Arizona Cardinals’ Patrick Peterson takes batting practice, throws ceremonial first pitch with D-backs

Monday night, Arizona Cardinals rookie D.J. Humphries threw out the ceremonial first pitch before the Diamondbacks hosted the Washington Nationals.

Tuesday, it was Patrick Peterson’s turn.

The four-time Pro Bowler did not limit himself to pitching, though. He took batting practice with the D-backs, and didn’t look half bad in the process.

“I needed a round of warmups first, but once I got it going I felt pretty comfortable in the batting cage and started hitting some — not any homers — but started hitting some balls that I could keep in play and hopefully get to second base on,” he said.

Peterson said he played some baseball when he was younger, but obviously did not stick with the sport.

This wasn’t the first time he took batting practice with the team, though, as he did so a couple of years ago with teammate Larry Fitzgerald.

He liked this year’s effort better because, unlike last time, he knew what to expect.

You can go ahead and judge for yourself:

After that, Peterson needed to get ready for his pitch. He’s only got one shot to get it right, so some pre-game practice was in order. But instead of warming up with a baseball, the Cardinals star took a football and played catch with D-backs pitcher Archie Bradley. The D-backs pitcher was not exactly out of his element, though, as he was a star quarterback back in high school who had options to play football at the collegiate level.

Warming up for tonight's ceremonial first throw? @RealPeterson21 @ArchieBradley7 pic.twitter.com/N3GbPBu4sV

— #VoteDbacks (@Dbacks) May 13, 2015

The defensive back also refueled from batting practice by taking in a few carbs.

At long last, @RealPeterson21 finally meets the #ChurroDog: “Don't show this to Coach.” pic.twitter.com/pKuwOM2WHr

— #VoteDbacks (@Dbacks) May 13, 2015

Let’s take a look at the fruit of all that preparation:

A busy day at Chase Field ends for #Cardinals @RealPeterson21 by throwing out the #Dbacks ceremonial first pitch pic.twitter.com/7KM0CMQifQ

— Craig Grialou (@CraigAZSports) May 13, 2015

The Cardinals cornerback zipped the pitch in to Bradley, who played catcher for the play. The throw was a little high, but Peterson got some mustard on it.

Apparently, Peterson couldn’t depart the field without first getting a signed ball by Bradley, a star pitcher in the making.

And of course #Cardinals @RealPeterson21 had to get the baseball signed by #Dbacks @ArchieBradley7 pic.twitter.com/fUDA8OOGsd

— Craig Grialou (@CraigAZSports) May 13, 2015