What a surprise when two children threw out the first pitch before the April 26 Carolina Mudcat’s minor league baseball game in Zebulon, North Carolina, a suburb of Raleigh, only to be surprised that the catcher was their father.
Air Force Tech. Sgt. Lance “Todd” Daigle, a Eunice native, surprised his two youngest children, Karley and Cameron, during a pre-game ceremony at Five County Stadium.
Daigle, who is stationed in Goldsboro, arrived home from a six-month deployment in southwest Asia. This was Daigle’s fourth deployment, but the first that he returned home unannounced to his children.
His wife, Emily, was the only person aware of the homecoming as she helped present Cameron, 11, and Karley, 13, with a Carolina Mudcats VIP Experience which included a meal, and the opportunity to throw out the game’s ceremonial first pitches.
Daigle arrived at the field and was outfitted in a Mudcats uniform, and catcher’s equipment before being escorted to the bullpen where he would hide out.
After the children were taken to the pitcher’s mound, Daigle made his way behind home plate. Karley and Cameron both threw a pitch to the catcher.
Daigle approached the children to present them with the baseballs, then took off his face mask to reveal his identity.
Todd said it was a process to get everything in motion, “I emailed the Carolina Mudcats, and had help from my wife. It was confirmed on April 1, that we had the VIP package. Karley thought that it was a big joke,” said Daigle.
The couple’s children are huge sports fanatics. They children play baseball and soccer.
“So, this was just the Extreme for both of them, not only the game, but the whole package. And I arrived home a week earlier than expected,” said Daigle.
Todd Daigle is the son of Ellis and Deanna Daigle of Eunice. His wife, Emily Babineaux, is also from Eunice. Babineaux is the daughter of the late Tee Babineaux of Eunice and Yvonne Babineaux of San Antonio, Texas. Todd’s oldest son, Bailey Babineaux, resides in San Antonio.
Todd is a 1995 Eunice High School graduate and his Emily is a 1997 Eunice High graduate.
Air Force Tech Sgt. Lance Todd Daigle surprised his children at a baseball game where stayed behind a catcher’s mask. Daigle is with his children, Cameron, 11, and Karley, 13. The sergeant had returned to North Carolina following a six-month deployment. (Submitted Photo courtesy of Sgt. Lance Todd Daigle)
With the Carolina Mudcats mascot are, from left, Emily, Cameron, Todd and Karley Daigle. (Submitted Photo courtesy of Sgt. Lance Todd Daigle)