LOS ANGELES — New Clipper Grant Hill stood on the Dodger Stadium field surrounded by Dodgers officials.
It was a little less than an hour before the Dodgers were scheduled to take on the Rockies in their series finale on Wednesday night.
"So, am I supposed to pause in between each one?" Hill asked as he was preparing to introduce the Dodgers lineup.
"Batting third …," he rehearsed, standing in his white No. 33 Dodger uniform with Hill on the back, blue jeans and Dodger Blue shoes to match. It was a busy night for Hill as he was on hand for Clippers Night at Dodger Stadium. There was a lot for him to partake in.
In addition to the lineups he and Clippers head coach Vinny Del Negro were slated to throw out the ceremonial first pitch and announce the traditional, "It's Time For Dodger Baseball!" call.
"Magic's putting me to work," Hill joked.
The consummate pro, Hill long tossed with a young fan down the first base line as he got ready for the pitch. Most hit the imaginary strike zone. A couple, he left high.
Baseball, after all, is in his genes. His dad, Calvin, was drafted out of high school but elected to go to college to play football and run track instead.
Grant, meanwhile, known for his basketball prowess, took to his assignment Wednesday night in the manner that's allowed him to last 18 years as a pro. He had fun.
"Batting third and playing center field," Hill announced during his chance to be a public address announcer. "He thinks he can beat me in a game of one-on-one — not! number 27, Matt Kemp."
His remarks drew praise from the crowd and even a laugh from Kemp. Hill, meanwhile enjoyed every bit of it.
"It's cool," Hill said. "I never thought I'd get this opportunity. I've done a lot of amazing things through my career but I've never done this before. So it's quite an honor. I'm not a guy that makes introductions but I tried to have some fun with it, so hopefully it turned out OK."
Hill was signed by the Clippers as a free agent last month. He's still "in transition" in regards to his move from Arizona. He averaged 10.2 points per game last season and was one of the Clippers' major acquisitions this offseason, along with Lamar Odom and Jamal Crawford. The trio should bolster, what many believe will be, the best bench in the NBA.
"I'm feeling good," he said. "Working out good and just excited to get here and get things going."
As he let his night at Dodger Stadium soak in, he said he's in a place he never imagined.
"If you would have asked me two months ago, I would have told you no, but it's fun," Hill said. "I'm glad to be here and be a part of this historic franchise on this night is quite an honor."
The Clippers open training camp in October. They'll go to China for two preseason games before opening the regular season on Halloween at home against Memphis.
