Major League Baseball today announced the ceremonial & off-field activities for Games One and Two of the 2022 World Series presented by Capital One. The 118th Fall Classic between the American League Champion Houston Astros and the National League Champion Philadelphia Phillies begins tomorrow, Friday, October 28th, at Minute Maid Park with LIVE coverage beginning at 7:30 p.m. ET on FOX, FOX Deportes and ESPN Radio. ESPN Radio will provide live national coverage of all 2022 World Series games.

NATIONAL ANTHEM PERFORMANCES:

• Eric Burton – The six-time Grammy-nominated singer, songwriter and Black Pumas co-founder will sing the National Anthem for Game One at Minute Maid Park. In addition to his numerous GRAMMY nominations, Burton has performed at the 2021 Biden-Harris Inauguration, and brought his incredible live performance to audiences all over the world alongside appearances on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Kimmel Live, Good Morning America and Ellen
• Little Big Town – Grammy, ACM, CMA, AMA and Emmy Award-winning group Little Big Town will perform the National Anthem before Game Two. Consisting of members Karen Fairchild, Phillip Sweet, Kimberly Schlapman, and Jimi Westbrook, the group first entered the music scene over 20 years ago with hit songs “Boondocks,” “Bring It On Home,” “Good As Gone” the GRAMMY-nominated “Little White Church,” and the history-making, GRAMMY-winning, best-selling country single of the year “Girl Crush,” (2015). Their highly anticipated, self-produced 10th studio album Mr. Sun was released on September 16 and debuted as the Top Country Album by a group in 2022 in addition to marking the band’s seventh debut in the Top 10 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums Chart. The album has received both fan and critical praise, including the New York Times hailing it a “sweeping record.”

CEREMONIAL FIRST PITCHES: In celebration of 60 years of baseball in Houston, several Astros Legends will participate in ceremonial first pitches, including:

• Game One – Terry Puhl, a key contributor in the 1980 NLCS vs. the Philadelphia Phillies and 2022 inductee into the Astros Hall of Fame
• Game Two – Hall of Famer Craig Biggio will throw the ceremonial first pitch to fellow Hall of Famer Jeff Bagwell

FALL CLASSIC LEGACY TO GIVE BACK TO HOUSTON PLUS SPECIAL YOUTH GUESTS AT THE FALL CLASSIC: A pair of important efforts in the spirit of Community, Philanthropy and Youth Engagement will take place in Houston prior to Games One and Two. Before Game One, MLB and the Houston Astros will unveil plans to support Buckner International, a ministry that protects vulnerable children, strengthens families, and transforms lives for generations. Together, MLB and the Astros will:

• Provide a new Chevrolet van that will offer reliable transportation for children served by the Buckner Family Hope Center at Reed Road, which is part of the Cornerstone Community campus shared by nonprofits Buckner, New Hope Housing, and Star of Hope.
• The donation of the van makes it easier for Buckner to shuttle children to activities at the Astros MLB Youth Academy at Sylvester Turner Park. It also will provide better access for Buckner to engage residents living in Sunnyside, one of Houston’s most underserved communities.
• This effort is part of the Fall Classic Legacy initiative, which is designed to give back to World Series host communities.

For Game Two, MLB has invited dozens of youth baseball and softball players who participate in a variety of MLB-led and/or localized community programs all around the country. These student-athletes will participate in a special PLAY BALL event on Saturday, October 29th at the Houston Astros MLB Youth Academy in Sylvester Turner Park. Later that evening, the youth will be recognized at Minute Maid Park during pregame ceremonies and attend the game as guests of Major League Baseball. These youth student-athletes include:

• 2022 RBI World Series Champions – Several members from each championship team of the 2022 RBI World Series will be on-hand, including Chicago White Sox RBI (junior & senior baseball divisions) and Harrisburg (PA) RBI (softball division).
• MLB Youth Academy Network “Youth of the Year” – Ten members of the MLB Youth Academies from around the country and Puerto Rico also will be on-hand. The honorees are their respective Academy’s “Youth of the Year,” which recognizes a member who has had a positive year on and off the field, has overcome challenges in their lives, or has made a positive impact in their community:
• Ari’Ando Henderson from Houston, TX (Houston Astros MLB Youth Academy)
• Naila Valdez from Philadelphia, PA (Philadelphia Phillies MLB Urban Youth Academy)
• Andralyn Brown from Cincinnati, OH (P&G MLB Cincinnati Reds Youth Academy)
• London Chamberlain from Washington, D.C. (Washington Nationals Youth Baseball Academy)
• Benjamin Ferro from Kansas City, MO (Kansas City MLB Urban Youth Academy)
• Kendrick Henriquez from Bronx, NY (Roberto Clemente MLB Youth Academy)
• Leonor Perez from Bayamon, PR (Puerto Rico Baseball Academy)
• Sebastian Rodriguez from Los Angeles, CA (MLB Compton Youth Academy)
• Maia Tyler from New Orleans, LA (New Orleans MLB Youth Academy)
• Ximena Zamarron from Irving, TX (Texas Rangers MLB Youth Academy)
• JENNIE FINCH EMPOWERMENT AWARD + ARM & HAMMER CHECK PRESENTATION: The fourth season of the Jennie Finch Empowerment Award presented by ARM & HAMMER will honor four young women who demonstrated leadership characteristics on and off the field. As part of the pregame recognition, representatives from Church & Dwight Co., Inc., will commemorate a $40,000 scholarship donation ($10,000 on behalf of each winner) to the following recipients who each participated in an MLB-led softball programs:
• Christy Concepcion from Miami, FL (Miami Marlins RBI) – RBI Softball World Series
• Maritza Lopez-Gonzalez from Philadelphia, PA (Phillies MLB Urban Youth Academy) – Softball Breakthrough Series
• Samantha Santana from New York, NY (DREAM) – All-Star Jennie Finch Classic
• Grace Shary from Long Beach, CA (MLB Compton Youth Academy) – Softball Breakthrough Series
• CHEVROLET’S “MLB Develops MVP” and “PLAY BALL Player of the Month”: This year, Chevrolet expanded its commitment to youth baseball & softball, including its support of Baseball’s “PLAY BALL” initiative through two awards that recognize outstanding performances of youth around the U.S. and Canada. This includes the “MLB Develops MVP” Award, which recognizes standout performances by youth baseball and softball players at some of the premier, MLB-led youth events. Additionally, Chevrolet is acknowledging important contributions to the sport from youth around the country (two players per month), as nominated by their coaches, community leaders or local league officials through the “PLAY BALL Player of the Month.” These individuals are as follows:
• MLB Develops MVP:
• Demi Chaney from Homewood, IL – Trailblazer Series (Girls Baseball)
• London Studer from Blacklick, OH – Elite Development Invitational (Girls Baseball)
• Nazzan Zanetello from Florissant, MO – Breakthrough Series (Boys Baseball)
• John Carlos Martinez from Mayaguez, PR – All-Star Commissioner’s Cup (Boys Baseball)
• Aidan Miller from Trinity, FL – High School All-American Game (Boys Baseball)
• Lance Moon from Chicago, IL – RBI World Series Jr. Division Championship (Boys Baseball)
• Sean Moore from University Park, IL – RBI World Series Jr. Division Championship (Boys Baseball)
• Carlos Cerda from Chicago, IL – “A Dream Fulfilled” at the MLB at Field of Dreams Game (Boys Baseball)
• Ana Gonzalez from Midlothian, TX – Breakthrough Series (Softball)
• Alana Martinez from Cooper City, FL – Breakthrough Series (Girls Baseball)
• Sam Richardson from Olive Branch, MS – States Play Invitational (Boys Baseball)
• Pitch, Hit & Run Finalists: Three-dozen youth baseball and softball athletes will be recognized for being finalists of Pitch, Hit & Run, one of MLB’s official youth skills competitions. The youth, ages 7-14, will compete in the finals in Minute Maid Park on Sunday, October 30th during the World Series off-day.

PLAY BALL Player of the Month:

• Maya Estrada from Oceanside, CA (May)
• Brent Janney from Senoia, GA (May)
• Brooklyn Trutanic from Carlsbad, CA (June)
• Seth Fields from Los Angeles, CA (June)
• Victoria Jean from Tantallon, NS, Canada (July)
• Elijah Johnson from Dallas, GA (July)
• Mya Refstie from Newhall, IA (August)
• Riley Palombo from Newnan, GA (August)
• Janessa Kent from Hagerstown, MD (September)
• Ethan Williams from Vancouver, WA (September)

MAKE-A-WISH FOR THE WORLD SERIES: In keeping with the youth recognition theme of Game Two, MLB and the Astros will provide a special experience for five young fans – including two Astros fans – to have their wishes granted, through Make-A-Wish, to attend the World Series with their families.

WORLD SERIES PRESENTING SPONSOR SUPPORTS JACKIE ROBINSON FOUNDATION: Capital One, the presenting sponsor of the World Series and Official Bank and Credit Card Partner of MLB, will present a check donation of $250,000 to the Jackie Robinson Foundation (JRF). As part of the 75th anniversary of Jackie Robinson breaking baseball’s color barrier, Capital One supported JRF by donating $1,000 for each “Capital One Walk-Off” this prior season. Additionally, Capital One will donate an additional $75,000 for each walk-off during the Fall Classic.

T-MOBILE SUPPORTING HURRICANE RELIEF EFFORTS: T-Mobile has committed a donation of $5,000 per home run during the 2022 MLB Postseason, including the World Series, to Team Rubicon (up to $1 million total) to help with recovery efforts for those affected by Hurricanes Fiona and Ian. Fans can help get in on the efforts by texting RELIEF to 595959, with T-Mobile making a $5 donation on their behalf.

BGCA GAME BALL DELIVERY: Ivontae Leigh from Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Houston will deliver the Game Ball for Game One. Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s National Youth of the Year Asha Haddox-Rossiter from Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington will deliver the game ball to the mound prior to Game Two. Asha is a student at Ohio State University studying Public Affairs.

ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY DURING WORLD SERIES: As part of Major League Baseball’s ongoing commitment to environmental stewardship, MLB has ensured that the 2022 World Series incorporates environmentally friendly features and activities. Efforts include:

• World Series Green Teams will collect recyclables between innings and raise awareness for what fans can do in their everyday life to be more environmentally conscious during Games 1-7.
• MLB is providing reusable MLB Green branded water bottles and water refill stations to Broadcasters, Media and MLB Staff in an effort to reduce single-use plastics.
• For more information, please visit mlb.com/green.

SENSORY INCLUSION AT MINUTE MAID PARK: In partnership with KultureCity, MLB will provide a pop-up sensory room at Minute Maid Park for Games One and Two. KultureCity is the nation’s leading nonprofit dedicated to fighting for inclusion and acceptance of all individuals. KultureCity advocates for those with sensory challenges such as autism and PTSD, just to name a few. KultureCity provides training and equipment to public and private spaces to create an inclusive experience for everyone to fight against social isolation.