Athlete and TMA volunteer Vance Robinson started VRob’s “First Pitch” for Myositis Awareness campaign in 2016 to bring attention to the rare and debilitating forms of myositis. The 2025 baseball season is the 9th year of his campaign.
2025 #MyositisFirstPitchCampaign
VRob and TMA have set a goal for 2025 to throw 31 First Pitches, one for each of the 31 days in May! Can you pitch in? Fill out our volunteer interest form! When you have a game booked, we’ll ship you a package of First Pitch T-shirts and wristbands.
Organize a First Pitch in Your Town
A First Pitch can be delivered at any baseball game! Explore your neighborhood or city and think about coordinating a First Pitch with:
- Little League or youth leagues
- High school baseball
- Community leagues
- College baseball
- Major League Baseball (MLB); MLB affiliates: Rookie, Single-A, High-A, Double-A, and Triple-A; and MLB spring training facilities.
2025 First Pitches
- January 12, 2025 at Gloves for Cuba, Playa Largo, Cuba
- February 8, 2025 at Santa Barbara City College, Santa Barbara, CA
- February 27, 2025 at College of the Sequoias, Visalia, CA
- March 20, 2025 at Templeton High School (softball), Templeton, CA
- March 22, 2025 at Westmont College, Westmont, CA
- March 25, 2025 at Templeton High School (baseball), Templeton, CA
- March 25, 2025 at Reeds Spring High School, Reeds Spring, MO
- April 4, 2025 at Westmont College, Montecito, CA
- April 5, 2025 at Duke University, Chapel Hill, NC
- April 5, 2025 at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, CA
- April 8, 2025 at Santa Ynez Valley Union High School, CA
- April 12, 2025 at Dos Pueblos High School, Goleta, CA
- May 8, 2025 at St. Lucie Mets MiLB, Port St. Lucie, FL
- May 30, 2025 at Columbia Fireflies MiLB, Columbia, SC
In 2025, the campaign made its global debut when Vance’s friend Drew Ponce
threw the first pitch at the nonprofit Gloves for Cuba baseball game
Donate, Share, and Learn More
Donate to VRob’s #MyositisFirstPitchCampaign.
Follow Vance on Instagram @vrobb805 to stay up-to-date about VRob’s First Pitch. Show your support by sharing with #MyositisAwareness #MyositisFirstPitchCampaign.
Check out this 2019 video which shares more why Vance started First Pitch and his journey with inclusion body myositis (IBM).
Suggested Announcer Script
This below script is provided as a starting point for myositis advocates to use in ceremonial first pitches. Customize your script as you wish, but keep it short!
“Fans, at this time, please direct your attention to the pitcher’s mound for today’s ceremonial first pitch. The month of May is Myositis Awareness Month. Myositis is a rare condition that causes inflammation and muscle loss throughout the body. Vance Robinson started VRob’s ‘First Pitch’ Myositis Awareness Campaign to bring attention to this disease. The 2025 baseball season is the 9th year of his campaign, and although Robinson can no longer physically throw a ball, friends and family throw out first pitches at many games across the nation, on his behalf. Please welcome _______ as s/he throws out today’s first pitch. To learn more about myositis, check out www.myositis.org/firstpitch.”
Questions? Need help organizing a First Pitch? Please contact TMA: tma@myositis.org and Vance: vrob805@gmail.com.