Canberra Cavalry fans will not have to wait long into the 2022/23 ABL season to see their team live in action, with the Cavalry set to open the season with consecutive series at home.
Following the cancellation of the 2021/22 season, the upcoming season marks a welcome return to regular programming for the ABL, with the Cavalry looking to go one step further after play-offs exits over the past four seasons.
The 2022/23 schedule sees the ABL return to a 10-week regular season format, with Geelong-Korea and Auckland Tuatara back into the competition after a Covid-enforced absence.
Canberra will open their ABL campaign against the Sydney Blue Sox on Thursday 10 November from 6:30pm at MIT Ballpark in Narrabundah.
Cavalry General Manager, Sunny Singh believes that the Cavalry schedule for the season is favourable for the club and is optimistic about the season ahead.
“We’ve worked closely with the ABL to ensure we get the right draw for our playing group and our fans.” Singh said.
“The opportunity to open at home gives our new recruits an opportunity to experience the most passionate fanbase in the league, and our final few series of the season gives us a chance to really charge into playoffs with some momentum”.
The Cavalry are expected to begin player announcements over the next few weeks, with excitement starting to build around the return of international players competing.
“You’ll see a lot of the familiar faces that Canberra fans have loved seeing over the years and then some not so familiar that are really going to make an impact at ABL level.” Singh said.
“With the return of imports and affiliate players this season, we’re ready to give the competition a shake and give Canberra a 2nd ABL title”.
Those announcements will be highlighted by the return of Cavalry Club Captain, Robbie Perkins, who is ready to shape up for the first regular season since 2019/20.
“It feels great for us to have a normal routine back and I also think it gives the fans a better chance to watch as much baseball as they can/want this summer.” Perkins said.
“Being back to a full schedule again where we can have a full strength teams. I think it will make for a really competitive season and great preparation for the WBC”.
Gamedays at the Cavalry will see the the return of many fan-favourites this season.
“Gameday is going to go to a whole new level this year and we’ve got some big plans already in the works.” Singh said.
“Pride night, Indigenous night, Canada Day, Japan Day, you name it, they’re coming back and we’re throwing in more days/nights to celebrate our incredible community here in CBR”.
The Cavalry will once again be managed by Keith Ward, returning for his 3rd year in charge, as looks to lead the club after several interrupted years at the helm.
“It’s nice to be going into a season with some level of certainty around what’s going on in the world.” Ward said.
“We’ve been through so much as a club over the past 3 years, it’s exciting knowing that we have our full attention and focus on baseball going into Season 2022/23”.
Ward has been involved heavily with the front office staff during the offseason, as the club looks to improve on consecutive play-off appearances throughout Ward’s tenure with the Cavalry.
“We’ve been busy at work putting together what we believe to be a roster that’ll be there come business end of the season,” Ward said.
“We’ve done a considerable amount of review of previous seasons and we’ve tweaked our approach where we feel we can improve.
“Getting guys here earlier, and some vital game fitness early, that sort of thing will help us come out of the blocks quicker and we’re confident that’ll place us nicely going into the business end of the season”.
Information around memberships and ticketing will be publicised soon.
