As many of you know, I recently had the opportunity to throw the first ceremonial pitch at the Detroit Tiger’s game last Friday on behalf of one of my favorite Michigan made brands, Hudsonville Ice Cream.
Let me just say this: My Detroit Tigers pitching experience is definitely up there with one of the most memorable nights of my life.
Our time at Comerica Park started off with attending batting practice. It was pretty sweet to see how the pros do it! The guys stood around and chatted and joked with each other. Miguel Cabrera definitely had the biggest personality from what we could see!
Miggy on the left goofing off. While I watched practice, I learned that a woman is the groundskeepers for CoPa and one of the only females with MLB. Girl power! Pictured in the top corner: Myself with my husband, Jason, mom and daughter, Kinley.
After batting practice, we walked around the concourse and grabbed some food and Hudsonville Ice Cream {Tiger Traxx, of course}, and rode the carousel {$2 and parents ride free with little ones}. It was the first time we’ve ever brought Kinley to a game and she LOVED it. From the Tigers outside the stadium to watching the players practice and hearing her cheer when the game was going well, it was really cool seeing how she took it all in. {She’s 3.5 years old and I think this was the perfect age to go for the first time!}
After we enjoyed our fun {and some polka since it was Polish Night}, we walked down to the field with our credentials and prepped for the first pitch. I was SO relieved to learn two others would be throwing a pitch as well. It helped to take the pressure off for sure! I was thankful everything happened super fast so I literally didn’t have a moment to get nervous, because truth be told, I didn’t sleep much the night before!
Photos of me pitching are thanks to Caryn Miller of Hudsonville Ice Cream
When it was my turn to throw, I didn’t even think about form or strategy…I just threw it, and like a miracle, it made it all the way to home plate! It did curve, but thankfully the catcher {shortstop Eugenio Suarez} helped make it look decent — thank goodness. I like to think this baby boy in my belly helped out a bit too 😉
The Tigers lost the game, but we had a ball — especially Kinley. She discovered she now has a favorite Tiger {Kinsler – HA!} and got to stay up way past her bedtime so we could all watch the fireworks together. I hope she remembers our fun night for years to come.
Overall, I learned three great things from this experience: Never use pregnancy as an excuse to not do something awesome, if you LOVE a brand/product, tell them via social media {in my case Hudsonville} and never say no to something just because it scares the daylights out of you. You just may have one of the most memorable experiences of your life 🙂
To celebrate me making it through my big pitch, I’m sharing some coupons for FREE Hudsonville Ice Cream! I have 5 to give away, so there will be 5 winners. Enter using the Rafflecopter form below. Must be 18 years or older and a Michigan resident.
We have about 15 splash pads to visit this summer….
Looks like you had a grand time, you look fab!
I would love to try to make it to Detroit River Days!
What fun item is on your summertime bucket list: having baby #2 😉 But, before that, just trying to get lots of fun in at parks, pools, zoos, and more! I don’t know if camping will happen this summer with being pregnant, but usually that’s a favorite, too!!
Great job on your pitch!!!
I went camping when I was 8 months pregnant with my 3rd. I hope you get to go.
Thanks, Robyn! I agree — camping is awesome, but not while pregnant 😉 Have fun squeezing everything in before baby!
That looks like such a fun time!
I want to go to a drive-in movie this summer – I’ve never been, and there are a few in the area. 🙂
I recommend the Compuware arena drive-in in Plymouth.
That’s the one I’ve heard is good :). I just wrote a “best drive-ins” article for CBS Detroit, actually, and there’s really only 3 in this area: that one, the older Ford one, and a new one up on US-23.
That is on my list too! Probably won’t happen this summer, but I am all about it next year. So glad there’s a few in the region 🙂
Take a trip to Australia to see my friends.
Great job! You don’t look nervous at all. I want to plan a beach vacation for this summer. It was too cool for the beach last year during our vacation week.
Great Job on your throw Lauren! Tiger Traxx is the best Hudsonville flavor for sure! 🙂
So cool! What a great experience.
I want to get to Michigan Adventure this year.
I want to go to Michigan Adventure with my roller coaster junkie (aka 8 yr old). Hoping the weather holds out.
I was just telling my husband about this when we were at the game today! =] Hudsonville is my favorite ice cream so, of course, I have to enter! Glad your experience went well and that you shared it with all of us.
Awesome! Thanks for entering 😀
I hope to make a trip to the zoo!
The Zoo, the beach, the drive in, and Frankenmuth!
Going to the Zoo. Just haven’t decided between Toledo or Detroit!?
Tough call! Both are fab, so I’d say both! 😀
As many camping trips as we can fit into the summer is on my summer bucket list this year. I’m looking forward to unplugging and spending some fun family time together.
I have to say, I LOVE this blog post. How awesome.
Getting excited about reading more. Great blog post.Really looking forward to read more. Great.
I really want to take the kids to a drive in movie!!
I’m hoping to make it to a beach.
I’d like to finally visit some of the balloon festivals I’ve always missed living up north!
To get to the cherry festival in Traverse City this year!
We really want to take our two-year old to a beach up north soon; either Tawas or on the other coast at Sleeping Bear Dunes. I remember going up north to beaches in the summer a lot with my parents and I want her to have those memories.