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2015 Opening Day festivities

The club's 21st home opener at 20th and Blake in Lower Downtown Denver

DENVER - The Colorado Rockies will celebrate one of baseball's grand traditions with Opening Day 2015 scheduled for this Friday, April 10 vs. the Chicago Cubs, first pitch at 2:10 p.m. In what has become a special annual occasion for the community and Rockies fans throughout the region, Opening Day always features pregame ceremonies with extensive pageantry to get fans and players excited for the 2015 campaign.

Opening Day pregame ceremonies will begin at 1:30 p.m. and will feature a traditional "America's Pastime" theme, with a parade around the warning track that pays tribute to all branches of the United States military. In addition, members of the United States Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard will present our nation's colors, while an oversized American flag is unfurled on the field by 150 uniformed personnel from the military, as well as Denver Police and Fire Departments. The "Star Spangled Banner" will be performed by the United States Air Force Academy Band's Stellar Brass, featuring vocalist TSgt Julie Bradley. Immediately following the national anthem will be a flyover supported by the Colorado International Guard's 120th Fighter Squadron flying their F-16 Cs out of Buckley Air Force Base in Aurora, Colorado.

Two ceremonial first pitches will be thrown out Opening Day. Following Rockies tradition in having a Season Ticket Holder participating on Opening Day, the first pitch will be Station 6 Denver Fire Fighter and 1993 Colorado Rockies original Season Ticket Holder Butch Hess. Butch will be joined on field by sons James and John. The second ceremonial pitch will be thrown by Denver Police Officer John Adsit. While escorting local high school students on a peaceful protest march, Adsit's Denver Police Bike Patrol was run over, injuring three other officers and severely injuring Officer Adsit. Joining him on field will be wife Michelle, sons Ronald and Rylan, and daughters Jordan and Morgan. 

Before the home team takes the field, pregame ceremonies will culminate in recognizing two young stars of the team. Second basemen DJ LeMahieu will receive his first Rawlings Gold Glove Award and third baseman Nolan Arenado will be awarded his second-consecutive Rawlings Gold Glove Award.

Coors Field parking lots will open at 9 a.m., with Rooftop gates A and B opening at 11 a.m. and Gates C, D and E opening at noon. Fans are encouraged to attend the annual Opening Day Fest on Blake and 21st Streets, bringing a festival and family atmosphere to the day with music, games and activities for adults and children. With the Rooftop opening at 11 a.m., fans can enjoy music spun by DJ Billy Beats and pregame drink specials until first pitch. For more information and future Rooftop events, visit Rockies/rooftop.com or follow on Twitter, @RoxRooftop. In addition to the festivities, all fans attending the game will receive a 2015 Rockies Magnet Schedule presented by King Soopers. 

While Opening Day is sold out, fans can secure single-game tickets to other 2015 regular season games by visiting Rockies.com/tickets, calling (303) ROCKIES (762-5437) or in person at the Coors Field Ticket Office, Rockies Dugout Stores, Kings Soopers and select City Market stores. 

Opening Weekend at Coors Field continues with a 6:10 p.m. start on Saturday, April 11, and a 2:10 p.m. start on Sunday, April 12, both vs. the Chicago Cubs. Saturday will feature a unique 2015 Monthly Wall Calendar presented by ROOT Sports, the first of nine Rooftop Live! concerts presented by Hard Rock Cafe featuring Andy Rok and the Real Deal and a pregame Louisville Slugger Silver Bat award presentation to 2014 NL Batting Champ Justin Morneau. Sunday will feature a Justin Morneau "Batting Champ" Bobble head giveaway and the first Player Autograph Sunday at 11:40 a.m. For more information regarding Rooftop Live!, visit Rockies.com/rooftop or for information on the Rockies 2015 promotions please visit Rockies.com/promotions.

Fans can take advantage of great promotions and special events by going to Rockies.com/specials, or save money over individual ticket prices by purchasing Rockies Season Tickets or a Mini-Plan. 

 

Opening Day Event Timeline

9 a.m.               Coors Field parking lots open

11 a.m.            Rooftop Gates A and B open to fans, Rooftop events begin

Opening Day Fest begins, at Blake and 21st Streets

11:20 a.m.         Rockies Batting Practice

12:00 p.m.        Gates C, D and E open

12:20 p.m.        Cubs Batting Practice

1:30 p.m.          Pregame Ceremonies

  • Pregame ceremonies begin with the Air Force Academy Stellar Brass playing and a video welcoming fans to Coors Field
  • Military March introductions and Color Guard recognitions
  • Introductions of both teams
  • Colors presented by United States Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard
  • Honor Guards and large flag staff recognitions
  • "Star Spangled Banner" performed by Air Force Academy Brass, featuring vocalist TSgt Julie Bradley
  • Flyover supported by the Colorado International Guard's 120th Fighter Squadron
  • First pitches thrown out by Season Ticket Holder Butch Hess and Denver Police Officer John Adsit
  • 2014 Rawlings Gold Glove presentations to DJ LeMahieu and Nolan Arenado

2:08 p.m.          Rockies "Take the Field"

2:10 p.m.          Official game time

7th Inning Stretch            Salute to Heroes - Senior Airman Joseph D. Massoglia

"God Bless America" - Senior Airman Adrian Holton

Mid-8th Inning Break       Flyover pilot & support personnel in game recognition

 

The Rockies' season opener against the Cubs will be televised locally on ROOT SPORTS. The Rockies' radio broadcast is on 850 KOA AM and in Spanish on KNRV 1150 AM.

 

SECURITY REMINDER

As a result of Major League Baseball's league-wide implementation requirement and in the interest of continuing to ensure fan safety at Coors Field, the Colorado Rockies announced today that they will be using walk-through metal detectors at all gates beginning on Opening Day, April 10, 2015. Some key points for Rockies fans to keep in mind for the 2015 season:

  • The Rockies tested metal detectors at a rotation of gates during the 2014 season, so fans can expect a smooth transition to a full season of security measures.
  • Unlike the procedures at the airport, fans entering Coors Field WILL NOT be required to remove shoes or belts; fans will be required to remove cell phones, cameras and keys prior to passing through the metal detectors.
  • As in past seasons, the Rockies will continue to allow fans to bring bags, backpacks and purses into Coors Field (16"x16"x8" size limit). The food and drink policy will remain the same as well.
  • Fans should allow extra time for entry on game days, and fans should be aware of all of the entrance gates as there are typically much shorter lines at gates other than the home plate gate (Gate D, 20th and Blake). For fans who have no carry-in items, there are Express Lanes at Gates B (22nd and Blake), C (21st and Blake) and D. There are also special lanes for Season Ticket Holders only at Gates A, C and E (Wynkoop).  
  • Gates A (Parking Lot) and E open two hours prior to game time; Gates B, C and D open 90 minutes prior to game time. For Opening Day, gates will open earlier: Gates A and B for The Rooftop will open at 11 a.m., and all other gates will open at noon.
  • Coors Field parking lots will open at 9 a.m. on Opening Day. Visit Rockies.com/parking for all details.

For frequently asked questions please refer to the Rockies website at Rockies.com

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