Norm Casquenette's proposal to girlfriend Angela Gerrish on the mound Thursday night was definitely a first in Barrie Baycats history.
Casquenette and his now-fiancée Gerrish were initially announced as contest winners who were going to throw out the first pitch at Coates Stadium in Midhurst to open the Intercounty Baseball League game.
Casquenette threw first, followed by Gerrish.
That's when Baycats team president David Mills handed the microphone to a nervous Casquenette.
The 32-year-old riled up the fans first by saying the Baycats were going to win another championship this year, then turned to Gerrish, pulled out a diamond ring and, on bended knee, asked her to marry him.
Gerrish’s acceptance sent the crowd into roar.
A happy and relieved Casquenette told BarrieToday it was a long time coming for the couple of seven years.
“We’ve been together for seven years, so we’re happy to reach this step,” he said. “It's been a month that I’ve been talking to Mr. Mills and he has just been phenomenal, helping me the whole way.
"I was nervous as heck, but the team really planned it all out for me," Casquenette added. "I can’t thank the Baycats organization enough.”
Mills was all smiles after the proposal and said this was a special night for the organization.
“This was a really special moment. It's great we could help,” said the team president.
The Alliston couple are huge Baycats fans and stayed for the game, which the hometown team lost, 2-1, to the Hamilton Cardinals.
