PHOENIX (AP) — In a moving tribute before the first pitch at the Arizona Diamondbacks-Colorado Rockies game, a firefighters’ bagpipe band played “Amazing Grace” as photos flashed on the giant video screen of the 19 “hotshot” firefighters killed fighting the Yarnell Hill wildfire northwest of Phoenix.
That was followed by a 19-second period of silence from the sellout crowd at Chase Field. Players from both teams wore “Prescott Fire Dept.” baseball caps during the game, with a large No. 19 behind home plate. During the weekend series, the Diamondbacks are wearing special black jerseys with a 19 patch.
The Diamondbacks have matched $100,000 in fans’ donations and have pledged another $100,000 in matching funds.
Proceeds from Friday night’s 50-50 raffle also go to charities aiding those affected by the fire and the deaths.
