Pork belly tacos and a new garage: Things to know as the Columbia Fireflies season opens
Baseball fans will encounter some new options both inside and outside of Segra Park as the Columbia Fireflies open the 2022 season this weekend.
The Fireflies, a Class A affiliate of the Kansas City Royals, will open their season with a trio of games against the Augusta GreenJackets (an Atlanta Braves affiliate) at Segra Park in the BullStreet District. The Friday, April 8, opening night game will begin at 7:05 p.m.; Saturday’s contest will start at 6:05 p.m.; and Sunday’s game will be at 5:05 p.m.
This will be the first full season of games for the Fireflies since 2019. The 2020 campaign was wiped out by the COVID-19 pandemic, and the minor leagues played a shortened season in 2021.
Fireflies President Brad Shank, who is in his first year in that role after previously serving as the team’s executive vice president, said the team’s staff is ready to launch into the season.
“We are just excited to have a little bit more of a normal season,” Shank told The State. “At this point last year, we had just gotten our schedule and were still looking at the possibility of needing to be at a (reduced) capacity (because of COVID). So, to see where we are a year later is astounding in itself. We are ready get back to some normalcy and have a much more normal year from that standpoint.”
As the Fireflies begin their season, here are some things to know before you head out to Segra Park for opening weekend.
There are some new food options: The Fireflies have long offered the various ballpark staples — hot dogs, burgers, beer, pizza, popcorn, soda, ice cream, Cracker Jack, etc. — at their concession stands and carts sprinkled throughout the ballpark. But there are some new items slipping onto the menu this year.
Up on the suite level, there will be what Shank calls a “mega Bavarian pretzel” for sale. Basically, it’s a giant soft pretzel — the size of a pizza — that will come with several dipping sauces.
Meanwhile, at the Super Gyro cart on the main concourse, pork souvlaki on a stick will make its debut. It will be served with a side of pita bread and a tzatziki sauce.
Then, over at the Street Taco stand on the main concourse, the new item on the menu will be pork belly tacos with Korean barbecue sauce.
Fireworks and other fun stuff: The skies will light up over Segra Park a couple times on opening weekend. There are fireworks shows scheduled after the games on Friday and Saturday night.
Then, on Sunday, Fireflies’ players will be signing autographs for about 15 minutes just after the gates open at 4 p.m. Children also will be able to run the bases after Sunday’s game.
There’s a new parking garage for the games: For the first time, fans will have the opportunity to park in a garage for Fireflies games. The city of Columbia recently finished construction on a 657-space garage on Freed Street, just southwest of Segra Park, a short walk from the stadium.
The team notes there are two entrances to the garage, one from Freed Street and the second one accessible from Colonial Drive. Parking is $5, debit or credit cards only. Overflow parking will be across Colonial Drive in the state lots.
It will be a “cashless” experience: Fireflies games will be a cashless affair in 2022. All major credit and debit cards are accepted at points of sale in the ballpark, including at the box office, concession stands and carts, in the team store and elsewhere.
Fans who bring cash will be able to convert that cash into Fireflies gift cards at the guest services desk at any point during the game.
Make sure your bag is clear: Like many sports and entertainment venues these days, Segra Park has a clear bag policy. So leave that Gucci purse at home. (Unless you have a clear Gucci purse.) Fans are allowed to bring one clear bag into the stadium.
More details on the clear bag rules can be found on the team’s website.
Get your tickets: You can get tickets for this weekend’s games at the team’s box office or online at www.firefliestickets.com. Single game tickets range from $5 to $24.
This story was originally published April 6, 2022 at 12:04 PM.
