The brown and gold color palate will be noticeably out in force in East Village when the San Diego Padres play their home opener at Petco Park on Thursday, April 14.
Game time has been reset for 5:10 p.m.
The Padres face the Atlanta Braves in the first game of a four-game series against the defending World Series champions.
Starting on April 14, the Padres are scheduled to play 10 home games over the next 11 days, including a three-game set against the Cincinnati Reds and a weekend match-up with the locally loathed Los Angeles Dodgers.
The 2022 Major League Baseball season started a week later than scheduled due to a labor dispute. Originally, the Padres were to have opened the season at home on March 31.
Traditionally, the Padres home opener is a sell-out, and draws crowds in the tens of thousands to pre-game parties.
The East Village Association rescheduled its Home Opener Block Party. From noon to 6:30 on April 14, J Street (just outside Petco Park) will be lined with food trucks, beer gardens, vendors and games and live music.
Local bars and venues are also joining the festivities. Quartyard is hosting a free event that kicks off at noon. For $30, you can join the pre-game fun at The Acre in Barrio Logan, where four venues are teaming up to toast the return of Padres baseball.
New Food Offerings Inside Petco Park
Several new concession options await fans at Petco Park. (Getty Images) |
Once the party moves inside Petco Park, hungry fans will have some new options at the concession stands.
Faves such as Hodads, Carnitas Snack Shack and Blue Water Seafood Market are back. They’ll be joined by newcomers:
Sambazon: Offerings include acai-based juices, energy drinks, smoothies, frozen desserts and acai bowls. Sambazon’s booth will dole out acai bowls like Berry Bliss, Amazon Superberry and Peanut Butter Power, along with Acai Margaritas.
Negihama Sushi: Sushi at the ballpark is so So Cal. San Diego fans are used to the concept of chopsticks and rolls in the stands. Specializing in rice-and-seafood specialties, Negihama joins the list with fresh-made grab-and-go delicacies.
Jack in the Box: As omnipresent as Jack’s advertising is at Padres games, this is the first year you can order items like Tiny Tacos, chicken strips, curly fries and mini churros at Petco. For adults only: A Purple Haze cocktail.
Holy Paleta: The specialty desserts here are Michoacán-style frozen pops with a twist. Made with all-natural ingredients, sample flavors include matcha horchata, lavender lemonade, pineapple mojito and avocado.
San Diego’s Finest Hot Chicken. The Hot Hen is coming to the ballpark. This spin on a Nashville hot chicken sandwich comes with the traditional seasoned crispy chicken and is topped with a slaw made from Fresno chilis and “fuego sauce.”
Cucina Stella. The specialty offerings are Neapolitan-style pizza and meatball subs loaded with marinara sauce, Parmesan cheese and served on a rustic Italian roll.
News You Can Use
Fans enjoy a past Opening Day Block Party in East Village. (Courtesy photo) |
Whether you come to Petco Park for the food, free giveaways or still enjoy being mesmerized by America’s Favorite Pastime, here are a few more notes to keep in mind:
- As part of Major League Baseball’s updated schedule, the Padres will now play two day/night doubleheaders against the Colorado Rockies (June 11 and August 2).
- Also due to the late-start to the season, the revised schedule includes a game on July 7 against the San Francisco Giants and three more against the Giants (October 3-5) to close out the 2022 regular season.
- The Padres’ updated giveaway lineup features four player bobbleheads: Manny Machado on May 24 vs. the Milwaukee Brewers; Jake Cronenworth on June 23 vs. the Philadelphia Phillies; Joe Musgrove celebrating his no-hitter on August 18 vs. the Washington Nationals; and Fernando Tatis Jr. on September 7 vs. the Arizona Diamondbacks. SDSun
COVER PHOTO: Padres’ Jurickson Profar celebrates hitting a grand-slam home run with Wil Myers against the Arizona Diamondbacks on April 10, 2022. (Getty Images)
