First pitch!

15 April 2018

Captain Maarten writes:
We are in Pensacola, where we have open ship during the Tall Ships Festival. About 2500 people visit us every day to have a look around on board the ‘Oosterschelde’. There are also plenty of activities for the crew. Standard at these festivals in port are a reception or dinner for the captains. But, once in a while it is something extraordinary.
I was asked by someone of the organisation if I knew anything about baseball. Well, I do know how the game goes, but I never played before! The question was if I wanted to throw the first pitch at a game in the stadium. Of course, I wanted to do that! And I do know that it’s a big honour to throw the first pitch.
We went to the stadium with the entire crew. Normally, I am not really afraid of big groups, but there, in the middle of the stadium with a few thousand spectators, I felt real small. It was exciting! After the throw, we stayed and enjoyed the game. It was great to feel the atmosphere in the stadium, watching the game, and the audience. It is wonderful to see how the audience is more concerned with beer and hotdogs than with the game! It was a great experience, and I am very honoured being asked to throw that first ball!