The St. Louis Shock Rock Busch Stadium as Anna Bright Tosses First Pitch
One of the critical parts of selling Major League Pickleball to the masses will be integrating with the team's represented home city.
The St. Louis Shock started doing just that this summer with an exhibition match at the Missouri Pickleball Club in June, spending time with the St. Louis Billiken's men's basketball team, and now showing up to the St. Louis Cardinals game at Busch Stadium.
The team was announced before the home crowd, and Anna Bright had the honor of throwing out the first pitch:
In her own words, AB admits she "choked a little bit" during the pitch.
But, it was still fun to watch regardless.
While the pitch wasn't quite a strike (does one bounce count?), it was a successful night for the St. Louis Shock, who, according to co-owner and GM Ross Chaifetz, have set out to become the elite MLP franchise and pickleball's version of the Dallas Cowboys, Los Angeles Lakers, and New York Yankees.
Jason Flamm
Appealing to a city's number one fan base – affectionately known as "The Best Fans in Baseball" – is a great way to begin building that legacy.
Pickleball Night at Busch Stadium
The St. Louis Cardinals have also announced an inaugural Pickleball Night at the ballpark, set for August 26th.
With the purchase of a Theme Ticket, fans can take home a Cardinals-themed pickleball paddle cover and ball sleeve.
Members of the St. Louis Shock will be in attendance as well for pregame festivities.
We'll see if one of the other members (Kate Fahey, perhaps?) can show up AB's first pitch and hit the strike zone.
