Herm brings Royals spirit to the ballpark

Although the fourth annual EMU Night with the Turks ended in a loss for the hometown team Thursday, the evening was still a win for Royals fans.

Fans wearing EMU gear received free admission and could win EMU-branded T-shirts, noisemakers, and maracas tossed into the crowd throughout the game.

More than 300 people attended the high-scoring Valley Baseball League game at Veterans Memorial Park in Harrisonburg, including plenty of EMU alumni, faculty, staff, students, and their families and friends who gathered to cheer on the Harrisonburg Turks.

Herm takes the mound for his first pitch at EMU Night with the Turks on Thursday evening.

Herm, outfitted in his finest Royals baseball jersey, threw out the ceremonial first pitch to start the game. The sapphire-hued southpaw lofted a looping pitch that sailed through the air and bounced off home plate.

“When you’re the king of the beasts, you get the pitch you want to throw,” the announcer joked over the loudspeaker.

After stepping off the mound, Herm hyped up the crowd of EMU fans braving the 86-degree heat.

The Turks are part of the 12-team Valley Baseball League, a collegiate summer baseball league that features players from across the country.

The evening featured a divisional matchup between the Turks and the Waynesboro Generals. Waynesboro took an early lead with two runs in the top of the second inning and pulled further ahead with four more runs in the sixth.

The final score was a 9-3 win for the Generals.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP PHOTO: Aric Berg, project manager for EMU marketing and communications, tosses free clappers and maracas to fans. | Adam Wirdzek, web content and strategy manager, hands out the EMU-branded giveaways. | Henry Bowser, with support from his wife, Bonnie, wields the BaZOOKa T-shirt cannon.

EMU’s marketing and communications team handed out free giveaways, while Henry Bowser, technician for EMU’s engineering lab, fired shirts into the stands. The T-shirt cannon he used was designed by engineering alumnus Adam Stoltzfus ’25 and named the BaZOOKa after 2019 alumni donors Ben and Kayla Zook, who funded the project.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP PHOTO: Nathan Leopard, vice president for advancement, brought his family to the ballpark. | Paul Yoder, associate professor of teacher education, and his family show off some of the gear they won. | Jacob Sankara MA ’26 (conflict transformation) watches the game.

EMU Night with the Turks is a popular event for baseball fans and EMU Royals of all ages to enjoy a summer evening at the ballpark, cheer on the home team, and show their Royal pride.

Thanks to everyone who showed up and hope to see you next season!