High prices at the gas pump have had an impact on nearly every American. Now it's hitting home with the national pastime.

The Augusta GreenJackets' 2009 schedule is part of a travel-friendly season of Class A baseball throughout the South Atlantic League. The league's schedule has taken a dramatic turn toward geographic rivals instead of balanced competition.

The GreenJackets, who will open the season on April 9 in Savannah, will face their four closest opponents -- the Sand Gnats, Greenville Drive, Asheville Tourists and Charleston RiverDogs -- a combined 63 times over the 140-game season. They'll also play the Rome Braves 23 times, including a stretch of nine consecutive games from June 18 through June 29.

"The league has made a conscious effort to cut down on travel," GreenJackets general manager Nick Brown said.

"If you look at it, we play teams like Charleston and Savannah a lot more than in the past. With these rising gas prices it's especially a relief."

The new approach will also mean longer homestands. The GreenJackets' home opener on April 16 will mark the beginning of a nine-game stretch, longer than any in 2008. The summer schedule includes two other nine-game homestands, although one will be sandwiched around the July 23 All-Star Game.

For the second season in a row, the GreenJackets have a favorable holiday schedule.

Lake Olmstead Stadium will play host to games on Memorial Day and Labor Day. The GreenJackets will be on the road July 4, but the team will celebrate the Independence Day weekend with a July 3 home game.

"That's a new guideline this year that the league wants to follow," Brown said. "They want every team to have a home game on either the third or fourth (of July). We're fine with it on the third, because we won't have to compete with the downtown fireworks. We'll be the only show in town that night."