Tucson Padres Unveil Opening Night Plans

Published on April 14, 2011 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Tucson Padres News Release


The Tucson Padres first home game is Friday, April 15th at 7:00 pm, and today the club announced details surrounding the Opening Night ceremonies. With Opening Night falling just three months after the tragic events of January 8th, the Tucson Padres will honor many people associated with the shooting. The following five people will throw ceremonial first pitches:

Colonel Bill Badger: Retired Army Colonel who helped tackle the shooter on January 8th

Daniel Hernandez: The intern who helped save the life of Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords

Patricia Maisch: Tucson resident who helped contain the shooter after he was tackled

Roger Salzgeber: Tucson resident who helped tackle the shooter on January 8th

Joe Zamudio: Tucson resident who jumped on the shooter to contain him

The pregame ceremonies will also recognize the first responders who were called to the scene of the shooting, including Northwest Fire Department, Pima County Sheriff's Department, Tucson Police and Fire, Oro Valley Police Department and many others. Staff members from University Medical Center in Tucson and members of the LifeNet Helicopter crew from the events of January 8th have also accepted an invitation to join the pregame ceremonies.

"It is remarkable how much the Tucson community has come together in the months following this horrible tragedy," said Mike Feder, Vice President and General Manager of the Tucson Padres. "With a large crowd expected, we wanted to make sure these local heroes were honored."

Before the game, fans will be entertained by the Los Changuitos Feos Mariachi Group. The national anthem will be performed by Sons of Orpheus, the Male Choir of Tucson. The official "Kids Bowl Free Bus" will be at Kino Stadium Friday as part of its national tour. Anyone under age 18 can register and get two free lanes of bowling every day of the summer, starting May 1st. Tucson youths can take advantage of this offer at any one of five Vantage Bowling Alleys in the area.

Opening Night will feature free parking. "We are so excited about Opening Night at Kino Stadium," said Feder. "This is the most exciting night in the brief history of the Tucson Padres, and we hope it provides a springboard to a fun-filled, historic summer."

Tucson Padres tickets are available online at www.tucsonpadres.com, on the phone through (520) 434-1367, or in person at Kino Stadium from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm Thursday and beginning at 10:00 am Friday.

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