Naturals, Travelers Begin Arkansas Diamond Series
SPRINGDALE, AR - The Northwest Arkansas Naturals and Arkansas Travelers will resume the Arkansas Diamond Series as the two (2) in-state rivals prepare to face each other on Saturday, May 3rd for the first of 29 games this season.
The Naturals and Travelers will compete for the Arkansas Diamond Series Trophy, a traveling trophy that will be awarded to the team with a winning record after the season series concludes. The traveling trophy will be up for grabs each year in addition to the competition between the two (2) teams for the Texas League North Division and a spot in the Texas League Playoffs.
"The beginning of the Arkansas Diamond Series always adds an extra level of excitement to our Texas League North Divisional Schedule," said Naturals General Manager Justin Cole. "We enjoy the friendly in-state rivalry with the Travs, and look at this year as our year to bring the Trophy back to Arvest Ballpark."
Last year, the Travelers took the season series 17-11 but the Naturals enjoyed a winning record of 8-6 at Arvest Ballpark. This Saturday will mark the first time the two (2) teams will meet in 2014 but eight (8) out of the next twelve (12) games will be against each other with the first series at Arvest Ballpark and the second, beginning on May 12th, in North Little Rock.
The two (2) teams have faced each other 185 times during the regular season since 2008 with an additional 7 games coming in the Texas League Playoffs. The Naturals own an overall record of 104-81 against their in-state foes including a 60-31 mark at Arvest Ballpark. The Naturals enjoyed their most successful run against the Travelers during their Texas League Championship season of 2010 when they recorded a 25-7 record against the Travs, including an impressive 13-3 record away from home.
While the Naturals have enjoyed a lot of regular season success, the post-season meetings have gone the way of North Little Rock with the Travelers advancing in both 2008 and in 2011 to the Texas League Championship Series.
The Naturals and Travelers will begin a four (4) game series on Saturday, May 3rd at 7:05pm at Arvest Ballpark. It is Star Wars Night featuring a Post-Game Fireworks Spectacular presented by Arkansas Army National Guard.
Tickets are available at the Arvest Ballpark box office, online at www.nwanaturals.com or via our toll free ticket hotline at (877) 444-2637. All tickets purchased online or by telephone must be paid for via credit card.
Children 12 and under and adults over 55 years of age receive $1 off the purchase of Premium, Reserved, or Jack Link's Beef Jerky Grass Berm/General Admission seating for individual game tickets. Active and retired military can also receive the $1 ticket discount at the Arvest Ballpark box office by presenting the proper identification.
The Northwest Arkansas Naturals are the Double-A Texas League Affiliate of the Kansas City Royals. The Naturals play at state-of-the-art Arvest Ballpark in Springdale, AR. For more information including statistics, ticket options, and more, please visit NWANaturals.com, and follow us on Twitter @NWANaturals and Facebook.com/Naturals.
-Naturals-