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7-year-old Hailey Dawson currently has standing invitations from 28 MLB teams to throw out a first pitch at their parks. The other two teams, Orioles and Nationals, have already welcomed Hailey and had her throw out a pitch.
Dawson isn’t just a precocious kid who loves baseball, though. She was born with Poland Syndrome. As we wrote earlier this fall:
Due to Poland Syndrome, Dawson only has three fingers on one hand. A team at UNLV Engineering built her a 3D-printed hand, so she can now throw a baseball as well as more easily do everyday tasks that would have otherwise been more difficult. She has a few different types of hands she can wear, including one dedicated to pitching completely.
Now, Hailey got to check third team off of her list, and on a massive stage as well. The Houston Astros welcomed the young fan to the park to throw out the ceremonial first pitch before Game 4 of the World Series.
She got to throw the first pitch out with a custom World Series hand too, gold and blue emblazoned with the series’ logo.
Hailey Dawson is loving her #WorldSeries-themed, 3D-printed hand. pic.twitter.com/6p7MNrSpHR
— MLB (@MLB) October 28, 2017
Hailey Dawson brings the Houston crowd to its feet! #WorldSeries pic.twitter.com/0WlCoxXQ2j
— Play Ball (@PlayBall) October 29, 2017
Jose Altuve caught her opening toss, and she got to spend some time pre-game with him and Justin Verlander.
Hailey Dawson (7),throwing out 1st pitch tonight, spent time w/ Justin Verlander & her catcher Jose Altuve.Hailey was born w/ a rare condition called Poland Syndrome & is missing 3 fingers on her right hand.With aid of a 3D-printed prosthetic hand she can play the sport she loves pic.twitter.com/wjQZE4iTRR
— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) October 29, 2017
Hailey is from the Las Vegas-area, so Verlander also presented her with some “Vegas Strong” cleats before her big moment.
Earlier today, J.Verlander presented NV native Hailey Dawson, who will throw 1st pitch w/robotic hand, cleats w/ “Vegas Strong” inscription. pic.twitter.com/taHkdoHlep
— Alyson Footer (@alysonfooter) October 28, 2017
FOX didn’t actually televise her first pitch live, and people noticed that she didn’t get her moment on TV as well as in the park.
disappointed that #HaileyDawson didn’t get aired for the first pitch. #WorldSeries #Astros #Dodgers #throwlikeagirl #EarnHistory #ThisTeam
— Angelica Quiroz (@TX_Chica) October 29, 2017
What’s wrong with fox that they would not televise hailey dawson’s first pitch in houston?
— Patrick Roddy (@interestedalot) October 29, 2017
@MLBONFOX No coverage of Hailey Dawson’s first pitch?!? Pathetic! Shame on you!
— Brian Motyka (@hazzardous_duke) October 29, 2017
Why promote the ceremonial 1st pitch & then not show it? #WS2017 #HaileyDawson #GoAstros @astros
— Cindy Rich (@ALLinYrHead) October 29, 2017
Am I wrong, or did @FOXSports not show Las Vegan Hailey Dawson throwing out the first pitch? Wow.
— Mark Anderson (@markanderson65) October 29, 2017
@FOXTV @FOXSports excellent job of not showing tonight’s first pitch. Hailey Dawson is awesome. https://t.co/BWP042lZU8
— julie wesley (@Giganta74) October 29, 2017
FOX should know how important stories like this are to show to people at home, not just those with tickets. They eventually went back and showed it a few innings into the game, but it would have been better live.