Memorable Night for Marlins and Mariners as Returning Staff Sgt Jade Hall Pitches First Ball

Pictured: Staff Sgt Jade Hall holding baseball with the Marlins and Mariners on each side. The Mariners are (front row, left-right) Brett Greenhalgh, Corbin Llewellyn, Brocston Murdoch, Samuel Sorenson; (back row, left-right) Trey Syddall, Hayden Murdoch, Brady Braithwaite, Gage Losser,  Alex Cowie, Quentin Fackrell, (field judge, in red) Tommy Hudson ( Flinch); (top left, third row) Head Coach Jason Llewellyn and Assistant Coach Royal Murdoch. The Marlins are (left-right, front row): Ethan Bundy (without a cap), Carson Robbins, Parker Cowley, Mikie Johnson, Andrew Earl; (left-right, back row): Kyler Rhoades (sunglasses), Jaden Adams, Ryver Hancock (Staff Sgt Hall’s nephew), Jaxson Cowley, Artie Jensen, and Michael Lubben; pictured beside the Marlins are Coaches Rory Adams and Michael Johnson.

Staff Sgt Jade Hall with the first-pitch baseball presented to him in honor of his service.

Michael Johnson, a Mariners coach, prepares his team for a game with the Marlins after the players welcomed Sgt Hall onto Field #5.

A typical night at the Payson 8th South Hillman Field baseball complex was made memorable for two young baseball teams and their coaches last week.  Before heading to their positions for a June 20 game, the Marlins and Mariners welcomed special guest Staff Sgt Jade Ryan Hall onto the field.

Sgt Hall, who is a Payson native and 2010 graduate of Salem Hills High School, has returned home

after spending six years as part of the United States Air Force, military service that included two stints
in Afghanistan. His invitation to Hillman Field last Tuesday was the teams’ way of showing their gratitude
for his service.

“Jade is the Uncle of Ryver Hancock, our catcher, and Jade's parents live in my [LDS Church] Ward,”

Marlins Coach Rory Adams explained. “We wanted to surprise him, and show our appreciation to him
for his service, and so we came up with this idea. We often see servicemen surprising family members
on their return, and wanted to give him a surprise instead. He had no idea what was going down. He
thought he was coming to watch his nephew play ball.

“We actually had the teams line up on the first and third base lines, and I said a few words of introduction

before inviting him onto the field, to shake hands with all the boys, coaches and umpires. Each of the boys
took the opportunity to thank him for his service. We then invited him to throw the first pitch.”

Marlins and Mariners, their coaches and assistants, their fans and family seated on the small bleachers
outside the baseball diamond cheered as Sgt Hall pitched the first ball of the game.

“The baseball used for the first pitch had the date, Staff Sgt Hall, and Welcome Home written on it,” Coach
Adams said. “It was used to throw the first pitch and was then given to Staff Sgt Hall to keep, as a small
token of our appreciation to him for his service.”

The Hillman Field honor came just days after community members gathered along sidewalks stretching
through Payson, June 18, to welcome the returning staff sergeant home. American flags fluttered from tall
posts planted in street side lawns.  Yellow ribbons were wrapped around the posts and trees, and tied into
bows in a tradition that dates back to the 1970s in the United States. Children waved small flags and families
applauded as Sgt Hall returned to his neighborhood riding on the back of a red Payson Fire-Rescue engine.
He was escorted by Payson Police, Ambulance, and the Fire Department in a parade that commenced at
Mountain View Hospital. Sirens blared as the procession continued west along 800 South, then onto 930 West,
past the Payson LDS Temple, and onto 1620 South Street, where Sgt Hall was met with hugs from loved ones.

For Mr Adams, honoring service members is important and deeply meaningful to him personally.  “I served
in the army in South Africa and know what it is like to be in combat,” he said. His son, Brandon Adams,
a 2011 graduate of Payson High School, is now in boot camp training as a member of the United States
Coast Guard.

“Having emigrated to The USA 15 years ago, and become a citizen two years ago, I have a deep love for
this country and all that it stands for. My family and I all appreciate immensely the opportunity that we have to live here. We love the freedom that we enjoy, and recognize the sacrifices that men and women in the armed forces and the police force make as they selflessly put their lives in danger to protect us, and allow us to ‘play ball,’ amongst other things. I express my sincere gratitude to all who so willingly put their lives on the line, so that we don't have to. It has been said that every serviceman and servicewomen should get this kind of homecoming, and I agree. It was a privilege and an honor, and a huge blessing in my life, for me to play a small part in welcoming Staff Sergeant Jade Ryan Hall home.”

As for Sgt Hall, who, as a child, played shortstop and left field, he is happy to be home.  “”It feels great,”
he said. “It’s hard to believe it’s real.”