Young thrilled to participate in Skate Canada Day at the ballpark

(Aug. 5, 2003)
It was a moment that Nicholas Young won't soon forget.

Just days after getting a cast removed from his injured right hand, Young, a member of the 2003 Skate Canada National Team, had the opportunity to throw out the opening pitch at the Ottawa Lynx game on Aug. 4.

The event was part of the Skate Canada at the ballpark promotion. As part of the promotion, Young, who is originally from Pembroke, Ont., was on hand at the game to sign autographs for fans. In addition, two draws for an all-event passes for two people to the 2004 BMO Financial Group Skate Canada Junior Nationals, which will be held Feb. 4-7 at the Nepean Sportsplex in Nepean, Ont., were held during the game. Fans could also test their Canadian skating knowledge between innings with name-the-skater trivia.

"It was a really great event," said Young. "You don't get the chance to say that you threw out the opening pitch in a professional baseball game very often. I had a fun afternoon."

Despite just getting over an injury, Young's made a strong throw to the plate. After making the pitch, he had the opportunity to shake Lynx starting catcher, Geronimo Gill's, hand.

The Lynx, who were playing against the Rochester Red Wings, won the game 5-1. With the game tied at 1-1 after the seventh inning, the Lynx rallied for four runs in the eighth, much to the delight of the Monday afternoon crowd.

Young, who is a baseball fan, is now preparing to compete in the Nebelhorn Trophy, which will be held Sept. 3-7 in Obertsdorf, Germany. To add to Young's hectic schedule, he is also preparing for his first year of political science courses at Montreal's Concordia University, which begin in September.