What's Happening at Citizens Bank Park: Phillies vs. Cubs, May 19-21
Armed Forces Weekend: Players to Wear Camo; Plus, On-Field Debut
of Major the Service Pup-in-Training at Phillies Salute to Service presented by Toyota
Also, Phanatic About Reading Day presented by XFINITY; Ceremonial First Pitch
with Mike Schmidt on RDK Melanoma Awareness Day
Plus, Phantastic Auction ends on Friday!
Come cheer on the Philadelphia Phillies as they return this weekend to face the Chicago Cubs on Friday, May 19, to Sunday, May 21, at Citizens Bank Park! Here’s a look at some of the fan highlights surrounding the games:
Armed Forces Weekend at the ballpark will get underway at the 7:05 p.m. game on Friday, May 19, as the Phillies and Major League Baseball pay tribute to our nation’s armed forces by wearing specially designed camouflage New Era caps and camo-themed Stance socks during the series. The games will also include commemorative Armed Forces logo base jewels.
Fans can purchase the on-field caps and socks at the New Era Phillies Team Store. Major League Baseball directs 100% of its royalties from on-field Armed Forces Weekend socks and caps to several military organizations that support active service members, veterans, and families in the areas of inclusivity, mental health and essential resources.
Plus, spend $200 at the New Era Phillies Team Store on eligible licensed player products and receive a free stadium-exclusive collectible pack of Topps Cards (while supplies last, May 19-24).
It’s also Leine Friday! Fans 21 and older are invited to stop by Leinenkugel’s Left Field or the High and Inside Pub (behind home plate on the Terrace Level) for a koozie with the purchase of a Leinenkugel (while supplies last).
2. Also, on Friday, it’s the last chance to bid on once-in-a-lifetime player and game day experiences, unique memorabilia and more via the Phantastic Auction at com. This online event benefits charity and is hosted by the Phillies and SportsRadio 94 WIP.
3. On Saturday, May 20, military heroes, along with Major the Phillies’ new service pup-in-training for veterans with disabilities, will take the field for Phillies Salute to Service presented by Toyota before the 4:05 p.m. game. This will be Major’s first on-field, pregame appearance at the ballpark. Fans are encouraged to be in their seats at 3:30 p.m. for this on-field celebration that will honor active members, veterans and military families for their service to the country. Highlights include:
- The ceremonial first pitch will be made by Navy veteran, nurse practitioner and Team Foster volunteer, Anita Garner, courtesy of Toyota.
- National Anthem and “God Bless America” will be performed by the 553rd Air National Guard Band of the Northeast. They will also perform on the main concourse pregame.
- An All-Service Honor Guard will present the colors.
- Vincent Ciuccoli, representing the U.S. Marine Corps, will lead fans in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, courtesy of Toyota.
- Among those to be recognized are veterans from every conflict since World War II.
- All Phillies day-of-game employees who served in the U.S. military will be honored on the CP Rankin Rooftop.
- TSgt Marissa Kuhnel, representing the U.S. Air Force will be honored with a base change, courtesy of Toyota, in the 3rd inning
Also happening: the pregame Budweiser Block Party at the Budweiser Batter’s Eye Bar.
4. The Phillies are celebrating young readers at Phanatic About Reading Day Presented by XFINITY at the 1:35 p.m. game on Sunday, May 21. Children 14 and under will receive the Phanatic Children's Book Presented by XFINITY: Phillie Phanatic’s Busiest Offseason.
- The five most improved and five most outstanding readers in this popular program that reaches over 100,000 students will be recognized on-field.
- A book collection benefitting Tree House Books will be held at the entrance gates. Fans are asked to donate new and gently used children’s and teen books.
- Plus, The Phillie Phanatic children’s book illustrator, Harry Moore, will be signing copies of the Phanatic’s books behind section 119 on the main concourse from 12:00 – 1:00 p.m.
- Fans can receive complimentary facepainting in The Yard from gates open until the 3rd
5. Sunday’s game also includes a ceremonial first pitch with Phillies Managing Partner and Chief Executive Officer John Middleton and Hall of Famer Mike Schmidt in honor of RDK Melanoma Awareness Day, dedicated to saving lives through education about the prevention and early detection of skin cancer, especially melanoma.
- As a reminder to stay sun safe, the organization has provided sunscreen dispensers, which will be available throughout the ballpark this summer.
Also happening: the Phillies annual Youth Baseball and Softball Celebration, featuring a pre-game parade for organized youth baseball and softball teams in full uniform (weather permitting).
6. Starting this weekend, mobile ordering at the ballpark is expanding to include Foundry Pizza, Liberty Landing, Manco & Manco, Pass and Stow, and Shake Shack. Order your favorite menu items and skip the line when ordering through the MLB Ballpark App. Simply touch the Mobile Ordering tile in the Ballpark App, select your food and beverage choice, and pay using a credit card or Apple Pay/Google Pay.
More Need-to-Know Information:
- Gate Openings: All gates open 90 minutes prior to game time.
- Access Tickets & More: Use the free MLB Ballpark app for your guide to Citizens Bank Park and to access tickets (including Sports Complex parking), forward tickets to friends, use the interactive concourse maps and enjoy games.
- Parking: Please click here for a parking map. Parking for Phillies games is cashless. Methods of payment include credit/debit cards and mobile payment (Apple Pay and Google Pay). To expedite entry, pre-paid parking passes may also be purchased prior to the game.
- Public Transportation: Transit services are also available; for a SEPTA schedule, please visit septa.org.
- Traffic: Log on to 511pa.com, www.511nj.orgor call 511 from any phone to check traffic conditions.
- Broadcast: All games will be broadcast on NBCSP, 94 WIP and WTTM 1680. Sunday’s game will also be broadcast on MLBN (out-of-market only). The games will also be available on com and the NBC Sports app.
- Stay informed! Follow @PhilliesCBP on Twitter and like the official Citizens Bank Park Facebook page.