Back in town on a pre-tour break, Richmond native and American Idol Top 4 contestant Rayvon Owen will throw the first pitch at the Flying Squirrels game Saturday. Owen will also take time to spend with his family, especially his mother, who will join him at the game. After the pitch, a meet-and-greet autograph session will be held from 6 to 7 p.m. in the Autograph Hut. Owen will again take to the field during the seventh inning stretch to sing “God Bless America,” followed by fireworks at the conclusion of the game.
The Flying Squirrels have been planning this appearance since early this year, when they learned Owen would be a contestant on American Idol, says Erin McDonald, promotions associate. Ticket sales have increased since the announcement of his performance, and there is hope that the game will sell out, she says.
“I think it’s kind of cool to have someone from the area who really made it in life and is doing what they want to do,” McDonald says.
Owen mentioned his upcoming appearance on Twitter today, just after noting that he was flying to Virginia to sing and speak to the graduating class of ECPI University’s Richmond campus. He will return July 21 to the Carpenter Theatre as part of the American Idol Live! Tour with four other finalists.