News & Notes About the A's Upcoming Homestand

OAKLAND - Boasting Major League Baseball's best record (51-31) and continuing to set their sights on a third straight division title, the Oakland Athletics return to the O.co Coliseum Thursday night for a six-game homestand against the American League East-leading Toronto Blue Jays and Bay Area rival San Francisco Giants.

The homestand begins on Thursday, July 3, with Patriotic Fireworks Night presented by GovX.com, when the A's play host to the Blue Jays at 6:05 p.m. The series continues with a special 1:05 p.m. Independence Day matinee against the Jays, who feature one of the most potent offenses in baseball with the likes of Jose Bautista, Edwin Encarnacion and Jose Reyes.

After the Jays series wraps up with a Saturday night game and Sunday afternoon contest, one of the most anticipated two-game series begins on Monday, July 7, when the San Francisco Giants make their only trip to Oakland this season. Buster Posey, Pablo Sandoval and the rest of the Giants look to reverse Oakland's recent success over San Francisco, as the A's have won four of the last five meetings between the two Bay Area clubs.

In addition of Patriotic Fireworks Night presented by GovX.com, the homestand features a trio of Sport Clips Charity Cuts games on July 3-5, as well as the annual A's Beerfest prior to the game on Saturday, July 5. 

 DATE            OPPONENT             TIME              TELEVISION

THURSDAY, JULY 3...........TORONTO BLUE JAYS......... 6:05 P.M................ CSNCA

• Patriotic Fireworks Night presented by GovX.com
• Patelco Throwback Thursday (5,000 fans receive a commemorative scorecard and Rickey Henderson button)
• Sport Clips Charity Cuts, providing haircuts in exchange for donations to Freedom Alliance and USO
• Pre-Game Presentation: Wounded Warriors Flag Raising Ceremony
• National Anthem: St. Francis Yacht Club
• First Pitch: GovX.com representative
• A's Community Fund Silent Auction, with partner USO, behind Section 120

 FRIDAY, JULY 4 (Independence Day)....TORONTO BLUE JAYS............1:05 P.M.......... CSNCA

• XFINITY Friday Family Pack
• CSNCA Authentic Fan Friday
• Sport Clips Charity Cuts, providing haircuts in exchange for donations to Freedom Alliance and USO
• National Anthem: Members of the USAF Band of the Golden West
• Pre-Game Presentation: 75^th Anniversary of Lou Gehrig's "Luckiest Man" speech
• Check Presentation to ALS charities to commemorate Lou Gehrig's speeck
• A's Community Fund Silent Auction, with partner USO, behind Section 120
• Sims Recycling Solutions Used Phone Recycling Program, Guest Relations Booth behind Section 120

SATURDAY, JULY 5.............TORONTO BLUE JAYS...........7:05 P.M............ CSNCA

• Cache Creek Saturday
• A's Beerfest (pre-game event begins at 5:05 p.m. in the Eastside Club and is limited to 2,500 people)
• National Anthem: Casey Rico
• Pre-Game Presentation: Sport Clips for American Heroes
• Sport Clips Charity Cuts, providing haircuts in exchange for donations to Freedom Alliance and USO
• A's Community Fund Silent Auction, with partner USO, behind Section 120
• Sims Recycling Solutions Used Phone Recycling Program, Guest Relations Booth behind Section 120

 SUNDAY, JULY 6...............TORONTO BLUE JAYS...........1:05 P.M.................. CSNCA

• "Salute to Service Sunday" presented by GovX.com
• National Anthem: TBA
• Pre-Game Presentation: "Target Presents PEOPLE All-Star Teachers" winner
• Little A's program visit, presented by Bank of America
• Take the Field With the A's, presented by Wells Fargo
• Post-Game Race Around the Bases, driven by Chevrolet
• A's Community Fund Silent Auction, behind Section 120
• Sims Recycling Solutions Used Phone Recycling Program, Guest Relations Booth behind Section 120

 MONDAY, JULY 7 ..................SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS.............7:05 P.M............CSNCA

• National Anthem: Maxine Jones, formerly of the group En Vogue
• First Pitch: TBA

 TUESDAY, JULY 8..............SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS.............7:05 P.M............CSNCA

• Free Parking Tuesday, driven by Chevrolet
• Pre-Game: First Responders Softball Game, presented by AAA (begins at 3:10 p.m.)
• First Pitch: Ric Bucher, 95.7 FM The Game
• National Anthem: Serene Smith

**For additional information about the promotions or events listed above, please visit www.athletics.com/promotions

Promotions & Special Events

Patriotic Fireworks Night, presented by GovX.com: On Thursday, July 3, the A's will celebrate Independence Day a day early with Patriotic Fireworks Night, presented by GovX.com. There will be patriotic music during the fireworks, and fans can enjoy the show from the outfield grass (space permitting).

Patelco Throwback Thursday: On Thursday, July 3, 5,000 fans will receive a commemorative scorecard and a Rickey Henderson throwback button as part of Patelco Credit Union's Throwback Thursday. This is the fourth of the seven-game button giveaway, featuring various characters from the A's colorful history.

Sport Clips Charity Cuts: From July 3-5, Sport Clips will be on site providing haircuts to fans in exchange for donations to Freedom Alliance and USO. The haircuts will be provided in Section 236 in left field of the O.co Coliseum during the first three games of the Blue Jays series.

A's Beerfest: Beginning at 5:05 p.m. on Saturday, July 5, A's Beerfest features beer from more than 30 different microbreweries and live music from Bay Area cover band The Cheeseballs. For $16, fans 21 and older receive a commemorative pilsner glass and two tastings, with additional tastings available for purchase. The event is held in the Eastside Club and is limited to the first 2,500 people ages 21 and older with valid photo ID (note: anyone under the age of 21, even if accompanied by a parent or guardian, will not be admitted to A's Beerfest).

First Responders Softball Game, presented by AAA: Beginning at 3:10 p.m. on Tuesday, July 8, the A's are hosting a First Responders Softball Game, presented by AAA. The Oakland Firefighters Random Acts will square off against the San Francisco Police Activities League in a one-hour charity softball game, with AAA making a donation to each organization.

 Community Relations

A's Community Fund Silent Auctions: Every Saturday and Sunday home game (and other select games), the A's Community Fund hosts a silent auction featuring signed and unsigned A's memorabilia as well as game-used items. The silent auctions are located in the A's fan center behind Section 120 and end with the last out in the bottom of the fifth inning.

Little A's: On Sunday, July 6, deserving youth and their chaperones of non-profit organizations will have the opportunity to attend an A's game free of charge as part of the Little A's program. In addition to a game ticket, each child receives a Bank of America souvenir and child-admission pass to the Oakland Zoo. The Little A's program is presented by Bank of America and supported by the Oakland Zoo and Clorox.

Take the Field with the A's: The Take the Field with the A's program gives youth baseball and softball teams the chance to live out their Major League dreams. On Sunday, July 6, the Walnut Creek Little League Braves will join Oakland A's players on the field during the National Anthem. Each participant receives an autographed baseball and t-shirt, courtesy of Wells Fargo.