Padres host Dodgers and Phillies June 20-26

SAN DIEGO -- The Padres return home Thursday for the seventh homestand of the 2013 season, featuring a four-game weekend series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, followed by three games against the Philadelphia Phillies. Highlights of the homestand include the third First Responders Salute of the season, in partnership with Donovan’s Steak and Chop House, and a Padres rally/golf towel giveaway, presented by TaylorMade.

Please be advised that high attendance and heavy traffic is expected through the weekend, especially on Saturday. Fans are encouraged to arrive early, pre-pay for parking passes at padres.com or take public transportation.

New Express Entry lanes will be available at each gate for the Dodgers series.  Guests without bags or purses may use the lanes to enter immediately without waiting in a bag search line.

Home action begins tonight, with a 7:10 p.m. start against the Dodgers. The first 25,000 fans in attendance will receive a drawstring backpack from MLB Network. Prior to tonight’s game, Padres TV broadcaster Dick Enberg will be presented with the Ronald Reagan Media Award from the United States Sports Academy.  The award is presented annually to an individual for outstanding contributions to sport through broadcasting, print, photography or acting. This is Enberg’s second time receiving the Ronald Reagan Media Award. He also accepted the honor in 1989. 

Tonight also marks College Night, featuring special ticket discounts for college students with a valid student ID ($10 in Right Field Upper Reserved College Night section). A DJ from Channel 93.3 will be spinning at the Budweiser Patio in Right Field from 6:00 p.m. until the conclusion of the game. For more information on the remaining College Night events in 2013, visit www.padres.com/college.

Zombies will take over Petco Park tonight, including the Ceremonial First Pitch and College Night, as part of The Walking Dead Night.  The Walking Dead Escape returns to Petco Park on July 19 & 20. Climb, crawl, hide and slide your way through the Official Obstacle Course of The Walking Dead.

On Friday, the Padres will honor the recipient of the second 2013 Hispanic Heritage Comunidad Award. The Hispanic Heritage Comunidad Awards recognize and pay tribute to individuals or organizations making a positive impact on San Diego’s Hispanic community. Aldo Sanchez, who just completed fourth grade at Ocean Beach Elementary School, has been selected as the recipient of the award by members of the Padres’ Hispanic Community Leadership Council (HCLC) for his dedication to improving the lives of families and youth, specifically in the area of children’s education. Nine-year-old Sanchez, who created the group “Help ME Help Others,” is the first youth to receive the award. Since last fall, he has organized a holiday food drive for the homeless communities in Ocean Beach and Downtown San Diego, as well as a shoe drive for students at the Monarch School of San Diego.   

In support of the Padres Foundation’s community vision, four awards will be given throughout the year, one each in the areas of children’s health (LIVE), children’s education (LEARN), youth baseball/ softball or youth fitness (PLAY) and supporting our law enforcement and military communities (SERVE). Carmen Delgadillo, founder of the Friends of Scott Foundation, and Richard Nares, founder of the Emilio Nares Foundation, received the award last month for their dedication to improving the lives of families and youth, specifically in the area of children’s health. To submit a nomination, visit www.padres.com/community or www.padresbeisbol.com/comunidad.

Also prior to Friday’s game, Padres player Mark Kotsay and his family will present an on-field donation to the CHP 11-99 Fund. As a son of a retired police officer – a motorcycle patrolman for the LAPD, Kotsay decided to make a personal donation in support of first responders and to thank all those who serve.  He personally selected the CHP 11-99 Foundation, which supports CHP families and provides college scholarships to children of CHP employees.

Friday is also the 18^th Annual Padres Law Enforcement Night at Petco Park, when dozens of law enforcement agencies from in and around Southern California will be represented and honored on the field during the pregame ceremony.

Please note the special 4:15 p.m. start time for Saturday’s game.  The first 25,000 fans in attendance on Saturday will receive a Padres rally/golf towel presented by TaylorMade.

Saturday is Strike out Stroke Day, designed to promote awareness of the signs and symptoms of stroke and celebrate the stories of local stroke survivors. Representatives from local stroke centers/hospitals will be present around the ballpark, offering stroke prevention information and materials. Following the game, fans exiting the ballpark will receive a stroke warning signs magnet.

Also Saturday, the Padres will host Petco’s Super Kids Day. Prior to the game, 15 grand prize winners will participate in a kids-only press conference with Padres Manager Bud Black. The winners were selected for their outstanding essays answering the question “Imagine you’re a pet. How would you describe the best pet parent ever?”

The series finale against the Dodgers Sunday marks U.S. Navy Appreciation Day presented by USAA. A special pregame ceremony in honor of the U.S. Navy will recognize sailors lining the base paths. Navy Band Southwest will perform the National Anthem, while RADM Dixon Smith, commander of Navy Region Southwest, and his wife, Kiki, will throw the Ceremonial First Pitch.

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 Jr. 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.

Also Sunday, Padres third baseman Chase Headley will host a private meet-and-greet for his community program, Headley’s Heroes. This homestand’s Heroes, siblings Chance and Cadence Mitchell, and their parents will receive a full game-day experience, including a batting practice visit, field level tickets, a meet and greet with Headley in the Padres, photo opportunities with various Padres players, a special in-game message, Headley’s Heroes merchandise, a framed certificate, transportation to and from stadium, food vouchers and much more.

On Monday, join Phil’s BBQ for the annual “Phil’s Big BBQ at the Ballpark” in support of Big Brothers Big Sisters’ ‘Operation Bigs’ program. A $25 ticket to the pregame event includes access to the private tailgate at Tailgate Park from 5:00-7:00 p.m., a BBQ meal from Phil’s and a ticket to that night’s game vs. the Phillies. The pregame tailgate offers a Kid Ventures Fun Zone and access to a beer garden for those ages 21 and up. Proceeds from the event benefit Operation Bigs, a program that provides critical support to children of active duty military personnel through one-on-one mentoring. Tickets are available at Phil’s BBQ locations and by visiting the “Events” page at www.sdbigs.com.

The club will highlight San Diego first responders on Tuesday, with the third of six home game salutes this season, honoring San Diego Lifeguards and all that they do to provide the highest quality safety services in the coastal and aquatic environment for the public. San Diego Lifeguards Chief Rick Wurts will throw the Ceremonial First Pitch. In addition, the Padres Foundation, in partnership with Donovan’s Steak and Chop House, will present a $10,000 donation to a local non-profit that supports first responders.

On Wednesday, the Padres will honor the Padres Foundation’s featured homestand charity partner, Special Olympics, in a special pregame ceremony. In addition, Stacey Cook from the United States Alpine Olympic Ski Team will throw the Ceremonial First Pitch.

Also Wednesday, the Padres will recognize local players selected to participate in the 2013 Perfect Game All-American Classic presented by Rawlings, which will be held Sunday, Aug. 11, at 5 p.m. at Petco Park. Representatives from Perfect Game, Rady Children’s Hospital and the San Diego Sports Commission, will be on hand as part of Wednesday’s pregame ceremony. Also set to be recognized Wednesday are two local standouts selected to play in the game this year: Alex Jackson, who plays catcher, outfield and third base at Rancho Bernardo High School and Brady Aiken, who pitches and plays outfield at Cathedral Catholic High School.

Don’t forget: The Padres have added seven new weekend giveaways, Taco Tuesdays and KidsFest at the Park every Sunday. The summer fun at Petco Park heats up beginning in July. A complete list of giveaways and events can be found at www.padres.com/summerfun.

Tickets for all home games can be purchased at the Petco Park box office, online at www.padres.com, by phone at 619.795.5555, at the Padres Store in Tijuana, and new this year, at all Ticketmaster locations. The Padres are proud to offer first responders and military personnel $6 off any ticket priced $14 or higher for all regular season home games. Thanks to our partnership with GovX, discounted tickets are now available for purchase online at www.padres.com/military and www.padres.com/firstresponder, pending verification by GovX.

Homestand No. 7 at a Glance

Padres vs. Dodgers – Thu, June 20, 7:10 p.m.
• Giveaway: Drawstring backpacks (MLB Network)
• Pregame: Dick Enberg receives Ronald Reagan Media Award
• College Night
• The Walking Dead Night

Padres vs. Dodgers – Fri, June 21, 7:10 p.m.
• Hispanic Heritage Comunidad Award
• Law Enforcement Night
• Pregame: CHP 11-99 Fund

Padres vs. Dodgers – Sat, June 22, 4:15 p.m.
• Giveaway: Padres rally/golf towels (TaylorMade)
• Petco Super Kids Day
• Pregame: Strike out Stroke

Padres vs. Dodgers – Sun, June 23, 1:10 p.m.
• US Navy Appreciation Day (USAA)
• Breakfast at the Park – 10:30 a.m.
• Jr. Padres Sunday Signings – 11:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
• Headley’s Heroes

Padres vs. Phillies – Mon, June 24, 7:10 p.m.
• Phil’s BBQ Tailgate benefitting Big Brothers Big Sisters of San Diego County

Padres vs. Phillies – Tue, June 25, 7:10 p.m.
• First Responders Salute (Donovan’s)

Padres vs. Phillies – Wed, June 26, 7:10 p.m.
• Ceremonial First Pitch: Stacey Cook (US Alpine Olympic Ski Team)
• Pregame: Special Olympics (Featured Charity Partner)