With cold temperatures, rain and some snow in the forecast on April 1st, it's no wonder the Phillies' public relations department didn't follow their normal procedures in releasing the itinerary for gameday festivities for opening day ahead of time. The weather isn't slated to be very normal, so why would anything else be? Courtesy of TheMorningCall.com, here's the schedule of events for the 2011 season opener at Philadelphia's Citizens Bank Park.
7:00 a.m.- Majestic Clubhouse Store opens. Hot off the presses: New Phillies magazine featuring the Phillies starting rotation on the front cover.
10:35 a.m.- All gates open. All fans will receive a 2’x3’ replica of the 2010 National League East Champions Pennant (that will fly above Ashburn Alley all season), compliments of Modell’s Sporting Goods.
Opening Day Block Party, Citizens Bank Way: Plenty of music featuring Philly Funk Authority, as well as food and fun.
(No time listed)- Phillies batting practice.
11:34 a.m.- Astros batting practice.
12:32 p.m.- Fans urged to be in their seats for Lead-off Walk Into the Ballpark: The Cardinal O’Hara High School Marching Band will lead the 2011 Phillies into the ballpark via a 10th Street entrance.
12:39 p.m.- America the Beautiful will be sung by the Philadelphia Boys Choir and Men’s Chorale, as members of the Pennsylvania Army and Air National Guard unfurl a large American flag. State flags will be carried onto the field by Philadelphia Police and Fire Department personnel.
12:42 p.m.- Astros introductions.
12:46 p.m.- Phillies introductions.
12:52 p.m.- Moment of Silence: In memory of those who lost their lives from the recent earthquake and tsunami in Japan. Additional moment of Silence: In memory of Phillies Owners Whip and Jim Buck, who passed away last October and March, respectively.
12:53 p.m.- National Anthem sung by the Philadelphia Boys Choir and Men’s Chorale.
An F-15E Strike Eagle fighter aircraft will perform the Air Force’s first flyover using “green” biofuel. The aircraft will be among four jets taking part; all are from the 335th Fighter Squadron - Seymour Johnson Air Force Base in Goldsboro, NC.
12:56 p.m.- The Leap Frogs, the U.S. Navy parachute team, will parachute onto the field, bringing the first ball.
1:03 p.m.- Ceremonial First Pitch: thrown by Jim Gabel, President, Reebok North America representing Modell’s Sporting Goods.
1:09 p.m.- Play Ball!
Middle of 7th Inning- God Bless America, performed by Lauren Hart, Pilots from flyover will dance with the Phillie Phanatic on the dugout.
In addition, opening day ceremonies will be streamed live on Phillies.com.
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