ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — The ceremonial first pitch before the Rangers’ AL division series opener against the Rays will be thrown by the young son of a firefighter who died in a fatal fall during a Texas game this summer.
The Rangers announced about three hours before game time Friday against Tampa Bay that Cooper Stone would throw out the first pitch.
The child’s father was Shannon Stone, a Brownwood firefighter who died less than an hour after he tumbled headfirst over a rail in left field during a game July 7. Stone fell about 20 feet to concrete behind the outfield wall after reaching out to catch a ball tossed his way by All-Star outfielder Josh Hamilton, the young boy’s favorite player.
Cooper Stone, who was 6 at the time, was with his father when the accident occurred.
