Chance the Rapper to throw out first pitch at White Sox opener

Music artist Chance the Rapper will throw out the ceremonial first pitch, Goo Goo Dolls lead singer John Rzeznik will sing the national anthem before the White Sox’ home opener against the Cleveland Indians Friday, the club announced Sunday.

Chance the Rapper is a West Chatham native debuted “Angels” on “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” in December wearing a White Sox hat.

Gametime Friday is 3:10 p.m., with left-hander John Danks pitching for the Sox at U.S. Cellular Field. The game is sold out except for a limited number standing room tickets.

The Sox open their season in Oakland starting with a four-game series against the Athletics on Monday night.

Here is more info on the home opener, courtesy of White Sox media relations:

• Giveaway: White Sox 2016 Magnetic Schedule presented by Miller Lite (all fans ages 21 and over)
• Opening Day Drive Around, presented by Your Local Ford Stores
• National Anthem by John Rzeznik, lead singer of the Goo Goo Dolls
• Presentation of the flag by the Navy Recruiting District Chicago and the Naval Service Training Command Great Lakes
• Flyover by U.S. Navy F/A-18E Super Hornets and F/A-18C Hornets from Virginia Beach, Virginia
• Ceremonial first pitch by Chance the Rapper, music artist

The Opening Day Drive Around, presented by Your Local Ford Stores will kick off the season by introducing 2016 White Sox players and coaches as they arrive on field in Ford mustangs. Fans are advised to be in their seats by 2:15 p.m. CT for the opening ceremony.

Goo Goo Dolls Lead Singer John Rzeznik will perform the National Anthem. The Goo Goo Dolls are a multi-platinum, Grammy-nominated American rock band that has sold more than 10 million albums worldwide. After nearly 30 years, they have released 10 albums and had 14 top radio hits, including “Name,” “Slide” and “Iris.” Their newest single is scheduled for release on the White Sox home opener, with the forthcoming album, “Boxes,” currently available for preorder at googoodolls.com.

Music artist Chance the Rapper will throw out a ceremonial first pitch. Chance, who grew up on the South Side of Chicago at 79th and Princeton, became the first independent recording artist to perform on Saturday Night Live in December 2015, when he debuted his song “Somewhere in Paradise.” He has collaborated with music artists, including Kanye West, Justin Bieber and Madonna as well as earned headlining slots at Pitchfork and Lollapalooza.

Saturday, April 9, 1:10 p.m. vs. Cleveland

• Giveaway: White Sox Winter Hat, presented by Comcast SportsNet (first 20,000 fans)
• K Zone For Sale (Pitching rotation subject to change.)
• Rock the Sox performance by NBC’s The Voice finalist Joshua Davis
• National Anthem by White Sox anthemist Gerald Chaney
• Ceremonial first pitch by Super Bowl XLIX Champion linebacker Darius Fleming

The K Zone For Sale returns for its third season as a ballpark promotion with an expanded seating area in Sections 154-156 – a total of more than 1,100 seats. When Sox ace Chris Sale starts, fans with tickets in these sections receive a “K Zone For Sale” T-shirt and strikeout card, which can be picked up at the #SoxSocial Lounge before the end of the first inning. “K Zone For Sale” tickets are available $20 for most games at whitesox.com/kzone, with the exception of Family Sundays when the tickets are $15 and the Crosstown Cup games (all subject to availability). Please note that the pitching rotation is subject to change.

National recording artist Joshua Davis will perform a pregame Rock the Sox acoustic performance. The Michigan-based musician was a finalist on the eighth season of NBC’s The Voice, when he became the first contestant to perform an original song on the show. His new single, “Always Going to be Here,” will be available online on Friday, April 8. Videos from past Rock the Sox performances are available at whitesox.com/rockthesox.

Super Bowl XLIX Champion linebacker Darius Fleming will throw out a ceremonial first pitch. Fleming is a South Side Chicago native who played collegiate football at Notre Dame before being drafted. This January, he rescued a woman who was unable to exit her smoking vehicle by kicking in the passenger window and pulling her to safety. Two days and 22 stitches later, Fleming helped the New England Patriots in their divisional round playoff victory.

Sunday, April 12, 1:10 p.m. vs. Minnesota

• Family Sunday
• National Anthem by Abigail Tomblin, a young girl from Northwest Indiana

Family Sunday offers tickets as low as $5 in the Upper Level and $15 in the Lower Level with $10 parking. Entertainment includes children’s running the bases postgame (weather permitting), face painters, balloonists, a caricature artist and magnet art. Kids ages 10 and under eat free off the kids menu at ChiSox Bar & Grill on Family Sundays.

Eleven-year-old Abigail Tomblin is a sixth grade honor roll student who began singing the National Anthem acappella for her older sister’s varsity basketball games nearly five years ago. The Northwest Indiana resident is performing the National Anthem.

Broadcast Information

Friday and Sunday’s games will be televised on Comcast SportsNet Chicago and WGN-TV will broadcast Saturday’s game. All three games will air on WLS AM 890, the White Sox flagship radio station, and WRTO-AM 1200/Univision Radio, the White Sox Spanish-language radio affiliate.

Ticket Information

Friday’s home opener is sold out except for a limited number of tickets in Standing Room Only sections and those remaining as part of season ticket plans. Tickets to games on Saturday and Sunday are available at whitesox.com, the U.S. Cellular Field ticket office (Monday-Friday from 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Saturday-Sunday 10 a.m.-4 p.m.) or by calling 866-SOX-GAME. Season ticket packages are available for purchase by calling 312-674-1000.