Chairman Throws Out the First Pitch at Florida Marlins Game

By Felix DoBosz

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — At the Sept. 10 Marlins vs. Nationals game Chairman Mitchell Cypress was honored by the home team, which allowed him the honor of throwing out the ceremonial first pitch. Chairman Cypress, a southpaw, threw the baseball 66 feet to home base where catcher and Marlins mascot Billy the Marlin awaited the ball.

When Chairman Cypress was asked if he practiced throwing out pitches for this big event, he replied with a big smile, “When you’re a natural born talent you don’t need no practice.”

Chairman Cypress added he has played baseball and softball and his favorite position is playing first base. But if he was playing in the majors, he would prefer to play left field.

When he was growing up, he had aspirations of becoming a baseball player. It was his dream, he said. But he never made it. When asked what team he wanted to play for when he was growing up, he answered jokingly, “Whoever paid the highest; maybe one of my three grandsons one day will play for the Marlins, Anthony, Jaylin, and Alex.”

While waiting for the first pitch ceremony to start there was ample time to meet and greet some of the star Marlin players during their batting practices, like left fielder Josh “Hammer” Willingham, Catcher Matt Treanor and Manager Freddi Gonzalez.

A small delegation of famous Christmas costumed dancers called the Rockettes, from the New York City’s Radio City Music Hall, were also on the field to promote their Christmas show.

The JumboTron screen at Dolphin Stadium displayed a message for lucky Marlin fans letting them know that if their program was signed by Billy the Marlin, they won four passes to Billie Swamp Safari.

Cindy Malin, manager of Seminole Tourism, explained that the Chairman threw out the first pitch because Billie Swamp Safari is one of the Marlins’ sponsors. She added that the JumboTron screen at Dolphin Stadium has featured Swamp Safari promotions since the All-Star break, also known as the second half of the season. This involves a ticket giveaway to promote the Billie Swamp Safari. If your program is signed by Billy the Marlin, you win passes to the Safari.

“They’re also having a lucky row contest. During the game they’ll announce a certain section and certain row that fans are sitting in and you win free tickets to Billie Swamp Safari,” Malin explained. “Anytime a Marlin batter bats, Billie Swamp Safari logo will be up on the JumboTron for the remainder of the season.”