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Ceremonial first pitch
Traditional ritual in baseball

The ceremonial first pitch is a longstanding ritual of baseball in which a guest of honor throws a ball to mark the end of pregame festivities and the start of the game. Originally, the guest threw a ball from their seat in the grandstand to the pitcher or catcher of the home team, but the ritual changed after United States President Ronald Reagan threw the first pitch on the field at an unscheduled appearance at a 1988 Baltimore Orioles game. Now, the guest stands on or in front of the pitcher's mound and throws towards home plate. The recipient of the pitch is usually a player from the home team.

The ceremonial thrower may be a notable person (dignitary, celebrity, former player, etc.) who is in attendance, an executive from a company that sponsors the team (especially when that company has sponsored that night's promotional giveaway), or a person who won the first pitch opportunity as a contest prize. Often, especially in the minor leagues, multiple first pitches are made.

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History

The practice of having ceremonial first pitches dates back to at least 1890, when throwers were often a mayor, governor, or other locally notable individual.1 Ohio Governor (and future U.S. president) William McKinley, for example, "threw the ball into the diamond" before an opening day game between Toledo and Columbus in 1892.2 Former Japanese Prime Minister Ōkuma Shigenobu threw out the ceremonial first pitch at the first game of an American All-Star team's tour of Japan in 1908, making him possibly the first person who had served as a national head of government to throw out a first pitch.34

Ceremonial first pitches during the World Series are subject to the Commissioner of Baseball's approval. Section 7.13 of the World Series Manual states, "All first-ball throwers are subject to final approval of the commissioner. Recommendations are solicited from the participating clubs, but no commitments should be made until approval has been received. The use of politicians, movie stars, etc., will not be approved except in rare or unusual circumstances." Baltimore Orioles owner Jerold Hoffberger was fined $2,500 for allowing Maryland Governor Harry Hughes to throw out the first pitch before Game 2 of the 1979 World Series over the objections of Commissioner Bowie Kuhn.5

On April 23, 2012, the Texas Rangers executed a unique twist on the first pitch tradition. Before the Rangers' home game against the New York Yankees, the team held an official retirement ceremony for longtime catcher Iván Rodríguez. Instead of going to the pitcher's mound, he went behind home plate and threw the first "pitch" to longtime teammate Michael Young, who was standing at second base.6

On July 23, 2020, Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, threw the first pitch of the 2020 MLB season after it was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.7

On June 9, 2024, during the second game of the London Series, instead of a ceremonial first pitch, Kaitlin Olson threw the ball to Rob McElhenney at shortstop, who then threw it to Bryce Harper on first base for the first "ceremonial double play".8

On August 21, 2024, at a New York Mets home game against the Orioles, New York-based comedian Eitan Levine threw his 40th first pitch to break the Guinness World Record for ceremonial first pitches in a professional baseball season. The proceeds from this endeavor were donated to the Make-a-Wish foundation.9

Presidential first pitches

The American tradition of presidential first pitches began in 1910, when United States President William Howard Taft threw the ceremonial first pitch at the Washington Senators' Opening Day at Griffith Stadium. Every president since, with the exceptions of Donald Trump and Joe Biden, has thrown out at least one ceremonial first pitch during or after their presidency, either for Opening Day, the All-Star Game, or the World Series, usually with much fanfare.10

President Franklin D. Roosevelt has thrown the most presidential first pitches while in office at 11,11 while Presidents George H. W. Bush and George W. Bush have each thrown 14 first pitches overall, including those thrown before and after holding the office. Donald Trump and Jimmy Carter are the only presidents to not throw a ceremonial first pitch for an Opening Day during their presidency, though the latter did so after he left office.12 Trump had previously done one prior to his presidency for the minor league Somerset Patriots.13

‡First pitch by a future president
^First pitch by a former president
*First pitch by a vice president
Presidential First Pitches
EventPresidentBallparkNotes
1910 Opening DayWilliam Howard TaftNational ParkFirst sitting president to participate in Opening Day ceremonies; preceded Washington Nationals–Philadelphia Athletics game on April 14.14
1911 Opening DayThe National Park where the first-ever presidential ceremonial first pitch was thrown burned down in March 1911, and a new stadium, also called National Park at first, was built in its place. It would be renamed Griffith Stadium in 1923.15
1912 Opening DayJames S. Sherman (Vice President)*Taft did not attend because of the death of his friend Archibald Butt in the Titanic disaster.16
1913 Opening DayWoodrow Wilson17
1915 Opening Day
1915 World SeriesBaker BowlWilson's first public appearance with then-fiancée Edith since their engagement.1819
1916 Home OpenerNational ParkNationals defeated New York Yankees on April 20.2021
1921 Opening DayWarren G. HardingGriffith StadiumFirst loss for the Nationals with a president throwing out the first ball.22
1922 Opening Day23
1923 Opening DayYankee Stadium
1923 Home OpenerGriffith StadiumDone two days after his first pitch at Yankee Stadium.24
1924 Opening DayCalvin Coolidge25
1924 World Series
1925 Opening Day
1925 World Series
1927 Opening Day2627
1928 Opening DayCoolidge left after the first inning due to cold weather.2829
1929 Opening DayHerbert Hoover30
1929 World SeriesShibe ParkHeld two weeks before the Wall Street crash of 1929.3132
1930 Opening DayGriffith Stadium33
1930 World SeriesShibe Park
1931 Opening DayHoover was received by a mixed audience, with some opposed to Prohibition chanting "We want beer!"3435
1932 Opening DayGriffith Stadium36
1933 Opening DayFranklin D. Roosevelt
1933 World Series
1934 Opening Day
1935 Opening Day
1936 Opening Day
1936 World SeriesYankee Stadium
1937 Opening DayGriffith StadiumA plane flew overhead carrying a banner reading "Play the game, don't pack the court," in protest of Roosevelt's failed Judicial Procedures Reform Bill of 1937.37
1937 All-Star Game38
1938 Opening Day
1940 Opening DayRoosevelt's pitch hit a Washington Post camera.3940
1941 Opening Day41
1945 World SeriesHarry S. TrumanFirst left-handed presidential ceremonial first pitch.42
1946 Opening Day43
1947 Opening Day
1948 Opening Day
1949 Opening Day
1950 Opening DayTruman threw out two balls, one left-handed and one right-handed.44
1951 Opening Day45
1952 Opening Day
1953 Opening DayDwight D. EisenhowerEisenhower skipped Opening Day to play golf at Augusta National, but the game was postponed by rain and he threw out the first ball at the rescheduled game.4647
1954 Opening Day48
1955 Opening Day
1955 World SeriesEbbets Field
1956 Opening DayGriffith Stadium
1958 Opening Day
1958 All-Star GameRichard Nixon (Vice President)‡Memorial StadiumThe catcher was Gus Triandos.49
1959 Opening DayGriffith StadiumEisenhower did not attend and was represented by Nixon.
1959 All-Star GameForbes FieldNixon threw the pitch at the first of that season's two All-Star Games.50
1959 Old-Timers' DayHerbert Hoover (former President)^Yankee Stadium51
1960 Opening DayDwight D. EisenhowerGriffith Stadium52
1961 Opening DayJohn F. Kennedy
1961 Old-Timers' DayHerbert Hoover (former President)^Yankee Stadium53
1962 Opening DayJohn F. KennedyD.C. StadiumThe recently constructed D.C. Stadium would later be renamed the RFK Stadium after Kennedy's brother Robert F. Kennedy in 1969.54
1962 All-Star GameAll-Star Game in Washington, D.C.
1963 Opening Day55
1964 Opening DayLyndon B. JohnsonSet a record for most hot dogs eaten by a president on Opening Day: four.56
1965 Opening Day57: 195 
1966 Opening DayHubert Humphrey (Vice President)*
1966 All-Star GameBusch Memorial StadiumThe temperature at the start of the game was 100 °F (38 °C). Humphrey left the ballpark shortly after the pitch.58
1967 Opening DayLyndon B. JohnsonD.C. Stadium59
1968 Opening DayHubert Humphrey (Vice President)*Due to low approval, Humphrey attended in-place of Johnson amidst public unrest following the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr.60
1969 Opening DayRichard NixonRFK StadiumNixon requested the presidential seal to be mounted on his box, causing embarrassment when the seal provided had "president" misspelled.6162
1969 All-Star GameSpiro Agnew (Vice President)‡Richard Nixon was scheduled to throw out the first pitch but was unable to attend after the game was postponed by rain. Agnew threw one pitch to National League catcher Johnny Bench and one pitch to American League catcher Bill Freehan.63
1970 All-Star GameRichard NixonRiverfront StadiumAll-Star Game in Cincinnati, Ohio.64
1973 Opening DayAnaheim StadiumFirst Opening Day presidential first pitch outside of Washington, D.C.65
1976 Opening DayGerald FordArlington Stadium66
1976 All-Star GameVeterans StadiumFord threw two pitches (with the first from his right hand and the second from his left) from the stands, one to a representative from the National League and the other to a representative from the American League.6768
1979 World SeriesJimmy CarterMemorial StadiumBaltimore Orioles catcher Rick Dempsey playfully yelled, "Next time, get your ass here before the seventh game," in reference to Carter skipping the Opening Day.69
1981 All-Star GameGeorge H. W. Bush (Vice President)‡Cleveland StadiumBush had hoped he would be pitching to Carlton Fisk but a 13-year-old fan was picked out of the crowd to serve as catcher.70
1984 Opening DayRonald ReaganMemorial StadiumReagan made an unannounced trip to Baltimore, after it was initially cancelled for security reasons. He watched the game from the third-base dugout.7172
1986 Opening Day73
1986 All-Star GameGeorge H. W. Bush (Vice President)‡AstrodomeBush's second All-Star Game. The catcher was Gary Carter.74
1988 All-Star GameRiverfront Stadium75
August 28, 1988 (Regular Season)AstrodomeBush left the game after the second inning to attend the funeral of Price Daniel.76
September 30, 1988 (Regular Season)Ronald ReaganWrigley FieldReagan threw two pitches prior to the Chicago Cubs–Pittsburgh Pirates game on September 30, then joined Harry Caray for 1½ innings on the WGN telecast.7778
1989 Opening DayGeorge H. W. BushMemorial StadiumPresident of Egypt Hosni Mubarak was Bush's special guest, but did not partake in the pregame ceremonies. The Baltimore Orioles defeated the Boston Red Sox 5–4 in 11 innings.7980
April 25, 1989 (Regular Season)Anaheim Stadium81: 196 
June 28, 1989 (Regular Season)Memorial Stadium
1989 Japan SeriesRonald Reagan (former President)^Tokyo DomeGame 3 between the Kintetsu Buffaloes and Yomiuri Giants.82
1990 Opening DayGeorge H. W. BushSkyDomeFirst Opening Day pitch by a president to be thrown in Canada.83
May 24, 1990 (Regular Season)Dan Quayle (Vice President)*Wrigley Field
July 16, 1990 (Regular Season)George H. W. BushMemorial Stadium84: 196 
1991 Opening DayArlington Stadium85
Dan Quayle (Vice President)*Memorial StadiumFinal Opening Day at Memorial Stadium
1992 Opening DayGeorge H. W. BushOriole Park at Camden YardsFirst MLB game at Camden Yards.8687 Bush was joined by his 15-year-old grandson, George P. Bush.88: 196 
1992 All-Star GameJack Murphy StadiumThrew first pitch with Ted Williams.89: 196 
1992 World SeriesJimmy Carter (former President)^Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium
1993 Opening DayBill ClintonOriole Park at Camden YardsBefore this, most presidents threw from the stands or at the base of the pitcher's mound; Clinton was the first president to successfully throw from the pitcher's mound to the catcher.9091
Al Gore (Vice President)*Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium
1994 Opening DayBill ClintonJacobs FieldFirst MLB Game at Jacobs Field.92
1995 World SeriesJimmy Carter (former President)^Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium93
1996 Opening DayBill ClintonOriole Park at Camden Yards
1997 Opening DayShea Stadium
2000 Opening DayPacific Bell Park
George W. Bush (as Governor of Texas)‡The Ballpark in ArlingtonFuture 43rd president
2001 Opening DayGeorge W. BushMiller ParkMLB Commissioner Bud Selig (a former owner of the Brewers) threw out the first pitch to celebrate the opening of the new park; Bush threw the second pitch.94
2001 World SeriesYankee StadiumThis was the first World Series game in New York since the September 11 attacks; Bush wore a bulletproof vest and a Secret Service agent dressed as an umpire so he could be on the field.95
2003 Opening DayGeorge H. W. Bush (former President)^Great American Ball Park96
2004 Opening DayJimmy Carter (former President)^Petco ParkFirst MLB Game at Petco Park
George W. BushBusch Memorial Stadium97
Dick Cheney (Vice President)*Great American Ball Park
2005 Opening DayGeorge W. BushRFK Stadium2005 was the Nationals' first season, making Bush the first president to throw out first pitch in Washington since Richard Nixon in 1969.98
2005 American League Championship SeriesBarack Obama (as United States Senator from Illinois)‡U.S. Cellular FieldFuture 44th president
2006 Opening DayGeorge W. BushGreat American Ball ParkFirst sitting president to participate on Opening Day in Cincinnati; preceded Reds–Cubs game on April 3.99100
Dick Cheney (Vice President)*RFK Stadium
August 18, 2006 (Regular Season)Donald Trump (future President)‡Fenway ParkTrump, who would become the 45th president, threw out the first pitch before the nightcap of a doubleheader to publicize The Jimmy Fund.101
2008 Opening DayGeorge W. BushNationals ParkThis was the first pitch in new stadium. Bush also participated in ESPN's TV broadcast of the game and called the ballpark's first home run, hit by the Braves' Chipper Jones in the 4th inning.102
2009 Opening DayGeorge W. Bush (former President)^Rangers Ballpark in ArlingtonBush had owned the Texas Rangers in the early 1990s.
Joe Biden (Vice President)‡Oriole Park at Camden YardsFuture 46th president
2009 All-Star GameBarack ObamaBusch Stadium103
2009 Japan SeriesGeorge W. Bush (former President)^Tokyo DomeGame 3 between the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters and the Yomiuri Giants.
2010 Opening DayBarack ObamaNationals Park100th anniversary of the first Presidential Opening Day ceremonial first pitch.104
2010 World SeriesGeorge W. Bush (former President)^Rangers Ballpark in ArlingtonFirst World Series home game in franchise history; former President Bush – who owned the Rangers when the stadium was built – was accompanied to the mound by his father, George H. W. Bush, and Texas Rangers team president Nolan Ryan.
2011 College World SeriesTD Ameritrade Park OmahaThis pitch marked the first game at the new home of the College World Series, replacing the nearby Johnny Rosenblatt Stadium. Before Bush threw out the first pitch, his father, who played for Yale in the first CWS in 1947, delivered a video message christening the new stadium. He is the first President to have thrown ceremonial first pitches for amateur and professional (both North America and Japanese) championship matches.105
2011 World SeriesRangers Ballpark in Arlington
2015 American League Division SeriesGeorge H. W. Bush (former President)^Minute Maid ParkBush, aged 91, accompanied by his wife Barbara and in a wheelchair with a neck brace, threw the Houston Astros' first pitch at Game 3 of the ALDS against the Kansas City Royals.106
2017 World SeriesGeorge W. Bush (former President)^Bush was accompanied and given the first pitch ball by his father, George H. W. Bush.
May 20, 2021 (NCAA regular season)O'Brate StadiumBush was scheduled to throw the first pitch upon the opening of O'Brate Stadium in 2020 but the opening was delayed to 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.107
2023 World SeriesGlobe Life FieldBush threw the first pitch to Iván Rodríguez.108

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Ceremonial first pitch.

References

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  3. Brown, Peter Jensen (September 3, 2016). "President Taft, Governor McKinley and the "Lucky Seventh" Inning – the History and Origins of the Ceremonial "First Pitch" and the "Seventh Inning Stretch"". Early Sports 'n' Pop-Culture History Blog. Retrieved September 6, 2016. http://esnpc.blogspot.com/2016/09/president-taft-governor-mckinley-and.html ↩

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