Below is an advertisement.

The San Diego Padres are proud to be the "Team of the Californias." Since joining the National League in 1969, the Padres have welcomed fans from across San Diego County and Mexico. As we celebrate our 40th Anniversary, there are more ways than ever to cheer for your team. Here are some examples of how fans can follow the team and how the team enjoys being a part of this world-class region:

Once again La Poderosa 860-AM is the flagship radio station for Padres Spanish-language broadcasts. Catch all the action with the "Spanish voices of the Padres", Eduardo Ortega and Juan Avila. Padres Baseball can also be found via the SAP button on all Channel 4 San Diego telecasts.

Log onto the club's official Spanish-language website, padresbeisbol.com for team insights, ticketing purchases, PETCO Park information and much more! Become a registered subscriber of the free online newsletter, La Nota Padre, and receive information on promotions, ticket offers and an exclusive pre-sale on March 7!

The Padres Spanish magazine gives Padres fans stories on players, promotions, and upcoming opponents. Noticias Padres is published four times per season and can be purchased at PETCO Park, Padres Caravanas, and online at padresbeisbol.com for only $2.

"¡Conectando con los Padres!" is the popular call-in show on Radio Hispana 1470 AM. Fans are encouraged to call in every Wednesday at 4:30 p.m. to share their views with Eduardo Ortega and Juan Avila.

When you bring your family to beautiful PETCO Park, you'll find ballpark team members who can answer your questions in Spanish. There are also signs in Spanish to help you reach your destination. Each game features a scoreboard welcome from Eduardo Ortega to our Spanish-speaking guests and before various games the sounds of mariachi and other vibrant music fills the air.

There are several convenient ways to purchase tickets and enjoy Padres baseball. Tickets may be purchased at PETCO Park, San Diego County PETCO stores, padresbeisbol.com, and the Padres Store in the Tijuana Plaza Rio Mall. By phone, you may call 1-877-FRIAR TIX and in Mexico, 01-800-626-0026 (toll free).

Just as Opening Night signifies a "Welcome Back" for baseball fans, Mexico Opening Night welcomes fans from Mexico back to PETCO Park. This celebration of Mexican culture will be held on Saturday, April 11, when the Padres take on the San Francisco Giants at 7:05 p.m.

Fiesta con los Padres celebrates all Latino cultures with festive ballpark atmosphere, a pre-game Fiesta Village with many interactive activities for the family and an exciting postgame concert at the Park at the Park. This year's featured concert performer will be announced soon. The Padres signature Latino-themed event will take place on Saturday, August 1, at 7:05 p.m. vs. the Milwaukee Brewers.

The Padres understand the importance of being active in the community and are proud to have a presence at various community festivals throughout the year, distributing free promotional items and greeting Padres fans. Among the Latino festivals visited in 2008 were the Cinco de Mayo Festival de la Familia, National Council of La Raza's Latino Expo USA, and Festival del Sol. Look for the Padres at local events throughout the region.

In just the past year, the Padres have provided support to more than 1,200 organizations, events and schools via cash/sponsorship donations and in-kind donations such as auction items, raffle items, and game tickets. Among the organizations specifically serving Latino communities:

• Barrio Logan College Institute
• Barrio Station
• California Chicano News Media Association
• California Rural Legal Assistance
• Casa Familiar
• Chicano Federation of San Diego
• Family Health Centers of San Diego
• Hispanic Scholarship Foundation
• Latina/o Unity Coalition
• Otay Mesa Chamber of Commerce
• San Diego County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
• San Diego County Latinos Association
• San Diego MANA
• San Ysidro Chamber of Commerce
• San Ysidro Health Center

In 1996, the Padres made a commitment to the Padres community to build or refurbish 60 youth baseball or softball field in the region. The Padres have continued this commitment, completing 39 Little Padres Parks through 2008. 19 of the 39 completed parks (49%) are in the highly Latino populated areas of San Diego, El Centro, and Tijuana communities. The Padres are looking to complete their 40th Little Padres Park during this 40th Anniversary Season.

The Padres Foundation has committed more than $2 million in scholarships through the Padres Scholars program, which awards scholarships to academically talented, economically challenged students. Approximately 53% of the scholarship recipients are Latinos.

FriarFit is a new Padres initiative that brings opportunities to eat healthy and be active to PETCO Park and the entire San Diego community. Guided by the latest research and supported by the California Endowment, FriarFit is based on the idea that creating healthy environments leads to healthier people. Providing FriarFit information and support to the Latino communities continues to be a high priority of the program.

The Padres are also proud members of organizations serving the Latino community, including the San Diego County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and MANA. Additionally, the Padres support many other events, including events held by the Chicano Federation, Chicana/o Unity Coalition, and Barrio Logan Youth Institute among others.