Red Oak student throw out first pitch

Red Oak native Nick Crouse threw out the ceremonial first pitch at the Omaha Royals game Friday.

Crouse, a four-year starter for the Red Oak Tigers High School baseball team, was throwing on behalf of Red Oak’s Smoking Kills Educational Awareness Inc. traveling baseball team.

Every year since 2003, Smoking Kills has sponsored Red Oak’s fifth and sixth grade competitive baseball team and has been a part of the Royals’ “Field of Dreams” event.

The players on the team get to go out with the Royals’ players before the game and through the playing of the national anthem.

“Last year, we were the non-profit organization of the day,” Smoking Kills Educational Awareness Inc. Founder and President Jean Nelson said. “They asked if I would throw out the first pitch, and needless to say, I didn’t do so good.”

This season when the Royals asked Nelson to return, she looked to her bullpen for help.

“Jean knew how much I have a passion for baseball,” Crouse said.

“She knew I was on the first team that she sponsored, so she asked if I wanted to do it.”

The ‘Smoking Kills’ team has been invited to the Royals’ “Field of Dreams” event every year since 2003.

As part of the team’s sponsorship, Smoking Kills Educational Awareness provides the team with T-shirts, designed by local students that they wear to the Royals’ game.

“Wearing a jersey that says ‘Smoking Kills’ is a pretty big statement for a fifth or sixth grade kid to have,” Nelson said. “I wanted to do something special for the kids.”

This year’s T-shirt was designed by a Stanton freshman, Collin Strickland.

The organization also gives out scholarships to Montgomery County tobacco-free graduating seniors.

Last year they awarded six seniors a total of $1000 in scholarships.