On Saturday, April 12, members of the University City High School Centurions varsity baseball team will be getting the thrill of their lives! The team will actually be playing at Petco Park ” warming up those strong muscles, throwing gas, hitting bombs, making diving plays, cheering on their own teammates ” in a league game scheduled for 4 p.m. against longtime rival Mission Bay High.
The Centurions, the 2007 Division III CIF champions, are one of ten local high school baseball teams selected to play in one of five games at Petco on April 11 and 12 while the Padres are in Los Angeles playing the Dodgers. The generosity of the Padres makes this event at Petco possible. The commitment is to provide a longstanding opportunity for our section baseball players to experience playing in a Major League Baseball facility.
Admission tickets are only $5 for each day and revenue from the games will go to the section. A limited number of 250 tickets are now available for purchase at the UCHS Financial Office, 6949 Genesee Ave. There will be open seating in the lower seating bowl only at Petco Park.
The Home Plate Gate Entrance will be used, with gates to open Friday at 3 p.m. and Saturday at 9 a.m. Parking is limited to lots D1/D2 and Parcel C (located on the northeast and southeast corners of Imperial Avenue and Park Boulevard). Parking cost is $3 for the day with no in and out privileges.
The full schedule of play for both days is:
Friday, April 11 ” La Costa Canyon plays Rancho Bernardo at 4 p.m.; Granite Hills plays Grossmont at 7 p.m.
Saturday, April 12 ” Montgomery plays Eastlake at 10 a.m.; Calexico plays Brawley at 1 p.m.; University City plays Mission Bay at 4 p.m.
This event is not a tournament, but the games will count in the teams’ records. It is hoped that there will be significant fan support for the Centurions at this historic event.
Go Centurions!