By Chuck Heeman
•
05 Dec, 2023
GERING, NE – The Western Nebraska Pioneers today released the team’s 2024 schedule, featuring a record 36 home games and a return to league play, after playing the 2023 season as an unaffiliated team. The team formally joined the Rocky Mountain Baseball League (RMBL) in August as the eighth member of the RMBL. The 2024 regular season begins with the Pioneers hosting the RMBL’s Denver Cougars on Tuesday, May 28 at Oregon Trail Park Stadium in Gering, with Opening Night presented by Platte Valley Companies. The season ends July 28 with a three-day, four-team tournament in Gering, featuring the Pioneers and RMBL teams. “After a very interesting 2023 season it’s good to return to the stability of a league,” Pioneers owners Mayra and Chuck Heeman said. “The Rocky Mountain League is going into its 25th season with a high level of on-field play, and we look forward to being a part of that. Being in the RMBL allows us to have more home games and give our fans more Pioneers baseball as well as reducing our travel schedule and giving our players and coaches a good summer experience. We’re signing players and interns, and now with the schedule pretty well set, it’s full steam ahead for the 2024 season and we can’t wait to see our fans at the ballpark in May.” Exhibition games will feature a return of the UBS Australian Colts, a touring team made up of players from Australia, Dubai and the United States, and a July 4 visit from the U.S. Military War Dogs, a traveling team of active military baseball players. The 54-game 2024 schedule features 41 games against RMBL teams, 10 games against non-league teams and three exhibition games, with 36 games at Oregon Trail Park Stadium and 18 road games. Promotional nights are forming for the 2024 season, with some events already in place. In conjunction with the Midwest Theater, the Pioneers will present post-game movies after three Sunday games; June 9, June 23 and July 7. “Food Truck Tuesday” is June 11, with local food trucks supplying concessions for the evening. The annual “Bark in the Park” event, presented by Robinson Electric, is June 9, and fireworks will follow the July 4 game, presented by Plummer Insurance. June 30 will feature the Pioneers wearing unique Special Olympic-themed jerseys as a fundraiser for the organization, presented by 21st Century Equipment. More promotional dates will be announced through the spring. The Pioneers are also proud to continue the team’s broadcast schedule, with all games, home and road, live broadcast on KNEB/Rural Radio, and all home games live streamed on the Pioneers’ YouTube channel. Season tickets are on sale now at www.wnpioneers.com, and single-game tickets will be available on April 1, 2024. For information on the Rocky Mountain Baseball League visit www.rockymountainbaseballleague.com and for more information on the Pioneers visit www.wnpioneers.com. Western Nebraska Pioneers Baseball Club; P.O. Box 23, Gering, NE 69341 Phone: 308-633-BALL; e-mail: media@wnpioneers.com