Dodgers return home tomorrow

The Dodgers begin their 10th homestand of the 2012 season as they take on their NL West opponents the Arizona Diamondbacks (Thursday, August 30 - Sunday, September 2) and the San Diego Padres (Monday, September 1 - Wednesday, September 3). The homestand features Vin Scully Bobblehead Night presented by Farmer John August 30, Friday Night Fireworks August 31, Natural Balance Bark in the Park September 1, ThinkCure! fundraising September 2 and 3, $1 Dodger Dogs presented by Farmer John September 3, Matt Kemp replica jersey presented by State Farm September 4 and Hello Kitty tote bag September 5.

Starting tomorrow, fans can purchase a new season ticket package covering the final 10 home games of the 2012 season and featuring games against the World Champion St. Louis Cardinals, Colorado Rockies and NL West rival San Francisco Giants. Fans joining the Dodgers' season ticket holder family in seats starting as low as $11, will receive access to a postseason pre-onsale for the NLDS and NLCS as well as access to the Dodgers' exclusive season seat holder Select-A-Seat event where season seat holders have the opportunity to pick out the best seat locations available. New season seat holders signing up for the 10-game package must put down a non-refundable $250 per seat deposit good toward any 2013 ticket package. Complete details are available at www.dodgers.com/seasontickets.

Tickets to all Dodger home games are available at www.dodgers.com/tickets and a complete list of 2012 giveaways is available at www.dodgers.com/promotions.

Thursday, August 30 vs. Arizona Diamondbacks - 7:10 p.m.

Thursday is Vin Scully Bobblehead Night presented by Farmer John. The 10th  and final bobblehead in the Dodger Stadium Greats series honors Hall of Fame broadcaster Vin Scully, one of the most revered figures in Los Angeles sports history, who will return to the broadcast booth for an unprecedented 64th season in 2013. Scully began his career in 1950 with the Brooklyn Dodgers and was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1982. During his unmatched career, he has called three perfect games, 25 no-hitters, 25 World Series and 12 All-Star Games.

In Los Angeles, Scully called Dodger World Championships in 1959, '63, '65, '81 and '88 and he was elected the top sportscaster of the 20th century by the non-profit American Sportscasters Association.  This marks the Hall of Famer's first-ever Dodger Stadium bobblehead and it will be issued to fans with the first 50,000 tickets.

Scully's granddaughter, Mackenzie Luderer, will sing the national anthem and "God Bless America" and members of the Scully family will officially start the game with "It's Time for Dodger Baseball!"

The 10th edition of Dodgers Playbill features a cover photo of Adrian Gonzalez's epic home run in his first at-bat as a Dodger. Inside are features on Gonzalez, Andre Ethier's record-tying 10 consecutive hits and Dodger Hall of Fame Broadcaster Vin Scully's return to the booth for his 64th season in 2013. Also inside is information on tickets and upcoming promotions. Fans receive the Dodgers Playbill when they enter the Dodger Stadium parking gates.

The Dodgers will thank and pay tribute to the men and women of our nation's armed services by honoring a Veteran of the Game at every home game.  Military members are given Field level tickets, complimentary parking, are invited to watch batting practice and are recognized during the game. The Veteran of the Game Thursday is US Marine Corps First Sergeant Michael Perez of Fontana. Perez enlisted in the Marines Corps in 1994 and has completed tours in Japan, Thailand, Iraq and the Persian Gulf and currently serves as a Senior Enlisted Advisor for the Third Battalion First Marines Headquarters and Service Company.

Dodger alumnus Tommy Davis will be in autograph alley signing for fans from 5:10 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Author Paul Haddad will sign copies of his book, "High Fives," in the right field merchandise tent through the third inning.

Friday, August 31 vs. Arizona Diamondbacks - 7:10 p.m.

Friday Night Fireworks will be set to a summer soundtrack from 102.7 KIIS-FM. At the conclusion of the game, all fans are invited to go on the field to watch Friday Night Fireworks.

A Dodger player will meet a group from The Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) during batting practice. The group will then be treated to Field level seats, a Dodgers T-shirt and a meal voucher courtesy of Coca-Cola.

"American Idol" star Katie Stevens will sing the national anthem and "God Bless America."

State Farm Go To Bat program honorees - Heart of Los Angeles (HOLA) will be recognized on the field. Founded in 1989, HOLA provides underserved youth with exceptional programs in academic, arts and athletics within a nurturing environment empowering them to develop their potential, pursue their education and strengthen their communities. Today they serve more than 2,400 youth annually through their programs.

Dodger alumnus Ken McMullen will be in autograph alley signing for fans from 5:10 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Prior to the game Dodger reliever Brandon League will sign autographs for fans at the Staples Store in Culver City at 11441 Jefferson Boulevard from noon to 1:00 p.m.

The Veteran of the Game is Marine Corps Staff Sergeant Raul Camacho of Juarez, Mexico. Camacho enlisted in the Marine Corps in 2001 and has been awarded the Purple Heart for his actions in Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Saturday, September 1 vs. Arizona Diamondbacks - 6:10 p.m.

Back by popular demand, Saturday is Natural Balance Bark in the Park. Fans that purchase a special ticket package for this event will be able to watch the game with their dog(s) in the Coca-Cola Right Field Pavilion. The Academy Gate (828 Academy Road, Los Angeles, 90012) will open at 3:10 p.m. for Bark in the Park participants.  At 4:10 p.m. a pre-game "Pup Rally" will be held in Parking Lot G between the Left and Right Field Pavilions. Each pup and their owners will check in at this location and receive a Natural Balance Pet Foods goodie bag.

Immediately following the "Pup Rally" fans will parade around the warning track of the field with their dogs from 5:10 to 5:40 p.m. A special Bark in the Park ceremonial first pitch is part of the event as well as the official start to the game, "It's Time for Dodger Baseball!"

The Dodgers will donate a portion of the proceeds to the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCC) Los Angeles. Tickets are still available and can be purchased by visiting www.dodgers.com/barkinthepark.

WBC light middleweight Saul "Canelo" Alvarez will throw an honorary first pitch. Alvarez will fight welterweight fighter Josesito Lopez on September 15 at the MGM Grand Las Vegas. The fight will be televised on Showtime.

It is Dodgertown Ride Day at Dodger Stadium. Fans that ride a bike to the game will be offered discounter tickets using the promo code RIDE at www.dodgers.com/dodgertownride. Bike racks will be set up in lot B for the occasion and parking is free.

The Dodgers will honor and thank Dodger, Levy and Standard Parking employees who have served in the military as part of The Veteran of the Game pre-game recognition.

Sunday, September 2 vs. Arizona Diamondbacks - 1:10 p.m.

Viva Los Dodgers Day, presented by State Farm, Chevrolet and Time Warner Cable, is a season-long initiative in its third year and celebrates Latino culture in Los Angeles at a family-friendly pregame festival held in lot 6 two hours prior to each Sunday's game.

Viva Los Dodgers Day begins at 11 a.m. and includes live performances from Ritmo Machine and Mexico Azteca Ballet Folklorico. Dodger alumnus Dennis Powell will sign autographs for fans from 11:10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. For more information, visit www.dodgers.com/viva.

Sunday marks the start of two days of fundraising for ThinkCure!, the official charity of the Los Angeles Dodgers. Fundraising efforts at Dodger Stadium will be held Sunday and Monday, designed to raise hundreds of thousands of dollars to help fund cancer research at City of Hope and Children's Hospital Los Angeles. Since 2009, ThinkCure has provided $1.84 million in research grants to City of Hope and Children's Hospital Los Angeles.

Fans can donate to ThinkCure! by visiting www.thinkcure.org, texting the word "CURE" to 50555 for a $10 donation, or by calling into the telethon at (855) 424-4056 beginning 8 a.m. on Sunday, September 2 and ending after the game on September 3. An auction of Dodger memorabilia by the Dodger Dream Foundation will benefit ThinkCure! in stadium Sunday outside the Vin Scully Press Box and in the Lexus Dugout Club.

Fourteen leading cancer physicians and researchers will throw the ceremonial first pitch on Sunday. A special "Kids Take the Field" will feature children from City of Hope and Children's Hospital Los Angeles running on field to get the autographs from their favorite players. City of Hope and Children's Hospital Los Angeles guests will be recognized as Honorary Bat Kids and officially start the game with "It's Time for Dodger Baseball!"

Check presentations totaling more than $200,000 will be made by key donors, including YAS Fitness Centers founder Kimberly Fowler on behalf of her annual YAS-A-THON spinning fundraiser, Dodgers pitcher Aaron Harang, and the Dodgers.

The City of Hope bloodmobile will be taking blood donations at Viva Los Dodgers in Lot 6 on Sunday.

For discounted ThinkCure! tickets, fans can visit www.dodgers.com/thinkcure.

Dodger pitcher Aaron Harang will host military families as part of Aaron's Aces which occurs every Sunday home game. Harang's guests receive game tickets, complimentary parking and meal vouchers courtesy of Coca-Cola. The group also gets a meet and greet on the field with Harang along with an autographed Aaron's Aces T-shirt.

The Veteran of the Game is U.S. Army Sergeant Steven Cortez of Santa Maria. Cortez enlisted in the Army in 2006 and served in Iraq in support of Operation Enduring Freedom as an Airborne Infantryman with a specialty in renaissance.  

Monday, September 3 vs. San Diego Padres, 5:10 p.m.

It's $1 Dodger Dog Day presented by Farmer John. Fans can leave the grilling to the Dodgers this Labor Day and enjoy the fan-favorite Dodger Dog for just $1 each.

ThinkCure! at Dodger Stadium concludes with a special "Kids Take the Field" before the game that will feature children from City of Hope and Children's Hospital Los Angeles running on field to get the autographs from their favorite players. City of Hope and Children's Hospital Los Angeles guests will officially start the game with "It's Time for Dodger Baseball!" and will be recognized as honorary bat kids.

ThinkCure! is an innovative, community-based nonprofit organization that raises funds to accelerate collaborative research to cure cancer.  The organization aims to find the cure for cancers by funding innovative research projects at City of Hope and Children's Hospital Los Angeles by convening an objective, peer-based panel of expert doctors; awarding two-year grant applications once every year; and giving to the most promising collaborative and cutting edge cancer research projects that can involve other top cancer research hospitals.  For more information, please visit www.thinkcure.org.

For discounted ThinkCure! tickets, fans can visit www.dodgers.com/thinkcure.

The September edition of Dodgers Magazine debuts and features a cover photo of new Dodgers Hanley Ramirez and Shane Victorino. Fans can enjoy features on Ramirez and Victorino, as well as other new Dodgers Joe Blanton, Randy Choate and Brandon League. A behind-the-scenes look at the first day in the Dodger organization for the newest acquisitions Gonzalez, Josh Beckett and Nick Punto is also included. Fans can purchase Dodgers Magazine at merchandise stands throughout Dodger Stadium or they can order subscriptions at www.dodgers.com/magazine.

Graham Fenton, who plays Frankie Valli in the Las Vegas smash-hit "Jersey Boys," will sing the national anthem and "God Bless America."

Members of the 2012 US Women's Gymnastics Olympic Team Gabby Douglas, McKayla Maroney and Kyla Ross will be on hand for the first pitch. The team won the all-around gymnastics gold medal in London. Additionally, Southern California native Maroney took the silver medal in vault and Douglas won the individual all-around gold medal.

The Veteran of the Game is U.S. Marine Corps Corporal Armando Mendoza of Arizona. Mendoza enlisted in 2008 and twice served in Afghanistan in the role of cameraman/videographer, documenting everything from firefights to ceremonies for historical purposes.  

Tuesday, September 4 vs. San Diego Padres, 7:10 p.m.

Fans with the first 30,000 tickets will receive a Matt Kemp replica jersey presented by State Farm available in sizes medium and extra large. The adult-sized batting practice jersey is one that has not been offered in several years.

Christian Haupt, a 4-year-old baseball phenom and Dodger fan discovered by Adam Sandler, will throw the ceremonial first pitch. Haupt, a native of Thousand Oaks, will star in an upcoming baseball movie, "That's My Boy," with Adam Sandler.

The Veteran of the Game is U.S. Marine Corps Sergeant Roy David who has served for 9 years as a sniper, reconnaissance scout and demolition expert.  He has been recognized with numerous awards including the Combat Action Medal.

Wednesday, September 5 vs. San Diego Padres, 7:10 p.m.

Back by popular demand, the Dodgers will distribute Hello Kitty ®  tote bags to fans with the first 50,000 tickets.  Hello Kitty will throw the ceremonial first pitch. Hello Kitty designer Yuko Yamaguchi will be on hand. Yamaguchi makes personal appearances throughout the world, and conducts signings in which she visits Sanrio stores and events and personally draws, signs and distributes pictures to fans. On Wednesday, Yamaguchi will draw a special Hello Kitty during pre-game which will be given away to a fan as part of the game's lucky fan giveaway.

A special Hello Kitty premium package that includes an opportunity to meet Yuko Yamaguchi and Hello Kitty in person is also available now and can be purchased by calling the Dodgers Premium Seating and Services department at (323) 224-1370.

NBC's "Go On" Actress and Tony Award winner Lauren Benanti will sing the national anthem and "God Bless America" and "Go On" star Matthew Perry will throw an honorary first pitch. Perry stars in NBC's new comedy series as sports talk radio host Ryan King. "Go On" premieres this Tuesday at 9:00 p.m. on NBC.

Dodger alumnus Billy Ashley will be in autograph alley signing for fans from 5:10 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

The Veterans of the Game will be World War II veterans including Millie Taylor, Samuel Lee Nickens, and Roy Riley "Ryp" of the U.S. Navy and Sadie Sonnenreich, Edward Baker, Leon Brookins, Robert Zinzel, Wellington Kwan, William Davis and Otto Verdekel of the U.S. Army.