It was a milestone summer for NCAA baseball players and boyfriends Cole Philpott and Aiden Phipps.
After finishing their seasons for Grinnell and Beloit College, the two joined forces to throw out ceremonial first pitches at Orioles Pride Night on June 27.
Taking the mound at Oriole Park at Camden Yards that has been home to luminaries from Hall of Famer Mike Mussina to current O’s ace Corbin Burnes, the two delivered simultaneous first pitches, Philpott throwing right handed and Phipps lefty.
Both walked off the mound wearing that night’s Orioles Pride jerseys and soaked in the applause of the crowd of almost 30,000.
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By Ken Schultz | October 11, 2023
Over the past few years, the Orioles have helped build a high standard for MLB Pride Nights by turning Camden Yards into a sea of rainbows. Baltimore has further underscored their support for their LGBTQ fanbase through gestures like turning their Twitter feed over to community activism for the entirety of the game.
For 2024, the O’s decided to celebrate Phipps and Philpott, who last October told Outsports readers the story of how they became boyfriends while playing for rival teams.
The Pride first pitch was the brainchild of gay Orioles Vice President Greg Bader, who connected with the two players after Phipps expressed his interest in an internship.
Following their moment in the spotlight, Philpott and Phipps expressed their excitement at being such a prominent part of Orioles Pride.
“We are two college athletes, who are gay athletes, that are showing that it’s very possible to play a masculine-dominated sport. So I think it’s super cool to get the opportunity to throw out the first pitch like this,” Phipps told The Baltimore Banner reporter Olivia Janik.
“It was so awesome to see all the support, and I’m looking forward to the future of inclusivity and acceptance of LGBTQ+ in sports,” Philpott said.
It has been another season full of highlights for the resurgent Orioles. For LGBTQ baseball fans, Philpott and Phipps’ first pitch was one of the most uplifting of all.
