The Washington Nationals have officially invited President-elect Joe Biden to throw out the first pitch. Biden will throw out the ceremonial first pitch next season when the Nationals host the New York Mets on April 1.
The last time Biden threw a first-pitch was in a 2009 game between the Baltimore Orioles and the New York Yankees in Camden Yards. The then-vice president threw a right-handed fastball to Orioles catcher Chad Moeller.
Biden has been to various baseball games in the past. He was a former little league shortstop who eventually played center field. The former vice president has supported the Philadelphia Phillies during the post-season. He has visited the New York Yankees in spring training and attended the Little League World Series.
Biden would continue the tradition of sitting presidents throwing out the ceremonial first pitch in Washington. The tradition first started in 1910 when the 27th President, William Howard Taft, threw the first pitch in a game between the Washington Senators and the Philadelphia Athletics. Since then, all sitting presidents have thrown first pitches with the exception of Donald Trump.
Trump has only attended one baseball game – game 5 of the World Series between the Nationals and the Astros. When he was announced in the game, he was booed by the Washington crowd.
