Pint-Size Pitcher Uses 3-D Printed Prosthetic Hand for First Pitch at Orioles Game
Hailey Dawson, 5, was born without a fully formed right hand.
— -- A pint-sized baseball fan got to throw out the first pitch using a new "bionic" hand made from a 3-D printer.
Hailey Dawson was born without a fully formed right hand due to a genetic condition called Poland syndrome, according to the Oriole's team website.
But the die-hard Orioles fan was able to get a special treat to throw out the first pitch after students from the University of Nevada Las Vegas created a specially designed prosthetic hand for Hailey.
The hand was printed on a 3-D printer and custom made in orange and black to reflect Hailey's love for all things Orioles.
Hailey's mom, Yong Dawson, told MLB.com that the girl wanted to pitch for the big leagues after seeing her brother play Little League.
"She said, 'I wish I could throw the ball out for the big Orioles,'" Yong told MLB.com. "Her brother plays Little League ... so she considers him the 'small Orioles.' So, I thought about it and I thought it's kind of a tall order, but what the heck? I'll try."
The pitch may not have broken any records for speed, but it she did get to throw to her favorite All-Star player Manny Machado across the plate.