Standing on the Field and Holding the Ceremonial First Pitch Have an Important Meaning for President Trump

It was William Taft who participated in Opening Day ceremonies and preceded Washington Nationals–Philadelphia Athletics game on 14th April 1910 and held the first ceremonial pitch as the US president. Since then, successive presidents of the United States have held opening ceremonies centering on the opening game of the Major League Baseball.

And it is well known that President Donald Trump has not held the ceremonial first pitch since he took office in 2017.

One of the reasons why President Trump does not hold the ceremony is that he does not want to be screamed and ridiculed from attendees of the stadium and does not want to be broadcast such a scene.

Indeed, when he was in the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on 8th January 2018 to participate with an opening ceremony for the National Collegiate Athletic Association’s 2018 College Football Championship, there were abusive voices from the stands [1].

In that sense, it can be said that President Trump's concerns are by no means uncertain.

However, for the time being, the MLB will play the official game without the audience. As a result, President Trump will have the perfect conditions to hold the ceremonial first pitch in an ideal environment where there is no abusive voice or angry voice even if he appears.

Now President Trump's leadership is questioned and protests are taking place in various parts of the USA due to measures against the COVID-19 and the “Black Lives Matter” movement or the anti-discrimination activities after the death of Chris Floyd. Such conditions are not desirable for Mr. Trump who is refraining from the presidential election in November 2020,

Therefore, the ceremony and the broadcast of the situation will emphasize the image of a “strong leader” to the supporters of President Trump. It will also be an excellent opportunity to show his success with prevention measures for an outbreak of the COVID-19.

For these reasons, when President Trump holds a ceremonial first pitch at Yankee Stadium in August[2], it will be not only the last opportunity to conduct the ceremony during his current term, but also a politically important stage.

[1]Trump stands on field for National Anthem at college football championship game. CNN, 9th January 2018, https://edition.cnn.com/2018/01/08/politics/donald-trump-college-football-georgia-alabama/index.html (accessed on 25th July 2020).
[2]Trump says he’ll throw out first pitch at Yankees game in August. The Wasington Post, 24th July 2020, https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2020/07/24/trump-says-hell-throw-out-first-pitch-yankees-game-august/ (accessed on 25th July 2020).

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「大リーグでの始球式」はトランプ大統領にとっていかなる意味を持つか

日本時間の8月24日（金）に公式戦が開幕したのに合わせ、米国のドナルド・トランプ大統領は今年8月に大リーグの試合で始球式を行う意向を示している。これまで1910年のウィリアム・タフト以来行われてきた「大統領による始球式」を見送って来たトランプ大統領が始球式を行う政治的な意味は大きいと言える。