Jack Ferguson, 13, shakes hands with homeplate umpire Drew Maher before Saturday’s game. Jack served as the Braves’ honorary team captain. (Dave Hall, Rome Braves)
Little did he know he was actually going to get to take part in it.
Jack, 13, found out just moments before the game that he would be serving as the Rome Braves’ honorary team captain for their game against the Savannah Sand Gnats.
“I was extremely excited and shocked,” he said.
As part of his duties as honorary captain, he accompanied Rome manager Randy Ingle to the batter’s box and gave the umpire the Braves’ lineup card for the night.
While doing so, Jack’s name was announced over the PA system, and he turned to the crowd and waved.
“It was pretty cool. I’ve never been (on the field before),” said Jack, who said he attends about 2-3 games at SMS each season.
He attended Saturday’s game with his mom, Missy, his dad, Jay, his two younger siblings — sister Eliza, 5, and brother Blair, 3 — and his grandfather, Paul.
Jack said he had a few butterflies in his stomach when he was on the field.
“I was pretty nervous,” said Jack, “mainly because right before I went out there, my granddad said ‘make sure you don’t trip.’”
The Braves, who lost to Savannah 9-8, play the Sand Gnats again today at 2 p.m.
Saturday night was “Parrot-head Paradise Night” at the ballpark, and Jimmy Buffett music was played in between innings. The Braves wore floral jerseys that were auctioned off after the game.
Click here for a link to the Rome Braves
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