The West Virginia Black Bears are back and Opening Day is set to be one to remember. On Tuesday, June 10, the Black Bears return to Kendrick Family Ballpark to kick off their 10th season in Morgantown. This season is set to be one of the most fun yet, thanks to new coaching talent and fan-favorite promotions. Expect June 10th to be a night full of energy and a great way to start another year of Black Bears MLB Draft League baseball.
“We are very excited for another season of Black Bears baseball,” said general manager Leighann Sainato. “We will be distributing a total of 500 tickets across five different games throughout this season, ensuring that more fans get the opportunity to join in on the fun and excitement. It’s our way of giving back to our amazing community and celebrating some of the biggest nights of the season together. We can’t wait to see you at the games and make unforgettable memories with you all!”
Rich Entertainment Group (REG), proud owners of the Black Bears, will donate 100 complimentary tickets each week, with proceeds benefiting several charitable organizations throughout Morgantown. The generous donation of $5,000 worth of tickets will be for some of the season’s most anticipated games of the year, including Star Wars Night, Margaritaville Night and Fan Appreciation Night.
This initiative enhances the community’s engagement with baseball and supports vital local causes. Additionally, the Black Bears will host a special promotional game towards the end of the season featuring an exciting giveaway provided by The Travel Team, REG’s award-winning, full-service travel company. Additional details on the travel giveaway will be announced at a later date.
What to Expect on Opening Day
The first home game of the season brings plenty of excitement both on and off the field. Fans can take advantage of 2sDays at the Park, which offers $12 tickets, $2 hot dogs and $2 off select merchandise. Thanks to WVU Medicine, the game will also have Opening Day giveaways and entertainment. The first 500 fans through the gates get a Black Bears magnet schedule and all fans can stay after the game for a fireworks show. From start to finish, Opening Day is jam-packed with fanfare and plenty of reasons to cheer.
Meet the 2025 Coaching Staff
This season introduces some fresh faces to the Black Bears’ leadership. Jon Nunnally joins the team as the seventh manager in franchise history. Nunnally brings big-league experience to Morgantown, having played outfielder for the Kansas City Royals from 1995 to 2000. He later served as a hitting coach for the Cleveland Indians and held additional coaching roles for the Buffalo Bisons and Salem Red Sox minor league teams.
Jay Jackson will also make his debut for the Black Bears as the team’s new pitching coach. The right-handed pitcher started in the MLB with the San Diego Padres in 2015 and later played for the Minnesota Twins prior to announcing his retirement from professional baseball. This will be Jackson’s first season as a coach.
What to Know Before Heading to the Ballpark
Here are a few important details to keep in mind for a smooth day at the ballpark.
Bag Policy
For security and efficiency, only small clutches (no larger than 4.5” x 6.5”), clear bags (up to 12” x 6” x 12”) and one-gallon plastic storage bags are allowed. Other bags will not be permitted.
Concessions
All concessions at Kendrick Family Ballpark are cashless. Food, drinks and merchandise are available for purchase with the following major credit cards: Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover. Fans can find two main concession stands behind Sections 103 and 106. Mobile concessions are also located throughout the concourse and the Party Deck areas.
Parking
There are several parking options available:
- Lot 1: $5 general parking is located behind center field near Buffalo Wild Wings and Star Furniture.
- Lot 2: Guests with a season parking pass are permitted to park in this lot, found behind the right field clubhouse. Passes are available through the ticket office.
- Lot 3: This lot is reserved for those with ADA parking needs. The lot is located directly behind the scoreboard near Gate A. An ADA placard and matching ID are required.
Additional limited parking is available at University Town Center, Walmart and Sam’s Club in white-striped spaces. Yellow-striped parking spaces at these locations are strictly off-limits. Tailgating, tents and sales of any kind are also prohibited in all lots.
Weather and Ticket Exchange Policies
The weather is sometimes a factor throughout the season. In the case of inclement weather, please refer to the following guidelines:
- If a game is canceled before gates open, your ticket can be exchanged for another game (within the same season), excluding special events.
- If a game is already in progress, and five innings have been played (or 4.5 if the Black Bears are leading), the game is considered official and no exchanges or refunds will be issued.
- If a game is postponed before it becomes official, you may redeem your ticket for a future game. You don’t need to redeem it on the same day. Instead, simply reach out to the ticket office when you’re ready.
- To exchange rainout tickets, contact the ticket office by phone at (304) 293-7653 or via email. Exchanges are subject to availability.