The San Diego Padres will conduct U.S. Navy Appreciation Day at Sunday’s game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Petco Park.

It’s part of the team’s season long Military Sunday salutes. The pregame ceremonies will include sailors from the U.S. Navy lining the baselines, nine officers and chief petty officers greeting Padres starters at each position and a flyover by Navy aircraft.

The ceremonial first pitch will be thrown by 94-year-old former Chief Petty Officer Stu Hedley, one of the oldest living Pearl Harbor survivors.


The Padres will wear their Navy digital camouflage uniforms, and conduct a Kids Fest at the Park beginning at 11 a.m. This will include bounce houses and other inflatables, games, face painters, balloon artists and other children-friendly activities.

Two Padres players will sign autographs from noon-12:30 p.m. at the Park. A Compadres Kids membership is required to participate. Membership is free and children can register online or in-person Sunday.

Following the game, children 14 years old and under can run the bases on the field. Children and their families can begin lining up at the top of the ramp leading to the Sun Diego Beach on K Street following the conclusion of the eighth inning.

Compadres Kids members will receive front-of-the-line privileges by lining up at the Park Boulevard gate.

— City News Service