Elder Ronald A. Rasband, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, threw out the ceremonial first pitch at the Los Angeles Angels major league baseball game Friday night, July 27, 2018. Elder Rasband and his wife, Melanie, gathered with three generations of family beneath the “Angels Wall of Fame” sign for a photo before heading onto the field. They were accompanied by local leader Elder Ruben Acosta and his wife, Yvonne.
Elder Rasband warmed up on the sideline by throwing the ball to his 11-year-old grandson, Camden Norton. He approached the pitcher’s mound with glove and ball in hand wearing an Angels jersey with his name inscribed and threw the pitch. It cleared home plate, low and wide. Afterword, Angels relief pitcher Justin Anderson signed the ball Elder Rasband used for the first pitch.
Five local Mormon youth were recognized during a pre-game ceremony for their outstanding achievements at school and in their communities. “It’s an amazing opportunity,” said recipient Joshua Salgado, who never imagined he would represent his church at an Angels game. “We love hosting Mormon Night with the Angels,” said Jim Panetta, a director in the Angels organization. This was the event’s 21st year.
An estimated 2,200 members of the Church attended, representing dozens of congregations in the Orange County area. It was a win for the home crowd as the Angels defeated the Seattle Mariners 4-3.
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