Slow Pitch’s First Pitch

     A great addition has been added to the Slowpitch game. If you’ve ever seen a celebrity throw the first pitch in a baseball game and how the crowd goes crazy to see their own favorite celebrity throwing it. Then you’re going to love how Head Coach Hollie Duarte has implemented this into the game. 

     As a Special Education teacher at Eisenhower, coach Hollie first saw this idea on TikTok about Special Education students throwing the first pitch at every home game. She said, "I'm literally the special education teacher; why am I not doing this?".

     For every home game at Ike, there will be a graduating Special ed. student throwing the first pitch. They will be able to get out of class early at 1:00 p.m. and go down to the field to hang out with their fellow slowpitch players warming up. They get a shirt with their last name on it, their own number, and a softball signed by the softball team. Some of the classmates who have already thrown the first pitch include Camron, Angel, and Max. Max, the first student to throw the first pitch, loved it so much that he will now be helping line the fields for every home game. Max says, “I’m happy and proud of being able to participate! It makes me feel independent! I had a lot of fun and really enjoyed hanging out with the softball team!” 

Quote from a sibling:

"We were very excited and happy that Adriel was invited to participate in the softball game and he could throw the ball to start the game. He is a part of the school, and sometimes, families feel like they are not included in the activities in school. Even though he cannot communicate with his words and say how he feels, we can see that he gets excited when he is invited to participate in these events. We are also grateful that there are events where they are included."

     This new addition has become a staple for the team. It has racked in more crowd involvement and people coming to home games. Though the students haven’t had chances to be involved in numerous events, Coach Hollie specifies that when and if they get involved, it can be amazing!   

     Coach Duarte said, “It doesn't only affect them either! Their parents and families are loving this! Getting to see them participate in a school activity is something they haven't always gotten to experience! My goal for all of this is just to see everyone making an effort to include our students in more things! They are really awesome, don't miss out!!”