[UPDATE: I've added the above pictures... special thanks to Mark Kempf (the St. Louis Review photographer)!]
I just returned from the Cards vs. Cubs ball game (a good game, but an unfortunate loss) at which I had the privilege of throwing out the first pitch. The Serra Club (a huge supporter of vocations in St. Louis, The US, and around the world) wanted to have a seminarian throw out the first pitch at their annual 'Serra Club Night at the Ballpark,' and I was picked in a random drawing about a month ago. I had to practice a bit to get my pitch back 'in the zone,' and was lucky to have a pitching coach (Zach Edgar) here at the seminary, who also graciously took a few pictures for me.
I threw the pitch to Brian Barton, a Cardinals outfielder who happened to make a nice catch in the bottom of the eighth inning. I was very nervous when I headed out to the field, as I thought someone would be telling me where exactly to go (which didn't happen). Well, I pitched from the stretch (I was always more comfortable pitching from the stretch anyways!), and threw it on the inside bottom corner (for a right-handed batter). Fredbird called it an out, but I was just glad I didn't go a little wild and nail Fredbird in the head!
I was happy to see not only my family and best friend, but also a ton of people I haven't seen in a while, including a high school physics teacher and some other faculty from De Smet Jesuit High School. I hope to get a few more pictures from the field soon (the St. Louis Review Staff Photographer, Mark Kempf), but for now, this picture will do:
I was also fortunate to get Barton to sign the ball I pitched, as well as receiving a vintage Cardinals hat with autographs from Red Schoendienst and Stan Musial from the Serra Club! It was a night I'll remember for quite some time! Now, I think it's time to go to bed. I have some pictures from the Extreme Makeover: Home Edition reveal earlier today, but I haven't had time to sort through them...