Homestand Highlights: Show Your Patriotism at Comerica Park

DETROIT – The Tigers return home from their 10-game road trip to begin a seven-game homestand at Comerica Park on Monday night. The Minnesota Twins (July 2-5) and Kansas City Royals (July 6-8) will both visit Comerica Park for the second time this season. Games on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday against the Twins begin at 7:05 p.m., while the game on Thursday begins at 1:05 p.m. First pitch on Friday against the Royals is at 7:05 p.m., Saturday is at 4:05 p.m. and Sunday is at 1:05 p.m.

Get your Tigers tickets for the 2012 season at Comerica Park now! Tickets are available at the Comerica Park Box Office, online at tigers.com and by phone at (866) 66-TIGER (84437). For complete ticket information including single game, season, group and suites visit tigers.com/tickets or call 313-471-BALL (2255).

Monday, July 2 – Minnesota Twins @ 7:05 p.m. (Gates open at 5:30 p.m.)


·        The first 10,000 fans to enter Comerica Park will receive an Alex Avila Floppy Hat, courtesy of National Coney Island.
·        The national anthem will be performed by Detroit native Mistee Merritt, the winner of the 2012 Detroit Stars Singing Competition. Mistee received the opportunity to sing the National Anthem when she defeated nine other contestants in the annual singing competition as part of the Detroit Tigers Negro Leagues Weekend.
·        Game Ball Delivery: Sergeant Shawn Oncza of the United States Army from Ann Arbor, Mich. will deliver the game ball.  Sergeant Oncza recently returned from deployment to Afghanistan where he earned a Combat Action Badge, two Army Commendation Medals, 3 Achievement Medals and a Good Conduct Medal.  He has proudly served the United States Army for five years.  

Tuesday, July 3 – Minnesota Twins @ 7:05 p.m. (Gates open at 5:30 p.m.)

·        United States Citizenship and Immigration Services Naturalization Ceremony: 60 individuals will be sworn in as American citizens during a pregame ceremony on the field at Comerica Park. The oath will be administered by Judge Denise Page Hood through the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services for the United States Department of Justice. The new citizens and their family members will receive complimentary tickets courtesy of the Detroit Tigers to enjoy America’s Favorite Pastime after officially becoming a citizen of the United States.
·        Game Ball Delivery: Hospitalman Fleet Marine Force Brendan Coakley of the United States Army from Riverview, Mich. will deliver the game ball. Hospitalman Fleet Marine Force Coakley recently returned from deployment in Afghanistan and has also deployed on a hospital ship to South America. While in Afghanistan, he received the Fleet Marine Force pin. He has also worked in the post-surgery ward at Walter Reed Hospital and has proudly served in the United States Navy for four years.

Wednesday, July 4 – Minnesota Twins @ 7:05 p.m. (Gates open at 5:30 p.m.)

·        The first 10,000 adults 21 years and older to enter Comerica Park will receive a Red, White and Blue Detroit Tigers Cap, courtesy of Miller Lite.
·        Armed Forces and Veterans Recognition Game: The Detroit Tigers celebrate the dedication and sacrifice of current and former members of the Armed Forces on Independence Day by donating 1,000 tickets to local members of the Armed Forces and Veterans along with their families to attend the game when the Tigers take on the Minnesota Twins. Members of the Armed Forces and Veterans are invited to the field at Comerica Park and are recognized for their service to the United States Armed Forces prior to the national anthem.
·        The national anthem will be performed by SMSgt Mark Kaufmann of the 127^th Wing, Michigan Air National Guard from Selfridge Air National Guard Base. He will also be singing "God Bless America” during the 7^th inning stretch.  
·        The ceremonial first pitches will be thrown by Adjutant Rolly Lee of the Disabled American Veterans, Department of Michigan representing all Veterans and Colonel Philip Sheridan, Vice Commander of Selfridge Air National Guard Base representing all active service members.  
·        Game Ball Delivery: Captain Daniel Mercante of the Michigan Air National Guard from Harrison Township, Mich. will deliver the game ball. Captain Mercante recently returned from deployment to Afghanistan where he served as a pilot with the 107th fighter squad of the 127th Wing of the Michigan Air National Guard. He has proudly served the Michigan Air National Guard for 9 years
·        Special Independence Day Fireworks will take place following the game (weather permitting).

Thursday, July 5 – Minnesota Twins @ 1:05 p.m. (Gates open at 11:30 a.m.)


Friday, July 6 – Country Night – Kansas City Royals @ 7:05 p.m. (Gates open at 5:30 p.m.)

·        Country Night: Put on your bandanas, cowboy hats and boots and get ready to enter the wild, wild west at Comerica Park as the Detroit Tigers host Country Night. Country music groups Stolen Horses Band, Annabelle Road and Cowboy Alan & the Steel Horse Band will hold live performances throughout Comerica Park. Join us as we celebrate with cowboys, farm animals, and a mechanical bull. Yeehaw!
·        Game Ball Delivery: Master-At-Arms First Class Petty Officer Robert Campbell of the United States Navy from Detroit, Mich. will deliver the game ball. He recently completed a deployment with the Navy Expeditionary Guard Battalion in Cuba and is currently stationed at the Commander Fleet Activities in Japan. He has served the United States Navy for 15 years.
·        Friday Night Fireworks, presented by Pepsi, will take place following the game (weather permitting).
Saturday, July 7 – Kansas City Royals @ 4:05 p.m. (Gates open at 2:30 p.m.)

·        Second Annual Detroit Tigers Classic Car Show: More than 90 Classic Cars will be on display in the Second Annual Detroit Tigers Classic Car Show, presented by MotorCity Casino Hotel and Total Lubricants and in partnership with the Woodward Dream Cruise. All selected cars will be judged in six different categories by a panel of celebrity judges including Greg Solomon, MotorCity Casino Hotel CEO, Jean Jennings, Automobile Magazine President and Editor-in-Chief, Joe DeMatio, Automobile Magazine Deputy Editor, Jim McCarter, Concours d’Elegance at St. John’s Executive Director, Roger Hart, AutoWeek Executive Editor, Mark Phelan, Detroit Free Press Auto Writer and Neal Rubin, Detroit News columnist. All
pre-registered vehicles will be available for viewing by spectators from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
·        Game Ball Delivery: Specialist Benjamin Chilson of the United States Army from Tustin, Mich. will deliver the game ball. Specialist Chilson recently returned from his first deployment in Afghanistan where he earned multiple awards including a Combat Infantryman Badge.

Sunday, July 8 – Kids Day – Kansas City Royals @ 1:05 p.m. (Gates open at 11:30 a.m.)

·        All kids 14-and-younger will receive an “Every Kid, Every Sunday” PAWS Coloring Set, courtesy of MI State Police/ICAC.
·        The ceremonial first pitches will be thrown by actor and Michigan native, Dax Shepard and Detroit Lions Defensive End, Cliff Avril.
·        Game Ball Delivery: Lieutenant Brett Walcott of the United States Navy from Saline, Mich. will deliver the game ball. Lieutenant Walcott recently returned from his third deployment as a dental officer including tours in the Pacific, Persian Gulf and most recently in Afghanistan. He has proudly served the United States Navy for five years.

SPECIAL INITIATIVES

Verlander’s Victory for Veterans: When Justin Verlander takes the mound at Comerica Park, he strives for victory. This season, his outings on the hill take on a new meaning. For each of his home starts, Verlander will host Veterans from the John D. Dingell Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Detroit and the Veterans Affairs Ann Arbor Healthcare System. These Veterans sustained injuries or illness in Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom or in Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom. The Veterans along with their families cheer on the Tigers from the comfort of Verlander’s personal luxury suite. After serving our country, the special day provides American veterans the opportunity to enjoy a Tigers game with their family. All guests receive a Verlander’s Victory for Veterans T-shirt and are welcomed on the video board during the game. Veterans also receive a personalized welcome letter from Verlander. When you see Verlander on the mound, he is not only playing for his team and Tigers fans around the world, he is also playing for America’s heroes.  

Detroit Tigers 50/50 Charity Raffle: The Detroit Tigers Foundation 50/50 Charity Raffle returns to Comerica Park this season at every Friday and Saturday home game. The Detroit Tigers Foundation, an affiliate of Ilitch Charities, has partnered with Detroit Sports Commission for Friday and Saturday’s 50/50 Charity raffle. Tickets will be sold from the time gates open through the end of the second inning. 50/50 Charity Raffle volunteers in orange aprons will be stationed throughout the concourse on the 100 level, at entry gates and at the 50/50 raffle table near gate A to purchase raffle tickets. 50/50 Charity Raffle tickets are sold 3-for-$5. Each night a winner will be selected and announced after the sixth inning and will receive half of the funds collected through that game's raffle ticket sales. The remaining funds are shared between the Detroit Tigers Foundation and the select partner charity. To date, the Detroit Tigers 50/50 Charity Raffle has raised $17,105.00 for charities.