Big Train Welcomes Washington Commanders, Community Hero Lily Qi, Sister Cities and More

Lily Qi by Matthew Lewyn

BETHESDA, Md. — The Bethesda Big Train celebrated Rotary Club and Washington Commanders Night against the Olney Cropdusters Wednesday. Bethesda also honored Community Hero Lily Qi during the second inning against the Olney Cropdusters.

Qi represents the 15th district in the Maryland House of Delegates, which serves southwestern Montgomery County. She campaigns on “The Spirit of America,” which says that every person has the freedom and opportunity to succeed in America.

Born in Shanghai, China, Qi’s family was persecuted during political unrest before she moved to Indiana in the 1980s. Qi worked her way through the American education system before working on economic development. She was elected to the Maryland House of Delegates in 2018, becoming the first Chinese-born state legislator in Maryland.

Big Train President and Founder Bruce Adams presented her with a Big Train #21 jersey featuring "Community Hero" on the back to pay tribute to the legendary Roberto Clemente. The team retired the #21 jersey in 2009 and continues to honor him through the Roberto Clemente Service Day on the morning of July 18.

Qi was joined by Delegates Linda Foley, David Fraser-Hidalgo and Maryland Senator Brian J. Feldman. The group helped Montgomery Parks install new netting behind home plate and a new irrigation system at Shirley Povich Field.

Montgomery Sister Cities helps connect Montgomery County to the world by creating economic, social and cultural relationships. The five sister cities include Gondar, Ethiopia; Xi’an, China; Morazán, El Salvador; Daejeon, South Korea; and Hyderabad, India.

The non-profit organization helps to “bridge the global community with Montgomery,” Founder and Chief Executive Officer Stephanie Clark said. Sister Cities gave away free fortune cookies to Big Train fans.

In addition to Sister Cities Night, the Hung Ci Lion Dance Troupe performed a Taiji dance pregame. The dance is a traditional Chinese Lion Dance that dates back several centuries as a custom to bring good luck, prosperity and fortune. It is usually performed at weddings, grand openings and during Chinese New Year.

Major Tuddy by Matthew Lewyn

With Wednesday being National Mascot Day, Big Train fans were given an opportunity to meet the Washington Commanders mascot, Major Tuddy. Tuddy participated in the first pitch ceremonies and the fifth-inning mascot race. He also made friends with Big Train catcher TJ Gramesty (Florida Atlantic) before the game.

Tuddy was introduced during the team’s rebrand in 2022. The mascot pays homage to “The Hogs,” a nickname given to the Washington franchise in the 1980s due to the team’s excellent offensive line play.

The appearance of the famed Commanders’ mascot was sponsored by Beacon Newspapers. The Beacon “is dedicated to providing well-written, useful information of interest to people 50 and over and their families,” according to their website.

Before the ballgame, fans were also given fifty $5 coupons to the Bethesda Central Farm Market. Founder Mitch Berliner threw out Wednesday’s first pitch, but Berliner swapped a traditional baseball for an apple.

Central Farm Markets were founded in 2008 to provide a venue where customers can purchase high-quality, locally grown food. The company “supports its local community with activities, events and programming that help to educate, give back and fight hunger,” according to their website.

The market in Bethesda is held at Bethesda Elementary School every Sunday between 9 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. It is one of the largest farmers' markets in the region, hosting over 100 vendors and food producers year-round.

Friends Club by Matthew Lewyn

The Bethesda Friends Club and Bethesda Chevy Chase Rotary Club were also a part of the first pitch ceremonies. The Friends Club, a non-profit organization, helps men in the early-to-mid stages of dementia find a safe and secure environment..

Bethesda now heads to the Southern Maryland Senators Thursday. First pitch is scheduled for 5 p.m. at North Point High School in Waldorf, Maryland. The Senators head into the showdown with an 8-5 record and on a four-game win streak.

Friday sees the Big Train return to Povich Field against the Gaithersburg Giants, with an earlier 6 p.m. first pitch. The game will be the Fifth Annual Clarence “Pint” Israel Juneteenth Classic. Bethesda will be wearing 1954 Scotland Eagles jerseys to honor Montgomery’s Black Sandlots. Fans can meet Community Hero Eddie Dove and 13-season MLB veteran Milt Thompson.

The first 700 fans receive a Heartbreakers t-shirt courtesy of Westfield Montgomery, and be sure to get to Povich Field early for the National Anthem sung by the Taylor Family Singers at 5:50 p.m. Fireworks, courtesy of Scotland Juneteenth Heritage Festival, will commence at 9 p.m.

Tickets can be purchased on the Big Train website.

Read the recap of tonight’s game