Throwing out the first pitch....

Today we went to the Camden Riversharks baseball game with the Villanova Alumni Association. Friday I received an email from Charles Bass of the VAA informing me that I had been randomly selected to join Father Peter Donohue (president of the University) to represent Nova for a ceremonial first pitch throwing. Would I be interested? Of course I would.
So on Saturday, after my group run with USAFIT-Philly I went to Dad's and practiced with him. Then after dinner I practiced again with Dave. My biggest concern was that I throw the ball straight. Reaching the plate would be nice too but that would very much depend on how far away I had to stand.
On Sunday, we arrived at the ball park a little before noon and picked up our tickets. We met Charles at 12:15 where he gave me a great VAA polo shirt and he even gave Dave a nova t-shirt too! I found a quiet spot behind some bushes and with Dave as a lookout I quickly changed shirts. Father Peter arrived at 12:30 and we headed to the first base line as instructed. Oh, there was also a photographer named Joe. Joe was taking pictures for the alumni magazine. They said they would email them to me too. We took some photos with our camera but our camera has been acting up lately and they didn't all come out :(..... I'm not at home right now so i'll edit later with photos.
After a tribute to veterans which included a singing of Taps..(I didn't know Taps had words until today!) we were ready to throw out the pitches. All told there were about half a dozen "pitchers" representing different groups. One little girl represented a group of school children who were there for having won a reading contest. She was so nervous. I talked to her a bit and tried to make her smile. Which she did and she has a very nice smile! I dont know if that made her any less nervous or not, though. I also talked with Irene who organized us. I asked about the mascots who must have been broiling in their costumes in this 80+ degree day we were having. She said they most likely were. She told me that there were a group of them (including her) that rotated being in the costumes. She said it was very stinky inside!

So it came to be my turn to pitch. I was introduced as the class of 1981. That in itself is interesting. I never know where to put myself. When I enrolled I was class of 81 but I actually graduated in December of 80 and my diploma says 1980 but at different times I see it both ways. Charles asked me which reunion I would go to if i went to one... I'm not sure. But for today I am the class of 1981.
I remember my instructions from my two 'coaches' (Dave and Dad). Step forward and point your non throwing had where you want the ball to go. I did that... or so I thought. The ball sailed a little to the right... well my right... the catcher's left. Had their been a batter I would have put him on base because I hit him. The good things were that the ball DID reach the plate and the catcher did not have to go off balance to catch it. I was very pleased. I throw like a girl because I AM a girl!
The game was fun, the riversharks won 8-5 and the day was gorgeous. 80 some degrees and bright blue skies for most of it. I did sunburn on my knees and elbows, but that will be gone by tomorrow. I don't tan. I just burn and go back to pale. Here is a picture of me, Father Peter and the mascot, Blooper and one of me and Charles Bass, the executive officer of the alumni association.