First Pitch

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Kevin VanDam prepares to throw the first pitch of a Triple A game at between the Arkansas Travelers and Northwest Arkansas Naturals on the eve of the Elite Series Diamond Drive.
Kevin VanDam prepares to throw the first pitch of a Triple A game at between the Arkansas Travelers and Northwest Arkansas Naturals on the eve of the Elite Series Diamond Drive.
<p>  </p> <p> Kevin VanDam poses with Charlie Cadie of Sherwood, Ark., who brought his White Sox little league team down to meet the Travelers players.</p>
 

Kevin VanDam poses with Charlie Cadie of Sherwood, Ark., who brought his White Sox little league team down to meet the Travelers players.

<p>  </p> <p> Wearing Basscat hats KVD signed, Brayden Reedy, 5, and Robby Reedy, 8, pose for a picture.</p>
 

Wearing Basscat hats KVD signed, Brayden Reedy, 5, and Robby Reedy, 8, pose for a picture.

<p>  </p> <p> Robert and Julie Reedy drove their sons more than an hour from Rosebud to see KVD.</p>
 

Robert and Julie Reedy drove their sons more than an hour from Rosebud to see KVD.

<p>  </p> <p> Barry Wolfe of Beebe kept pulling KVD lures out of his cargo shorts for VanDam to sign.</p>
 

Barry Wolfe of Beebe kept pulling KVD lures out of his cargo shorts for VanDam to sign.

<p>  </p> <p> VanDam, who hasn’t played ball since high school, threw 30 or so practice pitches the night before to prepare.</p>
 

VanDam, who hasn’t played ball since high school, threw 30 or so practice pitches the night before to prepare.

<p> One fan yelled at him not to throw his arm out so he could throw a crankbait the next day.</p>
One fan yelled at him not to throw his arm out so he could throw a crankbait the next day.
<p>  </p> <p> He sends his one pitch toward the plate.</p>
 

He sends his one pitch toward the plate.

<p>  </p> <p> KVD appeared visably disgusted in himself as he went over the plate but was a little low.</p>
 

KVD appeared visably disgusted in himself as he went over the plate but was a little low.

<p>  </p> <p> KVD shakes hands with Dillon Baird who gives him the ball.</p>
 

KVD shakes hands with Dillon Baird who gives him the ball.

<p>  </p> <p> Some other players wanted to meet VanDam, so he’s off to do that, saying “I’m easy.”</p>
 

Some other players wanted to meet VanDam, so he’s off to do that, saying “I’m easy.”

<p>  </p> <p> The Travs circle KVD, one asking, “What are you fishing for?”</p>
 

The Travs circle KVD, one asking, “What are you fishing for?”

<p> KVD talks some more with Cadie, who first approached the angler while he was buying a Snapple at the concession stand. </p>
KVD talks some more with Cadie, who first approached the angler while he was buying a Snapple at the concession stand. 
<p>  </p> <p> Local TV interviewed VanDam, asking all about the tournament in Little Rock.</p>
 

Local TV interviewed VanDam, asking all about the tournament in Little Rock.