This weekend, the Phillies host the Cincinnati Reds for a three-game series at Citizens Bank Park (May 26-28). Below are the top 5 things to know; plus, prepare for your visit by checking out What's New at the Ballpark in food, fashion and fandom.
Be on the lookout for Phillies Honorary Bat Girl Catherine Leettola, a Lansdale, PA resident who will be honored on-field Friday, May 26, prior to the 7:05 p.m. Phillies-Reds game for her fight against breast cancer. Read here about Leettola's life-changing diagnosis and how she is "Going to Bat Against Breast Cancer."
Also on Friday, the Phillies and the Pennsylvania SPCA are teaming up to help animals in need at the annual Phillies Wives Save a Pet at the Park before and during the game at the First Base Plaza. Dogs and cats will be available for adoption through the PSPCA. There will be a Phillies Charities, Inc. auction with signed, new and game-used items from 5:05 - 8:35 p.m. benefiting the PSPCA. All bidding on the Phillies Charities, Inc. auction is through the Ballpark app only. Plus, the Phillies Wives will be hosting a Mystery Ball sale!
There will also be a collection for new pet toys and new or used towels and blankets for pets in need at the First Base Gate and Right Field Gate.
In addition to the Phillies Wives Save a Pet at the Park, fans and their favorite four-legged friends will take over Citizens Bank Park for Phillies Bark at the Park Saturday. Over 300 dogs and their human friends will be attending this sold-out event.
On Saturday, May 27, the Phillies will hold a special salute for first responders everywhere at the 4:05 p.m. Phillies-Reds game. Fans are invited to be in their seats by 3:30 p.m. for the tribute, which includes:
Plus, all weekend, the entire Phillies roster will wear a Memorial Day uniform with a special cap featuring five stars to represent the five branches of the military and matching jersey with the stars stitched on the jerseys' right sleeves. This year's uniforms, including the specialty socks, also feature a new ripstop woodland camouflage design.
Bud & Burger Nights are back and better than ever with the first of the season on Saturday! Fans 21+ are invited to stop by the Budweiser Rooftop at Citizens Bank Park for Budweiser water bottle giveaways, meet and greet with former Phillies pitcher Tommy Greene and entertainment; plus, fans can also enjoy specials on Budweiser.
Also, fans can head across the street to XFINITY Live! before and after Saturday's game for the Official Phillies Gameday Party. Phillies fun includes guest appearances by Phillies Alumni Gary "Sarge" Matthews, 3 - 4 p.m., and Greg Luzinski, for one hour immediately following the game. Post-game specials include $3 select drafts and 50% off appetizers for one hour following the game. After EVERY game, the fun continues with XFINITY Live! Post-Game Specials, available one hour immediately following the game.
Also on Saturday following the game, all children 14 years and under are invited to go onto the field and run the bases as part of Nemours Kids Run the Bases.
May is Melanoma Awareness month and on Sunday, May 28, Mike Schmidt and the Richard David Kann Melanoma Foundation will introduce 12 portable sunscreen dispensers throughout Citizens Bank Park. These dispensers can be found at all gates and on the Rooftop, Pavilion and Terrace.
As a part of Melanoma Awareness Day, Schmidt will also throw out the ceremonial first pitch. During the game, Max Janofsky, a K9 officer in Monroe Township, NJ who recently lost his wife to melanoma, will be honored as the Rothman Hometown Hero and will change a base during the third inning. Janofsky is a retired U.S. Army Staff Sargent, Bronze Star recipient, combat veteran who served several tours in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Gate Openings: Ashburn Alley opens two hours prior to game time; all gates open one and a half hours prior to game time.
Fandom: Check-in using Ballpark, Citizens Bank Park's official mobile app, to receive special offers for retail, concessions and more. Also, follow the action via @Phillies on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Snapchat.
Broadcast: For the most up-to-date TV broadcast schedule, please go to Phillies.com. MLB.TV and SportsRadio 94WIP will host all games during the season. CSN Philly will stream the games, as well as the pre- and post-game shows, on www.csnphilly.com and on the NBC Sports app.
Traffic: Please monitor traffic to avoid any road closures and/or delays. Log on to www.511pa.com, www.511nj.org or call 511 from any phone to check traffic conditions. Transit services are also available; for a SEPTA schedule please visit www.septa.org.