Chiefs announce 2009 game schedule
Opening Day is set for Thursday, April 9 at 2:00pm against the Rochester Red Wings at Alliance Bank Stadium. Opening Day is part of a four game home-and-home series that continues Friday, April 10 at 4:00pm in Syracuse before being completed April 11 and 12 in Rochester.
The Chiefs will play 10 home games in the month of April, 15 in May, 13 in June, 15 in July, 16 in August, and 3 in September. The Chiefs will host the Pawtucket Red Sox at 2:00pm on Labor Day, September 7, in the final game of the regular season.
In addition to the game on Labor Day, the Chiefs are also scheduled to have home games on Mother's Day (May 11 vs. Indianapolis at 2:00pm), Memorial Day (May 25 vs. Scranton/Wilkes-Barre at 6:00pm), Father's Day (June 21 vs. Columbus at 2:00pm), and Independence Day (July 4 vs. Lehigh Valley at 7:00pm).
Highlights of the schedule also include three home series with both the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees (May 25-28, July 25-26, August 31-September 1) and the New York Mets' new affiliate, the Buffalo Bisons, (April 17-20, June 15-16, August 18-19).
In addition, Sunday home games on May 31 and in the months of July, August, and September will start at 5:00pm.
"Our Sunday games are popular with families due to the fact that our promotions are geared towards kids, including running the bases after the game," said Chiefs General Manager John Simone. "We feel that by starting earlier, these games will be even more family friendly."
The Chiefs will play 8 home games that begin at 2:00pm, 1 at 4:00pm, 7 at 5:00pm, 6 at 6:00pm, and 48 at 7:00pm. One of the 5:00pm starts is a scheduled doubleheader against Toledo on August 11. In addition, the Fifth Annual Syracuse Chiefs Education Day will take place on Monday, May 11 when the Chiefs host the Norfolk Tides at 10:30am.
Syracuse will have a new major league affiliate for the first time in 31 years next season as the Washington Nationals will supply the Chiefs with players. The Chiefs were affiliated with the Washington Senators during the 1961 & '62 seasons.