March 27, 2008 Former Falcon pitches in National Guardsman involved in Indians' Opening Day ceremony by Skip Snow, NDC Sports Information Director (this article first appeared on Indians.com, same writer) CLEVELAND - The typical first pitch ceremony covers 60 feet-six inches, sometimes less.  The ceremonial toss at the Cleveland Indians’ 2008 home opener at Progressive Field, however, will top that.  By about 7,000 miles. Corporal Andre Hampton, former NDC Soccer player, with son, Xavier (6 mos.). (Kalman and Pabst Photography, Courtesy MLB.com) Andre Hampton, a National Guard Corporal, Progressive Insurance employee, and former Notre Dame Soccer player, was selected to do the honor as the Indians swing into their 108th season Monday, Mar. 31.  It turns out, however, that the South Euclid native will be two weeks into his second tour of duty overseas by Opening Day.  So, Corporal Hampton made a call to the bullpen and chose his mother, Kim Shockley, to represent him in tossing the ceremonial first pitch. Hampton himself will remain a part of the ceremony – the six year Guardmember will be live via satellite from his base, Camp Arifjan in Kuwait.  Hampton will appear on the video board and address the crowd before the game.  That part thrills his mother. “I’m so proud of Andre,” said Ms. Shockley.  “And this is a way to recognize all the brave men and women who serve our country.”  Few would know better – Shockley herself is a former employee of the Department of Defense.  “Andre grew up as an army brat.  In between tours of duty, we’ve called Cleveland our home all our lives.  So, this is a tribute involving Clevelanders, a Cleveland company (Progressive), Andre’s service, and our Armed Forces.” In between Hampton’s service time and employment with Progressive, he also attended Notre Dame in 2001-02.  He came to NDC after Basic Training as a versatile athlete and person.  NDC Head Soccer Coach Michael “Mac” McBride remembers Hampton’s one season with the Falcons, their inaugural season.  – “He was a fine young man,” said McBride, “and well-rounded.  In the morning he launched himself into to full-blooded tackles in training, and in the evening he recited poetry in front of his peers at a College event.” Despite Hampton’s then-rank of private, the NDC Soccer team knew him by a different name – “The Colonel.”  “It was out of respect,” remembers McBride.  “He could do sit-ups 10 minutes longer than anyone else.  After Basic Training, college soccer wasn’t going to slow him down.” Hampton is scheduled to leave for Kuwait on the 15th or 16th of Mar.  The corporal is with a Medina company of the Ohio National Guard 37th Infantry Brigade Combat Team. The team was activated for this year, with three months at Fort Hood, Tex. and nine in Kuwait. The deployment includes 1,600 soldiers, the biggest contingent from any Ohio unit since the Korean War. The team will help to supply U.S. troops in Iraq with rations, bullets and more. Hampton’s mother will throw the season's ceremonial first pitch to Glenn Renwick, chief executive officer of Progressive Insurance, where, in his civilian life, Hampton sells policies. It will be the ball park's first game as Progressive Field. Renwick said he wanted "to recognize a great employee and a great representative for the country." His first tour of duty overseas was in Italy.  He was training at Fort Hood last month when he received word from Progressive about the first pitch.  When he learned he could choose someone to represent him at the opener, his next call was an easy one to make. “She’s the first person I thought about, no doubt about it,” said Hampton.  “My mom loves the Cleveland Indians.  Our whole family tries to find Indians’ clothing and gifts for her every Christmas and birthday.  We were running out of things we could give, but this will top everything.” Shockley recalls going to “three or four” Cleveland home openers in her life and figures a July game in 1997 to be her best experience at an Indians game.  She took her youngest son to the ballpark for his birthday that day.  “But this tops everything,” she conceded.  “Opening Day is just so special.” The special tribute and ceremonial first pitch will take place shortly before the Indians’ 3:05PM tilt against the Chicago White Sox.  Ms. Shockley will be joined in the ceremony by Andre’s wife, Leslie Hardy, and two sons – Alazander (age 2) and Xavier (6 months).  Despite the fact he’ll be 7,000 miles away, Corporal Hampton also figures to have guests on hand for the ceremony.  “I want the guys from my unit to come over with me for the satellite feed,” said Hampton.  “I want to share this with them.”