Minor League team to attempt the first-ever human home run

How many times have you attended a Minor League Baseball game, but went home dissatisfied because no one was shot out of a cannon? The Lowell Spinners will rectify that on July 5, with an interesting twist. They’re going to attempt the first-ever human home run. Yep.

A cannon will be placed at home plate and loaded with David Smith, Jr., who has been shot from artillery more than 500 times in his career. But this time he’ll be aimed at the center-field fence, with the idea that he will be shot completely out of LeLacheur Park. The Spinners have not gotten back to me yet, so I don’t know what he’s expecting to land on … let’s just say a big pile of delicious hot dog buns.

From the Spinners web site:

“When it comes to human cannonballs, David Smith is the best of the best,” said Spinners Vice President Jon Goode. “This is an idea we discussed years ago and he saved it for the Lowell Spinners. Five years in the making, this is going to be a night you will not want to miss.”

Smith, whose father David Sr., holds the world record for farthest human cannonball flight of 185 feet, 10 inches, has performed over 500 times, yet the “Human Home Run” presents a new challenge.

“Where else are you going to be able to see nine innings of baseball followed by someone literally flying out of the ballpark?” asked Goode.

Um, Citizen’s Bank Park?

Following the game, against the Connecticut Tigers, there will also be a fireworks show. Because Boston fans are hard to please; shooting a guy from a cannon from home plate completely out of the stadium may not be enough entertainment.

This all feels very retro, doesn’t it? Bill Veeck, you’ve done it again!

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Human Home Run to Launch from LeLacheur [Lowell Spinners]