Dodger Stadium will host the first annual Catholic Night with the ceremonial first pitch by Auxiliary Bishop Robert E. Barron of Santa Barbara.

On Sept. 2 at 7:10 p.m., the Los Angeles Dodgers will take on the San Diego Padres. The night will begin with a personal welcome on the message board to each parish, Catholic school and other Catholic ministries attending the event.

Bishop Barron said in a recent statement that he was excited to throw the first pitch. “I never thought I would be on the field at Dodger Stadium, much less be throwing a pitch.”

The bishop has been a baseball fan since he was six-years-old. His love for the game began in the summer of 1966 when his father took him and his brother to a Detroit Tigers game. “I started with T-ball when I was seven and moved through many years of Little League and Babe Ruth league, becoming in time a pretty good hitter and shortstop,” Bishop Barron said.

 “I’ve always thought that among many things, baseball teaches us how to attract people to Church,” Bishop Barron added, noting that it is the beauty and skill of the game that first attracts fans.

For more information about tickets and group pricing, please email Bryan Schiefelbein at [email protected], or call (323) 224-1376.