Steppin' up to the plate

                                                       _{Image courtesy of the Asheville Tourists.}

     On July 29, resident David Zimmerman threw the first pitch at the Asheville Tourists baseball game. He is the second Ardenwoods resident to open the Tourists’ game with a ceremonial pitch, following Joy Clark in 2025. David and his wife, Rosemary, are lifelong Tourists fans. So, when the opportunity arose, David was thrilled to accept the invitation.

     “I hadn’t thrown a baseball in probably 40 years,” said David, knowing that practice would be necessary. To settle his nerves, David phoned a friend.

     “Dwayne Walker, the facilities director at Ardenwoods, has a daughter who is a softball pitcher. They let me borrow a ball and glove to practice with my son Michael,” said David. “I practiced several times, to a point where I felt like I could throw the ball the distance between the pitcher’s mound and first base.”

     It was a warm summer evening at HomeTrust Park as the Tourists prepared to play the Greenville Drive. Also advertised as Harry Potter Night, the event drew some attendees who dressed the part, wearing Harry Potter-themed hats, scarves and other accessories. Upon their arrival, David and his family were given VIP treatment, as Tourists staff escorted them around the grounds for a tour and introductions to personnel and players.

     David’s fan club, however, wasn’t limited to just his wife, son and granddaughter — with 60 stadium seats reserved for Ardenwoods’ staff, residents and their families. Attendees enjoyed food, beverages and socializing as they waited for David to step up to the plate. New seating areas, expanded walkways and updated amenities at the park have made game days more comfortable, while preserving the welcoming atmosphere, rich history and scenic views that guests enjoy.

     When the time came to throw the game’s first pitch, David pulled his Ardenwoods ball cap down across his brow, gazed down the field at the batter, readying his aim, and threw a perfect overhand pitch. The Ardenwoods crowd went wild with cheers and applause. After the pitch, David reclaimed his place in the stands to cheer on the Tourists with his friends and family.

     “It was a special opportunity and an honor — a really nice outing for this organization,” he explained. “It was a real treat for everybody who attended.”

     The energy, sense of community and pure joy of baseball make these outings a favorite excursion for residents.

     In the days that followed, administrators featured photos from the evening on Ardenwoods’ in-house television channel, and residents and staff continued to compliment David on his stellar throw. David kept the baseball he pitched, which is now on display in David and Rosemary’s residence, along with his family’s entry tickets.

     With his big baseball pitch behind him, David has returned to his usual hobbies — writing and illustrating his “Super Penguin” comic series, carving figurines in the Ardenwoods woodshop and building model railroad scenery and structures for Rail Scale Models.

     Thank you again to the Tourists for having Ardenwoods and for helping create this one-of-a-kind experience for our residents!