Happy Opening Day, every Detroiter’s favorite unofficial holiday. While the crowds will be thick around Comerica Park (and the Boll Family YMCA) today, there are celebrations all weekend, including Sunday, which the Tigers have dubbed “Kids’ Opening Day.”
The Tigers, along with partner Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, are making healthy lifestyles for children the focus of the day — and the YMCA, with its commitment to healthy kids and healthy families, is playing a big role. Students from the Y Detroit Leadership Academy will be among nearly 200 kids who will participate in exercise on the field before the game, with guidance by the Tigers trainers and an assist from Paws, the Tigers’ mascot. Other participants represent the Boys & Girls Clubs, Detroit PAL, and local youth baseball teams.
The excitement doesn’t stop there, though, Kids will throw out the first pitch, sing the national anthem and announce the starting lineups, among other activities.
The participants also get a T-shirt with the Tigers “Kids Opening Day” logo, as their “uniform” for the day. They’ll also be able to enjoy the game and cheer on the rematch between the defending American League Champion Detroit Tigers and their ALCS rivals, the New York Yankees. And in keeping with the theme of the day, they’ll prove you can make good food choices at the ballpark with a healthy lunch consisting of a chicken pita, pasta salad cup, baked chips, celery and carrots, and a bottle of water.
All kids age 14 and under attending the game will receive a miniature Miguel Cabrera MVP bat and “cheer card” upon entry.
“The Y would like to thank BCBSM and the Detroit Tigers for this unique opportunity,” said Reid Thebault, YMCA of Metropolitan Detroit President and CEO. “This is the chance of a lifetime for our kids and we’re excited to be a part of it.”