Arlington Mayor to Throw Out First Pitch at Texas Rangers’ Home Opener

By Susan Schrock

Posted on March 21, 2017, March 21, 2017

The Texas Rangers today announced the details of the pre-game ceremonies for the club's 2017 home opener on Monday, April 3 versus the Cleveland Indians at Globe Life Park in Arlington. The Rangers' 46th opener in Arlington will begin at 6:05 p.m.

Highlights of the opening day ceremonies:

CEREMONIAL FIRST PITCH: Arlington Mayor Jeff Williams will throw the ceremonial first pitch for the home opener. Mayor Williams has been instrumental in the City of Arlington's partnership with the Rangers to build a new ballpark just south of Globe Life Park in Arlington and with the Rangers and The Cordish Companies on the development and construction of Texas Live! Mayor Williams' pitch will be caught by 2017 National Baseball Hall of Fame electee Ivan Rodriguez.

NATIONAL ANTHEM: The Star Spangled Banner will be sung by Rangers' third base coach Tony Beasley. The National Anthem will be preceded by a live performance of Texas, Our Texas by Joel Lagrone. Country music star Neal McCoy, a Texan who has performed a number of top hits and produced platinum and gold albums during a 30-year career, will sing God Bless America during the seventh inning stretch.

HAIL TO THE A.L. WEST CHAMPS: The opening day ceremonies will include the official raising of the 2016 A.L. West Division Championship flag on top of the centerfield office building. The United States Air Force Wings of Blue Parachute Team will perform a jump onto the field at Globe Life Park with the State of Texas flags and the 2016 A.L. West Division Championship flag.

FLYOVER: Following the National Anthem, there will be a flyover of T-38's from the United States Air Force 88th Fighter Training Squadron of Sheppard Air Force Base in Wichita Falls, Texas.

SALUTE THE FLAG: The colors will be presented by an honor guard from the Texas Rangers Law Enforcement. Large United States and State of Texas flags will be unfurled in centerfield and on Greene's Hill, respectively by members of Police and Fire Departments from Arlington and surrounding communities.

TIMELINE: Globe Life Park in Arlington cash parking lots will open at 1 p.m. and ballpark gates will open at 3 p.m. on opening day. The Rangers encourage fans to arrive early on opening day. As was instituted in 2015, all fans will be required to undergo Major League Baseball mandated metal detection screening before entering the ballpark.

All reserved seats have been sold for the 2017 home opener except for scattered singles and obstructed view seats. Standing room tickets are also available. Tickets can be purchased at texasrangers.com, by calling 972-RANGERS and at the Globe Life Park in Arlington first base box office.