BOSTON, MA – As part of Disability Awareness Night at Fenway Park, the Red Sox will recognize several local families and children of different abilities, as well as Paralympics and Special Olympics athletes during pregame ceremonies before tonight’s 7:10 p.m. game against the Toronto Blue Jays.

Tonight’s first pitch will be thrown by John Kackloudis and his daughter Alexa of Foxboro, MA, who are members of the nonprofit Horace Mann Educational Associates (HMEA), a human services agency supporting children and adults with autism and developmental disabilities in Massachusetts communities. 

Sixteen-year-old Hana Coppenrath from Quincy, MA, will sing the National Anthem before tonight’s game. Coppenrath was diagnosed with autism when she was 2 years-old and later ADHD at age 9.

Play Ball will be performed by 10-year-old Zachary Sawyer from Northbridge, MA. Sawyer’s mother is a member of HMEA’s Autism Resource Central in Worcester and together they attend many activities run by the center each week.

Tonight’s ceremony will also include special recognition of local Paralympics and Special Olympics athletes, including Paralympians Cailin Currie of Salem, MA; Noelle Lambert of Manchester, NH; and Femita Ayanbeku of Randolph, MA. In addition to the three Paralympians who will be competing in the International Paralympic games taking place in Tokyo, Japan, this summer, Massachusetts Summer Games gold medalist Lumene “Lightning” Montissol of Boston will also be recognized as part of tonight’s ceremonies. Montissol will compete in the Special Olympics in Orlando, FL, in 2022.

As part of ongoing efforts to make Fenway Park an inclusive and welcoming environment for all who visit, the Red Sox have worked with nonprofit KultureCity to certify Fenway Park as sensory inclusive. The certification process included special training to identify and address different sensory needs fans and guests may have while attending a game or special event at the ballpark. Fans with sensory sensitivities may download the KultureCity mobile app for a list of resources available at Fenway Park and other certified sensory inclusive venues. Representing KultureCity at Fenway Park tonight, actor and longtime KultureCity supporter Marion “Pooch” Hall, Jr., will be participate in tonight’s pregame ceremonies.