Listen to this article
Commissioner Knaggs throws out the first pitch at Angel Stadium for Salvation Army night.
by Kevin White
Anaheim (Calif.) Stadium—home of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim baseball team—was the scene for over 500 Salvation Army officers, Salvationists and friends on Sept 24, 2010, who came to watch the Angels take on the Chicago (Ill.) White Sox—and watch Commissioner James Knaggs throw out the first ball of the night.
No batter stood at the plate and no men were on base, but the pitch was the most important one of the evening.
Before the start of the nine innings, The Salvation Army was publicly acknowledged for its work in Orange County and invited to ceremoniously throw out the first pitch to start the game.
Brendan Lloyd served as an honorary batboy and McKenna Krosby yelled “play ball” before the teams took the field. Both are members of the Tustin Ranch Corps.
Major Lee Lescano, Orange County coordinator, was also recognized for his leadership.
Knaggs was not impressed with his pitch, but he was with the Army’s positive reputation.
“It was a good night for The Salvation Army with the great publicity. People were aware that we were in the house and that The Salvation Army is actively serving the community. I threw a sinkerball to an Angels’ player named Rich Thompson. Imagine my surprise to discover he’s an Australian with a high regard for the Salvos. The message was getting through,” he said.
