OAKLAND -- The Petaluma National Little League team that finished third in the Little League World Series will be honored by the A's on Friday before the game between Oakland and the Boston Red Sox.

The Petaluma team, head coach Eric Smith and his staff will be honored in a pre-game ceremony before the 7:05 p.m. first pitch.

Petaluma players will stand alongside A's players at their positions during the National Anthem, and they will shag balls in the outfield when the A's take batting practice. They will watch the A's and Red Sox from luxury suites provided by A's outfielder Jonny Gomes, who grew up in Petaluma and has been one of the team's biggest supporters.

Petaluma finished 5-2 in Williamsport, Pa., losing to Tennessee 24-16 on Saturday despite overcoming a 10-run deficit in the sixth inning to send the game into extra innings. Petaluma rebounded the next day, beating Panama 12-4 for third place.