The San Diego Padres are strongly encouraging fans to arrive early to Petco Park, use public transportation or purchase parking passes online for Sunday’s sold-out 5 p.m. opener against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

A new seating area for 2014 at Petco Park, where the Padres open with the Los Angeles Dodgers March 30, 2014. Photo credit: San Diego Padres/Facebook
A new seating area for 2014 at Petco Park, where the Padres open with the Los Angeles Dodgers March 30, 2014. Photo credit: San Diego Padres/Facebook

The stadium will open at 3 p.m., while Park at the Park will be open two hours earlier. Extra trains will be running, according to the Padres, which dedicates a portion of their website to transportation hints. Here are some tips:

  • MTS has scheduled extra service for the Green Line, beginning at 2 p.m. from Santee, with trains departing every 15 minutes. Trains will leave Qualcomm Stadium every 7 1/2 minutes beginning at 2:30 p.m.
  • MTS is encouraging riders to be on board a trolley at least 90 minutes before game time to be assured of getting to Petco Park in time.
  • Following the game, the last Green Line to Santee departs the Gaslamp Quarter at 10:06 p.m. The last trolley to San Diego State will leave at 11:36 p.m.
  • Southbound Coaster trains will leave the Oceanside Transit Center at 1:50 p.m. and 3 p.m. with the northbound train departing from the Santa Fe Depot 60 minutes after the final out.

The Padres say fans should be in their seats by 4:30 p.m. to see the entire pregame ceremony, which will start at approximately 4:35 p.m. and salute the U.S. military and late Padre broadcaster Jerry Coleman.

Here are some details about the festivities during opening night, which will be shown on ESPN:

  • The national anthem will be performed by the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing Band.
  • A giant flag in the shape of the U.S. will be unfurled, held by members of the Jr. ROTC program from San Diego schools. More than 100 active duty service members, representing all branches, will line the baselines.
  • The U.S. Navy parachute team, the Leap Frogs, will offer a demonstration.
  • The ceremonial first pitch will be thrown by Coleman’s daughter. He died in January at the age of 89.

The game also will include elements of the Padres Salute to the Military Sundays, including the Military Starting Nine, when nine service members will take the field to greet Padres starters at each position, while Padre players wearing their camouflage uniforms.

This will be the first time the Padres have worn their camouflage uniforms in a season opener.

 – City News Service