It's hard enough for some people to get the ball from the pitcher's mound to the plate. And they've got two hands.
Tom Willis, who threw out the ceremonial first pitch last week before a game between the Cubs and the Marlins, doesn't have that luxury. Willis was born without hands, and over the past few years he's been touring the country on a Pitch For Awareness national tour. As he said before throwing out the first pitch at Fenway Park last year, Willis is trying to get people "to believe in the abilities of persons with disabilities."
As he explained to the Washington Post, Willis uses a rubber ball that is about 2/3 the size of a normal baseball. That way he can grip the ball with his toes. His windup starts with a left-footed kick, and then he tosses the ball with his right foot.
And although he is at a serious disadvantage, Willis still wants to throw a strike. In fact, he re-threw the pitch at Wrigley because he was disappointed with his first effort.
Pretty impressive. Willis says his goal is to throw out the ceremonial first pitch at every MLB stadium, and after completing the task in Chicago, he's about halfway there.
-- Follow Robbie Levin on Twitter @RobbieLevin.
