White Sox announce opening series events

The Chicago White Sox kick off the 2018 opening series vs. Detroit with the following promotional highlights and ceremonial first pitches.
Thursday, April 5, 3:10 p.m. vs. Detroit
The Ford Drive Around will kick off the season by introducing 2018 White Sox players and coaches as they arrive on field in Ford Mustangs. Fans are advised to be in their seats by 2:15 p.m. CT for the opening ceremony.
Brandon Lay, country music artist, will perform the National Anthem. The former three-sport athlete, including baseball, was named one of Rolling Stone magazine's "10 new country artists you need to know." He has previously opened for country greats Dierks Bentley, Hank Williams Jr. and Old Dominion. Fans can catch him in concert on April 26 and then again on July 28, when he returns to open for Kenny Chesney at Soldier Field.
White Sox great and 2005 World Series Champion A.J. Pierzynski will throw out a ceremonial first pitch. The two-time American League All-Star catcher batted .279 (1,087-3,896) with 198 doubles, 118 home runs, 460 RBI and 452 runs scored in 1,068 games over eight seasons with Chicago from 2005-12. He ranks third all-time among Sox catchers in home runs. Pierzynski is tied for the major-league record with 13 consecutive seasons (2001-13) with at least 100 games caught and ranks sixth in major-league history with 16,335.1 innings caught. The fan favorite is a FOX analyst and joined the White Sox this offseason as a team ambassador.
In honor of fallen Chicago Police Commander Paul Bauer, members of the Bauer family will present the game ball.
Saturday, April 7, 1:10 p.m. vs. Detroit
Tim McIlrath, lead singer for Rise Against, will perform the National Anthem. After 19 years and eight albums, Rise Against has become one of the most successful and revered punk rock bands. The Chicago-based band will be back on tour in 2018.
2018 U.S. Olympic women's hockey gold medalist Kendall Coyne will throw out a ceremonial first pitch. The Palos Heights, Illinois, native had two goals and one assist for Team USA during the 2018 Olympics. She also took home a silver medal at the 2014 Winter Olympics, where she finished with six points in five games and tied as Team USA's point leader. The 5-foot-two-inch lefty is a five-time world champion who got her first call from USA Hockey at the age of 15. With 33 points in 15 games, Coyne is the all-time leading scorer in U-18 Women's World Championships tournament history. She has a bachelor's and master's degree from Northeastern University, where she won the 2016 Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award and led the NCAA in various categories like goals and hat tricks in 2016. She is active in her hometown community, holding clinics for aspiring female athletes, as well as in her role as a community liaison for the Chicago Blackhawks.
Sunday, April 8, 1:10 p.m. vs. Detroit
The first Coca-Cola Family Sunday will kick off the 2018 season as Kids Opening Day. Coca-Cola Family Sundays offer tickets as low as $5 in the Upper Level and $15 in the Lower Level (plus applicable city and county taxes) with $10 parking. Entertainment includes children's running the bases postgame (weather permitting), face painters, balloonists, a caricature artist and poster-making station (Sections 159 and 535). The kids menu at ChiSox Bar & Grill is half price for kids ages 13 and under on Family Sundays.
Thirteen-year-old actor Shamon Brown Jr. will throw out a ceremonial first pitch in celebration of Kids Opening Day. The Chicago, Illinois, native is best known for his role as "Papa" on Showtime's drama series "The Chi." Since his acting career began at age five, Brown has appeared in a national print ad for Kraft Lunchables, NBC's drama series "Chicago Fire" and the Plain White T's music video for "American Nights."
Broadcast Information
Thursday and Sunday's games will be televised on NBC Sports Chicago. WGN-TV will broadcast Saturday's game. All three games will air on WGN AM 720, the White Sox flagship radio station, and WRTO-AM 1200/Univision Radio, the White Sox Spanish-language radio affiliate.
Ticket Information
Great seats remain available for the April 5 home opener vs. Detroit. Single game tickets to 2018 Chicago White Sox home games at Guaranteed Rate Field are available at whitesox.com, the Guaranteed Rate Field Ticket Office (Monday-Friday from 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Saturday-Sunday 10 a.m.-4 p.m.) or by calling 866-SOX-GAME. Season ticket packages also are available for purchase by calling 312-674-1000.