Countdown until Opening Day at Segra Park: 57 days. If you’re as ready to cheer on the Fireflies (with a hot dog in one hand and a local brew in the other) as we are, here’s a little infield info to tide you over.
From what’s different about this season’s schedule to what it means to be an affiliate of the Kansas City Royals, we asked + the Fireflies answered. ⚾
Q: When does the Fireflies’ 2021 season kick off?
A: The 2021 Minor League Baseball season is scheduled to begin on May 4 and continue through September 19. Opening Day at Segra Park is set for Tuesday, May 11 at 7:05 p.m. vs. the Charleston RiverDogs. Gates will open at 5:30 p.m.
Q: How is this season different from previous seasons?
A: This season will be slightly shorter due to the delayed start date, but will extend an extra two weeks into September for the first time ever. Homestands (read: series of games played at Segra Park) will all start on Tuesdays and run through Sundays, with all six games against the same opponent. Mondays will be league-wide off-days.
Q: What teams will the Fireflies play?
A: Our schedule has us playing Augusta, Charleston + Myrtle Beach for the majority of the season, with one series against Fayetteville, NC and two against Kannapolis, NC. This is to minimize travel and enhance safety for our players and opponents.
Q: What kinds of themed nights and special events can fans look forward to?
A: Promotions may change a bit from 2019, but fan-favorites like Budweiser Thirsty Thursdays will continue. Fans should expect an initial promotional schedule release on or around April 1, with periodic updates to follow. Stay tuned.
Q: What does being an affiliate of the Royals mean?
A: The transition to the Royals has been amazing thus far. We have had great communication from + access to people across the entire organization, including Senior VP/General Manager Dayton Moore and VP/Assistant GM of Player Personnel JJ Picollo. The Royals are committed to playing aggressive baseball and bringing a winning culture to Segra Park. Their track record in the former South Atlantic League is quite impressive, as their former affiliate in Lexington, KY (Lexington Legends) won back-to-back league titles in 2018 and 2019. The Royals share a common ethos with the Fireflies about community engagement, and we expect our players to be active in the community as soon as it is safe and prudent to do so. By 2022, we anticipate being back to a real sense of normalcy and will work hand in hand with the Royals to reach our collective goals.
Q: Who’s on the new coaching staff?
A: The 2021 coaching staff includes Brooks Conrad, Manager; Glenn Hubbard, Bench Coach; Carlos Martinez, Pitching Coach; Jesus Azuaje, Hitting Coach; Gavin Grosh, Athletic Trainer; and Taylor Portman, Strength and Conditioning Coach.
Q: What COVID restrictions are in place?
A: We are working closely with Major League Baseball and the City of Columbia on a capacity plan to accommodate the safe return of fans. Enhanced sanitization protocols will be in place as well as social distancing protocols. A fully updated plan will be posted on our website when it has been approved.
Q: Any other updates fans should know about?
A: Our number one priority is safety: for our fans, our staff, our gameday employees, our players and our coaches.
- All fans are encouraged to purchase tickets online + in advance to avoid long line queues on the plaza.
- All tickets will be either digital or “print at home” to limit person-to-person contact.
- All outlets for purchasing food, tickets, parking, merchandise and Kids Zone activities will be card payments only to limit person-to-person contact and the spread of germs. Fans will be able to exchange cash at designated locations for gift cards with no expiration date.
- The Fireflies are working with technology providers to enable fans to order food from their seats via a web page for delivery to their seats (limited to Scout Seats, Bullpen Boxes, 4-Topps and Club Seats) or pick-up at a designated location to reduce line queues.
Fans can follow the Fireflies on Facebook, Twitter + Instagram or subscribe to their newsletter online to stay in-the-loop on season updates. Ⓟ