SAN DIEGO -- Having missed only five games at Petco Park the past two years, Jackie Fisher has seen her Padres plenty on the field. Wednesday night, she wanted to make sure to take advantage of a chance to see them off it.
Fisher was among several in attendance at Padres' BaseBOWL fundraising event at East Village Tavern in downtown San Diego. Fans had the opportunity to join Padres players for a couple of games of bowling while raising money for the Padres Foundation, which provides benefits in the areas of health, education, youth baseball/softball, military and first responders.
"You see them play, but here, you can talk to them," Fisher said. "They're just normal people. They're very down to earth."
Fisher, a five-year season-ticket holder, first met Clayton Richard seven years ago during his first stint in San Diego, she said. After the left-hander threw a shutout against the Phillies, he was one of more than a dozen players attending the event, hosted by first baseman William Myers and right-hander Jhoulys Chacin.
Before the event, Myers claimed to be "the best bowler here," while Chacin was less confident, deciding not to bowl because he will start the Padres' series opener against the Nationals on Thursday.
Myers backed up his statement early, following a three-steal day at Petco Park with a strike on his first toss. But he savored his moments interacting with those in attendance, as well.
"It's fun just to mingle around and talk to people, just to hear their stories and to hear about how long they've been fans of the Padres," Myers said. "Everyone I talk to just talks about how bright the future is here.
"The Padres do a great job putting this thing on, getting a lot of people in here for a great cause."
Shortstop Dusty Coleman and closer Brad Hand helped their respective toddlers bowl. Randy Jones, the Padres' 1976 National League Cy Young Awardwinner, was also among those in attendance.
Myers participated in the event for a third time, while Chacin, in his first year as a Padre, is enjoying his initial experience with the fanbase.
"They always support the team," Chacin said. "That's why we always go out and try to play hard every game. That's the only thing we can do for them, just go out and give 100 percent every game."
Fans such as Fisher appreciate that effort. She made sure to point out the Padres care about the community, "not just baseball." Myers echoed that sentiment.
"The organization, from the ownership, to the coaches, to everybody else, I think they do a great job of supporting the community and getting the players involved with the community," he said. "I think Padres do a great job with that, second to none. They really have a good understanding of what it means to bring players and the community together."