What’s Happening this Weekend: Phillies-Nationals series, September 9-11

Come cheer on the Phillies as they continue to make their playoff push! On Friday, September 9, the club will begin their three-game series against the Washington Nationals at Citizens Bank Park. Here’s a look at the promotions and fun surrounding the games, as well as other know-before-you-go information.

1. In an effort to raise awareness for childhood cancer, the Phillies are hosting their sixth consecutive Childhood Cancer Awareness Night presented by Nemours Children’s Health on Friday, September 9, before that evening’s 7:05 p.m. game against the Washington Nationals.

The ballpark-wide Go Gold event will honor local children battling cancer, along with their families, during a special pregame ceremony at 6:30 p.m. that includes Phillies and Nationals players and features First Lady of the United States Jill Biden. Through the Biden Administration’s Cancer Moonshot initiative, Dr. Biden works to support cancer patients, survivors, and their loved ones as they navigate their cancer journey. By the end of 2022, it is projected that more than 10,000 children younger than 15 will be diagnosed with cancer in the United States alone, 300,000 globally.

• Youngsters affected by childhood cancer will participate in a “Lineup of Courage,” where they will take the field with Phillies players during the national anthem. Children participating in this experience include those who are receiving treatment from Nemours Children’s Health and other area hospitals, as well as those affiliated with the Kisses for Kyle Foundation, which assists families in the Delaware Valley region who are battling childhood cancer with a variety of programs, services and special events.
• A large Phillies Go Gold yellow ribbon will be stretched across center field, honoring all those who fought and are bravely fighting against childhood cancer. Having the honor of holding the ribbon will be family members whose children lost their battle to cancer. Joining them will be members of the Phillies front office and Nemours Children’s Health.
• Another heartwarming moment will be a ceremonial Go Gold home run, where a local 6-year-old child battling cancer will have the honor of taking a swing and “hitting” a home run, and then rounding the bases, which will be surrounded by Phillies and Nationals players.
• The Phillies are also giving children who are battling cancer the chance to take part in various once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Among them: singing the national anthem and “Take Me Out to the Ballgame,” announcing the starting lineup, throwing a ceremonial first pitch, dancing with the Phanatic, changing a base, guest DJing in the PhanaVision control room, and taking over the team’s Instagram account, among others.
• On-field child participants will also be wearing a Phillies Go Gold T-shirt, created by pitcher Zach Eflin, whose sister Ashley battled leukemia before passing away when she was 7 years old.
• In addition, on-field personnel, including players, managers, coaches and umpires will wear gold ribbon decals and wristbands during the game.
• A portion of the gross proceeds of that night’s Phillies Charities, Inc. 50/50 drawing, presented by DraftKings, will also benefit the Nemours Foundation.
• The night includes a Phillies Go Gold scarf giveaway courtesy of Nemours Children’s Health, which will be given to 2,500 fans who have purchased a special Theme Night ticket offer in advance.

2. It’s GIANT Family Night at Saturday’s 6:05 p.m. game featuring a pregame Block Party on Citizens Bank Way, as well as the Kisses for Kyle Fashion Show in The Yard with Phillies special guests!

• Before entering the ballpark gates, enjoy the fun at the GIANT Family Block Party on Citizens Bank Way, from 3:30 p.m. until 6:05 p.m., featuring a dunk tank, face painting, food sampling and more.
• Children 14 and under will receive a GIANT fleece blanket when entering at the gates.
• Starting at 4:45 p.m., stop by The Yard to cheer on some very special kids taking part in the Phillies’ Kisses for Kyle Fashion Show! Sporting the latest in Phillies fashion will be children from Kisses for Kyle, who will walk the baseline with help from the Phillie Phanatic, Phillies Wives, Phillies Ballgirls and other Phillies celebrities. The Kisses for Kyle Foundation helps families battling childhood cancer in the Delaware Valley.
• Plus, enjoy more pregame fun and music by DJ Qlassic at the Phillies Block Party presented by Bud Light & Seltzer, located at the Budweiser Batter’s Eye Bar behind Section 148.

3. The Phillies are teaming up with Toyota to honor the Second Alarmer’s Association and Rescue Squad of Philadelphia (SARS) on First Responders Day at Sunday’s 1:05 p.m. game.

• Be in your seats at 12:35 p.m. as first responders from SARS, a volunteer organization that has grown to become one of the largest not-for-profit 911 Emergency Medical Service providers in the region, will be recognized on-field during a special pregame tribute. The event will also feature an All-Service Honor Guard.
• Throwing that day’s ceremonial first pitch on behalf of Toyota will be Chief Greg Masi, a SARS volunteer who was among those sent to Ground Zero to assist the New York Police and Fire Departments on September 11, 2001. Chief Masi is about to celebrate 50 years of service in public safety and retired in 2017 after 40 years with the Philadelphia Police Department.
• Being recognized as the Toyota Hometown Hero will be Frank Bachmayer, a member of the Philadelphia Second Alarmers and president of SARS, who will have the honor of changing a base at the end of the third inning. Bachmayer is also a Philadelphia Police Inspector with 40 years of service.
• In addition, local Tri-State Toyota Dealers Association president Paul Muller will present a $5,000 donation to SARS for their work in the community. Accepting on SARS’ behalf will be Chief Masi, Assistant Chief Nick Keck and member Alden Blyth.
• Plus, the first 1,000 fans to purchase a special theme night ticket will receive a voucher for an exclusive Phillies First Responders duffle bag. To purchase a theme night ticket, click here.

4. Final chance to bid on signed memorabilia at the Phillies Wives Save a Pet Online Auction!

• Autographed memorabilia signed by José Alvarado, Alec Bohm, Nick Castellanos, Zach Eflin, Kyle Gibson, Bryce Harper, Rhys Hoskins, Aaron Nola, Kyle Schwarber, Jean Segura and Zack Wheeler are among the items up for bid at phillies.com/auctions until noon on Monday, September 12.
• Proceeds will benefit the Pennsylvania SPCA, whose mission is to rescue animals from cruelty and neglect, rehabilitate them medically and behaviorally, and place them with new, loving families.

Other need-to-know information:

• Mobile Ordering Now Available for Shake Shack. Fans can order their favorite Shake Shack menu items and skip the line when ordering through the Ballpark App. Fans will simply touch the Mobile Ordering tile in the Ballpark App, select their food and beverage choice, and pay using a credit card or Apple Pay/Google Pay.
• Broadcast: All games will be broadcast on NBCSP and available via live stream for authenticated subscribers on NBC Sports Philadelphia’s MyTeams app. The games on 9/9 and 9/10 will broadcast on 94 WIP. The game on 9/11 will broadcast on 1210 WPHT. All games will broadcast on WTTM 1680.
• To Expedite Entry: Guests are prohibited from bringing bags, including backpacks, into the ballpark. Only clutch purses (12”x 12” x 1”), fanny packs, medical bags, clear or solid tote bags and diaper bags will be permitted into Citizens Bank Park.
• Access Tickets & More: Use the free MLB Ballpark app as your guide to Citizens Bank Park to access tickets, forward to friends, use the interactive concourse maps and enjoy games.
• Parking Lots: Parking for Phillies games is cashless. Methods of payment include credit/debit cards and mobile payment (Apple Pay and Google Pay). To expedite entry, pre-paid parking passes may also be purchased prior to the game. Tailgating lots (M, N & O) will open 5 hours prior to first pitch and non-tailgating lots will open 3 hours prior.
• Gate Openings: All gates open 90 minutes before game time.
• Stay Informed! Follow @PhilliesCBP on Twitter and like the official Citizens Bank Park Facebook page.
• Safety Guidelines: In accordance with the City’s safety guidelines, fans are strongly encouraged to wear masks in indoor spaces at the ballpark including the Diamond Club, retail stores, elevators and restrooms. Fans are reminded to bring their own mask if they will be at one of the previously mentioned areas at Citizens Bank Park.