-season championship and finished the season with the 3rd best overall record (53-41). The Capitales eliminated the Brockton Rox 3 games to 1 in the opening round. In a rematch of the 2005 championship, the Capitales got revenge by eliminating the Worcester Tornadoes 3 games to 1. In 2010, the Capitales obtained a second consecutive championship, passing by the Pittsfield Colonials 3 games to 1. In 2011, the Capitales won their third championship in a row (fourth in all) by defeating the New Jersey Jackals 4 games to 1. In 2012, the team again defeated the Jackals 4 games to 1, thus winning their fourth championship in a row. A fifth championship in a row materialized in 2013, the Capitales defeating again the New-Jersey Jackals 4 games to 3. In 2017, the Capitales captured their seventh championship in franchise history by sweeping the Rockland Boulders 3–0.

In 2020, the Capitales moved to the Frontier League following the merger of the Can-Am League with the Frontier League. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and extended closure of the Canada–United States border, the league announced that the Capitales (along with the Trois-Rivières Aigles) would be unable to compete for the 2020 season (which was later cancelled).[1] The club later announced they intended to organize a separate league in Québec for the summer as an alternative, but these plans were eventually scrapped by both clubs.

In 2021, the Capitales again saw their season canceled due to the ongoing closure of the Canada-US border. Canadian players signed by the Trois-Rivières Aigles and the Ottawa Titans had the opportunity to join the Québec Capitales, who started the season as a travelling team, known as Équipe Québec (playing exclusively in the U.S.). While non-Canadian players signed by the Aigles and the Titans were subject to a dispersal draft among the 13 U.S.–based teams. They started the season as a traveling team, and as of July 30, 2021, they have played a total of 21 home games including 10 at Stade Canac, and 11 at Stade Quillorama. On July 30, Équipe Québec hosted the New York Boulders at Stade Canac and won the game 10-8 in front of a full house of 2,800 spectators, the maximum number allowed during sanitary measures.

On September 12, 2021, Équipe Québec qualified for the playoffs. They faced the Washington Wild Things in the semi-finals and lost 4–0 in Game #5. The crowd of 3,751 gathered at Stade Canac during game #3 represented more than 900 spectators than the number allowed due to sanitary measures. Équipe Québec finished the season with a record of 52 wins and 44 losses with an average of 2,238 fans in 24 home games, including the playoffs.

In 2022, in their first season in the Frontier League, as a local Quebec team, the Capitales are taking their first steps in this new league.

On September 19, 2022, the Capitales won their 8th championship in their history over the Schaumburg Boomers, in front of their supporters thanks to a victory in the 9th inning from Ruben Castro. Noise levels in the stadium allegedly reached as high as 110 decibels when the Capitales scored runs, but most notably, when Ruben Castro hit a walk-off double in the bottom of the 9th inning the previous day on September 18, when 4,428 fans were crammed into the stadium.

On September 17, 2023, the Capitales won their 9th championship in their history over the Evansville Otters. The 2023 season was also notable for the Capitales drawing 166,916 people to its ballpark for an average of 3,035, the highest total in franchise history.

Season-by-season record

Records as of September 17, 2023

Season League Division Regular season Post-season
Wins Losses Win% Finish
1999NorthernNorth4343.5003rddid not qualify
2000NorthernNorth4837.5652ndLost Opening round (Adirondack Lumberjacks) 3–1
2001NorthernNorth4447.4842nddid not qualify
2002NorthernNorth5238.5781stLost Opening round (Adirondack Lumberjacks) 3–2
2003NortheastNorth4940.5513rdLost Opening round (North Shore Spirit) 3–0
2004NortheastNorth5834.6301stLost Opening round (North Shore Spirit) 3–2
2005Can-AmNorth5933.5521stWon Opening round (Brockton Rox) 3–0
Lost Championship (Worcester Tornadoes) 3–0
2006Can-Amnone4444.5001st Won Opening round (North Shore Spirit) 3–2
Won Championship (Brockton Rox) 3–2
2007Can-Amnone4945.5215thdid not qualify
2008Can-Amnone5836.6171stWon Opening round (Atlantic City Surf) 3-1
Lost Championship (Sussex Skyhawks) 3–0
2009Can-Amnone5341.5633rd Won Opening round (Brockton Rox) 3–1
Won Championship (Worcester Tornadoes) 3–1
2010Can-Amnone5737.6061st Won Opening round (New Jersey Jackals) 3–0
Won Championship (Pittsfield Colonials) 3–1
2011Can-Amnone6426.7111st Won Opening round (Brockton Rox) 3–0
Won Championship (New Jersey Jackals) 3-1
2012Can-Amnone6634.6601st Won Championship (New Jersey Jackals) 4–1
2013Can-Amnone5642.5711st Won Championship (New Jersey Jackals) 4–3
2014Can-Amnone4650.4793rddid not qualify
2015Can-Amnone5442.5632ndLost Opening Round (New Jersey Jackals) 3–2
2016Can-Amnone5644.5603rdLost Opening Round (Rockland Boulders) 3–2
2017Can-Amnone6535.6501stWon Opening Round (Sussex County Miners) 3–0
Won Championship (Rockland Boulders) 3–0
2018Can-Amnone5844.5692ndWon Opening Round (Rockland Boulders) 3–1
Lost Championship (Sussex County Miners) 3–1
2019Can-Amnone3659.3796thdid not qualify
2020Didn't play due to COVID-19------------
2021Did not play. See note------------
2022FrontierEast6234.6461stWon Divisional Round (Ottawa Titans) 2–1
Won Championship

(Schaumburg Boomers) 3–1

2023FrontierEast6035.6461stWon Divisional Round (New Jersey Jackals) 3–0
Won Championship (Evansville Otters) 3–2

1: In 2021, Équipe Québec, a combination of the Capitales, Trois-Rivières Aigles and the Ottawa Titans playing in the Frontier League. With a record of 52–44, they finished first in the Atlantic Division, and lost the Division Series to the Washington Wild Things 3-2.

Logos and uniforms

Andrew Scheer with Capitales mascot, Capi the Lion

The official colours of the Québec Capitales are navy blue and gold. The primary logo consists of a white baseball diamond with navy blue pinstripes. The "Capitales" wordmark is superimposed over the diamond in navy blue outlined in gold. The wordmark is underlined by a navy blue ribbon with the word "Québec" centred on it in white, with the French word "de" centred in between. A navy blue fleur-de-lis is centred above the wordmark, with a stylized depiction of home plate centred below.

The Québec Capitales uniforms are traditional in design. The caps are navy blue throughout with the scripted "Q" cap logo centred on the front in gold with a white centre incorporating a navy blue fleur-de-lis and red baseball threading. The home jerseys are white with navy blue pinstripes, with the "Capitales" cursive script wordmark centred across in navy blue with gold outline. The alternate jersey is navy blue with gold piping with the cap logo centred on the left-side chest.

Rivalries

Capitales vs. Jackals rivalry

As of 2022, the Capitales' most significant rivalry is against the New Jersey Jackals. They have both won four league championships in their histories. The Capitales also defeated the Jackals three times in the championship series, 2011, 2012, and 2013.

Capitales vs. Titans rivalry

The Québec Capitales and Ottawa Titans rivalry is a recent intense rivalry that sparkled for the Capitales. It is considered one of the most intense rivals in the Frontier League. While the on-field competition is fierce, the Caps–Titans rivalry is symbolic due to the league's two largest cities: Ottawa and Quebec City, and by extension its two major linguistic groups, anglophones and francophones and their status as hubs for English Canada and French Canada, respectively. Another reason is because both teams own the same mascot names (Capi and Cappy). The teams are known to have their fans booing at each other and against the other team during the starting lineups.

Battle of Quebec: Capitales vs. Aigles rivalry

The Capitales also have an intense rivalry with the Trois-Rivières Aigles. This is because both teams are geographically in the same province of Quebec, and both stadiums are located within a distance of 128 kilometers. When the Aigles were formed in 2013, both teams called their rivalry the Battle of Quebec, the same name of the former Battle of Quebec between the Montreal Canadiens and the Quebec Nordiques of the National Hockey League.

Capitales vs. Rapidz rivalry (2008)

Another rivalry was against the Ottawa Rapidz. Even though the Rapidz played in the Can-Am League for only one season, it was still a significant rivalry due to the only both teams playing in the same country and the closeness of both provinces of Ontario and Quebec in the Can-Am League.

Current roster

Active roster Coaches/Other

Pitchers

  • 48 Stephen Chamblee
  • 37 Chas Cywin
  • 35 Jack Dellinger
  • 32 Greg Duncan
  • 79 Marcos Encarnacion
  • -- Steven Fuentes ‡
  • -- Franklin Hernández ‡
  • 51 Tanner Jesson-Dalton
  •  4 Salvador Justo ‡
  • 90 Landon Leach
  • 45 Frank Moscatiello
  • 89 Kyle Mott
  • -- Codie Paiva ‡
  • 30 Franklin Parra
  • 33 Kenny Pierson
  • 47 Ruben Ramirez
  • -- Abdiel Saldana ‡
  • 20 Carlos Sano
  • 21 Pete Tago
  • -- Ben Thompson ‡


Utility players

  • 44 Elijah Brown
 

Catchers

  • 25 Ruben Castro
  • 17 Zade Richardson
  • 27 Ryan Roell

Infielders

  • 11 Kyle Crowl
  • 14 David Glaude
  •  8 Jonathan Lacroix
  • 10 Juremi Profar
  •  9 Ethan Stern ‡
  • 33 Garrett Takamatsu ‡
  •  3 TJ White

Outfielders

  •  2 Adan Fernandez
  • 43 Justin Gideon
  • 23 Marc-Antoine Lebreux
  • -- Alex Manasa ‡
 

Manager

  •  5 Patrick Scalabrini

Coaches

  • 21 Pete Tago (pitching)
  •  3 T.J. White (hitting)

Disabled list
‡ Inactive list
§ Suspended list

Roster updated May 23, 2023
Transactions

Broadcasting and stadium entertainment

Capitales games can be heard on CHYZ-FM, and all season games are available via the FloSports website. The play-by-play broadcaster is Pierre Blais, and the game commentator is Marc-André Lord. At many home games, the fans are entertained both outside and inside Stade Canac with myriad entertainers – live music, DJ music, giveaways and promotions. Between innings, the entertainment varies with on-field contests with their mascot Capi, youth games, t-shirt giveaways, promotions and many more. The team's public address announcer is Marc-Antoine Gariépy, and their in-game DJ is Daniel Sylvain, also known as Dan200 as his stage name. Dan200 has been working with the Capitales since 2006. Since 2019, he collaborates with the in-game host Yannick Tremblay, also known as ''Pee Wee''.

Notable alumni

Attendance

As of September 3, 2023

Season Games Total Average
201045147,9783,288
201149149,3303,048
201249152,6633,116
201347141,3963,008
201442121,3052,888
201551130,5102,559
201653146,9462,773
201750141,9232,838
201853126,4832,386
201950119,0602,381
2020DID NOT PLAY DUE TO COVID-19 PANDEMIC
2021*10**22,8822,288
202251130,4142,557
202355166,9163,035

*played with limited capacity (2,800 people)[2]

**only counts Équipe Québec games played at Stade Canac

See also

References

  1. "QUEBEC CITY, TROIS-RIVIERES ORGANIZING QUEBEC PROFESSIONAL BASEBALL CHAMPIONSHIP". frontierleague.com. Retrieved June 18, 2020.
  2. Tardif, Carl (29 July 2021). "Retour d'Équipe Québec: plus gros qu'un match d'ouverture, selon Michel Laplante". Le Soleil (in French). Retrieved 4 January 2022.
Achievements
Preceded by Can-Am League Champions
Québec Capitales

2006
Succeeded by
Preceded by Can-Am League Champions
Québec Capitales

2009
Current holder
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