scary stuff!

[RunDMV]

Next week, I am throwing out the first pitch at a MLB game. Yikes!

it seemed like a good idea a month ago.....

[faline]

What an honor!! Make sure you enjoy your moment in the spotlight!!

[missymouseworld]

Next week, I am throwing out the first pitch at a MLB game. Yikes!

it seemed like a good idea a month ago.....

Wow....that sounds great!

What team?

[ibelieveindisneymagic]

That is so cool! Can you tell us how it all came to be?

[Reedy Creek Buccaneer]

Fire it in there! That is awesome!

[RunDMV]

That is so cool! Can you tell us how it all came to be?

I am an Assistant Chief for a major police department. Since it is law enforcement week, the team is honoring LE during one game. I tried to get a couple of police officers who were shot or shot at to throw it but they are receiving awards that night at a different function. The team rep asked why dont I just do it....so I accepted.

[Disney4us2]

That is so cool. Hope you report back and tell how it all went.

[missymouseworld]

A major police department....could it be NY? Mets?

[BriarRose0708]

A major police department....could it be NY? Mets?

If so, we'd have our very own INTERCOT member, Jared, writing about it! He covers the Mets for the Wall Street Journal.

[RunDMV]

A major police department....could it be NY? Mets?

AL team.

[missymouseworld]

Yankees....maybe

Good luck and enjoy the moment!

[RunDMV]

So, I woke up in the morning, started stretching, and bolted up in bed when I realized today was the day.

My office was passing out free tickets, so everyone who came to get a ticket pack said they couldn't wait to see my pitch. No pressure!

At 1000 am, KSBJ Christian radio was hosting our annual Day of Prayer in front of Police Headquarters. After the ceremony, I was talking with my friend DJ Rachelle Rene. I told her in needed a prayer for tonight's first pitch. She told me to listen to the radio at 4:30. She gave me a shout out and a nice, but playful prayer on the air. really cool touch!

We had tickets to the Diamond Club - free food and drinks and seats behind home plate. I resisted the urge to have a drink until after the pitch.

Several minutes before the first pitch, we went out towards the field. Since I was part of the security team up until this season, I got to stay out on the field to get comfortable with the surroundings. The visiting dugout officer arranged for a bat boy, glove and ball so I could throw about 15 warm up pitches along the 3rd base line. They felt good.

The young lady in charge of the pre game activities met me and explained what was going to happen. They did introductions...... along with my bald mug on the jumbotron.

It was time to take my place near the batter's box with the Astros (yep, its Houston) representative. I asked her who was going to catch. "its a surprise," she said. I asked her if he was taller than me. "Its a surprise," she said. I saw someone toss Jose Altuve his glove from the dugout and he started walking out to the field and I asked if Jose Altuve was catching. "Its not a surprise anymore," she chuckled.

I took my cue and started trotting out to the mound. I fully expected to hear some boos due to the current attitude among some people about the police lately but I heard applause and cheers. I acknowledged the crowd by waving the ball above my head and took my spot on the mound. EVERYONE told me NOT to go all the way to the rubber because the height of the mound will disrupt your throw if you are not used to it. I told myself that I would throw from the grass. I split the difference and went half way up the mound.

I took a deep breath and started my throw. The announcer said, "The big right hander winds up".........i threw my best ball......" and fires a STRIKE!"

WooooHooo!

I met Jose Altuve half way to home plate. we exchanged a few words and he signed my ball and jersey. Then we took a picture.

I went to my seat and for the rest of the game I was sitting behind living legend Nolan Ryan.

Needless to say, it was a night I will not soon forget! Oh yeah, in had a

[Disney4us2]

Looks like you had a great night. Thanks for reporting back.

[missymouseworld]

I went to my seat and for the rest of the game I was sitting behind living legend Nolan Ryan.

Needless to say, it was a night I will not soon forget! Oh yeah, in had a

Sounded like a great experience and something you will surely remember. Congratulations....and to sit behind Nolan Ryan(ex-Met), WOW!

[NJGIRL]

Good for you! I love when organizations acknowledge police, firemen, and other emergency personnel .

[WiltonJohn]

What a wonderful story! Memories for a lifetime.

And BTW... thanks for the work you do on behalf of the public.

best,

.................john