Members Enjoy 2018 Mormon Night at Dodger Stadium
Contributed By Gary E. Condie, Church News contributor
Elder Robert C. Gay of the Presidency of the Seventy throws out the ceremonial first pitch during the annual Mormon Night at Dodger Stadium on June 9, 2018. Photo by Nathan Pettey.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA
Roughly 1,500 LDS Church members and their friends gathered together to watch baseball and enjoy hot dogs in Los Angeles, California, on June 9, 2018, for the annual Mormon Night at Dodger Stadium—a tradition that has held strong for more than 40 consecutive years.
The Los Angeles Dodgers invited Elder Robert C. Gay of the Presidency of the Seventy to represent the Church and throw out the ceremonial first pitch. Elder Gay joins past and present members of the Quorum of the Twelve, such as Elder Robert D. Hales, President M. Russell Ballard, and Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf, as well as other prominent Church leaders who over the years have had this honor.
From left: Elder Bruce E. Ghent, an Area Seventy, and his wife, Sister Kathryn Ghent, and Elder Robert C. Gay of the Presidency of the Seventy and his wife, Sister Lynette Gay, at Mormon Night at Dodger Stadium on June 9, 2018. Photo by Erik Isakson.
Elder Gay threw the ceremonial first pitch right down the plate to Elder Bruce E. Ghent, an Area Seventy. Photo by Erik Isakson.
A player on the Dodgers congratulates Elder Gay. Photo by Erik Isakson.
Elder Robert C. Gay of the Presidency of the Seventy and Elder Bruce E. Ghent, an Area Seventy, walk off the field after participating in the ceremonial first pitch on June 9, 2018, at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California. Photo by Erik Isakson.
Elder Gay threw the ceremonial first pitch right down the plate to Elder Bruce E. Ghent, an Area Seventy, who securely caught the pitch. Their wives, Sister Lynette Gay and Sister Kathryn Ghent, were also on the field dressed in the Dodger jerseys specially made by the Dodger’s tailor shop and were introduced to the crowd along with their husbands.
Elder Gay, who was born and raised in Los Angeles, said he was excited to throw out the ceremonial first pitch, recalling that when he was a 12-year-old Boy Scout he had been invited by the Dodgers to say the Pledge of Allegiance.
Also joining in on the pregame ceremonies was Shawn King, a member of the Church selected by the Dodgers to sing the national anthem, and not for the first time. Shawn, a well-known recording artist who attended Brigham Young University and is married to television talk show host Larry King, has previously performed the national anthem at Dodger Stadium. She attended this night’s game with her family.
Before the game, the Dodgers also invited Primary-age children to join the players on the field, where they were able to visit with the players and receive an autographed baseball. The children were then allowed to run out with the players at the beginning of the game as the Dodgers took their positions.
Ron Nelson, a member of the Church, was also recognized for his 60 years of dedication to the Dodgers working as a hot dog and peanut salesman since the very first game when the Dodgers moved from Brooklyn to Los Angeles back in 1958.
Mormon Night at Dodger Stadium is the longest running community event held by the Dodger organization. It is also the largest special event held by the Dodgers. The Dodgers have frequently expressed their appreciation for the long-standing relationship with the Church and expressed their appreciation again this year.
Gary Condie, event coordinator, thanked the many people who worked to make the event a success. He also noted that several stake representatives were invited by the Dodgers onto the field prior to the game and were recognized by the Dodgers.
The Atlanta Braves took home the win 5 to 3.
From left: Elder Bruce E. Ghent, an Area Seventy, and his wife, Sister Kathryn Ghent, and Elder Robert C. Gay of the Presidency of the Seventy and his wife, Sister Lynette Gay, at Mormon Night at Dodger Stadium on June 9, 2018. Photo by Erik Isakson.
Pregame activities for Mormon Night at Dodger Stadium included honoring various Church members. Photo by Erik Isakson.
Primary-age children were invited to join the players on the field, where they received an autographed baseball. Photo by Nathan Petty.
Primary-age children were invited to join the players on the field, where they received an autographed baseball. Photo by Nathan Petty.
Primary-age children were invited to join the players on the field, where they received an autographed baseball. Photo by Nathan Petty.
Primary-age children were invited to join the players on the field, where they received an autographed baseball. Photo by Nathan Petty.
Roughly 1,500 LDS Church members and their friends gathered together to watch baseball and enjoy hot dogs in Los Angeles, California, on June 9, 2018, for the annual Mormon Night at Dodger Stadium. Photo by Nathan Petty.
Shawn King, a member of the Church, was selected by the Dodgers to sing the national anthem. Photo by Erik Isakson.
Shawn King, who is LDS, poses with her husband, television talk show host Larry King. Photo by Erik Isakson.
