The Beehive invites LDS members and their friends to the D'Backs Friends & Family Night on August 7th


By: Cecily Markland


For a great ball game, a fun evening out with family and friends, and a chance to enjoy an evening with other Latter-day Saints you won't want to miss The Beehive LDS Friends and Family Night with the Arizona Diamondbacks on August 7. The game start time is 5:10 p.m. and the first 15,000 fans through the turnstiles will receive a Gonzo Bobble Head doll.

As the proud sponsor of this family-friendly event with an evening full of festivities and fun, The Beehive Newspaper encourages families and groups to be sure to get all the details and get your tickets today, by going to www.dbacks.com/lds. Discount tickets for this special night are: $10 for Infield Reserve seats, $15 for Bleachers, $20 for Club Bullpen and $30 for Baseline Box seats. In each of these sections LDS members and their friends will be seated together.

That night, families will be treated to the exciting offerings Chase Field is known for-like the Peter Piper Playhouse, with its interactive games for families with children of all ages, and the Sandlot, a family-friendly destination designed "to promote a healthy and active lifestyle with a variety of fun and exciting activities for fans of all ages," says Elisabeth McMenamy, Account Executive, Group Sales for the Diamondbacks.

Peter Piper Playhouse is located in Chase Field behind the center field scoreboard and is complete with many video and interactive games for families with children of all ages to enjoy. Playhouse visitors will be able to test their batting skills in the batting cage and see how fast they can pitch in the Fast Pitch area. Other games fans have the opportunity to play include Crusin' Exotica, Rush 2049, Hydro Thunder, Ice Ball (skeeball), Smokin' Token, Basket Fever and Hoop Fever. Tickets won while playing games can be exchanged for prizes.

Another Chase Field feature is The Sandlot. Located on the upper concourse in left field (northwest corner, past Section 332), the Sandlot features the Futures Field presented by St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center. Here, children can take Wiffle ball batting practice and run the bases of a miniature version of Chase Field, complete with a centerfield "scoreboard" and operating door panels.

In The Sandlot, a playground is complete with two clubhouses, four slides and a play area for children of all ages. Visitors to The Sandlot also can swing away in the big league-style batting cage behind Futures Field.

Plus, don't miss the D-backs Kid's Club Headquarters in The Sandlot, where youngsters, ages 15 and under, can join the D-backs Kid's Club and redeem prizes. There, parents or guardians (ages 18 and older) can also register children for the "No Chew Crew" presented by St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center.

There will be additional LDS-oriented activities and events for the Beehive LDS Friends and Family Night, on Saturday, August 7, when the Diamondbacks host the San Diego Padres.

In addition to being recognized on the jumbo screen, Latter-day Saints and others' in attendance will enjoy the seventh-inning stretch entertainment by the LDS-led group, LIGHT. The popular group of high school-age singers, led by Tim Filicia, will perform "Take Me Out to the Ballgame," in their energetic, rousing style.

Many ward and youth groups, as well as the BYU Alumni Association, have made plans to attend LDS Friends and Family Night together.

Tom and Tamara Chamberlain, the presidents of the Arizona Chapter of the BYU Alumni Association, say they will be sending out a flyer with information about the event to their list of alumni in the Valley.

Anyone who wants to learn more about the AZ Chapter of the BYU Alumni Association can contact Tom and Tamara at: tamaramchamberlain@gmail.com. Or, to be put on the alumni e-mail list for future events, contact the BYU Alumni Association directly by logging on to www.alumni.byu.edu.

"We are excited to be hooking up with The Beehive for the D'Backs Friends and Family Night," Tamara says.

Anyone who did not receive a flyer, but wants more information about attending with the BYU Alumni that night, or if you would like to make arrangements for another group, please contact Elisabeth McMenamy by calling 602-462-4107.

For this special Beehive LDS Friends and Family Night, discounted tickets are available around the stadium. For more details about all the activities available for your family or group, or to purchase your discounted tickets now, go to www.dbacks.com/lds.