SAN DIEGO - The San Diego Padres today announced details surrounding the 2018 Opening Series presented by Sycuan Casino against the Milwaukee Brewers, including Opening Day on Thursday, March 29, when left-handed pitcher Clayton Richard takes the mound for his 2018 debut.
The 2018 season gets underway on Opening Day on Thursday, March 29, with first pitch scheduled for 1:10 p.m. Every fan in attendance will receive a Padres Opening Day Hat presented by Sycuan Casino.
Thursday's pregame ceremony will feature all the pageantry of Opening Day, including a presentation by the United States Navy Parachute Team known as the "Leap Frogs" and the unfurling of the Holiday Bowl Big Flag, held by sailors from Navy Region Southwest. The Ceremonial Bell will be rung by United States Marine Corps Captain James Henning and the National Anthem will be performed by Jackie Foster, a native of San Diego and a 2018 contestant on NBC's show The Voice. The Anthem will be followed by a flyover performed by four F-18 Superhornets from the 3^rd Marine Aircraft Wing. Former Padres closer and Class of 2018 Baseball Hall of Fame inductee Trevor Hoffman will throw the Ceremonial First Pitch. In addition, Petty Officer First Class Yarrick Sharod Conner of the U.S. Navy will perform God Bless America prior to the 7^th inning stretch
With a sellout crowd expected on Thursday, fans attending the home opener are advised to enter the ballpark early and pre-purchase parking. Fans will be able to purchase parking for off-site locations, including the San Diego Convention Center and Bayfront Hilton, by visiting here. Guests without pre-purchased parking passes are encouraged to utilize public transportation or Uber, the preferred ride share partner of the Padres. Uber is providing fans a free first ride (up to $15) by using code: PETCOPARK.
All Petco Park gates will open at 10:30 a.m. on Opening Day. This will afford fans the opportunity to watch the Padres take batting practice. Home team batting practice begins at approximately 10:30 a.m., followed by visitors' batting practice at approximately 11:35 a.m. Fans should be in their seats no later than 12:30 p.m., so as not to miss a moment of the 2018 Opening Day pregame ceremony.
Continuing this year, standard Petco Park security procedures, including walk-through metal detectors, will be in place for every game. All fans must be screened as they enter the ballpark. Fans also will continue to have their bags checked by ballpark security staff prior to reaching entry gates and going through metal detectors. Express Entry lines will be available at all main gates for fans without bags and dedicated entrances are available for Season Ticket Members at the Home Plate and Park Blvd. Gates. Additional information, including a list of items that are permitted and prohibited at Petco Park, can be found here.
The San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) will offer additional "Special Event" trolley service from SDCCU Stadium (with 5,000 free parking spots) and Mission Valley stations to the ballpark area. All three Trolley Lines-Green, Blue and Orange-offer direct service to Petco Park and increased service following the game. The North County Transit District (NCTD) will offer extra Coaster service with trains departing from Oceanside Station at 9:37 a.m. and 11:08 a.m. Free parking is available at all North County Coaster stations and RegionPlus Day fares include free trolley connections. After the game, a northbound Coaster train will leave Santa Fe Depot 60 minutes after the last out. The Amtrak Pacific Surfliner also offers service to Santa Fe Depot and is a proud partner of the Padres in 2018. For more information and updates, visit the Petco Park transportation page here.
Game two of the Opening Series presented by Sycuan Casino will feature the first Party in the Park presented by Southwest Airlines of the 2018 season as the Padres face the Brewers at 7:10 p.m. Party in the Park is a big pregame happy hour in Park at the Park from 4:30-7:00 p.m. featuring $5 drink specials and live entertainment. Friday's Party in the Park theme will be WineFest, featuring red and white wines from local and regional wineries and providing fans the opportunity to purchase a theme game ticket package including a Padres-themed wine stopper. First Responder Opening Day will also take place on Friday, with Deputy Roland Garza of the San Diego County Sheriff's Department performing the National Anthem and the family of fallen CAL-Fire firefighter Cory Iverson throwing the Ceremonial First Pitch. The first 15,000 fans in attendance will receive a Padres & Puppies Calendar presented by Petco.
The first Baseball Night in San Diego will take place on Saturday, highlighted by an all-fan giveaway and postgame entertainment. All fans in attendance will receive a Fleece Blanket presented by Sycuan Casino and are encouraged to stick around after the game for a Postgame Laser Show set to Top-40s hits. Infielder Eric Hosmer will be presented with his 2017 Silver Slugger award during Saturday's pregame ceremony, and seven-year-old Hailey Dawson will throw the Ceremonial First Pitch. Born with Poland Syndrome, Dawson uses a prosthetic hand made by a 3D-printer and will be kicking off her 2018 portion of her "Journey to Thirty First Pitch Tour" at Petco Park. San Diego native and semifinalist on the fifteenth season of FOX's hit show American Idol Stephany Negrete will perform Saturday's National Anthem.
Following a rare day off on Easter Sunday, the Padres will conclude their opening homestand with a four-game set against the Colorado Rockies from April 2-5, featuring Taco Tuesday on April 3.
Tickets for all home games can be purchased by visiting www.padres.com, at the Advance Ticket Windows at Petco Park and by phone at 619.795.5555. In addition, fans are encouraged to download the MLB Ballpark app and select the Padres as their favorite team to access their digital tickets throughout the 2018 season.