U.S. Navy Command Master Chief James Ritch of Woodland Hills will be honored as the Veteran of the Game tonight when the Los Angeles Dodgers face the Arizona Diamondbacks to start a three-game series at Dodger Stadium.
Ritch enlisted in 1990 and is serving with Carrier Airborne Command and Control Squadron One One Seven, an airborne early warning squadron based at Naval Base Ventura County. He is responsible for combat readiness, mentorship and the morale of more than 130 sailors.
Ritch is a decorated veteran of the Persian Gulf War, Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. He will be deployed with the squadron, marking his eighth overseas deployment.
Ritch’s accolades include five Navy Commendation Medals and a Joint Service Achievement Medal.
The Dodgers will conduct their fifth annual Filipino Heritage Night tonight, with a portion of the proceeds from the sold-out Filipino Heritage Night ticket package directly supporting the American Red Cross in its Philippine Typhoon Relief Efforts.
As part of Filipino Heritage Night, actress and singer Christine Love will perform the national anthem.
Sophia Bush will throw the ceremonial first pitch and be joined by her “Chicago P.D.” castmates Jesse Lee Sofer and Patrick Flueger in making the declaration that officially starts all Dodger home games, “It’s time for Dodger baseball.”
Mickey Hatcher, an outfielder-infielder with the Dodgers 1988 World Series championship team, will sign autographs in the right field pavilion plaza from 5-7 p.m., the same time Matt Luke, an outfielder-first baseman with the Dodgers in 1998, will be signing autographs in the left field pavilion plaza.
A special extreme loaded hot dog, the Arizona Snake Dog, will be available at extreme loaded dog concession stands on the field, loge and reserve levels throughout the series. It is an all-beef hot dog topped with nacho cheese, chorizo, sliced jalapenos and tortilla chips.
All auto gates will open at 4:30 p.m. and all stadium gates at 5 p.m. for the 7:10 p.m. game.
