For local athletes in the White Sox’ NIL program, the first pitch is the first step

Naperville native Zack Sharp threw out the first pitch at Tuesday's White Sox game as part of the team's NIL initiative. Photo courtesy of the White Sox/Sage Zipeto

On April 12 Zack Sharp won the national championship as a key defenseman with Western Michigan’s hockey team. But on Tuesday, the Naperville resident got a chance for another unique sports experience.

Thanks to his role as a ChiSox athlete, Sharp threw out the first pitch before an 8-1 White Sox victory over the Detroit Tigers.

“Throwing out the first pitch, not everyone gets to do it, so I’m super honored. It’s super cool and different,” Sharp said. “This is something you don’t do every night. Your friends and family, you’re able to have them along with you for the night. It’s special.”

Mike Downey, the White Sox senior d