Canada has regularly hosted international baseball events. Here are 10 tips for enjoying the WBSC Women's Baseball World Cup Finals 2024 presented by CARNEXT at its best.
1 - It's the third time that Canada has hosted the WBSC Women's Baseball World Cup. The inaugural (2004) and fourth editions (2012) were played in Edmonton, Alberta.
2 - Thunder Bay, Ontario is the first city to host the Group Stage and the Finals of the WBWC Women's Baseball World Cup .
3 - When it became the host of the WBSC Women's Baseball World Cup Group A 2023, Thunder Bay was no stranger to hosting international baseball events. In 2010 and 2017, It earned hosting rights for the WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup.
4 - Edmonton and Thunder Bay have something in common: Their main tourist attractions are parks. The Sleeping Giant Provincial Park is about 80 miles (or 50 kilometres) from Thunder Bay, while the Elk Island National Park is approximately the same distance from Edmonton. Driving from Thunder Bay to Edmonton would require over 20 hours, as the distance is over 2,000 kilometres or 1,243 miles.
5 - Hosting the WBSC Women's Baseball World Cup is a joint effort by the Thunder Bay International Baseball Association and Baseball Canada.
6 - Baseball Canada had never previously co-hosted an international event before. "The alternative was not an option," stated Baseball Canada's website. "Having female role models to look up to on the field is vital for girls' participation in the sport in the future.
7 - From 2005 - a year after the Women’s National Team was created - to 2023, the number of female baseball players across Canada has doubled. In 2005, just under 13,000 registered, as reported to Baseball Canada from the 10 provincial associations. In 2023, that number was nearly 27,000.
8 - Port Arthur Stadium is positioned on the traditional land of the Anishinaabe (Anishinabek) people. The Thunder Bay Border Cats of the Northwoods League, who called Port Arthur Stadium home, stated that they "respectfully acknowledge that the lands on which we live, work and play are traditional lands, and we extend our appreciation for this opportunity."
9 -Before each game of the WBSC Women's Baseball World Cup Finals 2024 presented by CARNEXT the PA announcer will mention that the games are played "on the traditional lands of the Ojibwa people [part of the Anishinaabe Nations] of Fort William First Nation signatories to the Robinson Superior Treaty of 1850. We would also like to recognize the contributions of the Métis people of our area to our community."
10 - Anishinaabe Giizhigad celebrates the proclamation of the Anishinaabe Chi-Naaknigewin (Anishinabek Nation Constitution), which took place on June 6, 2012, at the Anishinanek Nation Grond Council Assembly. The Anishinaabe Inaadziwn (Culture) will be central to the WBSC Women's Baseball World Cup Finals 2024 Opening Ceremony with a drumming performance honouring the Pow-Wow Dance Styles tradition.
