Seattle Opera's Speight Jenkins to Throw First Pitch At 9/29 Mariners Game

Seattle Opera's General Director Speight Jenkins has been called up to the Major Leagues. On September 29, Jenkins-a die-hard Mariners fan-will throw the ceremonial first pitch at the Mariners game against the Oakland Athletics.

Jenkins, a right-hander from Dallas, Texas, has led the Seattle Opera-one of the strongest major league teams in the opera world-for 26 years. He combines passion, opera savvy, and charisma to get the very best out of his players and to put on a great show. His first love is opera, but he's always liked baseball-so when the Mariners called him up, he was happy to rise to the challenge.

Although he has produced more than 164 productions during his tenure with Seattle Opera, he realizes that baseball is an entirely different beast. "If you think I was anxious about putting on the Ring, that's nothing compared to the terror I have about getting one pitch over the plate!" Jenkins said.

The Mariners contributed to Speight's terror by discounting tickets to all Seattle Opera subscribers, board, and staff.

"Let the show-no matter what-go on," says Jenkins.

Seattle Opera is providing additional pre-game talent to the match-up on the 29th: tenor Dimitri Pittas-who will make his Seattle Opera debut as Alfredo in the company's production of Verdi's Traviata on October 17-will sing the national anthem.

Tickets to Seattle Opera Night at the Mariners are available at http://www.mlb.com/sea/ticketing/special_group.jsp?group=opera.