Sports
U.S. Army Reserve Sergeant LaGiglia to Throw Out Ceremonial First Pitch on Saturday
John LaGiglia, a member of the 11-12 year-old state championship team in 1994 and now a sergeant with the U.S. Army Reserves, will throw out the ceremonial first pitch Saturday as the Evergreen Park Athletic Association opens Little League play.
Some know John LaGiglia as a local baseball hero. Others know him as an American hero.
He will be acting as both—what's more American than baseball?—during opening ceremonies for the Evergreen Park Athletic Association Little League season Saturday at Norris Field. LaGiglia, a sergeant in the U.S. Army Reserves who has completed three tours of duty, will throw out the first pitch.
Fans are asked to gather at 9 a.m. Ceremonies will begin at 9:15 a.m.
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LaGiglia played ball in the EPAA as a youngster and on occasion still can be spotted wearing his All-Star jersey. He is remembered as one of the heroes on the 11-12 year-old Little League state championship team in 1994. His nephew, Liam O'Mahony, a minor league prospect, will be on hand to catch the first pitch.
O'Mahony went to bat on LaGiglia's behalf to orchestrate the special opening day shindig.
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"John (LaGiglia) loves the game of baseball and loves EPAA," O'Mahony said in a letter to the board. "It would mean a great deal to me and our family if EPAA could honor John by having him throw out the first pitch of the 2012 season."
LaGiglia, who served most recently in Afghanistan, returned home just before Christmas to surprise his family. He attended St. John Fisher and Brother Rice before enlisiting in the Army Reserves.
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