Cleveland Indians announce schedule of Opening Day festivities for Friday, April 10
Tribe Hall of Famer Gaylord Perry, the team's first Cy Young winner in 1972, will throw ceremonial first pitch. Balloon launch set for 2PM as new Right Field Gate opens to unveil Progressive Field's dramatically renovated Right Field District
Cleveland, OH-The Cleveland Indians announced on Wednesday a full slate of festivities leading up to first pitch at 4:10PM next Friday, April 10, the team's 2015 home opener at Progressive Field. All gates open at 2PM.
The game, the Tribe's 22nd Home Opener at Progressive Field, marks the 115th as a charter member of the American League, and the 23rd consecutive Home Opener sellout dating back to the team's final year at Cleveland Municipal Stadium. This year's game sold out in 11 minutes on March 3.
Indians Hall of Famer Gaylord Perry, who won the Tribe's first American League Cy Young award in 1972, will throw the ceremonial first pitch.
A balloon launch will mark the opening of the new Right Field Gate, part of the dramatically renovated Right Field District at Progressive Field. Also featured at the Right Field Gate, as part of a Block Party:
- Popular local band The Spazmatics
- Autographs by Carlos Baerga, part of the 1995 Indians team that played in the World Series, will be signing autographs from 3PM-3:30PM (The Indians will celebrate the 20th anniversary of the 1995 team throughout the 2015 season)
- Family-friendly activities including Jenga, speed sketch, juggler and more
The national anthem will be performed by Arianna Körting, a pianist who won first prize in the Senior Division of the prestigious Cleveland International Piano Competition's Young Artists showcase in 2012. Körting, a graduate of the Cleveland Institute of Music, currently is pursuing her degree at Juilliard.
The team also will honor all branches of the United States military, as members of the United States Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard will present the colors, while an oversized American flag will be presented by 250 employees of Progressive Insurance, the Presenting Partner of the Opening Series.
SportsTime Ohio, WKYC and WTAM 1100 also will broadcast live from inside the ballpark, including SportsTime Ohio's live pregame show from its new studio in the ballpark's Right Field District from 3PM-4PM.