THUNDER BAY — With baseball season in full swing, the Thunder Bay Border Cats welcomed students from the Lakehead and Catholic School Boards to watch a 11 a.m. game at Port Arthur Stadium.
The Border Cats took on their main rivals, the Duluth Huskies, on Wednesday morning, with over 1,600 students cheering on the local team in the stands.
David Valente, president of the Thunder Bay Border Cats, said the games mean a lot to the schools, students and the players.
“It's great to see them out watching some baseball games, getting some sun and enjoying an afternoon at the field for the team,” he said.
This was the first of two daytime games for local students. The second is planned for June 17, where the Border Cats will take on the Lacrosse Loggers.
“It's just community-based. We try to get as much of the community involved as possible for all of these kinds of events, and it's great to see everybody out,” Valente said.
Students brought a lot of school spirit, hoping to be put on the big screen dancing, and cheered the local Cats to victory.
“The kids were super excited. They were cheering take me out to the ballgame (on) one of the buses that (was) pulling up, and it's just that kind of atmosphere they create,” he said.
Newswatch heard from students at the game who all agreed it’s an exciting day and they would rather be watching baseball out in the sun than writing math equations.
Even students who are not big baseball fans enjoyed the game, saying it’s interesting to see how fast players run, and how far they can make the baseball go.
Ben, a Grade 5 student, said he really enjoys these games.
“It's nice and hot out and it's fun to watch baseball.”
Standing in line at the concession stand, baseball-fan Ben and some other students who aren’t huge baseball fans found at least one thing in common: the ice cream.
Valente is reminding also reminding city residents that the Border Cats are still looking for host families for players.
“It's really rewarding to see them get involved with not only their day-to-day life, but just watching them on the field and getting to know them more personally.”
For more information give the stadium a call at 807-766-2287.
