President Obama to throw first pitch at All-Star Game

[Thrill]

WASHINGTON (AP) - Barack Obama plans to throw out his first pitch as president when he visits St. Louis next month.

Obama will offer the ceremonial first pitch at the Major League Baseball All-Star Game on July 14, which will be broadcast on FOX.

The White House says MLB's focus on community service matches with Obama's service initiative this summer, known as United We Serve.

"Major League Baseball is truly honored that President Obama will be in attendance to throw out the first pitch at the 80th All-Star Game on July 14th in St. Louis," baseball commissioner Bud Selig said in a statement. "The central theme of the 2009 All-Star Game is community service, celebrating the extraordinary work being done by ordinary people. We are thrilled that we can come together with President Obama, who has encouraged a renewed spirit of national service, and illustrate a call to action in our communities. President Obama will continue a great tradition that joins our nation's leader and the national pastime."

This would be Obama's first pitch as president. He skipped traditional Opening Day invites.

Obama, a White Sox fan, will be the fourth president to throw out the first pitch at an All-Star Game, following John F. Kennedy (1962 in Washington), Richard Nixon (1970 in Washington) and Gerald Ford (1976 in Philadelphia).


http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/9721370/Obama-to-throw-first-pitch-at-All-Star-Game

He also has a town hall in Detroit that same day

[annabanana]

1. I wonder how's his arm?-

I'll bet he practices before. .

[zbdent]

2. Well, Bush43 threw out a few "first pitches" when he was Pres ...

Not the All-Star game, but I remember that it was "opening day" for the Washington Nationals, and I believe at least one World Series game ...

So, will Faux Sports be freaking out because it's a Dem?

[Windy]

3. Hmmm..... how can we get an invite to the town hall????? I live in Detroit.... nt

[Perky]

4. I am waiting for Fox to start talking about the that Dirst pitch Bush threw in 2001

Ugh

[tritsofme]

5. Our Southsider President's taste in baseball teams has always been his greatest fault.

But I'm sure he will fit right in at Busch Stadium.

[Cha]

6. Rec'd~ I'm glad they're all coming together

on the community service for our country! And, someone like Bud Selig appreciates what Pres Obama is doing.

""Major League Baseball is truly honored that President Obama will be in attendance to throw out the first pitch at the 80th All-Star Game on July 14th in St. Louis," baseball commissioner Bud Selig said in a statement. "The central theme of the 2009 All-Star Game is community service, celebrating the extraordinary work being done by ordinary people. We are thrilled that we can come together with President Obama, who has encouraged a renewed spirit of national service, and illustrate a call to action in our communities. President Obama will continue a great tradition that joins our nation's leader and the national pastime."

[Jennicut]

7. Poppy Bush once threw a bouncer in the dirt as VP....I doubt Obama will do that badly.

I think he will be fine, he has a good b-ball arm.

[JimGinPA]

8. I Made A Tee Shirt For The Occasion...

[AtomicKitten]

9. Can't wait to see this.

I'm hoping this looks less like his bowling: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-Bx5dOmV-8 and more like the awesome basket he made during the primaries: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fdU_mJSWK-w

[tuvor]

10. He's got a jump shot and a fly swat to live up to.

[BrotherBuzz]

11. Damn Souhpaw

He will do well despite being a southpaw.

:hide:

[bahrbearian]

12. So now he can throw a few hard balls at the Repugs