On Saturday, the flamboyant Indian cricketer Rohit Sharma on Saturday received a special invitation that came all the way from the United States of America (USA). He has been invited to throw the ceremonial ‘first pitch’ for Major League Baseball club Seattle Mariners. And in doing so he will become the first Indian cricketer to have been given this rare and prestigious opportunity.

For those who are completely unaware of this conventional custom of the baseball game, here is a quick fact. The ceremonial ‘first pitch’ usually marks the beginning of the game when the celebrity or the guest of honor throws down the ball from the pitch to the pitcher or catcher of the home team. Originally, the ritual was that the guest would throw the ball from the grandstand to the pitcher in the field until the former US president Ronald Regan threw it from the field itself.

ALSO READ: Rohit Sharma Showers Huge Praises For Rashid and Mujeeb

Among cricketers, Steve Smith was invited at Fenway Park back in 2016, followed by New Zealand captain Kane Williamson threw the ceremonial ‘first pitch’ ahead of the Miami Marlins’ match. Cristiano Ronaldo is one other sportsperson to have been invited for the ritual in 2013 LA Dodgers game.

Rohit will take the field on the day of the ceremony at the home ground of Seattle Mariners, Safeco Field, at 12:30 pm as per Pacific Standard Time on June 3 which will be at 1:00 am IST on 4th June as per Indian Standard Time. Seattle Mariners will be playing against the Tampa Bay Rays.

Shame will next feature in the T20I series against Ireland before flying to England for the limited-overs series.