GRANVILLE, W.Va. — The first pitch for the West Virginia Black Bears 2016 season at Monongalia County Ball Park is this weekend.
The home season opener is Sunday at 4:05 p.m. against Batavia.
With standing room only tickets still available, Black Bears General Manager Matt Drayer said ticket sales are as steady this season as they were at the start of the inaugural season in 2015.
But, fans can expect improvements at the park this year.
After a year of observation, Drayer said the organization is hoping to alleviate wait times to get into the park.
“Our will call line was just overrun by how many people were buying tickets and coming up the day of the game to pick up tickets,” Drayer explained on WAJR’s Morgantown AM. “Gate A will be purchase only. We have a separate will call window over by Gate C with two windows there.”
Drayer said it is an easy fix to a problem management saw repeatedly in the first season.
“Real easy. Both are ADA accessible. I think that’s really going to help with the long lines. Last year we noticed it’s the first inning and there’s still 50 people in line to either buy tickets or pick up their tickets. We had to really find ways to make sure people can get into the ball park a lot quicker.”
Better accommodations are being made for people with disabilities who have trouble navigating around the park entrances and through the concourse.
“We’re worried about access and walking up the long walk we have from Gate A. We purchased a six seat golf cart for any fans with ADA needs instead of our 4 seat golf cart or field cart that we had last year,” added Drayer.
A number of updates, including an expanded concessions menu, came from surveys of sponsors, season ticket holders and fans in an email data base.
“We have a buffalo chicken wrap, a cod fish sandwich wrap. We got a lot of comments saying we come here a lot, can we do something a little healthier for food items?” Drayer said.
The craft beer selection will be broader and new toppings will be available for the ball park hot dogs.
Family promotions are already scheduled for the season.
Monday, June 20, on West Virginia Day, a county art project of black bears will be unveiled followed by fireworks following the game.