© cleveland.com collage/cleveland.com/TNS Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine will throw out the ceremonial first pitch for a simulated Akron RubberDucks Opening Day.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - The Akron RubberDucks are not letting the coronavirus hiatus on Opening Day stop them: Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine is slated to throw out the first pitch Friday, April 17, when the team broadcasts a simulated 2020 home opener on MLB the Show.

The stand-alone video game can be seen only through the RubberDucks' YouTube channel at 7 p.m. April 17.

In addition to DeWine tossing the ceremonial pitch, the telecast will include a message from ESPN Baseball analyst Tim Kurkjian, who headlined the RubberDucks' Hot Stove Banquet a few months ago in Akron.

Pre-game activities will kick off with RubberDucks owner Ken Babby and announcer Marco LaNave welcoming fans to Canal Park. Lineups for the RubberDucks and the Binghamton Rumble Ponies will be announced. And a color guard will present flags for the national anthem.

Between innings, fans will see videos of classic RubberDucks in-game promotions from t-shirts being tossed and sumo wrestlers bouncing off each other. Of course, there will be the singing of “Take Me Out to the Ballgame.”

Afterward, there's fireworks. It is a home Friday night, after all. (The musical theme for April 17 will be Ozzy Osbourne.)

Play ball.

———

©2020 The Plain Dealer, Cleveland

Visit The Plain Dealer, Cleveland at www.cleveland.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.