Theme nights with the Canberra Cavalry, like the ever-popular Japan night, are an important part of the game night experience that makes baseball such a special experience. Photo: Canberra Cavalry.
The Canberra Cavalry has plenty of die-hard fans, but quiz the audience on any given game night, and you’ll find plenty of people who aren’t just there for the sport. They come for the Cavs’ abiding promise.
“There will always be as much action off the field as on,” The Cavs’ Assistant General Manager Emilie Hall says.
Exciting as the match itself is, when you have four of them back to back and 20 in a season, you want to give each one a point of difference.
“It’s a big part of the game day experience,” she says. “We want to give the fans a new reason to get excited every time.”
It’s why The Cavs have themed game nights held across the season.
One of the most popular is the upcoming Japan theme night – a celebration of the team’s five-year affiliation with the Yokohama BayStars organised in association with the National Federation of Australia Japan Societies.
Two of the BayStars will be joining the team to help usher in a night of Japanese baseball culture, complete with Japanese music, including traditional kendama drumming, Japanese food and traditional Japanese games and activities between the innings.
“The BayStars will bring along pitching and catching activities that fans can get involved with on the field and around the concourse and stadium,” Emilie says.
“Students from Gold Creek School who have been taking Japanese lessons will come down to give a Japanese singing performing pre-game as well.
“The whole place is really alive.”
Speciality BayStars and Cavalry jerseys will be worn on the night and auctioned off at the end.
The upcoming festive season signals a busy theme night schedule for The Cavs.
Thursday, 28 November, is Thanksgiving night, followed by the USA night on Friday, 29 November, when members of the Chicago Cubs and Houston Astros will be joining the team to help celebrate The Cavs’ connection to the US.
Then, on Saturday, 30 November, OCRT Consulting is sponsoring Veterans Night, allowing free entry to Australian and New Zealand military personnel and 50 per cent off for their friends and family to honour their service.
This will include a pre-game ceremony and a special military jersey that will again be auctioned off at the end of the game.
The Cavs’ Christmas-themed series is also set to go off with loads of festive cheer, making it a family favourite.
Held from Thursday, 19 December, to Saturday, 21 December, game nights involve Christmas games, giveaways, prizes and a special visit from the big man in red himself on Saturday.
“We want fans to experience what baseball is all about – it’s very different to any other sport in Canberra and indeed nationally. People can expect a whole lot more than the sports alone – they can expect a really electric atmosphere,” Emilie says.
“We’re keen to maintain a healthy dose of the US flavour, but there’s definitely an Aussie twist. It offers something for everyone, whether it’s music, games or simply a place where parents can kick back with a few Bentspoke beers, catch up with friends and be entertained while the kids run around and have a blast.”
Visit the Canberra Cavalry to book your tickets to a themed night.
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