ELON, NC – Elon University has announced that the Phoenix baseball team will play four of its home games under the lights at the Burlington Athletic Stadium this season. All four contests were originally scheduled as afternoon games to be played at Latham Park on the Elon campus, but will now become night games at the home of the Burlington Indians.
The four contests – Friday, April 4 vs. Liberty, Tuesday, April 15 vs. UNC Greensboro, Wednesday, April 30 vs. North Carolina A&T and Friday, May 9 vs. UNC Asheville – are all scheduled for a 7 p.m. first pitch. The games versus Big South Conference rivals Liberty and UNC Asheville each represent the opener of a three-game weekend series with the Saturday and Sunday afternoon contests still taking place at Latham Park.
“We’re excited to play night games in town,” said Elon coach Mike Kennedy. “Hopefully, we’ll draw fans who do not normally get to see us play during the week. We’re very grateful to Burlington for the use of the park. Anytime you play at night, your players tend to step it up a little. These games provide us with outstanding opportunities.”
This season’s visits to Burlington Athletic Stadium mark the first for the Phoenix since joining the NCAA Division I ranks for the 2000 campaign. Elon sparingly played regular season and playoff games at the BAS during its NAIA Division I days in the 1980s as well as regular season contests during its NCAA-II days in the 1990s.
“We look forward to these night games,” said Dr. Alan White, Elon Director of Athletics. “Burlington Athletic Stadium is a fine facility, and playing at night will provide a better opportunity for community fans to see our games. In addition, playing at night will help reduce missed class time for both teams.”
Food and beverages, including hot dogs, soda, peanuts and chips will be available at these games. There will be no admission charge and the public is encouraged to attend.
“The Indians are big fans of Elon athletics,” said Mark Cryan, Burlington Indians General Manager. “We're very pleased to be working together with the university.”
The Burlington Athletic Stadium has been home to professional baseball in Alamance County since 1960, and home to the current franchise for the past 17 years. Prior to the construction of the facility, the local minor league teams played several seasons at Elon during the 1940s and 1950s. Many Major League Baseball players have played for the Indians over the years, including stars Manny Ramirez, Jim Thome and Bartolo Colon.
— ELON —
