This opening pitch was five years in the making | Sam Venable

Sam Venable
·2 min read

As ceremonial first pitches go, it wasn’t bad. At least the toss made it to home plate, albeit with a bounce or three en route.

“That’s what the catcher called for, isn’t it?!” the incredulous pitcher shouted as she marched off the mound at Tennessee Smokies Stadium, arms aloft and waving to the crowd in triumph.

Uh, maybe … could’ve been.

After her ceremonial first pitch at the “Paint the Park Pink” celebration at Smokies Stadium, Mary Ann Venable was carried off the field by Tennessee Smokies mascot Homer Hound.
After her ceremonial first pitch at the “Paint the Park Pink” celebration at Smokies Stadium, Mary Ann Venable was carried off the field by Tennessee Smokies mascot Homer Hound.

After all, the pitcher did stare down the catcher for several long seconds before winding up. She shook off the first couple of signals like a major league all-star, then delivered her scalding (at least 10 mph, maybe 11 if the speed gun operator was generous) Dribbling Doozy Slider straight down the pike.

I’m not certain what happened next. It’s difficult to remember, given the gaiety of the moment. Besides, a puff of infield dust had gotten in my eyes. Seems I do recall hugging the pitcher, scratching her back, kissing her on the cheek, and repeating how happy I was for her.

A panorama of pink Aug. 5 at Smokies Stadium: Breast cancer survivors Mary Ann Venable and Maria Cornelius, along with News Sentinel columnist Sam Venable — who used nearly half a bottle of shampoo after the game.
A panorama of pink Aug. 5 at Smokies Stadium: Breast cancer survivors Mary Ann Venable and Maria Cornelius, along with News Sentinel columnist Sam Venable — who used nearly half a bottle of shampoo after the game.

Whatever transpired during that celebration, it was the polar opposite of the afternoon we clutched each other in her doctor’s office after hearing a word that can crack concrete.

“Malignant.”

Mary Ann Venable had just joined the 380 Knox County women, on average, who are diagnosed with breast cancer every year.

Cancer survivor Mary Ann Venable stares down the catcher, waiting for her "signature" pitch to be called, during "Paint the Park Pink" night, Aug. 5, at Smokies Stadium.
Cancer survivor Mary Ann Venable stares down the catcher, waiting for her "signature" pitch to be called, during "Paint the Park Pink" night, Aug. 5, at Smokies Stadium.

As bleak as the news may have been, she was among the oh-so-lucky. Her tumors were caught early. Minimal surgery was required. Blessedly, no chemotherapy. “Just” 32 radiation treatments where, as she described the experience, “you take off your shirt and lie down in front of everybody” while a machine moves across your upper torso.

The good fortune continues. She sees her oncologist twice annually, has bloodwork done, and receives a cancer-inhibiting shot. Five years cancer-free. Fingers crossed.

That’s why Mary Ann and I were delighted to be among the throng who participated in a “Paint the Park Pink” celebration at Smokies Stadium on Aug. 5.

A beaming Mary Ann Venable displays her "First Pitch" souvenir baseball at Smokies Stadium on Aug. 5.
A beaming Mary Ann Venable displays her "First Pitch" souvenir baseball at Smokies Stadium on Aug. 5.

This is an annual event sponsored by Erie Insurance and the American Cancer Society’s “Making Strides Against Breast Cancer” program. It was coordinated by cancer survivors Jeannine Henney and Maria Cornelius, the latter my former News Sentinel colleague and now a writer-editor at MoxCar Marketing and Communications.

It was a night of festivities. M.A. and I went full-bore pink, including — yes — hair. Dozens of brave women were recognized before the game. Thousands of dollars were raised for cancer awareness and research. The Smokies, clad in pink jerseys of their own, beat the Chattanooga Lookouts, 7-4.

But the best victory will occur when frightened patients no longer have to hear that awful word.

Sam Venable’s column appears every Sunday. Contact him at sam.venable@outlook.com.

This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Sam Venable: This opening pitch was five years in the making