Crystal Lake Park District daycamper, Jimmy Olson, threw out the first pitch at the annual IPRA Banner Day at the Chicago White Sox game on July 26. A lifelong fan of the Sox and baseball, this daycamper was nominated for this honor by submitting an essay on his love of the game.

Throwing out the first pitch at the Sox game would complete my Teen camp experience. There are endless amounts of reasons that I should be on the mound before the game. To stand on the hill in the middle of U.S. Cellular field would be the highlight of my entire year.

I’ve been playing baseball since I was seven years old. If you add it up I am an eight year veteran. Throughout that time I have played every position including pitcher. I don’t know many other people who have played as long as I have and I continue to play for the love of the game.

Like I just mentioned, I love baseball. You could even say baseball is my life. When I’m at camp I’m always the first one to get the mitts out and play catch. After camp I usually go home and look for any games that are on T.V. and after my baseball games I come home and play MLB ‘06 on my PS2. Baseball for me is an every day word. If baseball isn’t my life I don’t know what is.

My favorite field trip out of every one is always the Sox game. I just love being out there with clear blue skies, green grass, smooth dirt, and all my friends with me. The sad thing is I can only do this once a year, but if I could throw that first pitch it would completely make up for me missing out on awesome times.

Please make my last year one to remember. For my career in baseball, for my love of the game, and for my favorite field trips I’ve ever gone. If I throw out the first pitch I will remember it for the rest of my life.

Jimmy Olson

Not only did Jimmy get to throw out the first pitch but he got a surprise visit from Sox manager Ozzie Guillen! The two met and Oz signed the back of Jimmy’s jersey (which happened to be a #13 Guillen jersey)!!! This was a really exciting day for him and the rest of the daycampers.

The IPRA Banner Parade Day is an opportunity for kids from around the state to go to the White Sox game and participate in a pre-game walk around the field showcasing their park district’s colorful banner. This year there were approximately 600 daycampers participating in the banner parade and hundreds of others simply in attendance. It really is a neat site to see a major league ballpark colored like a rainbow from all the daycamp t-shirts.

If your organization wants to get involved next year for any of IPRA’s group outings (Cubs, Sox, Schaumburg Flyers, Kane County Cougars) visit our website and look for group tickets.

View other pictures from the game.