SEATTLE, Wash. - Command Sgt. Maj. Matthew Barnes walked toward the mound at Safeco Field, while approximately 25,000 spectators cheered him on. Within seconds, the ball left his hand and traveled 60 feet and 6 inches across home plate.

The whole ceremonial process of throwing the first pitch at a Major League baseball game, including walking on and off the field, went as quickly as the fastball he threw.

"I wasn't messing around," Barnes said.

Barnes' opening pitch was part of the festivities for the Army's 234th birthday celebration, hosted by the Seattle Mariners on June 19. The Army's I Corps band performed the national anthem, while the U.S. Army Color Guard presented colors. Mariner fans were treated to an Army/Mariners souvenir cap, along with discounted tickets in the view-reserved and first-level sections.

This wasn't the first time the Mariners partnered with the Army. Over the last eight years, the two organizations have joined forces to celebrate both the Army birthday and Armed Forces Night.

This year, Staff Sgt. Daniel Deen, a member of the 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division had the honor of throwing the opening pitch on April 18 at the Mariners Armed Forces Night celebration. Barnes, an avid Mariners fan, was selected to throw the pitch for the U.S. Army 234th Birthday Celebration.

Throwing a baseball was anything but new to Barnes, who was a catcher, center fielder and second baseman on his high school team. The opportunity to throw the opening pitch at a Major League baseball game came by chance.

"I was told they wanted to have a senior noncommissioned officer there at the game to throw out the pitch to represent the Army and Fort Lewis," he said. "So I got it."

Barnes prepared for the pitch a few days before the big day. After throwing the ball, he said the 60 feet, 6 inches was a lot farther than it looked on television.

Elizabeth McCloskey, an account coordinator with the Mariners, gave Barnes a thumbs-up. She said military representatives, as athletes, tend to be good at throwing the opening pitch. She spoke of the importance of these events to the Mariners' organization.

"It's a great way to give back to those who give," said McCloskey. "It's an especially great way for the Mariners to recognize the Army."

Barnes agreed.

"I would say that any opportunity we have, as an Army, to let the American people know what our Army does on a daily basis ... is important not only for or Army, but for our country," he said.

After the opening pitch and the national anthem, Soldiers exited the field and the Seattle Mariners played an intense game against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Down by three runs, the Mariners showed the never-quit Army spirit, coming back to score four in the eighth inning to win, 4 - 3.

Kelly McGrath is a reporter with Fort Lewis' Northwest Guardian.