When the Pirates and the Cubs square off this evening at PNC Park, there will be a distinct Bridgeport flavor. And all of that flavor will be in the pregame.

 

Bridgeport’s Tim Cotter will be throwing out the first pitch for the Pittsburgh-Chicago encounter that has a 7:05 p.m. Cotter will be arriving in Pittsburg at 5:30 p.m. to get ready for the ceremonial pitch. Although a baseball fan, Cotter’s honor isn’t the result of a lucky drawing or being a long-time fan. Rather, he’s being honored due to his serving as the event director for the UPCM High Point Motocross National presented by United Bank and Coastal Drilling.

 

The Cotter family’s involvement with Motocross racing is huge and he’s been involved for decades. He said this is one of the first times in probably a quarter of a century he’s left the property of a racing event after the gates have opened to be elsewhere.

 

“This is a huge event for Pennsylvania,” said Cotter of the event in Mount Morris, which is the only race on this particular circuit in Pennsylvania. “There can be up to 24,000 spectators from all over the world with competitors from all over the world.”

 

Today will focus on amateur practice with amateur racing competition Sunday. The big day of the event will be the pro-day Saturday that begins at noon and will carry a couple of live television shots, including a two-hour live segment on NBC Sports.

 

Cotter may love motocross, but he grew up loving baseball. As a youth, Cotter spent time in St. Petersburg, Florida, and was right next to the training camp for the St. Louis Cardinals.

 

“That was in the 1970s and they had guys like Lou Brock on the team. I was a huge fan and even got to sit in the dugout with the guys and do whatever the needed, including being the batboy,” said Cotter. “From that time forward, I developed a love relationship with baseball.”

 

Cotter said the pitching effort will be like a dream come true. He said it was possible because of his relationship with Red Bull, which a major sponsor, and that company’s relationship with the Pirates.

 

“They felt it would be appropriate if we were represented,” said Cotter. “I’m thrilled they asked and if my phone isn’t ringing off the hook I hope to spend some time in the ‘Burgh after throwing out that first pitch.”

 

The weekend’s race is the fourth stop of the Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship.Cotter said that the Chanticleer Children’s Chorus of West Virginia – under the direction of Sarah Carr Parsons – will be doing the National Anthem at Saturday's race event in Mount Morris. She is also the director of music at the Bridgeport United Methodist Church.

 

“There will be a lot of kids from Bridgeport and the region that will be taking part in the event,” said Cotter.

 

Editor's Note: Top photo shows Tim Cotter during a motocross interview. Photo courtesy of www.racerxonline.com.