The Colorado Rockies celebrate the Home Opener of their 25th Anniversary Season Friday, April 6 vs. the Atlanta Braves at Coors Field, with first pitch at 2:10 p.m. preceded by pregame ceremonies and exciting pageantry.
Pregame Ceremonies
Fans should plan to be in their seats by 1:15 p.m. as Opening Day pregame ceremonies begin promptly at 1:20 p.m. with an official unveiling of the new scoreboard in left-center field. The new scoreboard features state-of-the-art HD1080P technology, is 258% larger in size, has a unique mountain shape and is brought to life by 6.8 million LEDs.
The ceremonies continue with a military march and color guard by members of the United States Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard, with musical accompaniment by the United States Air Force Academy Band Stellar Brass. After both the Braves’ and Rockies’ team introductions, Stellar Brass will perform the national anthem, with vocals by Airman First Class Danielle Diaz. The anthem will be accompanied by the unfurling of a 300’ x 150’ American flag across the outfield grass by 150 uniformed personnel from the Denver Sheriff Department, Adams County Sheriff’s Office and Littleton Fire Rescue. A flyover will be provided by four F-16 Fighting Falcons, flown by pilots of the 120th Fighter Squadron, Colorado Air National Guard out of Buckley Air Force Base. Ceremonial first pitches will be thrown by sheriffs from Adams, Douglas and El Paso County Sheriff Departments, all of which suffered tragic losses of deputies over the offseason. Season Ticket Holder John Jacks will throw out a ceremonial first pitch as well.
2017 Honors
Before the home team takes the field, pregame ceremonies will culminate in recognizing third baseman Nolan Arenado, center fielder Charlie Blackmon and second baseman DJ LeMahieu for their 2017 campaigns. Arenado will receive four awards: his fifth Rawlings Gold Glove Award, his third Wilson Defensive Player of the Year Award and his first Platinum Glove Award for the best defense across all positions in the National League, as well as his third Louisville Slugger Silver Slugger Award for his offensive production. Blackmon will receive his second Silver Slugger and his first Tony Gwynn Award for the best batting average in the National League. LeMahieu will receive his second Gold Glove and Defensive Player of the Year Awards.
Parking
As it has been for all 25 years of the franchise’s existence, Opening Day is a sellout, so fans should be aware of the large crowds at 20th & Blake and in the parking lots throughout downtown. Coors Field parking lots (priced at $17-$19 every game day, $16-$18 in advance; information at Rockies.com/parking) will open at 9 a.m.; Coors Field parking lots are conveniently located outside the right-field Gate A entrance (with access at Wazee & Park Ave., or 33rd & Blake St.) and shuttle service is available within the lots to and from the Gate A entrance.
Coors Field Entry
On Opening Day, all gates open at noon. NOTE: There will be an additional ballpark entry point on 20th Street between Gates D and E which also opens at noon. In addition to arriving early to avoid lines at the gates, fans are encouraged to move to any of the seven entry points available.
Opening Day Fest
The annual Opening Day Fest on Blake and 21st Streets will be open from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m., offering games and activities for adults and children. The Rooftop opens at noon, and fans can enjoy music and pregame drink specials until first pitch at 2:10 p.m. For information on this and future Rooftop events follow on Twitter, @RoxRooftop.
Weather
The weather forecast for Friday calls for increasing snow and decreasing temperatures as the game progresses.
Trend is certainly colder + snowier. 1-3” of snow during the game, with little/no breaks. Could see some solid bursts of snow too. Like I said, I don’t know what the Rockies’ threshold is for this stuff.
If this was a normal day, I’d probably lean no game. pic.twitter.com/Q4IUcQj8Q6
— Chris Bianchi (@BianchiWeather) April 6, 2018
Tickets / Promotions
Though Opening Day is sold out, fans can secure individual game tickets to other 2018 regular season games by visiting Rockies.com/tickets, calling (303) ROCKIES (762-5437) or visiting the Coors Field Ticket Office, Rockies Dugout Stores, Kings Soopers and select City Market stores. Fans can save money over individual ticket prices by purchasing Rockies Season Tickets or a Mini-Plan. Opening Weekend at Coors Field continues with a 6:10 p.m. start on Saturday, April 7, and a 1:10 p.m. start on Sunday, April 8, both vs. the Atlanta Braves. Opening Day fans will receive a GO ROCKIES Rally Towel, courtesy of ARROW Electronics. Saturday will feature a 25th Anniversary Season Magnet Schedule, presented by Colorado Lottery, and Sunday will award the first 20,000 fans with a Charlie Blackmon Batting Champion Bobblehead, presented by ShaneCo, (gates will open at 11 a.m. on Sunday to accommodate the bobblehead giveaway). The first Player Autograph Sunday will also take place on April 8, beginning at 11:40 a.m.; Autograph Sundays occur on the first Sunday home game of each month throughout the season. For more information regarding 2018 promotions, which include several themed to the 25th Anniversary, visit Rockies.com/promotions or Rockies.com/25th.
Opening Day Event Timeline
9 a.m. Coors Field parking lots open (located outside Gate A, priced from $16 for Opening Day – Lot B only)
11 a.m. Opening Day Fest begins, at Blake and 21st Streets
11:15 a.m. Rockies Batting Practice
12:00 p.m. All gates open
12:20 p.m. Braves Batting Practice
1:20 p.m. Pregame Ceremonies
- Pregame ceremonies begin with the official unveiling of the new scoreboard
- Military March withArmy, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard, and Color Guard, with music by U.S. Air Force Stellar Brass
- Introductions of Atlanta Braves and Colorado Rockies
- National anthem performed by Stellar Brass, featuring vocalist Airman First Class Danielle Diaz
- 300’ x 150’ flag presentation, balloon release and fireworks
- Flyover of four F-16 Fighting Falcons, supported by the 120thFighter Squadron out of Buckley Air Force Base
- First pitches by sheriffs from Adams, Douglas and El Paso Counties, and Rockies Season Ticket Holder John Jacks
- 2017 player awards to Nolan Arenado (Gold Glove, Defensive Player of the Year, Platinum Glove and Silver Slugger), Charlie Blackmon (Silver Slugger, Tony Gwynn/Batting Champion) and DJ LeMahieu (Gold Glove, Defensive Player of the Year)
2:06 p.m. Rockies take the field
2:10 p.m. Official game time
7th Inn. Stretch Salute to Heroes – SSgt Eli Cheek
“God Bless America” – TSgt Chris Hammiel
Mid-8th Break Flyover pilot & support personnel in-game recognition
Television / Radio Coverage
The Rockies’ home opener against the Braves will be televised locally on AT&T SportsNet. The Rockies’ radio broadcast is on KOA NewsRadio 850 AM & 94.1 FM and in Spanish on KNRV 1150 AM.
Security Reminder
As a continuation of Major League Baseball’s league-wide implementation requirement started in 2015 and in the interest of continuing to ensure fan safety at Coors Field, the Colorado Rockies will use walk-through metal detectors at all gates. Some key points for Rockies fans to continue to keep in mind:
- Unlike the procedures at the airport, fans entering Coors Field WILL NOT be required to remove shoes or belts; fans WILL BE required to remove cell phones, cameras and keys prior to passing through the metal detectors.
- As in past seasons, the Rockies will continue to allow fans to bring bags, backpacks and purses into Coors Field (16”x16”x8” size limit). The food and drink policy will remain the same as well. All permitted bags and purses will be searched upon entry.
- Fans should allow extra time for entry on game days, and fans should be aware of all of the entrance gates as there are typically much shorter lines at gates other than the home plate gate (Gate D, 20th and Blake). The heaviest entry time is typically between 30 minutes prior to first pitch and 30 minutes after first pitch, so it is best to avoid that time frame.
- For fans who have no carry-in items, there are Express Lanes at Gates B (22nd and Blake), C (21st and Blake) and D. There are also special lanes for Season Ticket Holders at Gates A, C and E (Wynkoop). Additional entry points will be implemented for some games.
- Gates A (Parking Lot) and E open two hours prior to game time; Gates B, C and D open 90 minutes prior to game time. For Opening Day, gates will open at noon.
- Starting on Opening Day, the Rockies CLEAR lane will be at Gate C and Gate D for every home game this season. The CLEAR lane at Gate C will open for entry two hours prior to game time on Opening Day and 1.5 hours prior to game time for the remainder of the season; the CLEAR lane at Gate D will open 40 minutes prior to each game. Enrollment is free and fans can enroll at Gate C beginning at 10 a.m. on Opening Day.