BY LOREEN BERLIN: Friday was the 19th annual Mormon Family Night at the Angels home game against the Chicago White Sox.
And, after the first pitch was tossed by newly-appointed LDS Church Apostle Elder Gary E. Stevenson, the game got underway, with no score until the bottom of the third by the Angels, making it a three-run lead against the Sox.
The next score, which was also by the Angels, was five runs in the 7th inning — assuring the Angels were on top of their game, making it an Angels winning game. "Go Angels!"
BY LOREEN BERLIN: Friday was the 19th annual Mormon Family Night at the Angels home game against the Chicago White Sox.
And, after the first pitch was tossed by newly-appointed LDS Church Apostle Elder Gary E. Stevenson, the game got underway, with no score until the bottom of the third by the Angels, making it a three-run lead against the Sox.
The next score, which was also by the Angels, was five runs in the 7th inning — assuring the Angels were on top of their game, making it an Angels winning game. "Go Angels!"
The evening began at 6 p.m. for those attending from the Garden Grove Stake, organized by Elder's Quorum President Mark Freeman from the Valley View Ward, who also headed up "Chef" duties in the pickup truck bed of Stanford Ward Bishop Kelly Thomer.
It was a wonderful social evening for families with young children and the empty-nesters as well.
"We anticipated approximately 2,500 church members and friends would attend," said Public Relations Director Debbie Olive, who arranged for the group tickets. "Elder Stevenson was accompanied by his wife and 13 members of their family; along with Elder Stevenson throwing the first pitch, seven outstanding youth from stakes throughout Orange County were recognized by the Angels Organization in the pre-game ceremony and got to participate in various roles including Bat Boy, First Pitch, Play Ball Announcer and the Steal Third Base Events.”
Olive said they sold out of tickets for the Angels event that was sponsored by the Orange County Public Affairs Council.
The following evening, the San Diego Padres hosted a Mormon Night in their game against the San Francisco Giants, with fans in attendance receiving discounted tickets for friends and family.
As far back as 2011, the San Diego Padres held Mormon Night, with LDS Church members wearing Mormon Helping Hands vests and T-shirts lined the field.
Over the years, there have been a lot of Mormon Nights with baseball teams.
According to recorded games, Baltimore Orioles pitcher Jeremy Guthrie, a returned LDS missionary, greeted Bay Area LDS youth before a game against the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park in San Francisco.
It's reported that faith and professional sports have been in the public eye with Denver Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow kneeling, bowing his head and praying before games and other professional sports teams have faith nights for the Jewish community, and Catholics as well as Mormons and other faiths.
In a previous USA Today article, Major League Baseball Spokesman Matt Bourne said, "Baseball has confidence in our clubs to conduct ballpark promotions that are appropriate in tone and conduct."
