The Phillies return to Citizens Bank Park this weekend to play the San Francisco Giants (June 2-4). Below is what's planned around this series; plus, prepare for your visit by checking out What's New at the Ballpark in food, fashion and fandom.
On Friday, June 2, the 14th annual African American Heritage Celebration in honor of Black Music month will take place at the 7:05 p.m. Phillies-Giants game. Fans are invited to be in their seats by 6:30 p.m. for great music and entertainment:
During the game, ODUNDE365 and PHRESH will perform on-field with the Phanatic and a life-like wooden Jackie Robinson statue by sculptor Brian Birrer will be on display in Ashburn Alley.
It's Play Ball Weekend, proudly supported by Chevrolet, in support of youth baseball and softball programming! On Saturday, June 3, the Phillies will hold a Youth Baseball and Softball Celebration with over 2,700 youth ballplayers and coaches parading in uniform on-field pregame beginning at 3:00 p.m.
In recognition of Play Ball Weekend, nine lucky youngsters will be randomly selected to exchange their caps with a Phillies player on-field.
The Phillies will also be celebrating Play Ball Weekend by hosting a Baseball Tomorrow Fund Equipment Collection Drive to benefit Pitch In For Baseball. Equipment collection bins will be located at all gates for new and gently-used baseball and softball equipment until the third inning.
Philanthropist Mike Milken, founder & chairman of the Prostate Cancer Foundation, will throw out the ceremonial first pitch in honor of prostate cancer awareness prior to the 4:05 p.m. Phillies game against the Giants.
Also on Saturday, the Phillies are holding the 33rd annual Deaf Awareness Night. Be on the lookout for the Deaf Hearing Communication Centre Choir signing the National Anthem alongside the Kennett Middle School Choir.
Grammy-nominated band The Avett Brothers will be performing this season's first on-field, postgame concert at Citizens Bank Park on Saturday, June 3. The event will take place approximately take 25 minutes after that night's game.
Each game ticket is also a concert ticket - no additional purchase is required to attend the postgame concert.
All children 14 and under will receive a pair of youth Maikel Franco batting gloves courtesy of Tastykake on Sunday, June 4 at the 1:35 p.m. Phillies-Giants game.
Sunday is also Sesame Place Day! Elmo will throw out the first pitch as he is cheered on by Abby Cadabby and Cookie Monster. Sesame Place will host a meet and greet with Elmo, Abby Cadabby and Cookie Monster at the Phanatic Phun Zone, located near the First Base Gate, when all gates open at 12:05 p.m.
Also happening on Sunday, 9-year-old baseball fan Matthew "Matty" Curtiss will receive a special VIP pregame, on-field visit to Citizens Bank Park with Major League Baseball umpires courtesy of UMPS CARE Charities and the Casey Cares Foundation, which provides uplifting and ongoing programs for families with critically ill children. Matty, from Williamstown, New Jersey, is battling cystic fibrosis and kidney disease and has been treated at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.
Gate Openings: Ashburn Alley opens two hours prior to game time; all gates open one and a half hours prior to game time.
Fandom: Check-in using Ballpark, Citizens Bank Park's official mobile app, to receive special offers for retail, concessions and more. Also, follow the action via @Phillies on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Snapchat.
Broadcast: For the most up-to-date TV broadcast schedule, please go to Phillies.com. MLB.TV and SportsRadio 94WIP will host all games during the season. CSN Philly will stream the games, as well as the pre- and post-game shows, on www.csnphilly.com and on the NBC Sports app.
Traffic: Please monitor traffic to avoid any road closures and/or delays. Log on to www.511pa.com, www.511nj.org or call 511 from any phone to check traffic conditions. Transit services are also available; for a SEPTA schedule please visit www.septa.org.