Woman, 109, throws 1st pitch at minor league game

MIDLAND, Mich. (AP) — A Michigan woman has celebrated her 109th birthday by throwing the ceremonial first pitch at a minor league game.

Violet Smith’s toss bounced a few times but eventually made it to the catcher before the Great Lakes Loons’ home opener Thursday in Midland, about 100 miles northwest of Detroit.

Smith told WNEM-TV before the game that she wasn’t nervous. Her 72-year-old son, Richard, said he brought along a ball so they could practice before the big pitch.

The Loons ended up losing to the Lake County Captains 13-3 before a crowd of 3,823 at the Dow Diamond.