Texas Rangers Host Baltimore Orioles in Home Opener

03/29/2008, ARLINGTON, Texas -- The Texas Rangers will open the 2008 home season at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington on Tuesday, April 8 at 1:05 p.m. against the Baltimore Orioles. It is the first of eight games in the opening homestand, including series against Baltimore (April 8-10), Toronto Blue Jays (April 11-13) and the Los Angeles Angels (April 14-15.)

Texas Rangers radio announcer Eric Nadel will throw out the ceremonial first pitch. Nadel begins his 14th season as the lead voice on the Texas Rangers radio broadcasts on KRLD and the team's radio network. It is his 30th year broadcasting Rangers baseball, the longest tenure of any announcer in the history of the franchise and one of the longest continuous current stints with one team in the American League. A four-time recipient (1999, 2001, 2002 and 2006) of the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association Texas Sportscaster of the Year Award and three-time winner of the Associated Press award for best play-by-play in Texas, Nadel was inducted into the Texas Baseball Hall of Fame in 1991.

Nadel said two of his most memorable calls are Nolan Ryan's 5000th career strikeout on Aug. 22, 1989 and the Rangers 30-run game against the club's Opening Day opponent, the Baltimore Orioles, on Aug. 22, 2007. Ryan will accompany Nadel to the mound before he throws out the ceremonial first pitch.

At 12:20 p.m., the 323rd Army Band from San Antonio will begin providing on-field entertainment. They will be joined by color guards from the U.S. Air Force, Army, Marines, and Navy.

Following introductions of Rangers Alumni, Baltimore starters, and the entire Texas Rangers team, a moment of silence will be observed for Linda Kaye, Cecillia Newton, and Matt McKee - three members of the Rangers family who passed away during the off-season.

Country recording artist Neal McCoy will sing the National Anthem while members of the 301st Air Force Reserve Squadron, Arlington Police and Fire Departments, and volunteers from Thomson Inc. unfurl the American Flag.

At the conclusion of the National Anthem, an American Bald Eagle named Challenger will soar to the field. Challenger is a non-releasable Bald Eagle cared for by the non-profit American Eagle Foundation. He is named in honor of the space shuttle crew and serves as an ambassador for America's eagles, natural resources, and environment. Following the National Anthem, there will be a flyover of two B1 Bombers from Dyess Air Force Base in Abilene, Texas.

TICKET AVAILABILITY: There are a few single, obstructed view, and standing room only tickets still available. Tickets for April 8 can be purchased at the First Base Ticket Office or by calling 972-RANGERS. Great seats are still available for the remainder of Opening Week at texasrangers.com.

GATES OPEN: All gates at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington will open at 10:00 a.m. Rangers batting practice will be held from 10:30-11:10 a.m., and Orioles batting practice will take place from 11:20 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Pre-game ceremonies commence at 12:20 p.m. with first pitch at 1:07 p.m.

PARKING: Rangers parking lots will open at 8:00 a.m. and fans are encouraged to arrive early to enjoy the festivities. Additional parking at Six Flags Over Texas and expanded Ballpark Shuttle services will be available. This season, there are two new roads open around Rangers Ballpark in Arlington, as well as improvements underway on the I-30 corridor that impact routes and traffic flow, so fans are encouraged to call the Rangers Parking/Directions Hotline at 972-PARKING or visit texasrangers.com/parking for the latest map and directions.

Source: MLB