March 31, 2009
KALAMAZOO, Mich. – Notre Dame and Western Michigan will meet in the inaugural “Cereal City Clash,” April 14 at 7 p.m. The game will be held under the lights at C.O. Brown Stadium in Battle Creek, Mich., home of the Battle Creek Bombers of the Northwoods League.
“We are thrilled at the opportunity to play in the professional setting of C.O. Brown Stadium, and would like to thank the folks at the Battle Creek Parks and Recreation Department for helping make this possible,” WMU head coach Randy Ford said. “This is a great chance to showcase Western Michigan and Bronco baseball to the Battle Creek and the surrounding community. We would like to make this an annual event.”
It will be the 130th meeting between Western Michigan and Notre Dame, dating back to May 5, 1916. The all-time series is tied between the two schools, 64-64-1, however the Broncos won last year’s outing, 6-4, in South Bend.
The “Cereal City Clash,” hosted by the Battle Creek Parks and Recreation Department, will serve as the opening night of the 2009 season at C.O. Brown Stadium, which is also celebrating its 20th anniversary.
“We are excited and honored to have two great programs coming to Battle Creek to help celebrate the 20th anniversary of C. O. Brown Stadium,” said Terry Newton of the BCPR. “We look to have a great game and a great crowd on hand to see some outstanding Division I baseball.”
Western Michigan is offering 100 free tickets to the game, as well as free student admission. Both students and fans wishing to receive free admission must obtain their ticket through the WMU Ticket Office in person, or by phone, (269) 387-8062. Additional tickets will be available through the WMU Ticket Office, the Battle Creek Parks and Recreation Department, (269) 966-3431, or at the gate the day of the game for $2 a person or $1 per ticket if purchasing quantities of 20 or more.
In November 2007, Bailey Park and C.O. Brown Stadium was awarded the 2007 United States Specialty Sports Association Complex of the Year Award presented at the USSSA National Meeting in Daytona Beach, Florida. Presented annually to one facility in the country, there are a number of requirements that a complex must meet to qualify. Requirements for the award include: full participation with USSSA, a proven history of hosting and running quality events, a high number of participating teams, outstanding facilities and top notch grounds crew.
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