WILMINGTON, North Carolina - The 2011 baseball season opens Friday at Brooks Field and UNCW Athletics is offering a special tailgating permit to allow fans to gather prior to games in an area behind the centerfield wall at the facility.

      Permits are available to Seahawk Club members who purchase season tickets and Seahawk Club members who have an all-sports pass. The price is $125 for the regular season only and permits must be purchased in advance.

      Tailgating will be allowed in the designated area behind Brooks Field only. The area may be accessed on Riegel Road.

      Each permit is allotted one parking space within the designated area. Pop-up tents and grills are permitted in the space.

      The designated tailgating lot will open two hours before the first pitch and close at the conclusion of the National Anthem. Tailgating is not permitted before Noon on Sunday.

      The tailgating guidelines are available at UNCWsports.com and will be strictly enforced. Permits may be purchased daily from Adam Keen, assistant director of the Seahawk Club, in the UNCW Athletics office in the Nixon Annex. For more information, contact Keen at 910-962-2129.

      The Seahawks kick off the 2011 campaign on Friday with a 4 p.m. date against visiting Jacksonville.