Woman marks 106th birthday by tossing 1st pitch

[April 20, 2010]  JUPITER, Fla. (AP) -- A South Florida woman has celebrated her 106th birthday by throwing the starting pitch at a spring training game between the Marlins and St. Louis Cardinals.

Maude Newkirk received a standing ovation at Roger Dean Stadium after tossing the ball about a dozen feet toward Marlins catch John Baker on Thursday. Young relatives rushed to hug her.

The Georgia native is no stranger to baseball: Thursday was the seventh time she'd made a first pitch during spring training. She began the tradition upon turning 100.

Newkirk has 25 great grandchildren, and there are six living generations of her family.

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Information from: The Palm Beach Post, http://www.pbpost.com

[Associated Press]

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