June 19, 2006

On Friday, the Aberdeen Ironbirds will play their first home game of the season. Fittingly, a local hero will be on hand to throw out the first pitch for the Orioles' minor-league affiliate.

Mason's Jai Lewis, one of the heroes of the Patriots' Final Four run, will toss out the ceremonial pitch that will open the season for the Ironbirds. The short-season team, which is classified just below "A" ball, will be hosting the Brooklyn Cyclones at 7:35 p.m. at Ripken Stadium.

Lewis is a graduate of Aberdeen High School and he joins an illustrious list of local celebrities to throw out the ceremonial first pitch of the season. In 2004, former Baltimore Ravens owner Art Modell threw out the first pitch and in 2005, Maryland men's basketball coach Gary Williams tossed the first ball of the season.

"We are excited that Jai Lewis will be joining us on Opening Day and continuing our tradition of outstanding ceremonial first pitch honorees," Ironbirds General Manager Aaron Moszer said in a press release on the Ironbirds' web site. "As an Aberdeen High School alumnus and his amazing run with George Mason, Jai is the ideal candidate to start the 2006 Ironbirds season."

Lewis will throw the first pitch to former major-leaguer and Ironbirds Co-Owner Bill Ripken.