Japan | All-Star Nolan Ryan Pitches For U.S. Meat At Baseball Game | Former ...

Japan

All-Star Nolan Ryan Pitches For U.S. Meat At Baseball Game

Former major league all-star pitcher Nolan Ryan battled a typhoon storm and flight delays to travel to Japan this week to participate American Meat Month. Ryan threw the first pitch in front of more than 15,000 fans at a baseball game on Wednesday (July 18) between the Orix Buffaloes and the Chiba Lotte Marines, coached by fellow former New York Mets player Bobby Valentine.

USMEF President and CEO Phil Seng took to the field to present a special game ball to Ryan and to announce, “play ball!” Ryan sent a hard pitch to Valentine and nearly hit him in him the head. Valentine dusted himself off of the ground laughing and gave Ryan a big hug.

Before the excitement on the field, Ryan and Valentine took part in pre-game festivities. The former players conducted a fun quiz of meat-related questions. Fans also challenged Ryan in a pitching contest. Those who pitched the highest number of baseball strikes received prizes from USMEF. The grand prize winner got an autographed baseball from Ryan.

Baseball-goers lined up to purchase 400 bento box meals featuring U.S. beef and pork at the American Meat booth, which sold out of meals by 5:00 p.m. – more than 90 minutes before the game started. Proceeds from the U.S. meat sales will be donated to charities helping handicapped children. This effort demonstrates U.S. producers’ commitment to caring for communities they serve.

To read more about this event and American Meat Month, see the USMEF news release.

Japan

All-Star Nolan Ryan Pitches For U.S. Meat At Baseball Game

Former major league all-star pitcher Nolan Ryan battled a typhoon storm and flight delays to travel to Japan this week to participate American Meat Month. Ryan threw the first pitch in front of more than 15,000 fans at a baseball game on Wednesday (July 18) between the Orix Buffaloes and the Chiba Lotte Marines, coached by fellow former New York Mets player Bobby Valentine.

USMEF President and CEO Phil Seng took to the field to present a special game ball to Ryan and to announce, “play ball!” Ryan sent a hard pitch to Valentine and nearly hit him in him the head. Valentine dusted himself off of the ground laughing and gave Ryan a big hug.

Before the excitement on the field, Ryan and Valentine took part in pre-game festivities. The former players conducted a fun quiz of meat-related questions. Fans also challenged Ryan in a pitching contest. Those who pitched the highest number of baseball strikes received prizes from USMEF. The grand prize winner got an autographed baseball from Ryan.

Baseball-goers lined up to purchase 400 bento box meals featuring U.S. beef and pork at the American Meat booth, which sold out of meals by 5:00 p.m. – more than 90 minutes before the game started. Proceeds from the U.S. meat sales will be donated to charities helping handicapped children. This effort demonstrates U.S. producers’ commitment to caring for communities they serve.

To read more about this event and American Meat Month, see the USMEF news release.