CALHOUN: Schumann throws first pitch at Cardinals game

By Editor | October 4, 2022 |

Kampsville’s Colleen Schumann, a Maryville University student, threw out the first pitch at a St. Louis Cardinals game at Busch Stadium on Friday, Sept. 30. (Submitted photo)

By Carissa Sitki

Kampsville native, Colleen Schumann, had a once-in-a-lifetime experience last Friday when she threw out the first pitch at a St. Louis Cardinals game at Busch Stadium.
Schumann is a 2021 graduate of Calhoun High School and the daughter of Bob and Christine Schumann. She is currently attending Maryville University in Chesterfield, Mo.
Schumann’s university partners with the St. Louis Cardinals which is what led to her throwing the first pitch.
“One of the student organizations here held a contest for throwing out the first pitch,” said Schumann. “You had to submit a video on why you deserved to throw it out and mine won. I explained that me and my brother go to so many Cardinals games every year and we talk about it all the time. I basically just said, ‘I’m a huge fan and that’s why I deserve to win.’”
Schumann found out that she won via a FaceTime call from her friend, Emma Socha, who is the president of the student organization that gave out the first pitch opportunity.
“When she told me I won, I couldn’t believe it,” said Schumann. “I couldn’t talk for a few minutes.”
Schumann recounted her experience leading up to her throw, calling it one that was “unforgettable.”
“They play it up really nice, you don’t come in through the gates, you come in through an office and then they take you to what’s called the ‘First Pitch Room’ under Busch Stadium and they bring complimentary drinks for you and all your guests,” said Schumann. “Then you walk through the hallway, past the KMOX Cardinals radio guy and then you come out underneath the Green Seats. When all of this was happening, I was trying to just look around as much as possible. It was so unforgettable. I was walking really slow to take it all in. It was like, ‘I’m seeing what the Cardinals see.’”
According to Schumann, the stadium was packed with fans when she threw the pitch.
“Granted, it was the Cardinals last series at home with Albert [Pujols] and Yadi [Yadier Molina] so the stadium was packed,” said Schumann.
For her pitch, Schumann, who is also a cheerleader at her university, decided to do a front walkover and then make the throw.
“They told me they were going to read off some things about me,” said Schumann. “When I found out they were going to introduce me as a cheerleader, I was like, ‘Well, perfect, I’ve gotta do something cool.’ I didn’t want to do anything that I could really mess up, so I went with the walkover because I felt like I could figure out how to do it. I only practiced twice beforehand and both times I messed up.”
By the time Schumann made her throw, however, she nailed the walkover and the pitch, hitting Cardinals player, Ben DeLuzio’s glove.
“After I made the throw, and Ben DeLuzio caught the ball, I walked over to him and his mouth was open,” said Schumann. “He told me, ‘I’ve never seen anyone do something like that.’”
This is the first time a Maryville University student organization has offered the opportunity for a student to throw the first pitch at a St. Louis Cardinals game, but Schumann doesn’t think it will be the last.
“It went over so well, I could definitely see them doing this again in the future,” said Schumann.
Schumann said it was cool to read all of the comments on Facebook when she shared photos and the video of her experience.
“It was so cool, it was like I got 15 minutes of fame,” said Schumann. “I received so much support and so many nice comments, it felt good.”
The Cardinals went on to win their game that Schumann led, defeating the Pittsburgh Pirates, 2-1.