Week 12 Theme

Ceremonial first pitches in baseball games are annoying.

The tradition was started when President Taft did it 1910. Considering that he was 300 pounds, presumably it wouldn't have been a very good pitch. But since Taft, every president has thrown out at least one opening pitch, no matter how badly they do it. Clinton was the first president to get the ball successfully to the plate.

Bush had the best ceremonial first pitch ever by a president with his pitch, which was a strike right down the middle. Though it wasn't thrown all that hard, it was noted because it was just after 9-11 and he was wearing a bulletproof vest while doing it, and it had a symbolic strength symbol to the country, to kick off the World Series.

I was hoping that meant a new tradition of presidents at least able to throw strikes, but then Obama comes in, and tries to throw a pitch. That was a disaster. He should stick to basketball.

Of course, all sorts of famous people try to, namely singers. And they always are horrific. Like Justin Bieber. Or probably the worst opening pitch ever, Mariah Carey.

Some bad first pitches are enjoyable, such as the animatronic Tyrannosaurus Rex.

But honestly, why do baseball teams keep having famous people with horrendous baseball skills throwing out the first pitch? It makes a mockery of the game!

Sometimes it is a former player, but Randy Johnson throwing out the opening pitch just seems a little bit like cheating.

Well, there is nothing we can do about the musicians, but one thing is certain, every president will at some point throw out an opening pitch. They've been doing it for 100 years. So, we need to start voting for presidential candidates who can throw a baseball.

At presidential debates, we need to start asking them: "Have you ever played baseball?" And we can't just go on whether they are athletic or not, just look at Obama. Baseball is America's sport, and we need America's president to be able to represent America's sport well. We need to make this an issue so that we get heard, so that we don't get any more lousy presidential pitches.

At debates, the moderator should hand the candidate a glove, and say "Think fast."

If they can't at least look like a little leaguer, then they are not fit to serve.

It doesn't seem like Mitt Romney is very athletic, let alone can throw a baseball. But I say give him a chance, maybe he can make some changes around Washington. Like being able to throw a strike or two.