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|cap_logo =
|cap_logo =
|league = [[Frontier League]] (2020–present)
|league = [[Frontier League]] (2020–present)
|division = East Division
|division = North Division
|former_leagues = [[Northern League (baseball, 1993–2010)|Northern League]] (1999-2002)
|former_leagues = [[Northern League (baseball, 1993–2010)|Northern League]] (1999-2002)
[[Northeast League]] (2003-04)
[[Northeast League]] (2003-04)
Line 44: Line 44:
|mascot = Capi
|mascot = Capi
|owner = Jean Tremblay, Pierre Tremblay, Marie-Pierre Simard
|owner = Jean Tremblay, Pierre Tremblay, Marie-Pierre Simard
| general_manager = Charles Demers
| general_manager = Daniel Sylvain
|manager = Patrick Scalabrini
|manager = Patrick Scalabrini
|media = [[Le Journal de Québec]], [[Le Soleil (Quebec)|Le Soleil]], [[TVA Sports]], [[Réseau des sports|RDS]], [[CHYZ-FM|CHYZ 94,3]]
|media = [[Le Journal de Québec]], [[Le Soleil (Quebec)|Le Soleil]], [[TVA Sports]], [[Réseau des sports|RDS]], [[CHYZ-FM|CHYZ 94,3]]
|website = {{URL|capitalesdequebec.com}}
|website = {{URL|capitalesdequebec.com}}
|president=Michel Laplante}}
|president=Charles Demers}}


The '''Québec Capitales''' ([[French language|French]]: ''Les Capitales de Québec'' and often referred to as the ''Caps'') are a professional [[baseball]] team based in [[Quebec City]]. They compete in the [[Frontier League]] (FL) as a member of the East Division. The club is owned by Jean Tremblay, Pierre Tremblay, and Marie-Pierre Simard. Since their establishment, they play their home games at [[Stade Canac]]. Their mascot is Capi the Lion.
The '''Québec Capitales''' ([[French language|French]]: ''Les Capitales de Québec'' and often referred to as the ''Caps'') are a professional [[baseball]] team based in [[Quebec City]]. They compete in the [[Frontier League]] (FL) as a member of the North Division in the Atlantic Conference. The club is owned by Jean Tremblay, Pierre Tremblay, and Marie-Pierre Simard. Since their establishment, they play their home games at [[Stade Canac]]. Their mascot is Capi the Lion.


Founded in 1999, they are one of the oldest extant [[Independent baseball league|independent baseball]] teams across [[North America]].
Founded in 1999, they are one of the oldest extant [[Independent baseball league|independent baseball]] teams across [[North America]].


==History==
==History==
{{unreferenced section|date=March 2024}}
[[File:Andrew Scheer at a Capitales game (48406983352).jpg|thumb|Capitales game at [[Stade Canac]] in July 2019.]]
[[File:Andrew Scheer at a Capitales game (48406983352).jpg|thumb|Capitales game at [[Stade Canac]] in July 2019.]]
In 1999, the Capitales joined the [[Northern League (baseball, 1993–2010)|Northern League]] (East Division) as an expansion team. The Capitales are one of three Canadian teams in the Frontier League. Starting operations in 1999, they are one of the most famous teams in the Frontier League. As a result, many Québec Capitales fans live throughout other regions other than [[Quebec City]], which includes the [[Ottawa Valley]], [[Greater Montreal|the Greater Montreal area]], as well as the [[Mauricie|Mauricie region.]] As a result, Capitales' away games at [[Ottawa Stadium]] in [[Ottawa]] and [[Stade Quillorama]] in Trois-Rivières host a more neutral attendance. This is due in part to the Capitales fans in those areas, and those cities' proximity to Quebec City.
In 1999, the Capitales joined the [[Northern League (baseball, 1993–2010)|Northern League]] (East Division) as an expansion team. Today, the Capitales are now one of the three Canadian teams in the Frontier League. Since their arrival, they have one of the biggest fan bases in the entire league. As a result, many Québec Capitales fans live throughout other regions other than [[Quebec City]], which includes the [[Ottawa Valley]], [[Gatineau]], [[Greater Montreal|the Greater Montreal area]], as well as the [[Mauricie|Mauricie region.]] As a result, Capitales' away games at [[Ottawa Stadium]] in [[Ottawa]] and [[Stade Quillorama]] in [[Trois-Rivières]] host a more neutral attendance. This is due in part to the Capitales fans in those areas, and those cities' proximity to Quebec City.


As of 2019, the Capitales were the most known and 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 18 times.
As of 2019, the Capitales were the most known and successful team in the Can-Am League on and off the field, having won the league’s 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 2000. Since 1999, the Capitales have made the playoffs 18 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.
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.


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 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 (Frontier League)|Trois-Rivières Aigles]]) would be unable to compete for the 2020 season (which was later cancelled). 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 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 (Frontier League)|Trois-Rivières Aigles]]) would be unable to compete for the 2020 season (which was later cancelled). The club later announced they intended to organize a separate league in the province of Quebec for the summer as an alternative, but these plans were eventually scrapped by both clubs.


The continued closure of the [[Canada–United States border]], unfortunately resulted in pushing the Capitales’ first game in the FL to the 2022 season. Ottawa, Québec, and Trois-Rivières were replaced on the 2021 schedule by ''Équipe Québec''. Équipe Québec used the Canadian players from the Capitales, Aigles, and Titans to craft the base of their roster and spent the first half of the season on the road, before returning to Canada in late July. Équipe Québec split home games between [[Stade Canac]] in Quebec City and [[Stade Quillorama]] in Trois-Rivières.
The continued closure of the [[Canada–United States border]], unfortunately resulted in pushing the Capitales’ first game in the FL to the 2022 season. Ottawa, Québec, and Trois-Rivières were replaced on the 2021 schedule by ''Équipe Québec''. Équipe Québec used the Canadian players from the [[Ottawa Titans]], Québec Capitales and Trois-Rivières Aigles to craft the base of their roster and spent the first half of the season on the road, before returning to Canada in late July. Équipe Québec split home games between [[Stade Canac]] in Quebec City and [[Stade Quillorama]] in Trois-Rivières.


On July 30, 2021, 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. A full reset was done by the front office to immediately shift focus to the 2022 season.
On July 30, 2021, 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, and they faced the [[Washington Wild Things]] in the divisional round but lost 4–0 in game 5. The crowd of 3,750 gathered at Stade Canac during game 3 represented more than 900 people 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.
On September 12, 2021, Équipe Québec qualified for the playoffs, and they faced the [[Washington Wild Things]] in the best-of-five divisional round. The crowd of 3,750 gathered at Stade Canac during Game 3 represented more than 900 people than the number allowed due to sanitary measures, and Québec were able to pull a 3-2 win over the Wild Things. They however lost Game 4 and 5, which ended their very unique season. Équipe Québec finished the season 1st place in the Atlantic Division with a record of 52 wins and 44 losses with an average of 2,288 fans in 24 home games, including the playoffs. A full reset was done by the front office to immediately shift focus to the 2022 season.


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.
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 18, 2022 during Game #4 of the FLCS, the Capitales won their 8th championship in franchise history over the [[Schaumburg Boomers]], in front of their fans thanks to a walk-off sacrifice-fly in the bottom of the 9th inning by Ruben Castro. Noise levels in the stadium allegedly reached as high as 110 decibels when runs were scored by the Capitales, most notably, when Ruben Castro hit a walk-off double in the bottom of the 9th inning the previous day during Game #3 when 4,428 fans were crammed into the stadium.
On September 18, 2022 during Game 4 of the FLCS, the Capitales won their 8th championship in franchise history over the [[Schaumburg Boomers]], in front of their fans thanks to a walk-off sacrifice-fly in the bottom of the 9th inning by Ruben Castro. Noise levels in the stadium allegedly reached as high as 110 decibels when runs were scored by the Capitales, most notably, when Ruben Castro hit a walk-off double in the bottom of the 9th inning the previous day during Game 3 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 Caps drawing 166,916 people to its ballpark for an average of 3,035, the highest total in franchise history.
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.


In the 2024 season, the Caps won yet another division title and made it to the championship round for the third consecutive year. They’ve also averaged 3,436 fans during the regular season, making its highest average attendance in franchise history, which includes 21 sellouts including 16 in a row.
In the 2024 season, the Capitales won another division title and made it to the FLCS for the third consecutive year. They’ve sold out 21 out of their 48 home games and set a franchise record for the most consecutive sellouts, with 16 in a row.<ref>{{Cite news |date=May 23, 2024 |title=CBC News |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/baseball-quebec-capitales-canada-quebec-city-1.7211662}}</ref>


On September 14, 2024 in front of a sold out crowd of 4,297 at Stade Canac, the Capitales won their 10th league championship and third in a row by defeating the [[Washington Wild Things]] 3 games to 1 with a walk-off [[Grand slam (baseball)|grand slam]] home run by Anthony Quirion.<ref>{{Cite web |last=RDS.ca |date=2024-09-14 |title=Frontier : Un troisième titre de suite spectaculaire pour les Capitales |url=https://www.rds.ca/baseball/frontier-un-troisieme-titre-de-suite-spectaculaire-pour-les-capitales-1.19371992 |access-date=2024-12-20 |website=RDS |language=fr-CA}}</ref> The Capitales' president Michel Laplante stated that it was the stadium's loudest moment since its existence, reaching deafening decibel levels for several minutes after the win.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Triblive |date=2024-09-14 |title=Quebec beats Washington Wild Things for Frontier League title on walk-off homer |url=https://triblive.com/sports/quebec-beats-washington-wild-things-for-frontier-league-title-on-walk-off-homer/ |access-date=2024-12-20 |website=TribLIVE.com |language=en-US}}</ref>
They won their record breaking 10th league championship by defeating West Division champions, the [[Washington Wild Things]] in four games.

== Team culture ==
[[File:Andrew Scheer at a Capitales game (48406982707).jpg|thumb|[[Andrew Scheer]] with Capitales mascot, Capi]]
The official colours of the Québec Capitales are navy blue, gold and white. 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.<ref>{{Cite news |date=May 23, 2024 |title=TSN |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/baseball-quebec-capitales-canada-quebec-city-1.7211662}}</ref>

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 ===

==== New Jersey Jackals vs. Québec Capitales ====
Over the years, the Capitales have had several rivalries. One significant rivalry is against the [[New Jersey Jackals]]. They both started operations in 1998, and they have both won multiple league championships in their histories. The Capitales defeated the Jackals three times in the championship series in 2011, 2012, and 2013, as well as in the 2023 divisional series.

==== Ottawa Titans vs. Québec Capitales (before-and-after COVID) ====
The Titans–Capitales rivalry is a new intense rivalry between the [[Ottawa Titans]] and the Québec Capitales. The Titans (along with the former [[Ottawa Champions]]) and the Capitales are one of the league’s most famous teams, with three to four series meetings per season. While the on-field competition is fierce, the Titans–Capitales rivalry is symbolic due to the two teams serving as stand-ins for a variety of cultural dualities in Canadian society; most notably with the Titans representing English-speaking Canada, and the Capitales representing the French-speaking part of the rivalry. The rivalry remains symbolic due to the relationship between the league’s two largest cities, [[Ottawa]] and [[Quebec City]]. In addition, both teams' mascot own the same name (Cappy for the Titans; Capi for the Capitales), which added an important part to the rivalry. Both teams faced each other twice in the playoffs, with the Capitales winning the series both times. As of the end of the 2024 season, Québec leads the all-time regular season record 76–49, and leading 4–2 in the playoff record.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-08-27 |title=Disipio: Pitching is driving us to the playoffs |url=https://www.tsn.ca/radio/ottawa-1200/disipio-pitching-is-driving-us-to-the-playoffs-1.2166328 |access-date=2024-12-11 |website=TSN |language=en}}</ref>

==== Battle of Quebec: Québec Capitales vs. Trois-Rivières Aigles ====
The Capitales–Aigles rivalry, also known as the ''Battle of Quebec,'' is a rivalry between the Québec Capitales and the [[Trois-Rivières Aigles (2013–)|Trois-Rivières Aigles.]] The teams compete in the same division and meet frequently during regular season games. The rivalry has been described as one of the Frontier League's top rivalries. The rivalry is because both teams are geographically in the same province of [[Quebec]], and both stadiums are located within a distance of 90 kilometers. When the Aigles were formed in 2013, both teams named their own rivalry the ''Battle of Quebec,'' like the former famous [[Battle of Quebec (ice hockey)|Battle of Quebec]] rivalry between the [[Montreal Canadiens]] and the [[Quebec Nordiques]] of the [[National Hockey League]]. Due in part to the number of Capitales fans living in Trois-Rivières along with the Mauricie region, and in part of Trois-Rivières' relative proximity to Quebec City, Aigles–Capitales games at the [[Stade Quillorama]] in Trois-Rivières hold a more neutral audience. As of the end of the 2024 season, Québec leads the regular season record 106–81.


== Season-by-season record ==
== Season-by-season record ==


<small>Records as of September 17, 2023</small>
<small>Records as of September 14, 2024</small>
<onlyinclude>
<onlyinclude>
</onlyinclude>
</onlyinclude>
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| 2023|| Frontier || East || 60 || 35 || .646 || 1st ||bgcolor="#ddffdd" |'''Won''' Divisional Round ([[New Jersey Jackals]]) 3–0 <br> '''Won''' Championship ([[Evansville Otters]]) 3–2
| 2023|| Frontier || East || 60 || 35 || .646 || 1st ||bgcolor="#ddffdd" |'''Won''' Divisional Round ([[New Jersey Jackals]]) 3–0 <br> '''Won''' Championship ([[Evansville Otters]]) 3–2
|-
|-
| 2024|| Frontier || East || 64 || 32 || .667 || 1st ||bgcolor="#ddffdd" |Won Divisional Round ([[Ottawa Titans]]) 2–1 <br> '''Won''' Championship vs. ([[Washington Wild Things]]) 3–1
| 2024|| Frontier || East || 64 || 32 || .667 || 1st ||bgcolor="#ddffdd" |'''Won''' Divisional Round ([[Ottawa Titans]]) 2–1 <br> '''Won''' Championship vs. ([[Washington Wild Things]]) 3–1
|}
|}
<small>1</small>: In 2021, Équipe Québec, a combination of the Capitales, [[Trois-Rivières Aigles (2013–)|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.
<small>1</small>: In 2021, Équipe Québec, a combination of the Capitales, [[Trois-Rivières Aigles (2013–)|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.
Line 239: Line 255:


==Broadcasting and stadium entertainment==
==Broadcasting and stadium entertainment==
Capitales games can be heard on [[CHYZ-FM]], and all season games are available via the [[FloSports]] website, their play-by-play broadcasters are Pierre Blais and 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 Sébastien Dubois-Bergeron, and their in-game DJ is Daniel Sylvain, also known as ''Dan200'' as his stage name. Daniel brings over 16 years of experience with the Capitales as the DJ, while keeping the fans loud and entertained no matter if the team win or loses. Since 2019, he collaborates with the Caps’ in-game host Yannick Tremblay, also known as “Pee Wee”.
Capitales games can be heard on [[CHYZ-FM]], and through the streaming platform [[FloSports]] under ''Quebec Capitales,'' their play-by-play broadcasters are Pierre Blais and 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 Sebastien Dubois-Bergeron, and their stadium’s DJ is Daniel Sylvain, better known as “DJ Dan” as his stage name. DJ Dan brings over 16 years of experience as the DJ of the Capitales, and he is also the DJ of the [[Quebec Remparts]] since 1999. He keeps the fans loud and entertained no matter what if the team win or loses. He works in collaboration with the press box crew, along with the team’s in-game host Yannick Tremblay, also known as “Pee-Wee”.


==Notable alumni==
==Notable alumni==
Line 292: Line 308:
|-
|-
|- style="text-align:center"
|- style="text-align:center"
| 1999 || 41 || 110,559 || 2,697
|-
| 2000 || 39 || 127,303 || 3,264
|-
| 2001 || 45 || 148,419 || 3,298
|-
| 2002 || 44 || 152,121 || 3,457
|-
| 2003 || 43 || 152,153 || 3,538
|-
| 2004 || 47 || 156,899 || 3,338
|-
| 2005 || 46 || 156,663 || 3,406
|-
| 2006 || 42 || 138,376 || 3,295
|-
| 2007 || 49 || 161,789 || 3,302
|-
| 2008 || 44 || 140,933 || 3,203
|-
| 2009 || 46 || 164,009 || 3,565
|-
| 2010 || 45 || 147,978 || 3,288
| 2010 || 45 || 147,978 || 3,288
|-
|-

Revision as of 20:28, 20 December 2024

Québec Capitales
Information
LeagueFrontier League (2020–present) (North Division)
LocationQuebec City
BallparkStade Canac
Founded1999
Nickname(s)Caps
League championships(10) 2006, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2017, 2022, 2023, 2024
Division championships(7) 2002, 2004, 2005, 2017, 2022, 2023, 2024
Playoff berths
19
2000
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2015
2016
2017
2018
2022
2023
2024
Former league(s)Northern League (1999-2002)

Northeast League (2003-04)

Can-Am League (2005-19)
ColoursNavy blue, gold, white
     
MascotCapi
OwnershipJean Tremblay, Pierre Tremblay, Marie-Pierre Simard
PresidentCharles Demers
General ManagerDaniel Sylvain
ManagerPatrick Scalabrini
MediaLe Journal de Québec, Le Soleil, TVA Sports, RDS, CHYZ 94,3
Websitecapitalesdequebec.com

The Québec Capitales (French: Les Capitales de Québec and often referred to as the Caps) are a professional baseball team based in Quebec City. They compete in the Frontier League (FL) as a member of the North Division in the Atlantic Conference. The club is owned by Jean Tremblay, Pierre Tremblay, and Marie-Pierre Simard. Since their establishment, they play their home games at Stade Canac. Their mascot is Capi the Lion.

Founded in 1999, they are one of the oldest extant independent baseball teams across North America.

History

Capitales game at Stade Canac in July 2019.

In 1999, the Capitales joined the Northern League (East Division) as an expansion team. Today, the Capitales are now one of the three Canadian teams in the Frontier League. Since their arrival, they have one of the biggest fan bases in the entire league. As a result, many Québec Capitales fans live throughout other regions other than Quebec City, which includes the Ottawa Valley, Gatineau, the Greater Montreal area, as well as the Mauricie region. As a result, Capitales' away games at Ottawa Stadium in Ottawa and Stade Quillorama in Trois-Rivières host a more neutral attendance. This is due in part to the Capitales fans in those areas, and those cities' proximity to Quebec City.

As of 2019, the Capitales were the most known and successful team in the Can-Am League on and off the field, having won the league’s 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 2000. Since 1999, the Capitales have made the playoffs 18 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.

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). The club later announced they intended to organize a separate league in the province of Quebec for the summer as an alternative, but these plans were eventually scrapped by both clubs.

The continued closure of the Canada–United States border, unfortunately resulted in pushing the Capitales’ first game in the FL to the 2022 season. Ottawa, Québec, and Trois-Rivières were replaced on the 2021 schedule by Équipe Québec. Équipe Québec used the Canadian players from the Ottawa Titans, Québec Capitales and Trois-Rivières Aigles to craft the base of their roster and spent the first half of the season on the road, before returning to Canada in late July. Équipe Québec split home games between Stade Canac in Quebec City and Stade Quillorama in Trois-Rivières.

On July 30, 2021, 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, and they faced the Washington Wild Things in the best-of-five divisional round. The crowd of 3,750 gathered at Stade Canac during Game 3 represented more than 900 people than the number allowed due to sanitary measures, and Québec were able to pull a 3-2 win over the Wild Things. They however lost Game 4 and 5, which ended their very unique season. Équipe Québec finished the season 1st place in the Atlantic Division with a record of 52 wins and 44 losses with an average of 2,288 fans in 24 home games, including the playoffs. A full reset was done by the front office to immediately shift focus to the 2022 season.

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 18, 2022 during Game 4 of the FLCS, the Capitales won their 8th championship in franchise history over the Schaumburg Boomers, in front of their fans thanks to a walk-off sacrifice-fly in the bottom of the 9th inning by Ruben Castro. Noise levels in the stadium allegedly reached as high as 110 decibels when runs were scored by the Capitales, most notably, when Ruben Castro hit a walk-off double in the bottom of the 9th inning the previous day during Game 3 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.

In the 2024 season, the Capitales won another division title and made it to the FLCS for the third consecutive year. They’ve sold out 21 out of their 48 home games and set a franchise record for the most consecutive sellouts, with 16 in a row.[1]

On September 14, 2024 in front of a sold out crowd of 4,297 at Stade Canac, the Capitales won their 10th league championship and third in a row by defeating the Washington Wild Things 3 games to 1 with a walk-off grand slam home run by Anthony Quirion.[2] The Capitales' president Michel Laplante stated that it was the stadium's loudest moment since its existence, reaching deafening decibel levels for several minutes after the win.[3]

Team culture

Andrew Scheer with Capitales mascot, Capi

The official colours of the Québec Capitales are navy blue, gold and white. 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.[4]

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

New Jersey Jackals vs. Québec Capitales

Over the years, the Capitales have had several rivalries. One significant rivalry is against the New Jersey Jackals. They both started operations in 1998, and they have both won multiple league championships in their histories. The Capitales defeated the Jackals three times in the championship series in 2011, 2012, and 2013, as well as in the 2023 divisional series.

Ottawa Titans vs. Québec Capitales (before-and-after COVID)

The Titans–Capitales rivalry is a new intense rivalry between the Ottawa Titans and the Québec Capitales. The Titans (along with the former Ottawa Champions) and the Capitales are one of the league’s most famous teams, with three to four series meetings per season. While the on-field competition is fierce, the Titans–Capitales rivalry is symbolic due to the two teams serving as stand-ins for a variety of cultural dualities in Canadian society; most notably with the Titans representing English-speaking Canada, and the Capitales representing the French-speaking part of the rivalry. The rivalry remains symbolic due to the relationship between the league’s two largest cities, Ottawa and Quebec City. In addition, both teams' mascot own the same name (Cappy for the Titans; Capi for the Capitales), which added an important part to the rivalry. Both teams faced each other twice in the playoffs, with the Capitales winning the series both times. As of the end of the 2024 season, Québec leads the all-time regular season record 76–49, and leading 4–2 in the playoff record.[5]

Battle of Quebec: Québec Capitales vs. Trois-Rivières Aigles

The Capitales–Aigles rivalry, also known as the Battle of Quebec, is a rivalry between the Québec Capitales and the Trois-Rivières Aigles. The teams compete in the same division and meet frequently during regular season games. The rivalry has been described as one of the Frontier League's top rivalries. The rivalry is because both teams are geographically in the same province of Quebec, and both stadiums are located within a distance of 90 kilometers. When the Aigles were formed in 2013, both teams named their own rivalry the Battle of Quebec, like the former famous Battle of Quebec rivalry between the Montreal Canadiens and the Quebec Nordiques of the National Hockey League. Due in part to the number of Capitales fans living in Trois-Rivières along with the Mauricie region, and in part of Trois-Rivières' relative proximity to Quebec City, Aigles–Capitales games at the Stade Quillorama in Trois-Rivières hold a more neutral audience. As of the end of the 2024 season, Québec leads the regular season record 106–81.

Season-by-season record

Records as of September 14, 2024


Season League Division Regular season Post-season
Wins Losses Win% Finish
1999 Northern North 43 43 .500 3rd did not qualify
2000 Northern North 48 37 .565 2nd Lost Opening round (Adirondack Lumberjacks) 3–1
2001 Northern North 44 47 .484 2nd did not qualify
2002 Northern North 52 38 .578 1st Lost Opening round (Adirondack Lumberjacks) 3–2
2003 Northeast North 49 40 .551 3rd Lost Opening round (North Shore Spirit) 3–0
2004 Northeast North 58 34 .630 1st Lost Opening round (North Shore Spirit) 3–2
2005 Can-Am North 59 33 .552 1st Won Opening round (Brockton Rox) 3–0
Lost Championship (Worcester Tornadoes) 3–0
2006 Can-Am none 44 44 .500 1st Won Opening round (North Shore Spirit) 3–2
Won Championship (Brockton Rox) 3–2
2007 Can-Am none 49 45 .521 5th did not qualify
2008 Can-Am none 58 36 .617 1st Won Opening round (Atlantic City Surf) 3-1
Lost Championship (Sussex Skyhawks) 3–0
2009 Can-Am none 53 41 .563 3rd Won Opening round (Brockton Rox) 3–1
Won Championship (Worcester Tornadoes) 3–1
2010 Can-Am none 57 37 .606 1st Won Opening round (New Jersey Jackals) 3–0
Won Championship (Pittsfield Colonials) 3–1
2011 Can-Am none 64 26 .711 1st Won Opening round (Brockton Rox) 3–0
Won Championship (New Jersey Jackals) 3-1
2012 Can-Am none 66 34 .660 1st Won Championship (New Jersey Jackals) 4–1
2013 Can-Am none 56 42 .571 1st Won Championship (New Jersey Jackals) 4–3
2014 Can-Am none 46 50 .479 3rd did not qualify
2015 Can-Am none 54 42 .563 2nd Lost Opening Round (New Jersey Jackals) 3–2
2016 Can-Am none 56 44 .560 3rd Lost Opening Round (Rockland Boulders) 3–2
2017 Can-Am none 65 35 .650 1st Won Opening Round (Sussex County Miners) 3–0
Won Championship (Rockland Boulders) 3–0
2018 Can-Am none 58 44 .569 2nd Won Opening Round (Rockland Boulders) 3–1
Lost Championship (Sussex County Miners) 3–1
2019 Can-Am none 36 59 .379 6th did not qualify
2020 Didn't play due to COVID-19 -- -- -- -- -- --
2021 Did not play. See note -- -- -- -- -- --
2022 Frontier East 62 34 .646 1st Won Divisional Round (Ottawa Titans) 2–1
Won Championship

(Schaumburg Boomers) 3–1

2023 Frontier East 60 35 .646 1st Won Divisional Round (New Jersey Jackals) 3–0
Won Championship (Evansville Otters) 3–2
2024 Frontier East 64 32 .667 1st Won Divisional Round (Ottawa Titans) 2–1
Won Championship vs. (Washington Wild Things) 3–1

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.

Current roster

Québec Capitales roster
Active roster Coaches/Other

Pitchers

  • 46 James Bradwell
  • 51 Gilberto Chu
  •  2 Harley Gollert
  • 39 Ryo Kohigashi
  • 44 Austin Marozas
  • 25 Frank Moscatiello
  • 35 Yusniel Padron-Artiles
  • 30 Franklin Parra
  • 47 Ruben Ramirez
  • 28 Abdiel Saldana
  • 48 Ryan Sandberg
  • 45 Nick Trabacchi



  

Catchers

  • 14 Tyler Blaum
  • 27 Anthony Quirion

Infielders

  • 11 Kyle Crowl
  • 32 Guillermo Garcia
  •  0 Francisco Hernandez
  •  1 Jake MacKenzie
  • 38 Jesmuel Valentín
  • 14 David Glaude
  • 21 Mathieu Sirois

Outfielders

  • 43 Justin Gideon
  •  8 Jonathan Lacroix
  • 23 Marc-Antoine Lebreux
  • 29 Tommy Seidl
  

Manager

  •  5 Patrick Scalabrini

Coaches

  • 40 Christian Chénard (pitching)
  • 33 Lachlan Fontaine (hitting)

Disabled list
‡ Inactive list
§ Suspended list

 updated July 1, 2024
 Transactions

Broadcasting and stadium entertainment

Capitales games can be heard on CHYZ-FM, and through the streaming platform FloSports under Quebec Capitales, their play-by-play broadcasters are Pierre Blais and 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 Sebastien Dubois-Bergeron, and their stadium’s DJ is Daniel Sylvain, better known as “DJ Dan” as his stage name. DJ Dan brings over 16 years of experience as the DJ of the Capitales, and he is also the DJ of the Quebec Remparts since 1999. He keeps the fans loud and entertained no matter what if the team win or loses. He works in collaboration with the press box crew, along with the team’s in-game host Yannick Tremblay, also known as “Pee-Wee”.

Notable alumni

Attendance

As of August 29, 2024

Season Games Total Average
1999 41 110,559 2,697
2000 39 127,303 3,264
2001 45 148,419 3,298
2002 44 152,121 3,457
2003 43 152,153 3,538
2004 47 156,899 3,338
2005 46 156,663 3,406
2006 42 138,376 3,295
2007 49 161,789 3,302
2008 44 140,933 3,203
2009 46 164,009 3,565
2010 45 147,978 3,288
2011 49 149,330 3,048
2012 49 152,663 3,116
2013 47 141,396 3,008
2014 42 121,305 2,888
2015 51 130,510 2,559
2016 53 146,946 2,773
2017 50 141,923 2,838
2018 53 126,483 2,386
2019 50 119,060 2,381
2020 DID NOT PLAY DUE TO COVID-19 PANDEMIC
2021* 10** 22,882 2,288
2022 51 130,414 2,557
2023 55 166,916 3,035
2024 48 164,925 3,436

*played with limited capacity (2,800 people)[6]

**only counts Équipe Québec games played at Stade Canac

See also

References

  1. ^ "CBC News". May 23, 2024.
  2. ^ RDS.ca (2024-09-14). "Frontier : Un troisième titre de suite spectaculaire pour les Capitales". RDS (in Canadian French). Retrieved 2024-12-20.
  3. ^ Triblive (2024-09-14). "Quebec beats Washington Wild Things for Frontier League title on walk-off homer". TribLIVE.com. Retrieved 2024-12-20.
  4. ^ "TSN". May 23, 2024.
  5. ^ "Disipio: Pitching is driving us to the playoffs". TSN. 2024-08-27. Retrieved 2024-12-11.
  6. ^ 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.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Québec Capitales.
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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