Hot Rods Announce 2011 Schedule

Bowling Green, KY - In conjunction with their final home game of the 2010 season, the Bowling Green Hot Rods, Class A affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays, announced their schedule for the 2011 Midwest League season. The new season begins with a four-game road series before the team plays its home opener on April 11 at Bowling Green Ballpark.

"With a successful 2010 season coming to a close, we are already looking forward to 2011," stated Brad Taylor, Hot Rods General Manager and CEO. "This announcement is the first step in putting together another year full of excitement and entertainment. We will spend the next few months assembling a schedule of promotions and events that offers something for every Hot Rods fan. It's just 223 days until Opening Day 2011."

For the third straight season, the Hot Rods will have a handful of games under their belts before the team debuts in front of the home crowd. After four road games against the Midwest League affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds, the Dayton Dragons, the Hot Rods open a seven-game home stand on April 11 with the Fort Wayne TinCaps (San Diego Padres) and Lake County Captains (Cleveland Indians).

April ends and May begins with a nine-game home stand featuring the first of four visits by the Dayton Dragons in 2011. The Dragons made just two trips to Bowling Green in 2010, but the Reds affiliate will play four three-game series in South Central Kentucky in 2011. In addition to their May visit, the future Reds visit Bowling Green Ballpark three times during the second half from June 24-26, July 30-August 1, and August 31-September 2.

In addition to 12 home games with the Dragons, other notable home dates for 2011 include a match-up against the Lansing Lugnuts (Toronto Blue Jays) on Memorial Day, May 30 and games against the Great Lakes Loons (Los Angeles Dodgers) to celebrate Independence Day on July 3 and July 4.

The Hot Rods will meet all seven of their Eastern Division opponents at least four times next year, counting for 116 of the teams' 140 games. The remaining 24 games come against Western Division teams with one three-game series against each squad. In 2011, Hot Rods fans can see their team take on the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (Milwaukee Brewers) and Beloit Snappers (Minnesota Twins) at Bowling Green Ballpark during the first half; the second half includes visits by the Burlington Bees (Kansas City Royals) and Peoria Chiefs (Chicago Cubs). The Cubs affiliate's first-ever visit to Bowling Green Ballpark is scheduled from July 23-25.

Game times and the 2011 promotional schedule for all 70 home games will be released at a later date.

For more information please contact Tom Gauthier with the Bowling Green Hot Rods at (270) 901-2121 ext. 219 or [email protected].