Brewers, Marlins and Rockies visit San Diego for third homestand

The Padres return home Monday, April 30 for a nine-game homestand featuring three-game series against each of the Milwaukee Brewers, the Miami Marlins and the Colorado Rockies. Home action begins today, with a 7:05 p.m. start against the Brewers.

Tuesday is Strike out Stroke Day presented by Genentech, designed to promote awareness of the signs and symptoms of stroke, and celebrate the stories of local stroke survivors. The first 10,000 fans entering the stadium will receive a stroke tips magnet, and during the game, representatives from local stroke centers/hospitals will offer free blood pressure screenings and information.

Also Tuesday, the Padres will recognize the Boys and Girls Clubs of America, recognizing the work of Roxanne Spillett, who has served as president of the Boys & Girls Clubs of America for 16 years.

On Wednesday, the Padres close the series against Milwaukee with an afternoon game featuring music by Padres Organist Bobby Cressey.

Following an off day Thursday, the Padres welcome the Miami Marlins to town for a weekend series. Friday’s game will be preceded by a Friday Night Party – Cinco de Mayo – presented by Verizon. The party will feature $5 cocktails, $5 beers and food specials from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Park at the Park. Admission is included with a paid ticket to Friday’s game.

Before Friday’s game, the Padres will honor the first  recipient of its inaugural Hispanic Heritage Comunidad Awards. The Hispanic Heritage Comunidad Awards is a series of awards established to recognize and pay tribute to individuals or organizations whose work makes a positive impact on those who live and work in San Diego’s Hispanic community. 

In support of the Padres Foundation’s community vision, three awards will be given throughout the year, one each in the areas of children’s health (LIVE), children’s education (LEARN) and youth baseball/ softball or youth fitness (PLAY).  The recipients will be chosen by members of the Padres Hispanic Community Leadership Council (HCLC). The first award, presented on Friday, will be given in the area of children’s health. For more information, or to submit a nomination for future awards, visit www.padres.com/community or www.padresbeisbol.com/comunidad.

 Friday also marks the Padres’ 11^th Annual Teacher Appreciation Night, presented by Ashford University. The Padres and the San Diego County Office of Education are proud to honor all of our local teachers. All 48 of San Diego County's newly named District Teachers of the Year and the five reigning 2011 San Diego County Teachers of the Year will be recognized on the field prior to the game.

The first 25,000 fans in attendance on Saturday will receive a 2012 Swinging Friar T-shirt, presented by COX. Following Saturday’s game, fans are invited to stay to enjoy the show as the Long Haul Bombers return to Petco Park for their annual softball slugfest.

Sunday’s series finale against the Marlins marks Military Spouse Appreciation Day, presented by TriWest. In recognition of our military families, pregame ceremonies will honor military spouses. The Ceremonial First Pitch will be thrown out by Kiki Smith, wife of Rear Adm. Dixon Smith, commander Navy Region SW, and a group of nine military spouses will participate in Military Take the Field.

Fans attending Sunday’s game are encouraged to bring their used baseball equipment, especially balls and gloves, to donate to Kids Gear for Baseball’s annual collection drive. Kids Gear for Baseball, a local non-profit organization run by a group of high school students, collects equipment and then donates it directly to schools, organizations, parks and recreation centers.

Prior to all Sunday home games, fans with tickets are invited to enjoy Breakfast at the Park. Special breakfast menu items will be offered for purchase at Park at the Park. In addition to seating at the Park at the Park, tables may be set up on the warning track, allowing fans to dine on the Petco Park field. Field seating will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis, barring batting practice. Select gates will open to Season Ticket Holders with reservations at 10:00 a.m. Gates will open to the general public at 10:30 a.m.

From 11:30 a.m. to noon, two Padres players will sign autographs at the Park at the Park for Jr. Padres Sunday Signings. A Junior Padres membership is required to participate in the signing event. Membership is free, and kids can sign up online or in-person on the day of the event.

Sunday also marks Little League Day at Petco Park. Beginning at 11:45 a.m., approximately 6,000 Little League players and coaches from throughout San Diego County will participate in a parade around the warning track.  Last year, the annual Little League Day parade sparked the idea for the Padres’ Youth Baseball Initiative, which in 2012 has outfitted more than 11,600 local youth baseball players in authentic Padres jerseys and corresponding caps.

Beginning Monday, the Padres host the Colorado Rockies for a three-game series. On Monday, a group of VIPs (Very Important Padres) from the Make-A-Wish Foundation will enjoy a pregame experience including batting practice, a meet-and-greet with Padres players, and a behind-the-scenes tour of Petco Park. The group will enjoy the game from the U.S. Bank Dream Suite.

Also Monday, the cast of Hands on a Hardbody, now showing at the La Jolla Playhouse, will perform the National Anthem, while Trey Anastasio, co-composer of Hands on a Hardbody and lead singer and guitarist for Phish, will throw out the Ceremonial First Pitch.

 Tuesday’s pregame ceremony will honor the Padres Foundation’s featured charity partner this homestand, San Diego Youth Services (SDYS). As part of the ceremony, the Padres Foundation and Cymer will present SDYS with a $5,000 donation in support and recognition of its tireless work to fight the tragedies of homeless youth and youth in crisis.

The homestand wraps up Wednesday, with Science Field Trip Day at Petco Park. In partnership with the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center, more than 2,200 students and teachers will watch a pregame “Fire & Ice” themed science exhibition, followed by a Q&A session with a Padres player.

The Padres welcome performers from Cirque du Soleil’s Totem to Wednesday’s game, performing the National Anthem and throwing out the Ceremonial First Pitch.

Tickets for all remaining regular season home games can be purchased online at padres.com, at the Petco Park box office, by phone at (619) 795-5555 and at the Padres Store in Tijuana.