Michigan Couple Throws First Pitch at Baseball Game One Day Before Their Wedding
Michigan Couple Throws First Pitch at Baseball Game One Day Before Their Wedding
Desiree AnelloTue, April 7, 2026 at 7:00 PM UTC
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Baseball (stock image)Credit: Getty -
A West Michigan couple, Jon and Annie Newell, kicked off their wedding weekend by throwing the opening pitch at a Whitecaps game
“It was just the cherry on top, for sure," Annie said of opening the team’s record-breaking season last year
One year later, the couple returned to the ballpark where they spent “tons of date nights” to celebrate their first anniversary
A West Michigan couple threw the opening pitch at a Whitecaps game, one day before they said their “I dos.”
Toward the beginning of their relationship, Jon and Annie Newell spent much of their time supporting the West Michigan Whitecaps at LMCU Ballpark after Jon showed his then-girlfriend how exciting minor league baseball could be.
"I really thought it was boring until he brought me to Whitecaps games," Annie — formerly Annie Wezdecki — told local outlet Fox 17 of the sport, to which Jon added, "I think objectively, this is one of the best ballparks in minor league baseball.”
Since their relationship has since seen “tons of date nights” in the stands of LMCU Ballpark, the couple kicked off their wedding weekend last year by throwing the opening pitch for the Whitecaps.
"Throw strike,” Jon remembered thinking as he walked toward the mound on the big day, after which Annie said her mind was filled with the words, "Don't mess up.”
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In videos of the sweet moment, the couple took turns throwing their pitches as the words “bride” and “groom” were displayed underneath their names on the big screen. And, of course, all of their friends and family were there to cheer them on.
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LMCU Ballpark in MichiganCredit: West Michigan Whitecaps/YouTube
"They were up in the deck area,” Annie said of her and Jon’s loved ones. “They were clapping — I hope they weren't booing.”
To make the moment even more memorable, the couple’s first pitches opened a record-breaking season for the Whitecaps, with the West Michigan team finishing with a 92-39 record and a .702 winning percentage — the best in minor league baseball since 1997.
"It was just the cherry on top, for sure," Annie said.
Now, to celebrate the first anniversary of their marriage, the couple went back to where their wedding weekend began. And beyond enjoying the game and supporting the Whitecaps for their season opener, Annie and Jon made sure to treat themselves to their favorite stadium snacks.
“Mine's always a ballpark hot dog,” Annie said. “I get at least two and then a good beer from the Founders tent."
Meanwhile, Jon quipped, "Yeah, I gotta get a rice bowl because I'm not trying to risk a food hangover.”
on People
Source: “AOL Sports”
