August 12, 2008

SEVIERVILLE – The Tennessee Smokies, Double-A minor league affiliate of the Chicago Cubs, has released its schedule today for the 2009 season. The Smokies will begin the 2009 season on the road Thursday, April 9 at the Baseball Grounds against the Jacksonville Suns. Following the Jacksonville series, the team heads back to Smokies Park for its home opener Wednesday, April 15 against the Birmingham Barons.

The Smokies’ 140-game schedule will once again contain a split-season format, with the first half ending Sunday, June 21 at home against the Carolina Mudcats. Notable home games in-between include a Father’s Day game Sunday, June 21 and the team’s annual pre-Fourth of July game Friday, July 3. The Smokies will conclude its 2009 home campaign against the Mobile BayBears Tuesday, September 1, followed by its final five-game series of the year on the road against the West Tenn Diamond Jaxx from September 3-7.

As part of the Southern League All-Star Game Monday, July 13, the Smokies will break from action Sunday, July 12 through Tuesday, July 14. This year’s game will be hosted by the Birmingham Barons and held at Rickwood Field in Birmingham, Ala.

ABOUT THE TENNESSEE SMOKIES
The Tennessee Smokies are the minor league Class AA affiliate of the Chicago Cubs. Members of the 10-team Southern League, Smokies baseball has been entertaining families and fans of America’s national pastime in the East Tennessee region for almost 100 years. To learn more about the Tennessee Smokies, visit www.smokiesbaseball.com - powered by Comcast.

(smokiesbaseball.com)