PHILADELPHIA – The ceremonial first pitch at a Major League Baseball game has been delivered by Presidents, Music Icons, Hollywood actors, Sports stars, and… North Penn Teachers. On Friday May 11th, Mr. David Franek threw out the first pitch before the Philadelphia Phillies took on the San Diego Padres at Citizen’sBankPark.
Franek earned the right to throw the first pitch after answering all the questions right on a district wide survey given to teachers.
“All teachers were given the opportunity, I guess I just made the most of it” said Franek
The survey was district wide and mostly related to certain locations and daily operations atNorthPenn.
“It was kind of random facts about the school, I filled it out in about three minutes, some I knew and some I guessed” said Franek of the survey.
The ceremonial first pitch is a great honor but has also led to some pretty embarrassing moments to those who fail to make it to the plate. However, it should not have been a problem as Franek played baseball throughout high school.
“All my friends, and I say that word loosely, had been sending me the top ten worst you tube first pitches and they’re all bouncing up to home plate” said Franek.
For a quick three minute survey, the reward of standing on a major league mound to deliver the first pitch must have been worth it. Franek can now say that he has joined the ranks of some pretty big names including Carl Lewis, Derrick Rose, and every president since Taft. Though the first pitch has nothing to do with the game itself, its value is held sacred in the eyes of baseball fans.
Not to mention, the fact that nobody hit the pitch into the gap could impress enough people to earn Franek a spot in the Phillies bullpen.
Dr. Hall • May 14, 2012 at 1:40 pm
Congrats Mr. Franek. A great moment for a great guy. They won’t even let me throw out the first pitch at my son’s t-ball game.