It was red roses all over again Saturday for Andy Baldwin, the Manheim Township native who gained national fame when he appeared on ABC's "The Bachelor: Officer and a Gentleman."
With Barnstormers' mascot Cylo at his side, Andy Baldwin talks to the crowd at Clipper Magazine Stadiu
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Andy Baldwin flanked by Barnstomers' manager Von Hayes, left, and pitcher Ross Peebles, salutes during
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Andy Baldwin throws in the ceremonial first pitch at the Lancaster Barnstormers game.
Baldwin signed autographs before the Lancaster Barnstormers game and threw out the ceremonial first pitch.
"It seems like it was a red rose theme tonight, coming home to the Red
Rose City and having some women keep coming up to me and giving me red roses," Baldwin said.
Even Cylo blew the bachelor kisses.
Baldwin presented a $1,000 check to the Lancaster General Cancer Care Program, the Barnstormers' community partner for the season.
Baldwin said he was born at LGH and has had family members fight cancer. "I'd like to give back to where I'm from," he said.
His pitch was a bit low and to the left, he said, but it cleared home plate.
Cylo called it a strike.
Afterward, Baldwin signed the ball and gave it away.
"There was a little kid in the stands, that was looking up with me with big eyes and I asked him what he wants to be when he grows up, and he said 'A baseball player,' " said Baldwin. "I said, 'Promise me this: Follow that dream and don't let anybody tell you it's not possible."
Baldwin is stationed in Washington, D.C., at the Navy's Bureau of Medicine and Surgery. He also founded a nonprofit, Got-Your-Back, to raise money for families of fallen servicemen and women.
Baldwin, the son of Roy (former state representative) and Cindy Baldwin, was an All-American swimmer, valedictorian and cross-country runner at Manheim Township High School.