Ready for the Boise Hawks’ season? ‘Incredible changes’ for fans on tap, team says

The Boise Hawks baseball team is set to begin its second season in the Pioneer League on Wednesday with a three-game road trip to Idaho Falls.

The Hawks joined the Pioneer League in December 2020 after losing their affiliation when Major League Baseball reduced its number of minor league teams by 25 percent.

Boise won 50 games and claimed the Pioneer League’s Southern Division title last year. The club fell to the Missoula Paddleheads in the championship series.

The Hawks will welcome Idaho Falls to town for their first home series beginning Saturday. That will kick off nine straight home games for Boise, including a six-game series against the Ogden Raptors.

Here’s what you need to know if you plan to follow the Hawks this season.

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New at Memorial Stadium

The Hawks have announced several upgrades to the fan experience this year, including an improved mobile app that will include scores, schedules, rosters and links to buy tickets and merchandise.

At Memorial Stadium, the club will debut its newly constructed beer garden, known as The Garden, which is located on the concourse in right field. The Project Filter Kids Zone — a child-friendly play area — has been relocated to the concourse in left field.

The Hawks team store got a face-lift in the offseason and was moved to field level, right behind home plate. Pitch speeds will be displayed throughout the game on the scoreboard this season, and two misting tents have been installed for fans who want to escape the heat during the summer months.

The Hawks also teamed up with Payette Brewing to create a signature beer known as “Bases Loaded Lager,” which will be served at all home games.

“The entire front office staff has been hard at work identifying, creating and executing awesome fan experience improvements to the ballpark,” Boise Hawks general manager Mike Van Hise said in a statement. “We’re extremely proud of what we’ve been able to do and truly look forward to inviting our fans out on opening night to experience these incredible changes.”

‘Smalls’ is coming

The Hawks have a long list of promotions planned for home games this season, including a fireworks show that will follow every Friday game at Memorial Stadium, beginning June 3.

The club will celebrate the 60th anniversary of the movie “The Sandlot” by welcoming Tom Guiry, who played Scotty Smalls in the movie, to the stadium on Saturday, June 4.

Following a home game against Grand Junction on July 23, fans will get treated to a state-of-the-art drone show. A Boise Hawks manager Gary Van Tol bobblehead giveaway is scheduled for June 18, and Blitz the Bat Dog will retrieve bats in home games held on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

The Hawks will also continue their tradition of temporarily rebranding themselves as the Boise Papas Fritas in six games this season. Players will wear customized uniforms and hats, and events are planned to celebrate and strengthen the club’s bond with the Hispanic community, the Hawks said in a news release. Those games are scheduled for May 31, June 15, July 14, July 24, Aug. 29 and Sept. 9.

Boise also has a long list of daily promotions scheduled, including Bark in the Park Tuesdays, when fans are encouraged to bring their dogs. Feed Your Face Wednesday features an all-you-can-eat menu that will be available until the 4th inning, and draft beer and Pepsi products are only $2 on Thirsty Thursday.

For a complete list of this year’s promotions, go to BoiseHawks.com.

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Players to watch

The Hawks return the bulk of their pitching staff from last year, including Matt Dallas — who went 9-4 with a team-high 123 strikeouts last season — and former Boise State pitcher Mitch Lines, who went 7-3. Closer Zach Penrod is also back after registering 85 strikeouts in 68.1 innings last year.

Boise’s batting order is a different story. The club had four players finish last season with more than 100 hits: Myles Miller (131), Wladimir Galindo (124), Roby Enriquez (108) and Jason Dicochea (104). All four are gone.

Infielder Tyler Jorgensen is back after he posted 95 hits and 50 RBIs last season, and former Boise State catcher Myles Harris returns after a season in which he had 45 hits, six home runs and 27 RBIs.

Harris and Lines aren’t the only former Boise State players on the roster. Pitchers Jay Baggs, Gavin Gorrell and Matt Gabbert, and outfielder Jayce Bailey also will suit up for the Hawks this summer.

Boise State relaunched its baseball program after a nearly four-decade hiatus in 2020, but the university cut baseball and swimming in July 2020, citing budget concerns.