Take Me Out to the Ballgame

A Johnston County YMCA outing to a Carolina Mudcats game was extra special for 9-year-old Jack Romano.

The Johnston County YMCA summer day camper threw the first pitch and got a major league welcome from the crowd. Jack was all grins as he and his parents arrived at the game on June 24. He still couldn’t believe he was the lucky winner. Nearly 300 kids entered the First Pitch contest.

For several weeks before camp started, any child who enrolled in a Johnston County Y camp or after school program could enter the drawing. The Mudcats donated tickets, and nearly 100 kids, parents and staff met at the ballpark for the afternoon game.

The lively group cheered for Jack, danced to the YMCA song, yelled camp chants, posed with mascot Muddy the Mudcat, and ran the bases after the game. It was a perfect sunny day for baseball and family fun. The Mudcats lost, but Jack and the Johnston County Y were winners.