WASHINGTON, DC – JUNE 11: Hailey Dawson throws out the opening pitch with her 3D printed hand before the game between the Washington Nationals and the Texas Rangers at Nationals Park on June 11, 2017 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)
A girl born with a rare disease and on a mission to throw ceremonial first pitches with her robotic hand across Major League Baseball, will throw the first pitch at Game 4 of the World Series.
Hailey Dawson, 7, was born with a rare disease called Poland Syndrome that causes birth defects in one out of every 200,000 births. Despite missing the three middle fingers on her right hand, she has set out to prove that children can live extraordinary lives despite their handicaps or physical deformities.
Hailey began her run of ceremonial first pitches a few years ago at a University of Nevada Las Vegas Rebels game, not far from where the Dawsons live.
Since then, she has expanded to two MLB teams, throwing her first MLB first pitch at a Baltimore Orioles vs. Oakland Athletics game in Baltimore in August 2015, and later at a Washington Nationals game.
Before the start of this season, Hailey’s mom, Yong Dawson, told SportTechie that she was hoping to get Hailey into as many games as possible.
Now with the regular season ramping up, SportTechie has confirmed that she’ll pitch at one of the most pivotal games of the season: the fourth game of the World Series on Oct. 28.
“We are overwhelmed but humbled by the response. It is amazing,” Yong said in an email to SportTechie.
Our family is so excited! Thank you @MLB for this opportunity!
The goal is to continue having Hailey throw first pitches as often as possible to build her confidence and inspire other children to set and achieve lofty goals, says Yong Dawson.
Through this journey, she has met some of her favorite players, including Chicago Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant and Nationals right fielder Bryce Harper.
