By: Wayne McBrayer
August 17, 2019 Bosse Field, Evansville, IN
Rebecca and I have been friends and have been a part of each other’s lives for many years. From baseball games to interviewing players and writing about baseball, we have shared a lot of amazing events as friends. Through the good and the bad, we’ve been there for each other and with that in mind, I decided that I wanted to take our relationship one step further and ask her to be my wife.
I didn’t want to go to a beach, or the mountains, or some other romantic spot; for me I thought it would be appropriate to ask her at a baseball game. With that in mind, I decided that the best thing to do was propose to her at Bosse Field where we are season ticket holders for the Independent ball club the Evansville Otters.
To accomplish this, I spoke with our ticket rep at the time, Dana Archer, who loved the idea of doing this and got the OK from the Otters’ Assistant GM, Elspeth Urbina Roos, to do this. Dana ended up taking a job outside of the organization, so Elspeth and Maci Danielle Hill would be arranging the night under the guise of being asked to throw out the ceremonial first pitch.
After reviewing the team’s promotional calendar, the date of August 17 was finalized. Since we interview players with the Evansville Otters, we would be introduced as Evansville Sports 360, which is the name of our Blog. The plan was in place, so now I let people know what was going on and why they should come. Everyone I spoke to immediately said they would be there. One of our friends told me he, “took a vacation day from work to be there” but had to be at work at 5AM the next morning!
As the day of the “pitch” approached, Elspeth recommended taking some pictures on the roof, which I loved the idea of doing. Maci asked me what song I wanted playing and I suggested the Barbara Streisand song, “Evergreen.” Maci said she would make sure it would happen. The stage – or baseball field – was set.
We got to the park and had an amazing cheering section of friends and family. Naturally, our friends and season ticket holder seatmates Michelle Wedding and Jill & John Robinson were there as well. The team doctor, Mark Martin, and his fiancé, Rue Reynolds made sure they were in their seats for the first pitch. Rebecca’s folks came, Randy & Sandy Goin, as well as her son, Trevor Herman. Also, in the cheering section were Cheryl & Terry Williams, Joanne McGhee & Chuck Baskett, Phil & Doris Chrisco, Dawn Lands, Rhonda & Tracy Kavanaugh, Kelsey Kavanaugh & James Cameron, Carol & Bill Montgomery, Ed & Susie Anderson, Joanie Pugh, plus author Mike Whicker and his family.
As it got closer to the first pitch, I kept thinking what am I going to say? How should I ask the question? My mind raced but I decided to say what came to my heart and to act like someone who would catch a first pitch would react and that is to catch the ball and walk it back to the person who threw it. My mind relaxed when Samantha McDowell told us it was time to go onto the field.
I ran behind the plate and setup to catch the ball. Rebecca was so worried about throwing it to the backstop, but I assured her that I would catch it. She set herself up to throw, tossed the ball a bit to the left side of the batter’s box and my old Nate Colbert glove that I’ve had since I was 10 years old helped me to pick it up after a bounce.
I ran to the mound and the song Evergreen started playing in the background. I handed the ball to Rebecca, stepped back and tossed my glove down and dropped to one knee and ask her to be my wife. I started to cry, and she looked at me and started to do the same thing. She said yes and hugged and kissed me. My best friend became more than that; she became my life partner, my fiancé, and when we set the time, she will become my bride.
After going back to the stands, we were interviewed by the local news about what just happened. We spent the evening with our family and friends. So many people came up to us offering handshakes and hugs and congratulations. The Otters GM, Joel Padfield, and Otters Catcher, Michael Rizzitello, came up and shook our hands congratulations to us. Our friends hugged us, told us they loved us and lots of happy tears were shed.
Although we hadn’t planned to bid on a jersey, we just felt we had to have one to commemorate our engagement. Rebecca came up with an idea to bid on #8 (Boots Day – Bench Coach) and #17 (Jacob Adams – Infielder) so we could always have 8-17 jerseys. It took some doing but we won both of them! We picked them up the following day, got them signed and took pictures with Boots and Jacob.
After the Otters WON 9-6, we had postgame fireworks! It was a perfect ending to a perfect evening!
It was a truly amazing night! to quote my love Rebecca, “My best friend for over a decade asked me to marry him … at one of my favorite places … and with many of my favorite people in attendance.”
Regardless of how many games I attend in my life, this will be the best. The best catch I made in my life was catching the love of Rebecca Herman. She is my life, my love and my all.
PS – We will be married this year, on St. Patrick’s Day!