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Health & Fitness

Parkway North's Brian Thal Throws Out First Pitch on the Way to Conference Championship Win

Parkway North senior Brian Thal throws out the first pitch in the conference game against Kirkwood on Senior Day.

Editor's Note: As told by Parkway North Head Baseball Coach Fred Friedman

Brian Thal (Senior #18) has been a manager for the Parkway North football, basketball, and baseball programs for all four years.  He is enrolled in the school’s Special Education program and has been one of the more popular student athletes the school has ever had.  Instead of being a manager for baseball this year, we wanted him to be on the active roster.  He got his physical and all MSHSAA paperwork completed, so he was able to wear a jersey for the first time this spring.


A couple of weeks ago, our seniors mentioned they wanted Brian to throw out a first pitch for Senior Day, but we wanted him to have a bigger and better experience.  With the gracious support of Coach Shaw and Kirkwood, we were able to arrange for him to actually be the starting pitcher of record, and for Brian's safety, Kirkwood agreed not to swing at his pitch.

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Before game time, Brian went through our normal routine for the starting pitcher, getting the game ball before the game, playing catch with our catcher, and warming up in the bullpen.  Brian then took the field and warmed up on the mound as the starter with the rest of the players.  When it came time for that first pitch, Brian threw a perfect strike and led the Baseball Vikings on their way to a win, which secured the Suburban South conference championship for Parkway North.


After the game Brian's mom asked him if he knew beforehand what was going to happen today.  Brian's classic response was "No ... not really ... I didn't know I'd throw a strike".

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