Photo Information

Sgt. Maj. of the Marine Corps Michael Barrett presents the game ball to Washington Nationals pitcher Tanner Roark at the start of the Marine Corps Day game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., August 20, 2014. Marines lined the foul lines to watch their commandant and to salute the flag during the national anthem played by the Marine Corps Base Quantico Band. Marine Corps Day game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., August 20, 2014. Marines lined the foul lines to watch their commandant and to salute the flag during the national anthem played by the Marine Corps Base Quantico Band.

Photo by Copyright Mike Heller,2013

Commandant throws first pitch

21 Aug 2014 | Lance Cpl. Cameron Storm The Official United States Marine Corps Public Website

Gen. James F. Amos, commandant of the Marine Corps, threw the first pitch of the Washington Nationals baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C. on August 20, 2014.  The game was in honor of the Nationals’ U.S. Marine Corps Day, which saluted Marines who have served and are currently serving worldwide.


As an anxious crowd waited for the start of the game, Marines lined the foul lines to watch Amos’ pitch. After his windup and release from the mound, the ball sailed high and to the inside of the strike zone before being caught by Michael Taylor, an outfielder for the Nationals.

Following the pitch a Marine color guard marched the colors onto the infield for the National Anthem. As the opening notes filled the stadium the Marines on the field came to attention and snapped a salute to the flag during the Star Spangled Banner played by the Marine Corps Base Quantico Band.

After the last note, the crowd cheered as the Marines exited the field and took their seats for the beginning of the game.

The players took the field and the Sgt. Maj. of the Marine Corps, Sgt. Maj. Micheal Barrett walked the game ball out to the pitchers mound where he presented it to the starting pitcher for the Washington Nationals, Tanner Roark, signaling.

It was the successful night for the Nationals after beating the Diamondbacks, 3-2, extending their win streak to 9 games, the second longest streak in Nationals history.