THUNDER BAY — The Thunder Bay Border Cats long-awaited return to Port Arthur Stadium will happen on June 6.
The Northwoods League team on Wednesday announced its 2023 schedule, the team welcoming their cross-border rivals, the Duluth Huskies, to town for their first home-opener since 2019.
The team has spent the past three summers on the sidelines due to COVID-19 restrictions at the Canada/U.S. border.
The big change this year are the start times.
Weeknight and Saturday games will feature an earlier first pitch, scheduled for 6:35 p.m., while Friday night games will go at 7:35 p.m. with post-game fireworks planned for June 9, June 30, July 7 and Aug. 4.
The Cats will also be in town for Canada Day, taking on the Willmar Stingers on July 1 at 1:35 p.m. The team plans to bring back two school-day games as well, with an 11:05 a.m. start time versus St. Cloud on June 13 and Waterloo on June 20.
“The Border Cats will celebrate 20 years in Thunder Bay during the 2023 season and fans can look forward to a large pre-game party on June 6 to welcome baseball back during our opening night festivities,” said Border Cats president David Valente, in a news release.
“It’s been a long time coming since our last home game on Aug. 11, 2019, and our organization truly appreciates the loyalty of our fans, host families and corporate partners.”
The team opens the 68-game 2023 campaign on the road on May 29 against the Mankato Moon Dogs, the start of a six-game road trip. The Border Cats won't play either Bismarck or Minot as part of the unbalanced schedule.
