Doing things because they’ve always been done. Could not care less. There is an element of pomp when done for the opening game of the season, or the All-Star Game, playoff/WS game, but as a daily ritual, it is nothing more than grandstanding for some HIP (halfway important person).

but there are too many baseball games every season for people to care about EVERY first-pitch-thrower. I think for certain games the first pitch can be an exciting event. It’s pretty tough to expect that to be true for 162 games a year though.

Does it delay the game?

Does it have a negative aspect on the game?

No, no, and no!

Who the hell cares? On both sides though. If they took it away, I wouldn’t whine either.

Galt, your brother is kind of stupid then. I’d like to have the opportunity to visit the ballpark, go through the dugout, and stand on the mound. If he doesn’t like doing those things, he must not be a baseball fan.

As someone who actually HAS thrown out the first pitch at a baseball game (albeit a minor league game and when I was 9), I’m totally in agreement with #2 of the “pro” reasons. 99% of the ballpark could care less on a regular game night, but it’s an unforgettable experience if you get to do it. Plus, the person who throws the pitch often gets the ball signed. Getting that autographed ball, and having a cool story behind it, is something that makes for a nice heirloom. I say keep the tradition, but know that the only games where the person who throws the ceremonial first pitch should matter are Opening Day, All-Star Game, and playoff games.

I’d love to see Queen Elizabeth throw out the first pitch.

If I could change anything, it would be singing the national anthem before every game. Started as a practice in WWII to show patriotism, it has lost it’s meaning by being sung before EVERY GAME in EVERY SPORT. As someone who goes to a lot of games, it’s basically become a nuisance and often times is merely a chance for some mediocre singer to try and show off their crappy voices for thousands of people. There is nothing more annoying that hearing a 5 minute anthem from someone with a bad voice (and that happens way too often).
I’m fine with keeping the first pitch and also Take Me Out to the Ballgame. It’s a great baseball song that has everyone in the stadium interacting with each other. I went to a Cubs game with someone who had never been to a professional game before and she LOVED that part.

A lot of times, at least that I’ve noticed, it goes as a reward to some local charity leader / olympian / noteworthy. It means something to them, and their family/supporters.

Same with letting a local HS group sing the anthem. Its an honor for them, even if no one else cares, and its something they can always look back on.

I see no harm in it and it gives some people a great thrill. What is wrong with that? I had the opportunity once to walk through a major league dugout and onto the field. It was a thrill to me just to see the ballpark from that perspective. I did see some kids throw out the first pitch and one could see from the stands how excited they were about it. I’m sure the memory will be with them for a long time. Let it stay.

You do realize Korn has sold 15 million albums in the US alone and maybe twice that worldwide. It’s not like it was some nobody from a local garage band.

There is nothing redeaming about 1rst pitch ceremonies anymore- It’s just another corporate perk. Joe Dufus Vice president of Marketing for the BLah Corportation who just set a sales record for the upper midwest. They don’t even let you throw from the mount any more - don’t screw up the dirt I guess- and often on the receiving end is not a 3rd string ML catcher but the Junior VP of Sales or the VP’s kid- big whup-

When Babe Ruth’s daughter threw out the first/last pitch at Yankee Stadium last year it mattered to this Mariner fan who was in attendance.. So glad it wasn’t Boyz 2 Men or Clay Aiken.

When I go to Blue Jay’s games I think it’s disgraceful that they have the honouree throwing the pitch to the mascot (!)…they’ve been doing this for some time, and I believe that if you’re going to have the ceremony, then have a catcher (or another player or coach) receive the ball, not the lame Bird mascot; this really bugs me, but I’m probably in the minority on this one.