Peter Bondra Throws Out First Pitch at Potomac Nationals Game, Tries to “Hit Target” (Video)

August 24, 2013 1:21 pm

Great form. (Photo credit: Caps Instagram)

Friday night, Washington Capitals legend and 500-goal scorer Peter Bondra threw out the ceremonial first pitch at the Potomac Nationals game in some weird place called Woodbridge, Virginia (probably doesn’t even have a wooden bridge). Bonzai signed autographs and posed for photos with Caps fans before and during the game.

“I am a little bit nervous,” Bondra revealed to Monumental Network before he participated in the first pitch ceremony. “I wish I had a little board and a hockey stick and puck. That make it easy. But I try to hit target.”

Bonzai was likely anxious because he never played baseball as a kid. He also threw out the first pitch at a Frederick Keys game in the past and his toss was a little bit wild.

Nonetheless, the Caps legend (who you can see play at the upcoming Caps Alumni Game, Thursday, September 19th) found his courage and took the field. After meeting the other first pitch honorees, he chose to go last. “I will see what you do and I will do same,” Bondra told them.

Once the Caps legend was told to take the mound, he faked a side-armed heave and then quickly threw the ball to the catcher.

“I think I hit the target,” Bondra said of his low and outside pitch. “The catcher didn’t have to lean too far. I didn’t want to throw wild pitch. That would be embarrassing.” Indeed.

Below, check out video of his toss and a bunch of photos from Hockey Night at Pfitzner Stadium. Reminder: Carolina League baseball RULES!

Video

Photos

The McTernan family poses with Bonzai. Samantha told us in an email that her “son wears number 12 for the Prince William Panthers travel Peewees (since Bondra is her favorite hockey player) so she and Peter had a nice chat about what a great number it was.” Too cool.