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First Look: Cubs to host Nationals, Padres and Pirates on May 5-15
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

First Look: Cubs to host Nationals, Padres and Pirates on May 5-15


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CHICAGO – The Chicago Cubs return home and look to build on their NL Central Division lead as they face the Washington Nationals (May 5-8), San Diego Padres (May 9-11) and division rival Pittsburgh Pirates (May 13-15).

On Mother’s Day, May 8, the Cubs and Advocate Health Care will “Pink Out” the Budweiser Bleachers once again to promote breast cancer prevention awareness while celebrating moms and women everywhere who are survivors. Guests in the Budweiser Bleachers will receive a pink “Save Second Base” T-shirt, and everyone inside the ballpark will be invited to stand to honor cancer survivors in the 4th inning. Breast cancer survivors will participate in festivities including ceremonial first pitches, singing the national anthem, forming a symbolic pink ribbon around the pitcher’s mound, meeting Cubs players as they take the field at each position and leading the 7th inning stretch. Honorary Bat Girl Molly Oliver, who won Major League Baseball’s nationwide contest, will deliver the lineup card to the umpires. The Cubs will join other Major League Baseball teams that day in wearing pink Mother’s Day jerseys and caps, which will be authenticated, collected and auctioned by Cubs Authentics at www.cubs.com/authentics. Net proceeds from the auction benefit Cubs Charities.

The following Sunday, May 15, Major League Baseball will host “Play Ball” Weekend at Wrigley Field and other participating ballparks across the league. Major League Baseball and USA Baseball launched “Play Ball” as the sport’s largest effort to encourage widespread participation in both formal and informal baseball activities. Local youth baseball and softball players will participate in a pregame cap exchange, rosin bag delivery and “play ball” announcement, and they will take the field before meeting Cubs players at each position. All players, umpires and on-field personnel will wear “Play Ball” patches during the game, while on-air broadcast talent will wear “Play Ball” pins. MLB’s “Play Ball” initiative aligns with Cubs Charities’ ongoing programming to promote youth baseball and softball, including the Diamond Project Signature Program and support of Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities (RBI), Chicago Park District’s Rookie League and Special Recreation Programs, the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago (RIC) Cubs, Inner City Youth Baseball and the development of several baseball fields throughout the city.

Tickets for each game remain available at www.cubs.com or 800-THE-CUBS (800-843-2827). Highlights of the homestand follow.

Promotions:

On Sunday, May 8, Budweiser Bleacher guests will receive a “Save Second Base” T-shirt during the annual “Pink Out” presented by Advocate Health Care.

On Saturday, May 14, Blue Lizard will provide sunscreen for up to the first 35,000 fans.

After both Sunday games this homestand, May 8 and 15, the first 1,000 kids 13-and-under can run the bases post-game, weather permitting.

Guests and Entertainment:

On Friday, May 6, percussionist Sunny Ortiz from American rock band Widespread Panic will throw a ceremonial first pitch.

Northwestern University Head Football Coach Pat Fitzgerald will throw a first pitch and lead the 7th inning stretch Saturday, May 7.

On Mother’s Day, May 8, breast cancer survivors will throw ceremonial first pitches, sing the national anthem and lead the 7th inning stretch as part of the annual “Pink Out” presented by Advocate Health Care. Retired U.S. Army Captain and Medal of Honor recipient Florent "Flo" Groberg will throw a ceremonial first pitch as well.

On Monday, May 9, drivers from the Indianapolis 500 will be present to throw a ceremonial first pitch and lead the 7th inning stretch. Michelle Nash from Broadway in Chicago’s “Disenchanted!” musical will perform the national anthem.

Second City cast members will throw a ceremonial first pitch and lead the stretch Tuesday, May 10, while Klea Blackhurst from “Hazel – A Musical Maid in America” at Drury Lane Theatre will perform the national anthem.

Chicago Bears kicker Robbie Gould will throw a first pitch and lead the stretch Saturday, May 14.

Actor, director, musician and Chicago native Gary Sinise will throw a first pitch and lead the stretch Sunday, May 15.

Food Specials:

The Decade Diner, located in the right field concourse, features rotating homestand specials. This homestand, fans can order a Chicken Parmesan Sandwich with a breaded chicken breast, house-made marinara sauce and provolone cheese served on a toasted garlic hoagie roll with french fries. Also available is the Gilbert’s Aloha Sausage, which is a chicken sausage topped with pineapple salsa, lime aioli, hot sauce and crushed potato chips served on a sausage roll with french fries on the side.

Hot Doug’s will continue serving its selections from the previous homestand at Platform 14, located behind the center field scoreboard in the Budweiser Bleachers. The Dave Rosello is an Argentinian pork and bacon sausage topped with chimichurri and smoked Swiss cheese. The Steve Trachsel is a tequila and black bean chicken sausage topped with jalapeño mustard and pico de gallo. Finally, the Champ Summers is a Vienna Beef spicy polish sausage with Goose Island beer mustard and crispy fried onions.

“Let’s Give” Cubs Charities Events:

On Monday, May 9, the Cubs will team up with the Robert R. McCormick Foundation for the annual Cubs Care Grant Luncheon in the Audi Club at Wrigley Field. Cubs Charities and Cubs Care will grant money to more than 30 nonprofit organizations serving those in need in the Chicago area. Last year, the Cubs and Robert R. McCormick Foundation distributed more than $1 million in grants. For more information, visit www.cubscharities.org.

Cubs wives and girlfriends will sell mystery baseballs benefiting Cubs Charities Saturday, May 14. Fans will have the opportunity to buy baseballs signed by current and former players on the concourse near Gate F from the time gates open until the 5th inning (or while supplies last) for $45 each.

Manager Joe Maddon is supporting Chicago nonprofit organizations through his “Respect Community” charity T-shirt initiative. After every Friday home game, Maddon represents a different Chicago nonprofit by wearing the organization’s T-shirt during his post-game press conference. On Friday, May 6, Maddon will represent Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) Chicago, who connects neighborhoods to the resources they need to become stronger and healthier. LISC Chicago provides grants, loans, technical assistance and other resources to more than 70 partner organizations in low- and moderate-income communities across Chicago. Cubs Charities partners with LISC Chicago to implement the Diamond Project Signature Program.

Homestand Recap, May 5-15:

Thursday, May 5, Chicago Cubs vs. Washington Nationals, 7:05 p.m.

· National anthem: John Vincent

· Broadcast: CSN, 670 The Score, Cubs.com

Friday, May 6, Chicago Cubs vs. Washington Nationals, 1:20 p.m.

· First pitch: Percussionist Sunny Ortiz from American rock band Widespread Panic

· National anthem: Wayne Messmer

· Broadcast: CSN, MLB Network, 670 The Score, Cubs.com

Saturday, May 7, Chicago Cubs vs. Washington Nationals, 3:05 p.m.

· First pitch and 7th inning stretch: Northwestern University Head Football Coach Pat Fitzgerald

· National anthem: Nate Klinger

· Broadcast: CSN, FS1, 670 The Score, Cubs.com

Sunday, May 8 (Mother’s Day), Chicago Cubs vs. Washington Nationals, 1:20 p.m.

· Promotion: "Save Second Base" T-shirt for up to the first 5,000 Budweiser Bleacher guests as part of the annual “Pink Out” presented by Advocate Health Care

· First pitches, national anthem and 7th inning stretch: Breast cancer survivors

· First pitch: Retired U.S. Army Captain and Medal of Honor recipient Florent "Flo" Groberg

· Broadcast: WGN-TV, MLB Network, 670 The Score, Cubs.com

Postgame: Kids Run the Bases, first 1,000 kids 13-and-under

Monday, May 9, Chicago Cubs vs. San Diego Padres, 7:05 p.m.

· Pregame: Annual Cubs Care Grant Luncheon

· First pitch and 7th inning stretch: Indianapolis 500 drivers

· National anthem: Michelle Nash from Broadway in Chicago’s “Disenchanted!” musical

· Broadcast: CSN, 670 The Score, Cubs.com

Tuesday, May 10, Chicago Cubs vs. San Diego Padres, 7:05 p.m.

· First pitch and 7th inning stretch: Second City cast members

· National anthem: Klea Blackhurst from “Hazel – A Musical Maid in America” at Drury Lane Theatre

· Broadcast: WPWR-TV, 670 The Score, Cubs.com

Wednesday, May 11, Chicago Cubs vs. San Diego Padres, 7:05 p.m.

· National anthem: Wayne Messmer

· Broadcast: CSN, 670 The Score, Cubs.com

Friday, May 13, Chicago Cubs vs. Pittsburgh Pirates, 1:20 p.m.

· National anthem: Wayne Messmer

· Broadcast: WGN-TV, MLB Network, 670 The Score, Cubs.com

Saturday, May 14, Chicago Cubs vs. Pittsburgh Pirates, 1:20 p.m.

· Promotion: Blue Lizard Sunscreen, up to the first 35,000 fans

· Pregame through 5th inning: Cubs Wives selling mystery baseballs benefiting Cubs Charities

· First pitch and 7th inning stretch: Chicago Bears kicker Robbie Gould

· National anthem: John Vincent

· Broadcast: ABC 7, 670 The Score, Cubs.com

Sunday, May 15, Chicago Cubs vs. Pittsburgh Pirates, 1:20 p.m.

· MLB “Play Ball” Weekend

· First pitch and 7th inning stretch: Actor, director, musician and Chicago native Gary Sinise

· National anthem: Deena Jakoub

· Broadcast: CSN, 670 The Score, Cubs.com

Postgame: Kids Run the Bases, first 1,000 kids 13-and-under

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