Viral internet star Haliey Welch throws out a ceremonial first pitch before a game between the New York Mets and the Oakland Athletics at Citi Field. Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Hawk Tuah Girl’s Mets first pitch elicits strong reaction, strangely handled

Originally posted on The Athlete Lifestyle on SI
By Matt Ryan | Last updated Aug 16, 2024 1:16 PM ET

Haliey Welch, aka ‘Hawk Tuah Girl’, has blown up the internet and social media once again.

This time she put some other skills to the test — throwing out the first pitch at the New York Mets game, which they eventually lost 7-6 to the Oakland Athletics.

Welch, 21, was actually there to raise awareness for a good cause, but the reaction from fans and Major League Baseball and the Mets, well, wasn’t so welcoming.

So I guess some of the baseball community wasn’t too happy to see me yesterday

The main reason I went to the game was to spread awareness and donate to America’s vet dogs which pairs dogs with war veterans for a forever home ♾️

Join me in donating to this amazing charity.… pic.twitter.com/MshybcjcgZ
— Haliey Welch (@HalieyWelchX) August 16, 2024

Interestingly, there’s no official mention of her pitch on the Met’s official X, formerly Twitter, page and MLB social refused to refer to her “household” nickname.

Viral internet star Haliey Welch threw out the first pitch at the Mets game today! ⚾️ pic.twitter.com/x18SakboYb
— MLB (@MLB) August 15, 2024

Similarly, the Mets PA addressed her as a “viral sensation” on her walkout. One Mets beat writer claims his bosses wouldn’t allow him to use the moniker at all.

However she’s referred to, fans and hosts seemed to lose their minds over this actually happening at an MLB game. Just check out this meltdown:

.@sal_licata absolutely loses it after seeing the "Hawk Tuah girl" throw out the Mets ceremonial first pitch pic.twitter.com/yiqo7zVfOz
— WFAN Sports Radio (@WFAN660) August 15, 2024

And these reactions:

After the Mets let the Hawk Tuah girl throw out the first pitch last night, they honored her by Blowing a five-run lead#LGM | @Bcass28 https://t.co/CLRzeOgXoM
— The Liberty Line (@LibertyLinePHL) August 16, 2024

Hawk Tuah girl throwing out first pitch at Mets game. The real spit ball. pic.twitter.com/IYugLqq6zz
— Skip Westfall (@Swestfall) August 16, 2024

As for the actual pitch, hey it wasn’t bad at all!

Hailey Welch throws out the first pitch at today’s Mets game pic.twitter.com/1iu8MzIlbz
— SNY Mets (@SNY_Mets) August 15, 2024

At least she didn’t go down in infamy for worst first pitches ever in MLB history that oddly both took place at Mets games: 50 Cent’s classic embarrassment and Gary Dell’Abate’s epic fail from “The Howard Stern Show.”

These videos never get old. This isn’t the first or probably the last time Welch has taken advantage of her newly found fame. Last month, she made an appearance at a south Florida pool club in a Tua Tagovailoa jersey for a reported $30,000.

For now, MLB and the Mets must move on with the season and first pitches. Good luck to Jared Leto.

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This article first appeared on The Athlete Lifestyle on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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