Can't Wait For Saturday Bielema. Bailey leaving the hard part at Wrigley t for Barna
· Yahoo Sports
May 31—***
Visit esporist.org for more information.
Tuesday is Illini Night at Chicago's Wrigley Field. There are two tasks for the people representing Illinois: 1. Sing "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" during the seventh-inning stretch. And 2, throw out the ceremonial first pitch.
Illinois coach Bret Bielema and defensive back Matt Bailey called "dibs" on the song. It is a low-risk move. They are not expected to be good while belting out the tune. In fact, even dreadful versions can be charming.
The one who should practice before the game is defensive lineman Joe Barna, who is scheduled to throw out the first pitch.
Here is hoping he fires a 95 mph strike. Good enough that the Cubs wonder if he can help in the bullpen.
The realty — and I don't want to see this happen — is it could go horribly wrong for Barna.
He could hang onto the ball too long and spike it into the mound. Or get so eager about the pitch that he hits the back screen on the fly.
The ball could bounce to the catcher or go way outside like a Rick Vaughn pitch.
When the first pitch goes well, you won't hear much about it. But if is one of the worst ever, it will be replayed a lot. Maybe on "SportsCenter: all day th next day,
But that isn't going to happen to Barna. Unless it does.
Enjoy the game, set for 7:05 and seen on the Marquis Network. The Cubs are hosting the Athletics.