TOLEDO, Ohio — Get ready to cheer on the world famous Toledo Mud Hens!
With the beginning of spring comes the beginning of baseball season. Opening Day at Fifth Third Field is set to kick off on Friday, March 29 at 4:05 p.m. to begin a series with the Nashville Sounds.
It will also be a doubleheader weekend as the Toledo Walleye are at home as well with games on Friday and Saturday at 7:15 p.m.
This is just the fifth Friday to host Opening Day in Fifth Third Field history. Last season's Opening Day was also held on a Friday.
It's an event known as the biggest party in Toledo, so here's what you need to know for Opening Day and the rest of the 2024 Mud Hens season:
Tickets
The Mud Hens are offering various ticket packages for this season's Opening Day.
They are holding their first-ever Opening Day fish fry. For $50, you'll get a ticket to the game plus access to a fish dinner.
The Hens also have an Opening Day beer bash ticket package available. The $45 bundle includes a game ticket and three, 12-ounce beers in the Home Run Terrace in the outfield of Fifth Third Field.
For all ticket options available, click HERE.
Fifth Third Field cashless venue
The Mud Hens announced that Fifth Third Field will be a completely cashless venue for this season.
Only debit and credit cards will be accepted as payment throughout the ballpark.
The Mud Hens said that mobile payment methods such as ApplePay and Google Pay will be accepted at concessions and The Swamp Shop.
Doubleheader
As we mentioned, it's a doubleheader weekend with the Mud Hens and Walleye both at home in what's being called a "Fins and Feathers" weekend.
To celebrate the occasion, the Mud Hens are offering packages that include tickets to both events that can be purchased at this link.
The Mud Hens play the Nashville Sounds for their weekend series. The Walleye play the Wheeling Nailers on Friday and the Indy Fuel on Saturday.
Schedule
For the third consecutive season, the Mud Hens will have a new manager on Opening Day. This year, Tim Federowicz takes over for Anthony Iapoce who was promoted to the first base coach for the Detroit Tigers.
The Hens will play 75 home games over the course of the 2024 season. 39 of those 75 games will be played on a Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
While the Mud Hens will be on the road for Memorial Day Weekend and for Independence Day on July 4, they are home on Labor Day on Monday, Sept. 2 for a 4:05 p.m. start against Indianapolis.
Parking
FanPark is the official parking authority for the Mud Hens. There are two fully-staffed locations nearby - under the Glass City Center off Monroe Street and the surface lot at the corner of Washington and Summit streets.
There are also 950 parking meters downtown and thousands of paid parking spaces at downtown garages and surface lots within a few blocks of the stadium. Prices vary.
Promotional events
The Mud Hens released their 2024 promotional schedule in January that featured fan favorites returning, as well as some new theme nights for fans to enjoy.
There will be nine fireworks shows, nine Sunday family days, 15 Hensville live concerts and seven Hens and Hounds nights.
Some theme nights include Harry Potter: Back to Hogwarts, Christmas Vacation, Margaritaville, Star Wars and more.