Opening weekend for the Florence Freedom is here.
The Freedom begin their quest for a fourth playoff appearance in five years on Friday, May 13 with a three-game set against the Windy City Thunderbolts at UC Health Stadium. Friday the 13th will also be special as number 13, Davey Concepcion will make in appearance for opening night.
The on-field product will include many of the same pieces from last year’s team. Freedom Manager Dennis Pelfrey is looking to continue the momentum of last year’s playoff appearance with some added firepower to compliment his returners.
“We’ve added a little bit of thunder to the lineup for this season, which should make us even more exciting to watch,” Pelfrey said.
Here’s a closer look at the series:
Friday @ 7:05 p.m.
The 19-year Cincinnati shortstop and two-time World Series champion Davey Concepcion will be at the ballpark for an exclusive meet and greet with fans before the 7:05 p.m. first pitch (a few spots remain, get them by clicking here). He will also sign autographs and take pictures for fan purchases during the game. Fans can get their hands on a limited edition Davey Concepcion bobblehead with the purchase of two Dugout or VIP section tickets (2 tickets = 1 bobblehead). Post-game, fans will be treated to a Concepcion tribute fireworks show presented by Arlinghaus Heating and Air Conditioning and detonated by Elite Pyrotechnics.
Saturday @ 6:05 p.m.
Game two of the series on Saturday (6:05 p.m. first pitch) will feature the Special Olympic Opening Ceremonies with Y’All Star T-shirts and magnet schedule giveaways. There will be a pregame parade of athletes and a torch lighting ceremony. It will also be the Freedom’s first Saturday Flight Night, where fans can get four local craft beers from Christian Moerlein and glassware just $10. Plus, each Saturday is a 92.5 The Fox Rockin’ Saturday presented by Kerry Toyota. Stick around post-game for Christian

Moerlein Summer Concert Series featuring The Jason Owens Band. Kids get to play kickball on the field post-game.
Sunday @ 6:05 p.m.
Family Sundays are presented by Heritage Bank. Bring the crew out for an affordable, family-friendly evening at the ballpark where kids can run the bases post-game courtesy of Gold Star Chili, and enjoy an entire team autograph session with the Freedom presented by Jack Lillie Insurance.
Tickets for all games at UC Health Stadium this season, including opening day and the 2016 Frontier League Y’all Star Game, can be found here.
The Florence Freedom are members of the 12-team professional Independent Frontier League and play a 96 game schedule, with 48 home games at UC Health Stadium, located at 7950 Freedom Way in Florence.
In 2015, the Frontier League recognized the Freedom as the league’s organization of the year and awarded the team with the league’s Y’All-Star event. The 2016 season will mark the 13th year the Freedom have played in Florence.
From Freedom Communications