I want to take time to thank the Roanoke Rapids head softball coach Steve Milligan and the entire Lady Jackets softball team

I was asked to throw out the first pitch at the Roanoke Rapids 2014-15 season opener home game Friday night. My pre-warm-up was perfect but pregame was a little outside.

In my fourteen years covering the youth sports in the Roanoke Valley I had never been asked to take part in an event such as that. I will say I was debating when first asked. Myself as part of the media, I am not to chose sides. Well I did not choose sides, I just decided it was the right thing to do, again for the kids of the Roanoke Valley. Of course I had to have my Carolina Blue "Team Mike" shirt on to bring me good luck and to honor my friend the Late Coach Mike Newsome.

I instructed the Jacket's catcher Jordan Carpenter to move whatever she had to so she would catch it, well she didn't move, but my pitch was wide, I mean real wide.

It was good to see the girls get down to business when the game began. Roanoke Rapids first batter at bat Hunter Martin set the tone with a solo over the fence homerun and Jordan Carpenter followed later on in the game with a Grand-slam over the fence homerun.

Again thank you to the Jacket coaching staff and Varsity girls to let me be part of your great season to come. Sounded amazing and awesome to hear your names called and the sound of music in the air and the start your game honoring the United Sates of America with the singing of the National Anthem.