MORGANTOWN — The West Virginia Black Bears announced their 2022 schedule on Monday, with the addition of 12 games, including six home games at Monongalia County Ballpark.
The season begins on the road at Mahoning Valley on June 2, with the home opener scheduled for June 7 against Frederick. The 80-game season ends back at Mahoning Valley on Sept. 4. The home schedule will conclude against Frederick on Sept. 1. The first MLB Draft League Championship game will take place on Sept. 6. Additionally, apart from the home opener, all Tuesday contests will be seven innings.
“After coming so close to winning the championship in the league last season, we’re very excited to get back on the field,” general manager Matthew Drayer said. “Having more home games means more promotions, more fireworks dates, and more chances to see the young talent on the field.”
The schedule features 40 home games at Mon County Ballpark, including six weekend series, and the first Black Bears game on July 4 since 2018. The schedule includes three six-game home stands on June 20-25, July 11-16 and Aug. 16-21.
The first half of the schedule will feature amateur, draft-eligible players, while the second half will feature professional players who have exhausted their amateur eligibility or otherwise wish to begin their professional careers.
The Black Bears’ first season in the MLB Draft League ended in a second-place finish, just behind the Trenton Thunder, with a 30-19-6 record. The team, led by former major league player and Morgantown native Jedd Gyorko, saw seven players selected in the 2021 MLB Draft. In addition to the seven players drafted, six more signed major league and independent league contracts as free agents.
Game times will be announced as the promotional schedule is finalized. Season tickets will go on sale on Nov. 22.
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