2008 Woodie Awards
'32 alumnus to throw 1st pitch at baseball game
Katie Morgan
Issue date: 4/27/07 Section: Front Page
The tradition of throwing the opening pitch has been a ritual in the sport of baseball for years; however, it is not common that the person throwing the pitch happens to be throwing it on his 99th birthday.
This Friday, Clarence Wheeler, the oldest known living Miami University baseball player, will be throwing out the first pitch as the RedHawks take on the Bowling Green Falcons. The first pitch will be thrown out at 6:20 p.m., 10 minutes before the game starts at 6:30 p.m.
"We do the first pitch all the time," said Miami Assistant Athletic Director Ken Peters. "We try to fix it up to give recognition to someone related to baseball or Miami - previous players, people who are instrumental to the team now."
Wheeler is a 1932 graduate of Miami University and played varsity baseball for the 'Hawks in 1930 and 1931.
"We are the fortunate ones to get to do this and get him on the field," Peters said. "I can't imagine there is someone older out there who played baseball here."
Peters first heard of Wheeler's story from a family friend.
"We had a friend of his living in Hamilton indicate to us that Wheeler played baseball for Miami in the 1930s and was in his 90s," Peters said. "I looked him up in the media guide and found he played in 1930-31."
Once getting the tip, Peters got in contact with Wheeler and set the date for April 27.
"As we got off the phone, (Wheeler) mentioned he would be turning 99 that day, that was pretty cool," Peters said. "Not many programs get to do this and I think it adds a lot of flavor that can't be anything but positive."
Upon getting asked to throw the first pitch, Wheeler didn't know what to think.
"I don't know why they picked me," Wheeler said. "… I don't feel 99 (years old)."
Wheeler has always been a big sports fan, and was just thrilled to make the team back in 1930.
"I always liked to play baseball and was very happy to make the team," he said.
His son Dave explained that he has always been supportive of Miami University as well.
This Friday, Clarence Wheeler, the oldest known living Miami University baseball player, will be throwing out the first pitch as the RedHawks take on the Bowling Green Falcons. The first pitch will be thrown out at 6:20 p.m., 10 minutes before the game starts at 6:30 p.m.
"We do the first pitch all the time," said Miami Assistant Athletic Director Ken Peters. "We try to fix it up to give recognition to someone related to baseball or Miami - previous players, people who are instrumental to the team now."
Wheeler is a 1932 graduate of Miami University and played varsity baseball for the 'Hawks in 1930 and 1931.
"We are the fortunate ones to get to do this and get him on the field," Peters said. "I can't imagine there is someone older out there who played baseball here."
Peters first heard of Wheeler's story from a family friend.
"We had a friend of his living in Hamilton indicate to us that Wheeler played baseball for Miami in the 1930s and was in his 90s," Peters said. "I looked him up in the media guide and found he played in 1930-31."
Once getting the tip, Peters got in contact with Wheeler and set the date for April 27.
"As we got off the phone, (Wheeler) mentioned he would be turning 99 that day, that was pretty cool," Peters said. "Not many programs get to do this and I think it adds a lot of flavor that can't be anything but positive."
Upon getting asked to throw the first pitch, Wheeler didn't know what to think.
"I don't know why they picked me," Wheeler said. "… I don't feel 99 (years old)."
Wheeler has always been a big sports fan, and was just thrilled to make the team back in 1930.
"I always liked to play baseball and was very happy to make the team," he said.
His son Dave explained that he has always been supportive of Miami University as well.
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