Pudge Rodriguez to throw out first pitch

FRISCO, TEXAS (APRIL 30, 2014) - Iván "Pudge" Rodriguez, will remove the catcher's mask and take the mound at Dr Pepper Ballpark on Sunday, May 4 in support of kids fighting cancer.

Rodriguez headlines the fifth annual Lil Riders Party as the Frisco RoughRiders, Double-A affiliate of the Texas Rangers, battle the Midland RockHounds at 2:05 p.m. The RoughRiders Foundation has again partnered with Speedway Children's Charities to sponsor Lil Riders, a private event for 165 children with cancer and their respective families.

The ten-time All-Star with the Texas Rangers will serve as the event's honorary guest. Although Pudge made his name behind home plate, the former catcher will be on the hill for the pregame festivities. Rodriguez is only scheduled to throw the ceremonial first pitch, but will still be in line for the win along with the Lil Riders at the ballpark.

Rodriguez and select RoughRiders players will also sign autographs and pose for pictures with Lil Riders participants for one hour before the game. In addition, the event provides ballpark fare, Dr Pepper products, cotton candy and gift bags for the kids. 

A native of Puerto Rico, Pudge played for the Rangers from 1991-2002, and briefly at the conclusion of the 2009 season. He won AL MVP honors in 1999 with the club and currently serves as a part-time instructor for the Rangers and special assistant to general manager Jon Daniels.

The Lil Riders Party occurs on the second day of an eight-game RoughRiders homestand that begins on May 3 at 7:05 p.m. against the Midland Rock Hounds.

For information on tickets to see the RoughRiders in 2014, please call (972) 731-9200, e-mail [email protected] or visit www.RidersBaseball.com. 

For additional information on Speedway Children's Charities, visit http://texas.speedwaycharities.org/. Speedway Children's Charities can also be found on:

Twitter: @SCCTX

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/scctx

About Speedway Children's Charities

The mission of Speedway Children's Charities remains true to the ideals it was founded upon in 1982: To care for children in educational, financial, social and medical need in order to help them lead productive lives.

Since 1997, Speedway Children's Charities at Texas Motor Speedway has distributed more than $9.4 million in funding to non-profit organizations in North Texas supporting children in need. The funds distributed by Speedway Children's Charities are raised through special events held throughout the year. Most of Speedway Children's Charities events are geared around the three major race weeks at Texas Motor Speedway.

Speedway Children's Charities could fill the grandstands at Texas Motor Speedway 14 times with the number of children we have helped since 1997. Our reach is far, and the dollars we raise go to directly helping children in our community.

About Frisco RoughRiders

The Frisco RoughRiders are the Double-A Affiliate of the Texas Rangers and play their games at beautiful Dr Pepper Ballpark in Frisco, Texas. The team has finished first among all Double-A minor league teams in attendance each season from 2005 - 2013, drawing more than half-a-million fans each year since the team was founded in 2003. More than 100 former RoughRiders have gone on to play in the Major Leagues, including All-Stars Ian Kinsler, Elvis Andrus, Chris Davis, C.J. Wilson, Adrian Gonzalez, Neftali Feliz and Matt Harrison The RoughRiders are owned by Mandalay Sports Entertainment, winners of the "Baseball Organization of the Year" in 2008 by Ballpark Digest.