Espn Deal, who is 9-years-old and a Butler resident, poses with Pirates manager Clint Hurdle after throwing out the ceremonial first pitch before Pittsburgh's game against the Chicago Cubs Wednesday night at PNC Park.

Espn Deal got some inspiration to switch positions on the diamond Wednesday night at PNC Park.

Deal, a 9-year-old Butler resident, threw out the ceremonial first pitch before the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the Chicago Cubs 7-5.

Throwing off the mound, Deal made sure not to send it submarining into the ground in front of home plate.

Dressed in a No. 22 Pirates jersey with his name on his back that he got for his birthday, Deal threw a ball to his dad that was about chest high.

Deal picked that jersey number because it shares the same number as center fielder Andrew McCutchen.

“I threw it right across home plate,” Deal said.

That inspired him for the upcoming fall ball season. He typically plays third base, but would like to do some pitching now.

Rebecca White, who is Deal's mother, said they are lucky he liked sports.

White and her husband had decided to name their first child —boy or girl — after the sports network.

“That's actually what he's named after,” White said. “We were watching the 25th anniversary of ESPN and there were only 12 kids in the country at the time with that name. We decided that would be our child's name.”

Deal had the opportunity to throw out the first pitch after his uncle won a silent auction. He gave it to Deal for his birthday in July.

Deal has been playing baseball since an early age, starting with T-Ball. Why the sport is his favorite is a bit of a mystery.

“I don't know, it came to me one day that I wanted to play,” Deal said.

Deal was nervous about throwing out the first pitch, but enjoyed the experience.

“Throwing the first pitch and meeting Clint Hurdle,” said Deal about his favorite part of the trip. “He's nice and he has a good sense of humor. He gave me bunny ears.”