Little league baseball players from Ishinomaki, Japan (one of many cities hit by the 3/11 Tsunami) join Oakland Athletics players to do the traditional throwing of baseballs into the crowd.The pregame ceremony celebrated the stories of three people whose lives were affected by the March 2011, and the continued efforts and commitment to rebuild.Chone Figgins takes a called strike as the first pitch of the 2012 Baseball season.Ichiro hits a high-chopper up the middle, one of four hits.Ichiro runs out an infield chopper up the middle, for the first hit of the 2012 season.Felix Hernandez did a quick move to first to chase Jemile Weeks (19) back.Michael Saunders out at third base on a 6-5 no-force play.After a solo home run, Dustin Ackley leads the major leagues in home runs!Ichiro had several opportunities to practice his dives into first base.Yoenis Céspedes was introduced to Feix Hernandez's curveball in his first major league at bat (swing and a MISS).Felix showed his usual dominance early against the Oakland batters.After a solo home run, Dustin Ackley leads the major leagues in home runs!Ichiro broke his second bat in three games--a consequence of the new stance?Ichiro may have found his youth back in Japan, he legged out multiple infield hits.Brandan Ryan tags Collin Cowgill (12) in an attempted hit-and-run, late in the game.After a hit in extra innings, to drive in a run, Ichiro get caught in a run-down by Jemile Weeks.Felix showed his usual exuberance after getting out of a jam with a strikeout to end the inning.Cather Miguel Olivo and Brandon League (43) celebrate League's first Save of the 2012 season.
By Drew Sellers