In Memory of; the best, the voice, our own Harry K.

Friday’s game time is 7:05 p.m., but fans are being asked to arrive early for all the events.

Some tributes include naming the television booth at Citizens Bank Park the “Harry Kalas Broadcast Booth, ‘That ball’s outta here!’” A plaque will be hung to officially name the booth. The neighboring radio booth is named the “Richie ‘Whitey’ Ashburn Broadcast Booth, ‘This game’s easy, Harry.’”

The ceremonial first pitch will be thrown by Kalas’ three sons, Todd, Brad and Kane.

Prior to the National Anthem, to be sung by Kane, there will be a moment of silence. Then, during the first half-inning of the game televised by Comcast Network Philadelphia (formerly CN8), there will be no announcer commentary.

All fans will get a picture of the hall-of-fame broadcaster. A video of Kalas singing “High Hopes” will play on PhanaVision during the seventh-inning stretch.

For the rest of the season, Phillies players will wear “HK” patches on their uniforms. The black, circular patch is located on the front of the jersey around the heart, a place where Kalas’ memory will stay for many fans and players.

Kalas’ signature will be displayed on the field during the seven-game homestand that begins Friday.

And, throughout the 2009 season, following every Phillies home run, Kalas’ legendary “Outta here!” home run call will be played over the public address system as the Liberty Bell lights up.

On Saturday, Kalas’ casket will be placed at home plate of Citizens Bank Park, and fans will have a full four hours to pay their respects. A memorial service will follow. According to Sal Paolantonio of ESPN.com, it’s only the second time that anyone will have been remembered in this way since Babe Ruth’s funeral in 1948.

The other baseball figure to receive such treatment was legendary Cardinals announcer Jack Buck, who died in 2002 at age 77.

“To be honored in the same way as Babe Ruth tells you just how much Harry Kalas was part of the consciousness of the fans of Philadelphia,” Tom Shieber, senior curator at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown, N.Y., told Paolantonio.

After being in town for little more than 24 hours, it’s obvious that the connection between Kalas and Philadelphia was significant and profound.

We will never forget you Harry, you have touched many families from the inner streets of Philadelphia to the ends of the USA. What you represented was the truth and the pureness in baseball as well as NFL Films. I will as many others will miss the days of just sitting back on a summer night with the sky amber in color from the setting sun, the birds chirping and getting ready for the night to settle in while a cool breeze dances through your hair, and the voice of you, Mr Harry Kalas calling the game that we love so much, the game that reminds us of our own childhood past. The game that reminds us of our father or our fathers father smoking a cigar or drinking a brew when the game was told rather then saw. Thank you for your support and your undying love not only for the game, not only for OUR PHILLIES but for us, the ones you called your TRUE family, the fans. Thank you for bringing something to this city that it has needed for the longest time, a sense of passion and love for more then just a sport or a team…Thank you Harry, Thank you for everything, you may have moved on but your voice WILL NEVER DIE!