Big Train fans celebrate pride at Povich Field

by Calvin Kaplan

Pride Night by Mark Thalman

ROCKVILLE, Md. — Shirley Povich Field was jam-packed with honors and festivities during Saturday’s thrilling doubleheader against the Silver Spring-Takoma Thunderbolts.

Game 1 of the seven-inning doubleheader began at 4 p.m., but as usual, pregame promotions began well before first pitch. The Big Train first welcomed The Miracle League as a Community Hero, honoring the organization’s mission to help those with disabilities play organized baseball. The team also hosted a ceremonial first pitch prior to the game and the Veterinary Park Potomac Pup Run between innings.

Fans continued to file in for Game 2, arriving to celebrate Pride Night with the MoCo Pride Center. The night’s giveaway featured Big Train Pride hand fans for the first 400 attendees, and the team honored Montgomery County Councilmember Evan Glass, the engine behind nearly a dozen LGBTQ+ Pride Month activities in Montgomery County this month.

Evan Glass (third from right) by Mark Thalman

“When I first got elected, there were very few pride events in Montgomery County,” Glass said. “I wanted to make sure that our community was able to celebrate here.”

Glass interacted with fans prior to the game before throwing out a ceremonial first pitch. He said his mission is to help county residents “feel welcome, safe and seen.”

Pride Night by Mark Thalman

“Events like this allow us to continue changing hearts and minds,” Glass said. “This is a big, beautiful, diverse county, and people like to celebrate in different ways, and baseball is one of them.”

The celebrations continued prior to game time with a national anthem performance from Francis Grey. Grey returned in the top of the second inning for a concert behind home plate as well. Soon after, the Big Train hosted a special Pup Run, welcoming Washington Nationals Racing Presidents Abe and Teddy to run alongside the kids.

Francis Grey by Mark Thalman

During the rest of the game, the team hosted Treasures for Trash and a 50/50 Raffle, raising a total jackpot of nearly $300. The Big Train also ran a Guess the Song contest prior to the top of the fourth, featuring Careless Whisper and Another One Bites The Dust.

Join us today at 7 p.m. for another exciting time during Jewish Baseball Heritage Night! The Big Train is set to welcome in Shlomo Lipetz, a pitcher from longtime partner Team Israel. Other guests include MLB trainer Barry Weinberg and Community Hero Ben Cardin, a former United States Senator. In addition, the oySongs Jewish music group will be sponsoring the night’s songs.

Get your tickets HERE!