NORTH PLATTE, NE – The Independence League’s North Platte Plainsmen today released the team’s 2022 schedule, the inaugural season of play for the newest team in the Great Plains region’s summer collegiate baseball landscape.
The regular season begins Tuesday, May 24 as the Plainsmen open at North Platte’s Historic Bill Wood Field, hosting the Western Nebraska Pioneers (Gering, NE) in the first of a three-game set. The Plainsmen are scheduled to play 34 home games during the 2022 summer season, including visits from non-league opponents the Broomfield (CO) BarnOwls and Boulder (CO) Collegians, in addition to ILB teams from Nebraska, Wyoming and Idaho.
A highlight of the summer will be the first visit to North Platte of the traveling U.S. Military All-Stars, a team of active duty players from all branches of the Armed Forces. The team will play the Plainsmen on Friday, July 8 and the Plainsmen will wear special jerseys for the game. The jerseys will be auctioned to raise funds for local veteran and military family organizations.
“Starting a new team from the ground up and joining a new community means an exciting time for us,” Plainsmen Operating Owner Chuck Heeman said. “The formation of the Independence League has allowed us to bring summer ball to North Platte and the great teamwork we’ve had from the City of North Platte and Post 163 Legion Baseball has been amazing. We plan to put on a show every night we play and we invite the community to join us.
“Securing a visit from the U.S. Military All-Stars is huge for us and for our community. We hope to make it an annual event, adding to the fun and excitement our fans get when they visit Bill Wood Field. Coach (JM) Kelly has what appears to be a great team put together, now it’s up to us to entertain our fans. We have a lot to live up to here and we look forward to a great summer of family entertainment and the best in summer baseball.”
The full 2022 schedule is as follows, and can be found at www.northplatteplainsmen.com:
