New York Yankees to Open 2008 Major League Spring Training Schedule on March 1

New York Yankees will play exhibition at Virginia Tech on March 18

12/03/2007 -- The 26-time World Champion New York Yankees will open their 2008 Major League spring training schedule on Saturday, March 1, at 1:05 p.m. vs. the Philadelphia Phillies at Bright House Networks Field in Clearwater. In addition to playing 29 spring games against Major League opposition, the New York Yankees will play the University of South Florida on Friday, February 29, at 1:15 p.m. at Legends Field in Tampa and Virginia Tech on Tuesday, March 18, at 3:00 p.m. in Blacksburg, Va.

"Since the tragedy of last April 16, the Virginia Tech family has shown great strength and resilience and have committed themselves to the healing process while looking ahead to their future," said New York Yankees senior vice president and general manager Brian Cashman. "We bring the New York Yankees to Blacksburg this spring to celebrate the start of a new year for the Virginia Tech family and ours."

Following the Yankees' Legends Field opener vs. the University of South Florida, the Yankees' first home spring training game against Major League opposition will be on Sunday, March 2, at 1:15 p.m. vs. the Philadelphia Phillies at Legends Field. There are 15 total home exhibition games (12 day/three night) against 10 opponents, including five American League rivals (the Minnesota Twins, Tampa Bay Rays, Toronto Blue Jays, Cleveland Indians and Boston Red Sox), four National League clubs (the Philadelphia Phillies, Houston Astros, Cincinnati Reds and Pittsburgh Pirates) and the University of South Florida.

Legends Field capacity has increased to 11,076 with the addition of the newly-constructed, 539-seat Tampa Tribune Deck in right field. Seats in the Tampa Tribune Deck will be available for purchase for 2008 spring training games and for the 2008 Tampa Yankees regular season schedule.

Season tickets for the Yankees' complete 2008 home exhibition schedule are now on sale. Individual-game spring tickets will go on sale in January. For information, fans should visit www.legendsfieldtampa.com.

Source: MLB