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SALT LAKE CITY -- President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, second counselor in the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, threw the ceremonial first pitch at Dodgers Stadium in Los Angeles last Friday.
It was part of the Dodgers' annual "Mormon Night," which is a 25-plus year tradition.
More than 8,000 Latter-day Saints were in attendance, according to Mormon Newsroom. It says the crowd greeted Pres. Uchtdorf with a loud cheer as his name was announced. His pitch was caught by Elder William Reynolds, a Seventy in the church. Honorary umpire Kevin Hamilton, director of the Southern California Public Affairs Council, called the pitch a strike.
The event also featured Alex Boye, a member of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, singing The National Anthem. Several Latter-day Saints from various Southern California congregations were recognized, including Ronald Nelsen. He has worked for the Dodgers as a food vendor for the 54 years the team has been in California.
Church Public Affairs spokesman in California Gary Condie said, "Mormon Night at Dodger Stadium is the longest-running and biggest community event held by the Dodger organization. The Dodgers expressed appreciation for this long-standing relationship."
Last year, Elder Quentin L. Cook, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, threw out the ceremonial first pitch at Mormon Night at Dodger Stadium.
