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Baseball Trivia (General)/Ceremonial First Pitch

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Expert: - 8/26/2004


Question
Hi, I know you prefer on-the-field questions and I'm not sure if
this would technically qualify as on-the-field but ...

When did people start throwing ceremonial first pitches from the
mound? This seems like a very recent phenomenon. I've seen
footage of games from the 1960s and 1970s and in those
instances the ceremonial first pitch always seems to be thrown
from the stands.

Thanks

Tommy

Answer
Tommy,

  Don't know for sure, but I think your guess is probably right. This is a TV thing, so your timeline would be pretty close. Probably more into the 1970s than the '60s. But bottom line is it's another promo dreamed up by the same marketing guys who don't know anything about baseball except how to screw it up.

Tom

Baseball Trivia (General)

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Tom Schott

Expertise

I will deal with the major leagues only from 19th century to present. I`m good on baseball history, records, statistics, ballparks. I don't do off-the-field stuff. Please if you already know the answer to the question, please don't ask it. I don't want to play "stump the expert."

Experience

I've written on the subject, and I have substantial library of resources.

Organizations
SABR

Publications
Numerous encyclopedia, newspaper, magazine articles. One book, several book chapters.

Education/Credentials
Ph.D. in American history.

Awards and Honors
Bevy of writing awards.

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