Doug Kerr
Well-known member
This has almost nothing to do with photography. It is about language.
We often hear of some notable person cermonially "throwing out the first pitch" in a baseball game, perhaps at the opening of the season, or on some other special occasion.
The phrase makes no sense.
Traditionally, there are two things that a celebrity might do in this regard.
• From the stands, "throws out the first ball" (to the catcher or maybe even the pitcher), thus ceremonially putting it into play.
President Woodrow Wilson, Washington Senators vs. New York Yankees, Griffith Stadium, 1916.04.20
Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
• From the pitcher's mound (or in front of it), "throws the first pitch" (of course to the catcher). The hitter in place of course gives it a pass.
President Ronald Reagan, Chicago Cubs vs. Pittsburgh Pirates, Wrigley Field, 1988.09.30
(The first president to throw the first pitch)
Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
"Throwing out the first pitch" is a careless malaprop mix of two proper expressions. But it is so widely used.
************
On a related topic:
I have always thought that it is inappropriate, at a concert or sports event, for example, that the audience applauds after the singing of the National Anthem.
One of my first dates with Carla (we were already engaged - that happened on the third date) was to a concert of the Dallas Wind Symphony. When it was about time for the National Anthem, I mentioned to her that I thought it was crude to applaud after the singing of the National Anthem, and was pleased that it didn't usually happen at these concerts.
She nodded in agreement.
The orchestra played the National Anthem, and we led the singing (it was always hard to get the audience to start at these occasions).
When it was over, Carla turned to me and said (not too quietly), "Play Ball!"
Best regards,
Doug
We often hear of some notable person cermonially "throwing out the first pitch" in a baseball game, perhaps at the opening of the season, or on some other special occasion.
The phrase makes no sense.
Traditionally, there are two things that a celebrity might do in this regard.
• From the stands, "throws out the first ball" (to the catcher or maybe even the pitcher), thus ceremonially putting it into play.
President Woodrow Wilson, Washington Senators vs. New York Yankees, Griffith Stadium, 1916.04.20
Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
• From the pitcher's mound (or in front of it), "throws the first pitch" (of course to the catcher). The hitter in place of course gives it a pass.
President Ronald Reagan, Chicago Cubs vs. Pittsburgh Pirates, Wrigley Field, 1988.09.30
(The first president to throw the first pitch)
Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
"Throwing out the first pitch" is a careless malaprop mix of two proper expressions. But it is so widely used.
************
On a related topic:
I have always thought that it is inappropriate, at a concert or sports event, for example, that the audience applauds after the singing of the National Anthem.
One of my first dates with Carla (we were already engaged - that happened on the third date) was to a concert of the Dallas Wind Symphony. When it was about time for the National Anthem, I mentioned to her that I thought it was crude to applaud after the singing of the National Anthem, and was pleased that it didn't usually happen at these concerts.
She nodded in agreement.
The orchestra played the National Anthem, and we led the singing (it was always hard to get the audience to start at these occasions).
When it was over, Carla turned to me and said (not too quietly), "Play Ball!"
Best regards,
Doug