73°F
weather icon Mostly Cloudy

Girl gets surprise reunion with dad at Tampa Bay Rays game

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — A Tampa Bay area girl throwing the first pitch at a Rays game got a big surprise from her father, who had been stationed in Afghanistan for the past two years.

Before throwing the pitch Thursday, 9-year-old Alayna Adams got to watch a pre-recorded video of her father, Army Lt. Col. Will Adams, on the field’s video screen.

After she tossed the ball toward home plate, the catcher removed his mask, revealing himself to be her dad.

Alayna ran toward her father, and the two embraced.

Adams was expected to return home Monday, but the Rays and United Services Organization arranged the surprise early arrival. Adams’ wife Dana, who was at the game with their daughter, was also surprised.

The Boston Red Sox later beat the Rays 4-3.

Don't miss the big stories. Like us on Facebook.
THE LATEST
Heavy fighting in Gaza’s Rafah keeps aid crossings closed

Heavy fighting between Israeli troops and Palestinian terrorists on the outskirts of the southern Gaza city of Rafah has left aid crossings inaccessible, U.N. officials said.