ROCK HILL, S.C. –   As the home openers for Winthrop baseball and softball draw near, Winthrop Athletics announced Thursday a new feature at The Winthrop Ballpark and Terry Softball Complex this season, the sale of beer and wine at concessions stands inside the stadiums. 

Winthrop's concessionaire partner Sodexo will administer all sales, which will be open to fans over the age of 21 years old who present a legal and accepted form of identification. At baseball sales will end at the beginning of the bottom of the seventh inning, while at softball sales will end at the start of the fifth inning (fifth inning of the second game for a doubleheader.) All alcohol will be poured and served in plastic cups.
 
"We are always looking for new ways to improve the gameday experience for our fans," said Dr. Ken Halpin, Winthrop's vice president of intercollegiate athletics. "We are running this as a trial program and if successful, we intend to expand the program to events at the Coliseum. We are committed to ensuring all of our fans enjoy their time at Winthrop sporting events, and also do so in a safe and responsible manner."

The Winthrop baseball home opener is slated for Fri., Feb. 15 as the Eagles host Toledo for a weekend series. Winthrop softball begins its home slate on Fri., Mar.15 in a weekend series with Longwood.