Born without arms, MLB fan Tom Willis throws ceremonial first pitch at Yankee Stadium

NEW YORK – As a pitcher reaching back for something extra, Tuesday night’s ceremonial first pitch at Yankee Stadium will be meant to inspire.

Born without arms, motivational speaker Tom Willis had the mound as his stage.

Using his feet to fling a baseball, Willis made his pitch before the Yankees-Blue Jays game at Yankee Stadium, the 29th MLB park to host the president of and founder of Pitch for Awareness National Tour.

“This is an opportunity for me, as a disability awareness program, to help people better understand and accept the abilities of persons with disabilities,’’ Willis told USA TODAY writer Jon Hoefling.

“Not to focus on what that person can’t do, but imagine what they can do.’’

Willis, 64, was first invited to deliver a ceremonial pitch by his hometown San Diego Padres in 2008, after the organization learned of his motivational speeches and physical demonstrations as someone who had to learn to do everything with his feet.

As Willis recently told Jack Curry in an interview on the YES Network, “I took on this baseball challenge because it gives me the ability to take my life, and the lessons I’ve learned, and share that with other people.’’

To highlight that message, Willis will be pitching from the center of the Yankee Stadium mound, the full 60 feet, 6 inches away from the target.

After his Bronx experience, only the Los Angeles Angels remain unchecked toward Willis’ goal of tossing a ceremonial first pitch at all 30 MLB ballparks.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Tom Willis: Born without arms, throws first pitch at Yankee Stadium