Diamondbacks to celebrate Pride, Juneteeth and 4th of July – Arizona Sports
The Arizona Diamondbacks have a series of special events planned for the next month, starting with Father’s Day this coming Sunday through a July 4 home game.
Here are a few highlights and special guests that fans should know for four upcoming celebration days at Chase Field:
Juneteenth
(Graphic via Diamondbacks)
vs. Twins – Saturday, June 18 (7:10 p.m.)
Honoring the local Black community a day before the holiday, the Diamondbacks will invite the Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church Choir to perform the Black National Anthem “Lift Every Voice and Sing” and the “Star-Spangled Banner” before the game.
Greater Phoenix Urban League president and CEO George Dean will throw out the first pitch, while The Pretty Precise Step Team will give a pregame performance.
Grassrootz Bookstore, a Black-owned bookstore, as well as BASE Arizona will additionally be recognized.
More about the team’s Juneteenth celebration can be found here.
Father’s Day
(Photo via Diamondbacks)
vs. Minnesota Twins – Sunday, June 19 (1:10 p.m.)
The first 15,000 dads to attend the game can take home a free D-backs Hawaiian shirt, while fathers and their children will be invited to run the bases at Chase Field after the game.
Dads wanting a premium experience can start by purchasing the VIP ticket package, which gets them on the pro ballfield to play catch with their kids for 15 minutes. It includes lower-level tickets and a commemorative baseball.
Pride Night
(Graphic via Diamondbacks)
vs. Tigers – Saturday, June 25 (7:10 p.m.)
The Diamondbacks will celebrate LGBTQ+ communities with a series of events on the team’s Pride Night.
The Phoenix Gay Men’s Chorus will sing the national anthem, while former MLB umpire Dale Scott will promote his book, “The Umpire is Out,” and hold a pregame signing event.
Chef Silvana Salcido Esparza from Barrio Cafe and Arizona Wildcats women’s basketball player Shaina Pellington will be on the field to watch batting practice.
The team will honor local LGBTQ+ organizations one-n-ten, Southwest Center, Phoenix Pride, Equality Arizona, Aunt Rita’s Foundation and One Community.
Fans can grab a Pride poster and purchase Pride merchandise at the team shop.
They can find more details and buy tickets at the team’s website.
Fourth of July
(Photo via Diamondbacks)
vs. San Francisco Giants – Monday, July 4 (3:10 p.m.)
A rescheduled July 4 game will now start at 3:10 p.m. and won’t feature a postgame fireworks show, the team announced.
Originally slated for a 6:10 p.m. first pitch, the game’s start was rescheduled due to the ongoing roof issues at Chase Field that will prohibit its opening for fireworks at the conclusion of the game.
Ahead of the regular season, a roof inspection discovered concern over a small section of cable that operates the pulley system to open and close the roof.
The D-backs, however, will be offering a “patriotic” Fourth of July-themed shirts for the first 10,000 fans in attendance.
