The San Diego Padres held the U.S. Coast Guard Appreciation Day at Sunday’s game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Petco Park, their third KidsFest of the 2017 season and a pregame parade of Little Leaguers.

Bernie Trifoso, who served in the U.S. Coast Guard during World War II, was honored at home plate. The ceremonial first pitch was thrown by Cmdr. Eric Cooper, the executive officer of the Coast Guard’s San Diego sector.

Pregame ceremonies also included more than 75 representatives from the U.S. Coast Guard lining the bases, a flyover by a Coast Guard MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter, and Joey Buzzella, son of Coast Guard Capt. Joseph Buzzella, ringing the ceremonial mission bell.

Nine members of the Coast Guard joined the Padres starting lineup at their positions as part of “Military Take the Field.”

The national anthem was performed by Coast Guard Petty Officer Mike Dalager, who will also perform “God Bless America” between halves of the seventh inning.

KidsFest began at 11 a.m. at the Park with activities including bounce houses, inflatables, games, face painting and balloon artists.

Two Padres players signed autographs at the Park at the Park from noon to 12:30 p.m. A Compadres Kids membership was required to participate in the signings. Membership is free and available on-site.

Thousands of Little Leaguers will participate in a pregame parade around the warning track as part of Little League Day.

Children 14 and under were able to run the bases on the field after the game. The children and their families can begin lining up following the conclusion of the eighth inning at the top of the ramp leading to the San Diego Beach on K Street.

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

— City News Service