No Doan, no problem; D-backs peg ASU’s Bobby Hurley for 1st pitch

The Arizona Diamondbacks had a solid plan for their ceremonial first pitch to christen the new season at Chase Field on Friday.

Joining in the celebration with the rest of the Valley, the D-backs called Arizona Coyotes legend Shane Doan to step up to the mound when the D-backs take on the Red Sox.

Add in the fact that it’s the 2019 season and Doan wore No. 19 with the ‘Yotes — a jersey retired this season by the team — and it was only fitting for the Captain to throw the first pitch.

Unfortunately for all parties involved, the D-backs announced Tuesday that the right winger would not be able to make it to the ballpark as he has family commitments to attend.

Luckily for the D-backs, they had a solid second option waiting in the wings in Arizona State head coach Bobby Hurley.

#ForksUp! @SunDevilHoops coach @BobbyHurley11 will throw out the ceremonial first pitch at #DbacksOpeningDay on Friday! #AllAZ pic.twitter.com/jfEEZiAqLl

— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) April 2, 2019

Fresh off a season in which the Sun Devils knocked off then-No. 1 seed Kansas, swept in-state rival Arizona, compiled a 23-11 record and reached the NCAA Tournament for a second consecutive time, Hurley will don the D-backs’ threads and look for the zone.

But this isn’t Hurley’s first rodeo with tossing out the first pitch.

In 2015, Hurley threw out the ceremonial first pitch before the D-backs took on the Chicago Cubs.

Oh yeah, the Curtain of Distraction also made an appearance.

Calm, cool and collected. Nicely done, @BobbyHurley11.https://t.co/sMyggvY9Yh

— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) May 24, 2015

A little high, but now that the jitters are gone, Hurley is ready for another shot.

And if the head coach brings any of that fiery passion from the hardwood to the baseball diamond, look out for that Hurley heater.

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