Five-year-old Hailey Sandoval couldn't quite toss the ball all the way to home plate when she threw out the ceremonial first pitch at a San Antonio Missions game Sunday.
It was after the pitch that Hailey made the real connection.
The catcher who went out to retrieve her errant throw took off his mask to reveal he was none other than her father, Army Sgt. Alvino Sandoval.
Their tearful reunion was captured by KSAT and posted on the station's web site KSAT.com.
Sgt. Sandoval had just returned from a tour of duty in Afghanistan and the first pitch ceremony was a creative way to surprise his daughter.
Hailey first appeared confused, then stunned. As the rest of the crowd erupted with emotion, Hailey ran toward her father and hugged for the first time in six months.
"I'm so emotional right now," Sgt. Sandoval said. "I'm so happy to see my daughter."
Sgt Sandoval arranged the surprise reunion with the help of the Missions. Everything went exactly as planned.
"I was a little nervous that she would've spotted me, because she has big eyes," Sgt. Sandoval said. "She doesn't miss a thing."
Hailey's eyes were still wide with amazement when she was asked about her reaction to seeing it was her dad behind the catcher's mask.
"I was happy," she said.
Follow Keith Whitmire on Twitter: @Keith_Whitmire
