With about 40,000 fans watching, Abilene Christian University President Phil Schubert threw out the ceremonial first pitch Tuesday night as the Texas Rangers hosted the Arizona Diamondbacks at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington.

Recently, Lipscomb University faced off against Jacksonville University in an Atlantic Sun conference college baseball doubleheader that saw one of the more incredible catches of the year.

KWTX in Waco, Texas, reports on the death of Baylor University baseball coaching legend Mickey Sullivan, a member of the Crestview Church of Christ.

Christians and baseball fans are mourning the death of Don Mincher, who died March 4 at his home in Huntsville, Ala. He was 73. A memorial service is scheduled for 1 p.m. Wednesday, March 7 at Mincher’s home congregation, the Mayfair Church of Christ in Huntsville.

Oklahoma Christian University is all set to dedicate its new indoor facility to a late New York Yankee who helped rebuild its baseball program. The school announced Friday that it would dedicate the new Bobby Murcer Indoor Training Facility — a structure that represents the last step in the program’s revival — on Sept. 23, honoring the former Yankees outfielder and broadcaster who died of brain cancer in 2008.

Texas church member Anthony Vasquez got a “W’ this week in his major-league debut with the Seattle Mariners. The 24-year-old left-handed pitcher and his parents, Rudy and Lisa, are members of the Northside Church of Christ in San Antonio.

My recent Inside Story column on baseball drew a precious response from a reader. I thought about editing Darlene Larson’s e-mail but decided to share it in its unvarnished form.

Major League Baseball’s July 31 non-waiver trading deadline sent two players with Church of Christ ties to contending teams. Houston Astros center fielder Michael Bourn, a member of the Fifth Ward Church of Christ in Houston, was traded to the Atlanta Braves. Meanwhile, Oakland Athletics relief pitcher Brad Ziegler, a member of the East Grand Church of Christ in Springfield, Mo., was traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Two weeks ago, the Colorado Rockies called up one of the team’s more highly touted prospects: Rex Brothers. Brothers is a faithful Church of Christ member and former Lipscomb University star.

Major-league veteran Josh Willingham has a well-deserved reputation as a man of faith and character. That’s why it surprised some fans to read about Willingham blowing up at an umpire the other night in Kansas City. Perhaps even Willingham himself was surprised at his emotional reaction in the heat of a close ballgame.