| Mark Motter messaged me Thursday morning because he wanted to tell me something. Apparently before each junior American Legion game in Oil City they are inviting a veteran to throw out the first pitch. Motter said this one involved a father and son. Chad Lockhart, who served in the U.S. Navy from 1989 to 97 and served in the Gulf War was asked to toss one to his son Hank who is 14 and playing ball for Oil City with hopes to play in the majors someday. Also in attendance was Buzz, who is well known for his baseball prowess around these parts, who is Chad's father and Vietnam U,S, Navy veteran himself. I had told the story of photographing a first pitch one time where I stood behind the catcher and nearly got killed as the ball sailed past my ear. I didn't tell the tale of going to Williamsport for a ceremonial first pitch only to miss it completely as my camera didn't fire. Chad's pitch was nearly a perfect strike and it had a little action on it that might have confused the batter. Anyway I was pleased I got the heads-up from Mark and that I could make it with just a little rearranging of my schedule. This is what community is. |    I also got a chance to witness teammates messing with each otther as they lined up at the beginning of the game. |
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