Indians unveil spring schedule, open vs. Reds
Highlights include fireworks night, Brantley bobblehead, Kids Run the Bases
CLEVELAND -- For Northeast Ohioans already fighting off freezing temps and snowstorms in November, a welcomed sign of spring emerged Friday -- the release of the Indians' 2015 Spring Training schedule.
Pitchers and catchers will report to the Goodyear, Ariz., Player Development Complex on Feb. 18, with position players arriving by Feb. 22 and the full squad taking the field for the first time Feb. 24. The Tribe's Cactus League schedule will begin March 3 against the Reds at Goodyear Ballpark, and it will include 19 games at the home facility (including three as the visiting team against the Reds).
Opening Day of the season proper is set for April 6 in Houston, with the home opener Friday, April 10, against the Tigers.
The spring schedule will feature two home night games -- March 20 against the Angels (featuring a postgame fireworks display) and March 24 against the Giants. The spring's lone off-day will March 18, and the Cactus schedule concludes April 4, with a road date in Maryvale, Ariz., against the Brewers.
Other promotional features will include a Michael Brantley bobblehead (for the first 1,500 fans) on March 7, Play Catch on the Field on March 12 and Fan Appreciation Day on March 29. Kids Run the Bases will take place after every Sunday home game, and Seniors Stroll the Bases will take place March 4, March 10 and March 26. There will be an EGGstravaganza Celebration on April 3, when kids 12 and under can take place in a unique egg hunt on the field.
Season-ticket holders for the spring schedule will receive discount coupon booklets featuring discounted concession and merchandise items. New for 2015, the club is offering flex ticket books featuring 10 specially priced ticket vouchers for the infield and outfield box that can be used for any games at Goodyear Ballpark. Three-game Mini Plans are also available.
Single-game tickets go on sale Dec. 6.
The Indians are again partnering with Professional Travel, Inc., to offer fans VIP travel packages to the Phoenix area that will include priority seating for the home games, meet-and-greets with players, coaches and other personnel and postgame workouts and batting practices at the Player Development Complex. There are two such trips planned: March 14-18 and March 19-24.
For more information on tickets and packages, visit Indians.com/spring.
Beyond the games, the Indians/Reds Celebrity Golf Classic will take place Feb. 27 at the Golf Club of Estrella in Goodyear. Players, coaches and front-office personnel will take part, raising money for the HOPE Team non-profit organization at Cancer Treatment Centers of America. For more information on registration and sponsorship opportunities, call (623) 207-3545 or visit www.hopeteamaz.org.
The Indians/Reds Fan Fest will take place March 17. It is an opportunity for fans to meet their favorite Indians and Reds players, engage in activities on the field and tour Goodyear Ballpark after that day's game between the two clubs. For more information, call (623) 882-3130.