THUNDER BAY — Playing host adds to the pressure for Team Canada as they rally to face Mexico in their first game of the Women’s Baseball World Cup Group A Tuesday night in Thunder Bay.
Of the six teams playing, five will be vying for one of two spots in the world cup next year, Canada already has a spot secured. Mexico, Hong Kong, the U.S., Korea and Australia are all still trying to get their feet on the ground and adjust to new climates and time zones before the games start on Tuesday morning.
"COVID actually did us a favour," said Team Australia manager Jason Pospishil when speaking about the pressure of coming to the tournament for the first time in five years.
Pospishil said his goal was to have a more athletic team take the field this time around and the extra time off between World Cup events allowed him to build toward that target.
"[We've gotten to ] apply some philosophical changes within the program and getting a younger and more athletic team. We know what we have to do, and if you don't know what you're going to get done in five years, something's wrong."
American manager, Veronica Alvarez, echoed similar sentiments, stating that since the last World Cup, their roster has had lots of turnover. But on the same note, many of the new players are athletes she's known since they were 11 or 12 years old.
"They've had consistent guidance and strategy under my direction," Alvarez said as the six team managers gathered ahead of Tuesday start of play at Baseball Central.
To a tee, the teams all want to win, knowing the top two will advance to next year's Women's Baseball World Cup, slated for Thunder Bay at some point in 2024, the dates yet to be determined.
"They're all important, and we'd love to be 5-0", Puta said, knowing his team already has a built-in advantage, earning a bye into the World Cup thanks to their hosting status.
While the purpose of the event is to claim one of those two spots, it's also a chance to unwind, something the managers said would be valuable to both players and coaching staffs alike.
Each team did express interest in exploring the city and taking down time during the tournament.
Canada takes on Mexico on Tuesday night at Baseball Central. Game time is 7:30 p.m. The action switches to Port Arthur Stadium on Thursday, following the end of the Border Cats season.
