The Lexington Legends will begin a new era in their history when they open the 2013 home season Monday, April 8 at Whitaker Bank Ballpark against the Asheville Tourists. 

On that night, the Legends will play in front of the home fans for the first time as an affiliate of the Kansas City Royals.  The Legends and Royals recently announced an agreement on a four-year player development contract.  The Legends had been affiliated with the Houston Astros since the Lexington team began play in 2001.  The Legends will continue to play in the class A South Atlantic League, but will have an all-new roster in 2013 made up of players under contract with the Kansas City organization. The Legends have also adopted new logos and uniform styles for 2013. (photo gallery)

“We can’t wait for the 2013 season to arrive,” said Legends General Manager Seth Poteat.  “It promises to be one of the most exciting in the history of the Legends!  I’m really excited for our fans throughout central Kentucky to see the great talent within the Royals organization.  We’ll have new logos, caps and uniforms, and as always, we’ll have a fantastic promotional schedule which we will release in the coming months. “

The Legends will play 15 home games in April, 15 in May, nine in June, 14 in July, 15 in August and two in September.

More daytime baseball is on the schedule for 2013.  Wednesday home games will begin at 12:05 p.m., with three exceptions:  Education Day games April 10 and May 15 will begin at 10:05 a.m., and the Wednesday, July 3 game will begin at 7:05 p.m. in order to celebrate Independence Day with fireworks after the game.  There is also an Education Day game Monday, April 29 at 10:05 a.m.

All Sunday home games will begin at 1:35 p.m.   All other home games are scheduled to begin at 7:05 p.m., except for the final game of the season, which will begin at 12:05 p.m. on Labor Day, September 2.

The 70-game home season includes 11 full weekends at home (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays). 

In addition to Asheville, an affiliate of the Colorado Rockies, other opponents who will visit Whitaker Bank Ballpark are the Greenville Drive (an affiliate of the Boston Red Sox), the Augusta GreenJackets (San Francisco Giants), the West Virginia Power (Pittsburgh Pirates), the Kannapolis Intimidators (Chicago White Sox), and the Hagerstown Suns (Washington Nationals).

Also scheduled to visit are the Rome Braves (Atlanta Braves), Savannah Sand Gnats (New York Mets), Greensboro Grasshoppers (Miami Marlins) and the Delmarva Shorebirds (Baltimore Orioles).

The home schedule will be filled with a variety of promotions, entertainment and giveaways, as well as special nights to support charitable causes.  Details will be announced later.

For more information, call the Legends box office at (859) 422-7867 or visit www.lexingtonlegends.com.