Theceremonial first pitch is a longstanding ritual ofbaseball 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 afterUnited States PresidentRonald Reagan threw the first pitch on the field at an unscheduled appearance at a 1988Baltimore Orioles game. Now, the guest stands on or in front of thepitcher's mound and throws towardshome 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 theminor leagues, multiple first pitches are made.

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 MinisterŌkuma 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.^[1][3]

Ceremonial first pitches during theWorld Series are subject to theCommissioner 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 ownerJerold Hoffberger was fined $2,500 for allowingMaryland GovernorHarry Hughes to throw out the first pitch before Game 2 of the1979 World Series over the objections of CommissionerBowie Kuhn.^[4]

On April 23,2012, theTexas Rangers executed a unique twist on the first pitch tradition. Before the Rangers' home game against theNew York Yankees, the team held an official retirement ceremony for longtime catcherIván Rodríguez. Instead of going to the pitcher's mound, he went behind home plate and threw the first "pitch" to longtime teammateMichael Young, who was standing at second base.^[5]

On July 23, 2020, Dr.Anthony Fauci, director of theNational Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, threw the first pitch of the 2020 MLB season after it was delayed due to theCOVID-19 pandemic.^[6]

On June 9, 2024, during the second game of theLondon Series, instead of a ceremonial first pitch,Kaitlin Olson threw the ball toRob McElhenney at shortstop, who then threw it toBryce Harper on first base for the first "ceremonialdouble play".^[7]

On August 21, 2024, at aNew York Mets home game against theOrioles, New York-based comedianEitan 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 theMake-a-Wish foundation.^[8]

The American tradition of presidential first pitches began in1910, when United States PresidentWilliam Howard Taft threw the ceremonial first pitch at theWashington Senators'Opening Day atGriffith Stadium. Every president since, with the exceptions ofDonald Trump andJoe Biden, has thrown out at least one ceremonial first pitch during or after their presidency, either for Opening Day, theAll-Star Game, or theWorld Series, usually with much fanfare.^[9]

PresidentFranklin D. Roosevelt has thrown the most presidential first pitches while in office at 11,^[10] while PresidentsGeorge H. W. Bush andGeorge W. Bush have each thrown 14 first pitches overall, including those thrown before and after holding the office. Donald Trump andJimmy 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.^[10] Trump had previously done one prior to his presidency for the minor leagueSomerset Patriots.^[11]

• Ceremonial first puck, a similar ritual ofice hockey

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• "U.S. Presidents & Major League Baseball". Baseball Almanac. Retrieved2008-03-30.

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