OKC Dodgers Hosting ‘Hometown Heroes’ Military Celebration Friday

The Oklahoma City Dodgers will honor the service and dedication of local military members and their families Friday at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark on the first of two Hometown Heroes Military Celebration Nights this season.

The Dodgers play the Nashville Sounds at 7:05 p.m. Friday, and special festivities will be held throughout the evening, culminating with postgame fireworks, presented by Oklahoma Blood Institute.

“Our Hometown Heroes Military Celebration Nights are always some of our most anticipated dates on our schedule because they provide us with the opportunity to show our gratitude to our local service members and their families first-hand,” OKC Dodgers President/General Manager Michael Byrnes said. “These commemorative nights allow us to honor the sacrifices and commitments made by these devoted individuals and show how appreciative the Oklahoma City community is for their service.”

An Air Force F-16 Mini-Jet and customized SUVs will be on display on the Warren Spahn and Johnny Bench Plazas and a swearing-in ceremony of new Air Force recruits will take place on the field prior to the game.

Representatives from Tinker Air Force Base will participate in several pregame events. Col. Geoffrey Weiss, 552 Air Control Wing CC, is scheduled to throw out the first pitch. Command Chief Master Sgt. Mark Hurst is slated to deliver the lineup card and Airman Lauren McNary will perform the national anthem. The Tinker Air Force Base Honor Guard will present the colors.

Retirement and re-enlistment ceremonies will take place between innings, as well as a working dog demo by Tinker Air Force Base’s Security Forces.

The Dodgers open a four-game series against Nashville at 7:05 p.m. on a $2 Thursday at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark, featuring $2 Pepsi products, bottled water and select beer.

The series continues at 7:05 p.m. Friday and Saturday before wrapping up with a 2:05 p.m. game on a Chaparral Energy Family Sunday, featuring pregame player autographs, a mascot meet-and-greet, face painters, inflatables and postgame kids run the bases.

The second Hometown Heroes Military Celebration Night of the season is slated for Friday, Aug. 17 when the Dodgers play the Iowa Cubs at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark.

OKC Dodgers tickets are available through the OKC Dodgers ticket office located on South Mickey Mantle Drive, by phone at (405) 218-2182, or by visiting okcdodgers.com.