Historic Grainger Stadium will yet again host one of the fiercest battles of this year’s baseball season as teams from the United States Naval Academy and the United States Air Force Academy face each other in a three-game competition for bragging rights. This year marks the 14th Freedom Classic baseball competition involving U.S. service academies.

The competition will kick off at 6 p.m. Friday, February 23, and continue at 2 p.m. Saturday, February 24, and will finish up at 12:30 p.m. on Sunday, February 25.

Of course, since the teams do not play in a dome, weather is always a factor. Please pray for clear, moderate weather for this weekend.

Special events to honor our active-duty military personnel and veterans will occur 30 minutes before each game. Friday will feature the 916 Air Refueling Squadron KC-46 Tanker from Seymour Johnson Air Force Base.

Saturday’s flyover will highlight the F-15 Strike Eagles from Seymour Johnson. The F-15 Strike Eagle is a dual-role fighter designed to perform air-to-air and air-to-ground missions. Sophisticated avionics and electronics systems give the F-15 the capability to fight at low altitudes, day or night, and in all weather. It can fight to a target over long ranges, destroy enemy ground positions, and fight its way out.

The flyover Sunday boasts the Bandit Flight Team, a group of highly-trained, experienced pilots who combine their love of flying with an appreciation for vintage military aircraft. The Bandits are based in the Raleigh, NC, area and fly their aircraft to preserve the military Warbird heritage.

Of course, these flyovers are also contingent upon weather – another reason to pray for weather suitable for flying.

In addition to the flyovers, military appreciation and pre-game ceremonies will occur 20 minutes before each game’s first pitch.  Local veterans’ groups will set up several military displays to honor our servicemen and servicewomen. Woodmen Life is sponsoring flag displays on the field before each game.

Ticket prices range from free for active-duty military and children three and under, to $5.00 for students, retired military, military dependents, veterans, and seniors aged 60 and above.

General admission for adults, those 18 and above, is $7.00. Tournament passes for all three games are available for $20 per person for General Admission seating.

 A few sponsor opportunities are also still available. The $1,000 level is called “Sponsor-A-Champion Scorecard Ad”. It includes a full-color ad on the Scorecard page, one box seat with nine seats for the entire series, general admission for employees and family members, and logo sponsor recognition during the game on the video board.

At the $500 level, perks for this “Sponsor-A-Champion Scorecard Ad” include an ad on the Scorecard page, 12 tournament passes, a logo for sponsor recognition on the video board, and the Player/Coach Meet and Greet Friday Luncheon.

The $300 level is “Sponsor-A-Champion Player”. It includes six tournament passes, recognition in the Freedom Classic insert, sponsorship announcement during the games, and the Player/Coach Meet and Greet Friday Luncheon.

The $150 level is the “Sponsor-A-Champion Gold” level. This level provides four tournament passes, recognition in the Freedom Classic insert, and sponsorship announcement during the games.

For more information, please call 252-939-3333.

I hope to see you at some, if not all, of the games. I hope for temperate weather, clear skies, and exciting games on the field.

Mike Parker is a columnist for the Neuse News. You can reach him at mparker16@gmail.com.