Rescue Kitten Throws Ceremonial First Pitch at Ballpark

A tiny rescue kitten found near a baseball stadium steals the show with a ceremonial first pitch. Rescue kitten ChipPurr Jones steals the show with his first pitch. As the proud staff member of three ginger cats, all rescues, I had to watch this story. One of ours, Buddy, was supposed to be a foster. That plan lasted about as long as it took for his skittish little self to feel safe in our arms. We knew he was home, even before he did.

So when I heard that another orange kitten had found his people at a baseball stadium, I was all ears. Or perhaps all whiskers.

In August, a staff member spotted a kitten in the middle of the road on the way to work. He stopped, scooped the little guy out of traffic, and brought him to the ballpark near Atlanta, Georgia. The team took him in, and fans helped choose a name: ChipPurr “CJ” Jones, after Atlanta Braves legend Chipper Jones.

Marketing Manager Tricia Wurmstein knew the moment she saw him and heard him being scooped out of traffic that he was home for good. “I was like, ‘Yep, we will be keeping this cat,’ ” she said. 

CJ soon had his own toy-filled space at the stadium. But on September 15, he stepped into a much bigger room: Gwinnett Field. For the team’s “Purr in the Park” game, the tiny rescue was invited to make the ceremonial first pitch. Be prepared to watch your heart melt. 

Kitten Found Near Baseball Stadium

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With marketing manager Tricia leading him along with treats, CJ trotted toward the mound while the crowd cheered. He didn’t actually pick up a baseball, of course. Cats prefer to knock things off tables, not throw them across a field. Still, he delivered a performance worthy of a standing ovation.

“Honestly, it went so much better than I anticipated,” Tricia said. “He was ready for the moment.”

The game also gave fans a chance to bring their cats and donate supplies to a local animal shelter. It was a purr-fect way to celebrate a kitten whose life changed because someone took the time to stop.

The Stripers lost the game, but CJ came away with something better than a win. The loss doesn’t matter to Tricia, and she said she plans to bring him home to join her other cats. Around here, we know how that goes. One minute you’re helping a rescue feel safe; the next, he’s claimed your favorite chair and your whole heart. My cat Buddy could have told CJ that much.

Somewhere between the roadside and the pitcher’s mound, this little kitten found his people. I’d call that a home run.

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“A righteous man respects the life of his animal.”  Proverbs 12:10 

WATCH: Tiny Rescue Kitten Found Near Baseball Stadium Steals the Show With Ceremonial First Pitch

LISTEN: State Trooper Found a Kitten On Road, Then He Adopted Him | One Trail Change, One Incredible Rescue: Woman Found After 3 Days Trapped

h/t: People

Featured Image Credit: CANVA/Ali K from Pexels

Heather Riggleman is a believer, wife, mom, author, social media consultant, and full-time writer. She lives in Minden, Nebraska with her kids, high school sweetheart, and three cats who are her entourage around the homestead. She is a former award-winning journalist with over 2,000 articles published. She is full of grace and grit, raw honesty, and truly believes tacos can solve just about any situation. You can find her on GodUpdates, iBelieve, Crosswalk, Hello Darling, Focus On The Family, and in Brio Magazine. Connect with her at www.HeatherRiggleman.com or on Facebook.