I was listening to the radio this morning as someone was describing his wife’s throwing of the first pitch in a Triple-A baseball game this weekend. I became curious about this odd tradition and while my most concerted research efforts (in the form of a single Google search) didn’t turn up a definitive answer as to how this ceremonial tradition was started, I did find that the tradition of asking the POTUS to throw the Opening Day First Pitch began in 1910, when President Taft hurled one to Walter Johnson.
It’s an interesting tradition, and I can’t think of another mainstream sport that has it. American football allows a celebrity coin-tosser at the beginning of some big games, but that’s not really a part of the game itself. I suppose the Indy 500 comes close, with a celebrity driving the pace car ahead of the competitors, leading them into the first lap of that auto race.
I think other sports should consider starting similar traditions. Here are my suggestions:
- Golf: the ceremonial drive from the first tee box
- Football: the ceremonial opening kick-off
- Basketball: the ceremonial tossing of the opening jump ball
- Tennis: the ceremonial first serve
- Hockey: the ceremonial dropping of the puck for the opening face-off
- Cricket: the ceremonial confused look about what the heck is the point of this game
- Bowling: the ceremonial drinking of the first pitcher of beer
- Curling: the ceremonial first yawn
- Soccer: the ceremonial opening head butt, resulting red card, and national disgrace
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Hmm…I would be qualified to participate in the Cricket or Bowling or Curling activities. Where do I volunteer? 🙂
Eric, one of many moments I liked in the movie, “Dave,” was where Kevin Kline’s character – posing as the POTUS – gets to throw the ceremonial first pitch at an MLB game (was it in Baltimore?) … and throws it with a surprising amount of accuracy and heat …
Beth, I wouldn’t have pegged you as a beer drinker, but maybe that’s what it takes to get you through a bowling match. 😉
Jeff, that was actually the context of the story on the radio: the guy’s wife got a standing ovation from the fans because she drilled the ball into the catcher’s mitt.
Personally, I’d never agree to throw out the first pitch. When confronted the opportunity to look foolish, I usually decline. I mean, what if the lady in the story had a better arm than me?
Decline an opportunity to look foolish? You mean, you can turn it down. Dang!
I like the idea of a ceremonial lap in a F1 Car!!
It’s not like I’m a regular beer drinker, but on the rare occasion when alcohol is consumed, I am more likely to opt for beer than anything else. Dark beer at that. Guinness and Shiner Bock being my two favorites.
That said, given how badly I bowl, anything helps. If nothing else, it provides anesthesia for the insane pain in my wrists and forearms.
You nailed the bowling. You begin the evening bowling rather poorly, so you drink beer. The bowling improves through the second game (after getting a little loose and relaxed). By the end of the third game your game has gone back down hill. The trick is to time your beer consumption with the time frame of the three bowling matches. It really isn’t about knocking down the most pins…it’s all about the timing!
Before the World Cup finale, I would have suggested for soccer: “The ceremonial first flop (look of anguish optional).”
And you totally missed it on hockey: “The ceremonial first punch (after which a hockey game broke out… rimshot!)”
Wonder if they have someone eat a ceremonial first hot dog at competitive eating events? (Followed by the unceremonious first yack…)
Lyle, I’ll have to take your word for it…I can’t remember the last time I bowled (and beer isn’t a contributing factor to my poor memory!).
Bret, another one that comes to mind: Tour de France – the ceremonial first blood test.
What about swimming? Would a ceremonial parade around the pool in a Speedo and swim cap also be cause for national disgrace?
I don’t know, Gwynne…perhaps you should post a photo and let us decide. 😉
Well, now, I’m not sure I can get a photo of the POTUS in a Speedo without causing undue security threats in the process. I think we have to work within the confines of our imaginations. 😉
Oh. Well. I didn’t realize you were talking about the prez. Never mind.
Dude….you forgot shooting sports!
Janie, the ceremonial shooting is just too scary to contemplate. 😉
Eric, I shudder to think what you think I was suggesting! That would be a disgrace, certainly, but nothing approaching national significance. 8-}
Now shooting, yes, Janie! No. No. Not going there. I’ve already caused enough trouble for one day. 😉
I don’t think a ceremonial shooting would catch on … VP Dick Cheney tried it on a recent hunt, and it just didn’t stir the country’s soul in quite the same way as POTUS Bush throwing out that first baseball …
The ultimate would be the “catching of the first arrow” at an archery tournament…or now that I see “catching” on paper, wouldn’t it be fun to watch some of those guys have to catch the ball thrown from a screwball pitcher?
wouldn’t there also be a ceremonial first head butt in horse racing too?
Lyle, that’s an intriguing variation…make the celebrity fill in for the catcher instead of the pitcher! Too bad Gaylord Perry’s not still pitching. 😉
SD, great catch! I saw that clip on TV a couple of days ago. I’m pretty sure that the head-butt-er came out on the short end of that transaction, however. It didn’t seem to faze the horse. And horses have long memories (as do horse owners).