Interleague Play Continues As Tigers Host Colorado Rockies
DETROIT – The Tigers return home from their six-game road trip to begin a six-game homestand at Comerica Park tomorrow night. Interleague play continues as the Colorado Rockies (June 15-17) and defending World Series Champion St. Louis Cardinals (June 19-21) both visit Comerica Park for the only time this season. First pitch on Friday against the Rockies is 7:05 p.m., Saturday is at 4:05 p.m. and Sunday is at 1:05 p.m. Games on Tuesday and Wednesday against the Cardinals begin at 7:05 p.m., while the game on Thursday begins at 1:05 p.m.
Get your Tigers tickets for the 2012 season at Comerica Park now! Tickets are available at the Comerica Park Box Office, online at tigers.com and by phone at (866) 66-TIGER (84437). For complete ticket information including single game, season, group and suites visit tigers.com/tickets or call 313-471-BALL (2255).
Comerica Park Exclusive: If you purchase $200 or more at The D Shop or Comerica Park Pro Shop you will receive a free set of Tervis Tumblers! While supplies last, see store for more details.
All-Star Voting: The second balloting update was announced by Major League Baseball on June 11th for the 83rd All-Star game. Prince Fielder leads the voting at first base, while Miguel Cabrera is second at third base. Time is running out so make sure to vote for your Tigers now at tigers.com! The next balloting update will be announced on Monday, June 18.
Friday, June 15 – Colorado Rockies (Probables: Crosby vs. Francis) @ 7:05 p.m. (Gates open at 5:30 p.m.)
• Friday Night Fireworks, presented by Pepsi, will take place following the game (weather permitting).
• Game Ball Delivery: EM4 Petty Officer Zachary Robbins of the United States Navy from Muskegon, Michigan will deliver the game ball. He recently returned from deployment in the Persian Gulf and will be departing for another deployment at the end of June. He has proudly served for three years.
• Detroit Tigers 50/50 Charity Raffle: The Detroit Tigers Foundation 50/50 Charity Raffle returns to Comerica Park this season at every Friday and Saturday home game. The Detroit Tigers Foundation, an affiliate of Ilitch Charities, has partnered with the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame, for Friday and Saturday's 50/50 Charity raffle. Tickets will be sold from the time gates open through the end of the second inning. 50/50 Charity Raffle volunteers in orange aprons will be stationed throughout the concourse on the 100 level, at entry gates and at the 50/50 raffle table near gate A to purchase raffle tickets. 50/50 Charity Raffle tickets are sold 3-for-$5. Each night a winner will be selected and announced after the sixth inning and will receive half of the funds collected through that game's raffle ticket sales. The remaining funds are shared between the Detroit Tigers Foundation and the select partner charity. To date, the Detroit Tigers 50/50 Charity Raffle has raised $32,357.50 for charities.
• The Dark Knight Rises and Dale Earnhardt Jr. Display at Columbia Plaza: Mountain Dew and Dale Earnhardt Jr. will give fans everywhere a first taste of this summer's anticipated blockbuster, Warner Bros. Pictures' and Legendary Pictures' The Dark Knight Rises, before it hits theaters on July 20. In anticipation of the release, a display featuring the The Dark Knight Rises Tumbler, The Dark Knight Rises Bat Pod, a Dale Earnhardt Jr. Show Car and a #88 Diet Mountain Dew Changer Interactive Display will be on site at Columbia Plaza here at Comerica Park. Fans will have the opportunity to have their photo taken in front of the display. Posters and premium items of The Dark Knight Rises will be given away. Additionally, a sampling of Diet Mountain Dew and the new Dark Berry Mountain Dew will be available for fans.
Saturday, June 16 – Colorado Rockies (Probables: Fister vs. Friedrich) @ 4:05 p.m. (Gates open at 2:30 p.m.)
• Game Ball Delivery: Chief Warrant Officer Four John Raymond Hernandez of the United States Army from Caguas, Puerto Rico will deliver the game ball. He has served in the Army of 24 years as a Blackhawk Helicopter Pilot and has been deployed twice with combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. He has been awarded the Master Aviator Wings, Bronze Star, two Meritorious Service Medals, three Air Medals for combat, eight Army Commendation Medals, Joint Service Medal, five Army Achievement Medals and The Order of Saint Michael Award for excellence as an Army Aviator.
• Aquafina Pitch, Hit and Run: Aquafina Pitch, Hit and Run, a program of Major League Baseball, is a national grassroots initiative in which youngsters ages 7-14 have the opportunity to showcase their skills in pitching, hitting and running. Boys and girls participate together, with winners advancing to local competitions to the nationals finals at the MLB All-Star Game. The Tigers host 24 Michigan finalists in the 2012 Team Championship at Comerica Park. Winners will qualify for the national competition at the 2012 MLB All-Star Game in Kansas City, Missouri. The competition is free for all kids. The Detroit Tigers will honor eight winners of the 2012 Team Championship competition during a pregame ceremony on the field prior to Saturday's game.
• ��� 4*ALS: Major League Baseball has partnered with ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) organizations nationwide to raise awareness about the disease. The initiative remembers the great Lou Gehrig who inspired so many with his outstanding on-field achievements and unparalleled strength of body, mind and character. As we remember the legend, we honor all who have been touched by ALS, the disease that came to be named after the baseball great. MLB and the Detroit Tigers are proud to partner with ALS of Michigan for this initiative. ALS of Michigan is a voluntary not-for-profit organization, solely dedicated to the fight against ALS. ALS of Michigan serves pALS (people with ALS) and their families in the state of Michigan through a variety of programs. The 4*ALS initiative will be recognized during a pregame ceremony with ALS of Michigan.
• Girls Night Out: The Detroit Tigers and the Somerset Collection CityLoft have partnered to put together a terrific event for female fans. Girls Night Out includes an Upper Box Infield ticket, access to the VIP after party in the Tiger Club, a meet and greet with Tigers players and complimentary gift bags from Somerset Collection CityLoft. Additionally, a fashion show, sponsored by Majestic, will be featured outside the Big Bat Court with the DTE Energy Squad modeling looks from The D Shop. It promises to be a fun-filled night for all female Tigers fans! Ticket packages are no longer available.
Sunday, June 17 – Kids Day – Colorado Rockies (Probables: Scherzer vs. Guthrie) @ 1:05 p.m. (Gates open at 11:30 a.m.)
• All kids 14-and-younger will receive a pair of "Every Kid, Every Sunday" Powder Blue Tigers Wristbands, courtesy of Michigan Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.
• Game Ball Delivery: Sergeant First Class Jarrod Phillips of the United States Army from Sturgis, Michigan will deliver the game ball. He recently returned from his third deployment including two tours in Iraq and most recently in Afghanistan. He has received three Army Commendation Medals, six Army Achievement Medals, a Combat Action Badge and a Gold Recruiter Badge. He has proudly served for nine years.
• Prostate Cancer Awareness Game / Father's Day: Major League Baseball and the Detroit Tigers will partner with the Prostate Cancer Foundation for the 2012 Home Run Challenge to raise awareness and funds to aid in research to find a cure for prostate cancer. Tigers manager Jim Leyland and catcher Alex Avila serve as the Tigers spokesmen for this initiative and will participate in the pregame ceremony. In honor of Father's Day, MLB players and umpires will wear light blue wristbands and blue ribbon decals during the game to raise awareness for the Prostate Cancer Foundation. The Tigers will host special guests Dr. Evan Keller, Dr. Quentin Clemens, Dr. Khaled Hafez, Dr. Jill Macoska and Dr. Vesna Ivancic during a pregame ceremony on the field at Comerica Park. They are all physicians from the University of Michigan and are grant recipients of the Prostate Cancer Foundation for conducting research at the University of Michigan to find a cure for prostate cancer.
• Scout Day: Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts will continue a 51-year tradition by parading around the playing field at Comerica Park. All scouts and scout leaders are invited to participate! All uniformed scouts and scout leaders will participate in the special pregame parade.
All Sunday home games are Kids Days at Comerica Park. All kids 14-and-younger will receive a free promotional item as part of the "Every Kid, Every Sunday" giveaway guarantee, can enjoy free rides courtesy of Kroger on the Comerica Bank Carousel or the Fly Ball Ferris Wheel, can take part in free face painting, have the chance to win a bicycle and are invited down to the field for Kids Run the Bases courtesy of Aquafina and Meijer following the game.
Tuesday, June 19 – St. Louis Cardinals @ 7:05 p.m. (Gates open at 5:30 p.m.)
• Game Ball Delivery: Specialist Stephen Hepler of the United States Army from Clarkston, Michigan will deliver the game ball. He recently returned from a tour of duty in Iraq and Kuwait and has proudly served for five years.
Wednesday, June 20 – St. Louis Cardinals @ 7:05 p.m. (Gates open at 5:30 p.m.)
• The first 10,000 fans will receive a MLB Network Drawstring Backpack, courtesy of MLB Network.
• Game Ball Delivery: Sergeant Jeff Cyprus of the United States Marines from Fraser, Michigan will deliver the game ball. He recently returned from his third deployment which included tours of duty in Okinawa, Iraq and most recently Afghanistan. He has received several awards and has proudly served for eight years.
Thursday, June 21 – St. Louis Cardinals @ 1:05 p.m. (Gates open at 11:30 a.m.)
• After recently retiring, longtime Detroit-area sports broadcaster Don Shane will throw out the ceremonial first pitch in recognition of his career.
SPECIAL INITIATIVES
Verlander's Victory for Veterans: When Justin Verlander takes the mound at Comerica Park, he strives for victory. This season, his outings on the hill take on a new meaning. For each of his home starts, Verlander will host Veterans from the John D. Dingell Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Detroit and the Veterans Affairs Ann Arbor Healthcare System. These Veterans sustained injuries or illness in Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom or in Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom. The Veterans along with their families cheer on the Tigers from the comfort of Verlander's personal luxury suite. After serving our country, the special day provides American veterans the opportunity to enjoy a Tigers game with their family. All guests receive a Verlander's Victory for Veterans T-shirt and are welcomed on the video board during the game. Veterans also receive a personalized welcome letter from Verlander. When you see Verlander on the mound, he is not only playing for his team and Tigers fans around the world, he is also playing for America's heroes.
