Chase Field Opening Day: What to expect

There may be more than a week’s worth of games in the books, but the home opener of the season is always special. As mentioned, you probably want to get there early - not least, because with the crowd going to be in excess of forty thousand, so simply getting through security and into the park is going to involve a lot of queuing. Things around the park will kick off at noon, when the Pregame Fiesta starts outside of the main entrance. Activities there include live cover music from JJ’s Band, a beer garden for those of appropriate age, and D-backs inflatables. Portillo’s will be offering free samples in addition to various food trucks including Tai’s Tacos, Cousins Maine Lobster, American Poutine and Kona Ice.

Rehabbing D-backs pitcher Taijuan Walker will be giving fans free tacos, featuring his special taco recipe, out of a specially-designed food truck for an hour from 1:30 pm, during the street festival to benefit Arizona Helping Hands. In lieu of payment, fans will be encouraged to donate to Helping Hands, a non-profit organization providing basic essential needs to boys and girls in foster care in Arizona. The main gates open to the general public at 1:45 pm, and there is a lengthy list of pre-game celebrations, which will get under way a 3:30 pm, before Zack Godley throws the first pitch at 4:10 pm. The game will be broadcast on Fox Sports Arizona, and streamed on Fox Sports Go, if you can’t make it to the park.

The pre-game festivities will include:

• Wilson Defensive Team of the Year presentation to Torey Lovullo
• Louisville Silver Slugger Award presentation to David Peralta
• Rawlings Gold Glove Award presentations to Nick Ahmed and Zack Greinke
• Wilson Defensive Player of the Year presentation to Greinke
• Ceremonial first pitch by ASU Head Basketball Coach Bobby Hurley
• National anthem sung by local country musician Austin Burke
• Flyover by four F-35s from the 309^th Fighter Squadron from Luke Air Force Base at the conclusion of the anthem
• D-backs season ticket holders will unfurl a large American flag that will cover the majority of the outfield during the national anthem

We’ll be back a little nearer the start time, with our regular preview. But if you’re there, share pics, details and experiences in the comments!