Obama throwing out first All-Star pitch

NEW YORK, June 23 (UPI) -- President Barack Obama will throw out the first pitch at the 2009 Major League Baseball All-Star Game in St. Louis on July 14.

Obama will become the fourth U.S. president to throw out the first pitch at the MLB All-Star Game and the seventh president to attend the event. John F. Kennedy (1962), Richard Nixon (1970) and Gerald Ford (1976) also threw out first pitches.

"Major League Baseball is truly honored that President Obama will be in attendance to throw out the first pitch at the 80th All-Star Game on July 14 in St. Louis," MLB Commissioner Bud Selig said in a statement.

"We are thrilled that we can come together with President Obama, who has encouraged a renewed spirit of national service, and illustrate a call to action in our communities. President Obama will continue a great tradition that joins our nation's leader and the national pastime."