When you hear "Play ball!" and see the first pitch thrown out at the Giants game against the Colorado Rockies tonight, you may just do a double take.
That will be Skyline Elementary School second-grader Carille Coronado and seventh-grader Karina Ayala-Fernandez calling the start of the ballgame over the stadium loudspeaker, and none other than Superintendent Alejandro Hogan throwing the first pitch.
Tonight is the South San Francisco Unified School District's annual Night at the Ballpark, and local schools have sold over 2,000 tickets to students, friends and family. The Giants let school groups keep $7 of every ticket sold, and SSFUSD's fundraiser has brought in $14,245 this year and nearly $100,000 since 2005.
SSFUSD is the largest group the Giants host, according to Baden Principal Jim Murphy. Each school does its own fundraising and sells tickets in different areas of the park, ranging in price from $15 to $20.
To create some competition between the schools, students were offered incentives for selling the most tickets in relation to their school size; as a reward, Giants mascot Lou Seal will visit Monte Verde Elementary School.
Patch will be at tonight's game, covering all the South City action, including performances by the jazz band in Lefty O'Doul Plaza before the game, the SSFUSD Showcase Band playing the national anthem and school spirit in the crowd.
Help Patch cover the event by Tweeting your photos and updates @SSFPatch or using the hashtag #ssfusdgiants. You can also post photos and messages on the Patch Facebook page.
