Kniefel throws first pitch on Gusties’ Night
Medford’s Emma Kniefel throws out the first at Target Field on Gusties’ Night. Kniefel earned the opportunity to represent her school after leading the Gusties to an Elite Eight run in the NCAA DIII tournament. Submitted photo
Gustavus Adolphus College graduate Emma Kniefel was honored with the opportunity to represent her school by throwing out the first pitch on Gusties’ Night at the Minnesota Twins game last week.
The 2020 Medford High School graduate excelled in her five years competing as part of the Gusties’ women’s basketball program, most recently leading her team to an Elite Eight run in the NCAA DIII tournament.
“I was at work one day and I saw an email pop up with the subject reading “throw the first pitch at the Twins game.” I was like, ‘What?’ So I had to read it right away. It said I had been chosen so I got back right away saying, ‘Yes,’” said Kniefel.
After securing the opportunity, Kniefel said she was confident that she could handle the task, but that the pressure of the moment began to creep in.
“I played softball into the 10th grade, so I knew I could handle it. But as the day got closer, I started to really think about it and I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, I’m nervous!’ So I had to practice a little bit. When I was practicing some pitches with my dad in the front yard, he told me to just take it easy and get it there. That I don’t want to risk embarrassing myself,” said Kniefel.
Kniefel’s father wasn’t the only one trying to give advice.
According to her, others had tried to offer a different game plan.
“I had some different views from my family friends who were saying, ‘You should chuck it as fast as you can.’ So, it was a split-second decision when I was up there on what throw I was going to do.
With all eyes on her, she chose to listen to her dad’s advice and make sure the pitch went to plan.
“I left it a bit outside, but I got it there so I was happy,” she said with a laugh.
Her moment on the mound was made even more special as she was able to bring her entire family onto the field with her.
“I was told in the e-mail that I could bring a couple people onto the field with me. But when I got there, the lady escorting people down to the field had a whole thing of bracelets. I asked her, ‘I can bring my whole family?’ She was like, ‘Yeah!’ I turned to my mom and asked if they all wanted to come and she was like, ‘Yes!’ The look on my mom’s face… I thought she was going to start crying,” she said.
It was the perfect end to her career as a student-athlete.
“I’m very grateful and honored to be able to have these opportunities, and especially to share them with my family. They’ve always been my number one supporters. They’ve sacrificed so much and to see them so happy for me in these moments makes me feel so loved,” said Kniefel.