THUNDER BAY — In five weeks, the eyes of the world will be on Thunder Bay.
The World Baseball Softball Confederation’s Women’s Baseball World Cup is slated to begin on July 28 at Port Arthur Stadium, and organizers are hoping for huge crowds to help cheer on the six teams playing for gold.
On Tuesday, local officials with the Thunder Bay International Baseball Association announced that tickets for the seven-day event are now on sale.
“You can purchase your tickets for the WSBC Baseball Women’s World Cup, from July 28 to Aug. 3, at the Border Cats box office or online at our website, www.wbwc2024.ca,” said Nick Melchiorre, president of the TBIBA.
“This is the third world championship that Thunder Bay has hosted in 15 years. I don’t believe there is a city in the world that’s had three world baseball championships in that amount of time. We’re definitely an international baseball hotbed and this just proves that the proof is in the pudding and we’re doing another event this year.”
It’s the second straight summer the WBSC has been in Thunder Bay. The city hosted a qualifying tournament for the 2024 event in 2023, drawing fans to both Baseball Central and Port Arthur Stadium.
Canada, the host nation, will be joined by Chinese Taipei, Venezuela, Mexico, the United States and Japan, the latter having won every single Women’s Baseball World Cup title since the event was first held.
“This year we’ve announced a tournament pass for $85 to watch all 17 games, which is a very good bargain. You can go to all games, even the gold-medal and bronze-medal games. If you don’t want the tournament pass, we have day games for $15 for adults and seniors, and $10 for 12 and under,” Melchiorre said.
Women’s baseball is a growing sport and Canada is ranked seventh in the world, behind the other five teams in the field and Puerto Rico.
“I’m hoping people come out and watch a high-caliber baseball game and help cheer Team Canada on to a medal,” Melchiorre said.
Organizers are also still looking for volunteers for the event, with more information available on the event’s website.
