Friday night won’t be the first time on the mound for veteran softball player and current IBEW electrician apprentice Brittany Massacci.
But it’ll be her first time in front of thousands of fans. Massacci has played slow-pitch softball for more than 20 years, and she currently plays in a league at Packard Park.
Brittany Massacci (left), IBEW electrician apprentice, practiced her ceremonial first pitch skills with Scrappers catcher Jack Goihl.
“I’m nervous to throw the first pitch,” Massacci said. “Throwing a hard baseball is not the same as throwing a soft one.”
NECA-IBEW Electricians, an association of Youngstown and Warren area union electrical contractors and IBEW-represented electricians, is a co-sponsor for the Mahoning Valley Scrappers’ opening night fireworks display at Eastwood Field Friday, June 17. It’s a high-profile opportunity for the group to promote union electrical work and its career-development electrical apprenticeship programs to thousands of Mahoning Valley residents.
The electricians’ presence at the game will begin at the gate with members passing out branded flying discs to fans, and carry on to the field as Massacci throws the ceremonial first pitch. The group also has signage on the dugout roofs and an ad in the game program.
Even though Massacci got some practice with Scrappers catcher Jack Goihl during the team’s Media Day, she hopes that her one shot at a first pitch doesn’t fail.
“I’m still nervous after practicing, but I’m also excited to represent my workplace,” Massacci said.
Massacci will be joined at the game by family, friends and coworkers.
The Scrappers game Friday will begin at 7:05 p.m. against the West Virginia Black Bears, and the game will be followed by a fireworks display.