Seattle Mariners Opening Day 2008 Information

2008 Baseball season gets underway with pre-game ceremony at 3pm Monday, March 31

03/24/2008 -- Dave Niehaus, who will be inducted into the broadcaster's wing of the National Baseball Hall of Fame this summer, will throw out the ceremonial first pitch to help get the 2008 Seattle Mariners season underway on Monday, March 31, vs. the Texas Rangers. Game time is 3:40pm. Gates open to the public at 1:40pm. Pre-game ceremonies start at 3pm. All fans through the gates will receive a 2008 Mariners schedule magnet. Fewer than 1,000 tickets remain available.

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Opening Day Festivities
Opening Day activities begin with a countdown at the Home Plate Gate (corner of 1st & Edgar Martinez Drive) at 1:30pm. The pre-game program begins at 3pm. In addition to the first pitch by Dave Niehaus, other activities include:

* Pre-game musical entertainment by Henry M. Jackson High School band from Mill Creek,
* Marcus Shelton, a tenor with Seattle Opera will perform the National Anthem,
* Presentation of the flag by Whatcom County firefighters color guard,
* Presentation of Awards: Rawlings Gold Gloves to Ichiro Suzuki and Adrian Beltre; J.J. Putz, 2007 American League Rolaids Relief Man; Ted Walsh, MLB Equipment Manager of the Year,
* Delivery of the first pitch baseball, which has been on a month-long, 20-stop tour of the Northwest,
* Ceremonial first run around the bases by 10-year old Ben Comer of Renton.

Tickets Still Available for Opening Series
Tickets for Opening Day and the brief three-game opening homestand are still available, however, there are fewer than 1,000 tickets for Opening Day. The best chance for good seats for Opening Day is by purchasing a season ticket package-full season, 40 or 16 game plans, or Four Game Flex Packs. For information about season ticket plans call 206-346-4001. Tickets are available without a service charge at the Safeco Field Box Office and at Mariners Team Stores in downtown Seattle, Bellevue Square, Southcenter Mall and Alderwood Mall. Tickets can also be purchased online at mariners.com, by phone at 206-622-HITS, and at Ticketmaster Ticket Centers.

Opening Series
Tuesday, April 1, Felix Hernandez is scheduled to take to the mound against the Texas Rangers. Plenty of good seats are available. Tuesday is also the 6th annual Salute to Armed Forces Night and the first of 13 Military Discount Nights at Safeco Field. All current and retired military with U.S. military I.D. can purchase half-price View Reserved tickets. In honor of Salute to Armed Forces Night, The Boeing Company and 570 KVI will provide commemorative coins to 20,000 fans.

MasterCard Grand Slam Family Pack
Wednesday, April 2 (7:10 p.m. vs. Texas) is the first MasterCard Grand Slam Family Pack promotion with significant discounts on packages in three seating categories (View Reserved, Field, and Wells Fargo Terrace Club Outfield). Prices range from $55-$135. Prices include four tickets, four hot dogs and four Pepsi brand soft drinks.

SECURITY REMINDER
All bags will be subject to inspection, including women's purses. Bags must not be larger than 16"x 16" x 8". Bags larger than those dimensions will not be permitted inside Safeco Field. Due to the security measures at the gates, fans are encouraged to arrive at the ballpark early.

Source: MLB