Curve Release 2013 Schedule for 15th Season in Curve, Pa.

CURVE, Pa. -Highlighted by their March 30 exhibition game with the Pittsburgh Pirates and having home games on all major national holidays in the spring and summer, the Altoona Curve today announced their 2013 schedule.  Next year's slate will mark the 15th season of Curve baseball in Altoona and provide numerous opportunities to commemorate the teams and players in the franchise's history.  The Curve will also celebrate being the longest-running affiliate in the Pirates' minor league system with various promotional events.

After playing the Pirates at Peoples Natural Gas Field in Altoona on Saturday, March 30 at 2 p.m., the Curve will begin their Eastern League schedule at Erie on Thursday, April 4.  The regular season home opener in Altoona will be on Thursday, April 11 against the Harrisburg Senators.  All told Altoona plays 12 home games in April, 13 in May, 15 in June, 14 in July and a total of 17 between August and September.  The Curve will wrap up the regular season with a game on Labor Day - September 2 - versus the Akron Aeros.

In addition to the Labor Day weekend series with Akron (Aug. 30-Sept. 2), the Curve will play at home over Memorial Day weekend (May 24-27 vs. Richmond) and on the Fourth of July.  Altoona will be home to celebrate Independence Day for the third straight season as the Curve will take on the Erie SeaWolves that day (Thursday, July 4) to open a five-game weekend series that leads into the Eastern League All-Star break.

"We're really excited about our 2013 schedule for the 15th season of Curve Baseball in our region," said Curve General Manager Rob Egan.  "The once-a-generation opportunity for our fan base to watch the Pirates in Altoona, a light home schedule in April and May, and all major holiday weekends at home will make Curve, PA a special place to be next season."

The Trenton Thunder, affiliates of the New York Yankees, make two separate visits to Curve, Pa. in 2013 with the first coming May 14-16 and the second exactly a month later, June 14-16.  Cross-state and affiliate rival, the Reading Phillies, play at Peoples Natural Gas Field twice next year:  June 4-6 and August 19-21.  The Portland Sea Dogs, affiliates of the Boston Red Sox, make their one yearly trip to Altoona late in 2013, coming to Peoples Natural Gas Field from August 13-15. 

Game times for April and May will remain the same as they did in 2012 with Monday-Friday games starting at 6:30 p.m. while Saturday games start at 6 p.m.  Sunday games through April and May will once again be played at 1 p.m. with the exception of Sunday, May 26, which starts the Curve's Sunday Night Fireworks series with a 6 p.m. start.

June -September game times will remain the same for the most part.  Monday through Friday the Curve will play home games beginning at 7 p.m. but Saturday night game times have been moved up to 6 p.m. from June through September.  The Curve's Sunday night games will stay intact for 2013 and begin at 6 p.m.

Amidst the 71-game home slate the Curve will play three Education Day games (April 17th, May 2nd and May 16th) and four weekday day games (May 27, June 26, July 8 and September 2). 

Season tickets for the 2013 season are on sale now at all remaining home games, by calling 877.99.CURVE or by stopping by the main offices during business hours.  Those that purchase full season ticket plans for the 2013 season will be guaranteed a seat for the 2013 Pirates-Curve Exhibition Game on March 30.

Altoona continues its current homestand tonight with Bowie at 7 p.m. on a Thirsty Thursday TM presented by Rocky 104.9 with $2 16oz. Yuengling drafts on special along with half-priced 22oz. regular sodas.  It's also the third night in the Nittany Travel Summer Cruise Series with the first 500 fans 21 and up receiving a Curve Kwan Poster Giveaway as the third item in the four-part Cruise series thanks to Furrer Beverage.  Tonight is also UPMC Health Plan Member Appreciation Night at Peoples Natural Gas Field.

-CURVE-