Progress continues to be made on upgrades to Port Arthur Stadium, the home of the Thunder Bay Border Cats (summer collegiate; Northwoods League).
Between now and the Border Cats’ home opener on June 3, Port Arthur Stadium will undergo a variety of changes, with many of the improvements focused on the playing conditions. The playing surface is being replaced, while new padding is being added behind home plate, and the hitter’s backdrop is being expanded. Furthermore, the clubhouse will receive some necessary repairs and both bullpens will be moved from foul territory to an area beyond the right-field fence.
The changes being put into place should have a positive effect on summer collegiate action at the facility. However, Port Arthur Stadium is also scheduled to host the World Baseball Softball Confederation’s Under-18 Baseball World Cup in September, which the Thunder Cats credit with helping to facilitate the upgrades. More from CBC News:
“The international tournament is pretty much making it happen,” said Daniel Grant, general manager of the Thunder Bay Border Cats, who call the stadium home. “It’s beneficial for us, for sure, but it was something, I think, that needed to be seriously looked at anyway.”
Grant said the work being done includes replacing the padding behind the wooden Home Run Club enclosure, located behind home plate. Grant said the Home Run Club will be in place for the Cats season, but will be removed for the world cup as it’s too close to home plate and doesn’t meet international standards.
A new pitching mound is being built, and the home plate area being redone so it lines up properly.
Port Arthur Stadium originally opened in 1951, and has been home to the Border Cats since 2003.