Brandon Villar, 17, has created the First Pitch Foundation, an
organization that lets troops throw out the ceremonial first pitch
before Minor League Baseball games. Full article
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Every two weeks, Bryan Villar talks to his family for no more than 15 minutes.
Using a special-issue cell phone or chatting via Internet webcam, the 20-year-old U.S. Army private tosses his parents and younger brother snippets of what life is like for soldiers in Afghanistan.
For those 15 minutes, the Villars feel relatively at ease.
“Getting a call or getting in contact with him is a blessing. It’s rare,” said younger brother Brandon. “They don’t get much time to talk.”
The family is counting down to the Fourth of July, the prospective date Bryan might return to the United States for a holiday parade near his base in Fort Carson, Colo. When he does return, it won’t be his family’s first time throwing a welcome home party for a soldier.
Brandon, 17, has created the First Pitch Foundation, an organization that blends baseball and patriotism to honor returning troops by letting them throw out the ceremonial first pitch before Minor League Baseball games. The foundation’s message is “Honoring American heroes with America’s pastime.”
The organization is meant to help returning soldiers, though it’s also aided the Villars.
Monica, Bryan and Brandon’s mother, said she thinks about her oldest son almost every minute of the day.
“It weighs heavily on you. There’s not a moment that goes by that you don’t think about where he is or what he’s up against,” she said, battling tears. “It’s tough going to bed at night knowing he’s not under his own roof, knowing he is in an environment where he constantly has to be aware of attacks.”
When soldiers such as Bryan return home, they should be given recognition for their efforts while facing those risks, Brandon said.
“They’re not really thought about when they come home. They just return like they’re any other citizen. They’re never really, truly praised for what they’re doing over there,” Brandon said. “With my brother over there, it really kind of opened our eyes to the sacrifice they make. We thought maybe we should do something for these troops when they return home.”
Nine California League teams have partnered with the Villars so far, including the San Jose Giants. The organization has become so popular, the family said it’s had to turn down offers to host the First Pitch Foundation from teams as far away as Illinois and Ohio.
Brandon said his goal was to eventually expand the foundation to include out-of-state teams and Major League Baseball clubs. If that happens, Brandon said his older brother will have the first chance to toss out the first pitch at a San Francisco Giants game.
“For me, I’m glad I’m making a little difference,” Brandon said. “There’s tons more soldiers out there that aren’t getting recognized. Just the little difference we can make for these guys I think is awesome.”
For some returning troops, throwing out the first pitch will put them on a baseball field for the first time in years. That was the case for Staff Sgt. Chad Janssen, who works out of the U.S. Army recruitment office in Gilroy and threw out the first pitch before a San Jose Giants game April 19.
“I think it’s very exhilarating that there’s an organization like the First Pitch Foundation that allows soldiers to come out and do that,” Janssen said. “It’s been a long time since I’ve been on a baseball field. I definitely liked being out there on the mound and being the center of attention for just a moment.”
He said he didn’t even care his pitch was a bit wide of home plate.
“I didn’t bounce it,” he smiled.
The experience doesn’t end with the ceremonial first pitch. Each participant receives a plaque commemorating the event, as well as a tour of the stadium, free dinner and enviable seats behind home plate. People can nominate candidates through the organization’s website, 1stpitchfoundation.org.
“We want to show them that they’re appreciated,” said Brandon’s father, Dave. “That’s really our message.”
The foundation has also served as a welcome distraction for the Villars. Planning first pitch appearances and focusing on honoring other soldiers sometimes relieves the family of thinking about the dangers Bryan faces overseas.
“This has been something to help us keep our mind off what his older brother’s been going through. It got us to focus on something else.” Dave said. “Knowing that he’s out there every day and doing what he’s doing, its difficult. You’ve just got to compartmentalize it. And that’s what we’ve been doing.”
Even when Bryan returns home, the foundation won’t slow down, Dave said.
“There’s soldiers all over the country that could have a night like this with their family to be honored,” he said. “We’re in for the long haul.”
