Daytona Tortugas - Attorney David Alan Wolf and Frankie The Hang 8 Dog Surfing Champion Throw Out Ceremonial First Pitch

The Ceremonial First Pitch at baseball games dates back to the late 1800s. Originally, the Ceremonial Pitch or Throw came from the spectator stands. Over time, the Ceremonial First Pitch became a tradition in which an honored guest or dignitary threw it from the mound to the home team's catcher.

Beginning with President William Howard Taft in the early 1900s, the President of the United States and other leaders took the mound to throw out the first pitch. Soon after 911, President George W. Bush threw out the Ceremonial First Pitch before Game 3 of the World Series for the New York Yankees. The Ceremonial First Pitch by President Bush proved to be a symbol of strength and resilience for the country feeling the aftermath of the 911 attack.

On June 25, 2026, Attorney David Alan Wolf and Frankie - The Dog Surfing Champion - were bestowed the honor of throwing out the Ceremonial First Pitch for the Daytona Tortugas - the Single A Affiliate / Farm Team of the Cincinnati Reds. Before the game, David Alan Wolf did a little research and some warming up. The goal of the Ceremonial First Pitch was to throw the ball across the plate accurately and get it into the catcher's mitt. Frankie was happy to be on the field, enjoying the sights and sounds of the crowd, as well as the smells of all the wonderful concessions served up at Jackie Robinson Ballpark. There is a robust history to the Jackie Robinson Ballpark located in the heart of Daytona Beach. It is the oldest active baseball stadium in Minor League Baseball. The ballpark was the host to the first integrated professional spring training game in which Jackie Robinson played.

Back to the First Ceremonial Pitch by Attorney David Wolf and Frankie The Dog Surfing Champion. While on the field, the giant video screen in the outfield played Frankie's winning surfing run at the Hang 8 Dog Surfing Extravaganza at the Hard Rock Hotel - Daytona Beach. With a relaxed pitching style, Attorney David Alan Wolf threw a perfect pitch (well, perfect enough) across the plate, which landed right there in the catcher's mitt. Ceremonial First Pitch Success!

Thank you to the Daytona Tortugas for the wonderful opportunity and thrill of throwing out the Ceremonial First Pitch at such a wonderful and historic ballpark. Go Tortugas!