Summer nights at the ballpark are basically a religious experience in West Virginia. But if you’re looking for the black bears baseball schedule to plan your June or July, things look a little different this year than they used to.
Honestly, the West Virginia Black Bears have undergone a massive shift since their days as a Pittsburgh Pirates affiliate. Now a cornerstone of the MLB Draft League, the rhythm of the season is split into two distinct halves. It’s not just a straight run of games anymore. You’ve got a mix of hungry amateur prospects in June and seasoned pros taking over the roster by mid-July.
If you just show up at Kendrick Family Ballpark expecting the same old minor league grind, you might be surprised by the intensity of these draft-eligible kids trying to secure a life-changing phone call in July.
The 2026 West Virginia Black Bears Schedule Breakdown
The 2026 season officially kicks off on Tuesday, June 2.
The Black Bears start their campaign on the road against the Williamsport Crosscutters. It’s a three-game set that sets the tone for the first half of the season. If you’re waiting for the home opener in Morgantown, circle Tuesday, June 9 on your calendar. That’s when the Trenton Thunder rolls into Wagener Field at Kendrick Family Ballpark.
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First Half: The Amateur Showcase (June 2 – July 5)
During this window, the schedule is packed with 30 games featuring top-tier college and high school talent. These players are essentially auditioning for MLB scouts right in front of you.
- June 19-21: A huge weekend home stand against Team Mexico. International play adds a weirdly cool energy to the Draft League that you don't get in standard Low-A ball.
- June 30: The Williamsport Crosscutters return to Morgantown for a midweek series.
- July 5: The first half concludes. This is the "cutoff" where the amateurs head off to the MLB Draft.
Second Half: The Professional Push (July 8 – September 1)
Once the draft is over, the rosters flip. The second half features professional players—guys who have exhausted their college eligibility or are looking for a way back into affiliated ball. This half is longer, featuring 50 games and a much more "win-now" atmosphere.
The Black Bears host the Mahoning Valley Scrappers for a three-game weekend set starting July 10, right as the professional rosters take the field.
Key Home Dates and Promotions
You can’t talk about the black bears baseball schedule without mentioning Banana Ball.
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On June 12 and 13, Kendrick Family Ballpark is going to be absolutely electric. The Savannah Bananas style of play is coming to town, and those tickets are notoriously harder to find than a foul ball in the bleachers. If you didn't get into the lottery for those, you’ll have to rely on the secondary market, which, frankly, can be a headache.
For the regulars, Friday nights usually mean fireworks. The team has scheduled multiple "Friday Night Firework" displays, specifically on June 19 and August 14 against the Aberdeen IronBirds.
The season ends at home with a series against the State College Spikes from August 24-26, leading into the final road trip. The regular season officially wraps up on September 1, with the Championship Game scheduled for September 2.
What’s Different This Year?
One thing that catches people off guard is the inclusion of the Aberdeen IronBirds.
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Aberdeen recently joined the MLB Draft League after years of being the High-A affiliate for the Baltimore Orioles. Their addition has shifted the travel schedule for the Black Bears. You'll see them in Morgantown for several key series, including a mid-June tilt from June 16-18 and a late-season clash in mid-August.
Also, it's worth noting that the Cowlitz Black Bears in the West Coast League—often confused with the West Virginia squad—actually folded. They won't be playing in 2026. So, if you were looking for games in Longview, Washington, those dates have been replaced by the Marion Berries in that league's rotation.
How to Handle Tickets
The box office in Morgantown has shifted almost entirely to digital.
Kinda annoying if you like keeping paper stubs, but that’s the reality now. You can grab Single Game Tickets through the MyProVenue portal. If you’re a local, the Flex Packs are actually a better deal. They let you pick 10 or 20 games without committing to a full season ticket, which is great because let’s face it, West Virginia weather in June can be unpredictable.
- Digital First: Use the MLB Draft League app or the team website.
- Gate Times: Gates typically open an hour before first pitch, but for the Banana Ball dates, you'll want to be there much earlier.
- Parking: Wagener Field shares space with the university, so check the WVU event schedule if the Bears are playing a midweek day game.
Actionable Steps for Fans
To make the most of the 2026 season, start by downloading the printable PDF schedule directly from the West Virginia Black Bears official site. This helps you track the "First Half" vs "Second Half" roster changes, which is vital if you're a scout or just a hardcore stat nerd.
Check the promotional calendar specifically for the "Silver Sluggers" or "Kids’ Club" days if you’re bringing the family. These games usually offer discounted concessions or post-game run-the-bases events that aren't available during the high-stakes professional games in August. Finally, if you're planning on attending the June 12-13 games, verify your ticket source immediately, as those dates are strictly controlled to prevent scalping.