First Pitch?

In the PR business, we use the term “pitch” regularly.   We “pitch” new business.  We “pitch” the media with story ideas.

And, as a high school baseball umpire, I often see 250-300 pitches per game in which I must determine whether it is a strike or a ball. I also face a real pitcher in the men’s baseball league in play in.

But never until earlier this week have I thrown out the first pitch at a professional baseball game.  As a birthday present, the HMA team utilized its community and client connections, along with resourcefulness, to arrange for me to throw out the first pitch at Scottsdale Stadium for the Oakland A’s/San Francisco Giants Cactus League game.

I’ve seen all the lowlights of horrific first pitches. Rapper 50 Cent failed.  Dr. Anthony Fauci failed. Golfer Jordan Spieth failed.  So did  Jordan Leandre.  And Carly Rae Jepsen.  Even Michael Jordan, Carl Lewis and Connor McGregor embarrassed themselves throwing out a first pitch.

My friend Ken Shaw who also plays in a men’s baseball league threw out a first pitch at a minor league game a year ago.  He said it was the most nervous he’d ever been.

So was I nervous? Yes, to say the least.  But, I did not embarrass anyone with my less-than-perfect pitch that was quite adeptly and smoothly caught by the Giants’ catcher.

Do you want us to pitch you for new business?  Let us know.