MLB announces ceremonial & off-field activities for Game 2 of the 2019 World Series presented by YouTube TV
Major League Baseball today announced the ceremonial & off-field activities for Game 2 of the 2019 World Series presented by YouTube TV. The 115th Fall Classic between the American League Champion Houston Astros and the National League Champion Washington Nationals continues tonight, Wednesday, October 23rd, at Minute Maid Park with LIVE coverage beginning at 7:30 p.m. ET on FOX, FOX Deportes and ESPN Radio. All games exclusively covered by FOX will be available to MLB.TV subscribers who are authenticated subscribers to the applicable network through a participating pay TV provider. ESPN Radio will provide live national coverage of all 2019 World Series games.
FALL CLASSIC LEGACY EVENT @ TEXAS CHILDREN’S: Prior to Game 2, MLB and the Astros unveiled plans for a dedicated waiting room space specially designed for teens undergoing treatment at Texas Children’s Cancer and Hematology Centers. The gathering space will meet the unique needs of teens receiving both inpatient and outpatient care. Texas Children's is a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to create a healthier future for children and women throughout our global community by leading in patient care, education and research. It is consistently ranked and recognized as one of America's best children's hospitals, and is the largest pediatric hospital in the nation, providing medical care in more than 40 pediatric subspecialties. (Photo: Alex Trautwig, MLB Photos)
HANK AARON AWARD: The winners of the 2019 Hank Aaron Award will be acknowledged prior to Game 2, with an on-field trophy presentation featuring Hall of Famer Hank Aaron.
NATIONAL ANTHEM PERFORMANCE: The National Anthem for Game 2 will be performed by US Air Force Airman First Class Leah Fox.
CEREMONIAL FIRST PITCH: The Ceremonial First Pitch for Game 2 will be thrown by Houston native and Olympic Gold Medalist Simone Biles.
“PLAY BALL!”: Houston native, Olympic Medalist and World Champion Boxer Marlen Esparza will call “Play Ball!” prior to the game’s first pitch.
“BARRIER BREAKER” ATTENDING GAME 2 WITH SHARON ROBINSON: Eliza Smith, now a 9th grader from Surgoinsville, Tenn., will be recognized alongside Sharon Robinson prior to Game 2 for being a grand prize winner of the 2019 Breaking Barriers: In Sports, In Life essay contest. Eliza was one of two grand prize winners, selected out of thousands of essays written from around the United States, Puerto Rico and Canada. In her essay, Eliza described her battle with anorexia nervosa, a potentially life-threatening eating disorder, and how she relied on persistence to overcome her inner turmoil and conflict barrier. The essay contest is the central component of the Breaking Barriers educational program, led by Major League Baseball, Scholastic, and Sharon Robinson. Breaking Barriers is designed to educate students in grades four through nine about the values demonstrated by Jackie Robinson as he broke baseball’s color barrier in 1947, and how to apply them to their own lives. Eliza’s winning essay available by request.
GAME BALL DELIVERY: Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Houston’s Aaron Navarro, 15, will deliver the game ball for Game 2. Navarro is a student at Wharton High School, where he plays outfield for his freshman baseball team. His favorite player is Jose Altuve.
BUDWEISER LEGENDARY MOMENTS AWARD: The inaugural “Budweiser Legendary Moments Award” will be presented to the player who provided the most momentous performance of the 2019 Postseason leading into the World Series.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY DURING WORLD SERIES: MLB will continue to be sustainability-focused at its jewel events through the following environmentally responsible practices:
• Local Green Teams will work with the host Club to walk through the aisles between innings to collect recyclables and raise awareness for what fans can do in their everyday lives to be more “green.”
• All water and energy used at the ballparks during World Series will be offset through a partnership with the Bonneville Environmental Foundation
• MLB will provide reusable water bottles and water filtration systems to broadcast crews with FOX and MLB Network working the World Series, eliminating the single use of thousands of plastic water bottles.
KULTURECITY REPRESENTED AT FALL CLASSIC CITIES: KultureCity will be at both Minute Maid Park and Nationals Park this World Series. KultureCity is the leading nonprofit that advocates for those with sensory challenges such as autism and post-traumatic stress disorder. A mobile sensory room will be on the concourse at both ballparks (Right Field Gate at Minute Maid Park and Section 109 at Nationals Park). KultureCity trained volunteers will be on-site to assist any guests and provide information on the organization. In addition, Sensory Bags filled with noise cancelling headphones, fidget tools and other sensory calming devices will be distributed.