Throwing Gas: Mokena's Daniel Potter Tosses 1st Pitch At Slammers Game

MOKENA, IL — Everyday is a good day for baseball in Daniel Potter's world. So, despite the blistering heat, Potter went ahead as planned and tossed out the first pitch Tuesday at the Joliet Slammers game in front of a crown of nearly 2,000 fans.

Potter, of Mokena, was joined by his uncle, Billy Potter, affectionately known around town as "Uncle Billy."

The pair are no strangers to Duly Health and Care Field, where the Slammers play their home games. Daniel, in particular, has been a staple there for the past 10 years.

Joliet Slammers Assistant General Manager Lauren Rhodes has known Daniel since the beginning of her tenure with the club seven years ago.

"It's always been great seeing him," Rhodes said. "He's a great energy around the ballpark, and we love having him here and his family and friends and supporters. It's just great seeing everyone come together out here and support him."

And there were plenty of Potter's supporters to cheer him and Uncle Billy on. Berkot's Super Foods in Mokena, where Daniel has worked for more than 20 years, helped pack the stadium by selling 200 tickets to the game.

They also sold "Daniel for Mayor" T-shirts. And the section in the stands for Daniel and Uncle Billy were awash in a sea of blue and Daniel's smiling face on the front of the shirts.

The T-shirts have been popular in Mokena since Berkot's first started selling them last summer, though this year's design was updated. Daniel and Uncle Billy, of course, were sporting the shirts, as well.

Daniel, usually a man of few words with the media, made an exception so that he could address his fans.

"I would like to thank them for coming," he said.

He went on to say that he enjoyed going to Slammers games because "It's a friendly atmosphere, and there's always a good seat in the house — well, in the stadium."

He also had some advice for anyone lucky enough to get to throw out a first pitch at a ball game: "Just relax and be patient."

That's good advice — for pitching and for life — from a man who's hurled more than a few gems in his day.

The Joliet Slammers have home games through Sept. 4 with plenty of family-friendly promos. Those interested in purchasing tickets, merchandise or just learning more about the team can do so by visiting the Joliet Slammers website.