Unhealthy air quality forces move of NWL playoff opener from Spokane to Vancouver for entire series

The Spokane Indians’ Northwest League playoff opener scheduled for Tuesday evening was postponed because of the region’s poor air quality with the entire series now moving to British Columbia.

Team officials announced Tuesday afternoon that Game 1 would be moved to Wednesday at Nat Bailey Stadium in Vancouver at 7:05 p.m. The Indians will play as the “home” team for the opener.

Game 2 is 7:05 p.m. on Thursday with a third game to be played Friday if necessary.

According to NWL and Spokane Indians air quality policies, games cannot begin if the Air Quality Index is above 200.

As of 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Spokane’s AQI reached 246 and was expected to worsen.

The South Division’s best-of-three series opener between the Eugene Emeralds and the Hillsboro Hops was also postponed Tuesday by the NWL because of poor air quality.

The NWL postseason schedule has no days off in between playoff games, so all postseason games will be pushed back one day, including the best-of-five championship series that was originally scheduled to begin on Friday at the South Division winner’s home stadium. Game 1 of the NWL Championship Series between the North and South Division winners is now scheduled for Saturday.

Indians team officials said fans who bought tickets for Tuesday’s scheduled game at Avista Stadium can get a refund by calling the team ticket office.