Cleveland Indians 2016 Opener Postponed – All You Need To Know

The Cleveland Indians professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio, US have postponed their 2016 home opener game.

The Cleveland Indians will Progressive Field on Tuesday after postponing the 2016 season opener on yesterday due to concerns of weather conditions and player safety.

The Indians said the game was postponed “due to the forecast changing from no precipitation to having precipitation most of the afternoon and into early evening. That steady precipitation forecast combined with wind chills dropping into the teens, it was decided by both teams and umpires for fan comfort and player safety to postpone the game.

The game against the Boston Red Sox, originally scheduled for Monday, April 4 at 4:10 p.m. will now be played on Tuesday, April 5 at 1:10 p.m. Gates will open at 11 a.m.

Tickets originally for Monday’s opener will be honored for the game 1:10 p.m. The season opener will be aired on on SportsTime Ohio, WKYC-Channel 3, WTAM-AM 1100 and WMMS 100.7-FM. Gates open at 11 a.m.

For fans who cannot attend Tuesday’s rescheduled opener, here is a list of games to choose as an alternate:

Wednesday, April 6 vs. Boston (6:10PM)
Thursday, April 7 vs. Boston (6:10PM)
Friday, April 15 vs. New York Mets (7:10PM)
Saturday, April 16 vs. New York Mets (4:10PM)
Sunday, April 17 vs. New York Mets (1:10PM)
Tuesday, April 19 vs. Seattle (6:10PM)
Wednesday, April 20 vs. Seattle (6:10PM)
Thursday, April 21 vs. Seattle (12:10PM)
Friday, May 13 vs. Minnesota (7:10PM)
Monday, May 16 vs. Cincinnati (6:10PM)
Tuesday, May 17 vs. Cincinnati (6:10PM)

The Indians are coming off three straight winning seasons and are looking to earn their first playoff appearance since 2013. Corey Kluber will be the starting pitcher for the first of three home games this week against the Red Sox; Boston will counter with David Price.

Other Things You Need To Know About Indians Season Opener 2016:
Here are 10 things to know about the big party Monday.

1. How cold will it be?
   The temperature will be in the mid 40s and there will be a chance of rain.
2. Where can I park?
   Parking will be at a premium since most downtown lots will be filled.

   The Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority is adding extra rail service before and after the game. People can also park and ride buses downtown or take free trolleys around downtown. Check riderta.com for information.

   Shuttle service is also offered from Ohio City (West 25th Street and Lorain Avenue). Just show your Indians game ticket or an Ohio City business receipt and ride on the Great Lakes Brewery shuttle for $1.

   You can reserve a parking space at one of three locations from $16 to $28.50 through Parking Panda.

3. What’s happening before the game?
   Bob’s Bike Tours will hold its fifth annual Opening Day Ride through downtown Cleveland. It begins at noon at Market Garden Brewery and includes a stop at historic League Park. The ends at the brewery for a watch party. Cost is $19.97 – the year the Indians were in the World Series. Proceeds benefit Boy’s & Girl’s clubs of Cleveland. Call 440-681-8262 for more information and to register to ride.

   RTA will collect money and canned goods from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Tower City Rapid Station in support of the Harvest for Hunger campaign.

4. When do the gates at Progressive Field open?
   2 p.m.
5. Who will throw the ceremonial first pitch?
   Black Keys drummer Patrick Carney
6. Why Carney?
   The tradition of the Carney family attending home openers spans three generations and nearly 60 years, according to ESPN.

   “My dad introduced me to basically everything I like still as an adult — music, sports, baseball and comedy,” said Carney, of Akron.  “I remember clearly the first time my brothers and I played catch. It was summer 1987 and we all became hooked on baseball. All of us played Little League for the next few years and would drive to the games listening to (Indians broadcaster) Herb Score.”

7. Who will sing the national anthem?
   Opera singer William Clarence Marshall of Cleveland.
8. Will the military be honored?
   Members of the United States Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard will present the colors. Meanwhile, an oversized American flag will be presented by 250 employees of Progressive Insurance.
9. What is “Only Here?”
   The team has selected “Only Here” for its 2016 slogan, a phrase intended to celebrate Progressive Field’s memorable moments.

   At the game, Kenny Lofton, Travis Hafner and Bill Selby will be recognized for “Only Here” moments at Jacobs/Progressive Field in which they played a part, including:

   Selby’s walk-off grand slam off Mariano Rivera in 2002, giving the Indians a 10-7 win against the Yankees.

   Hafner’s game-winning walk-off single during the American League Division Series “bug game” in 2007, giving the Indians a 2-1 win over the Yankees and a 2-0 series lead.

   Lofton’s catch in center field to rob B.J Surhoff of a home run on August 4, 1996, and Lofton’s game-winning run in the team’s 12-run comeback against Seattle in 2001.

10. When is the first pitch?
    4:10 p.m.