COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — A special event at Huntington Park happened Thursday night as the Columbus Clippers took on the Lehigh Valley IronPigs.
In observance of Stroke Awareness Month and in celebration of the American Heart Association’s 100th anniversary, the second annual Strike Out Stroke took place at the ballpark. Baseball fans got free blood pressure checks and received information on stroke warning signs.
Additionally, NBC4 Anchor Jerod Smalley, a stroke survivor, had the honor of throwing the first pitch. Smalley suffered a stroke in 2018 at the age of 39. After his terrifying experience and life-saving surgery, Smalley became an advocate for stroke awareness.

In an interview about his health, Smalley encouraged viewers to take care of themselves. He said the stroke arrived without warning and he “never felt better physically” in his life just before his face became numb and began to droop and his speech slurred. He was rushed to the emergency room where tests revealed he had had two strokes. Smalley credited a healthy lifestyle with his survival and ease of recovery.
“You can improve your circumstances and I think that’s probably the best message,” he said at the time.
Michelle Hill, stroke program coordinator with Riverside Methodist Hospital, told NBC4 that there is a trend with people having strokes at younger ages.
“A stroke unfortunately can happen at any age,” Hill said. “We do generally start to see strokes the older the patient becomes. However, we have seen a trend where strokes are occurring earlier and earlier in people’s lives.”
Hill also talked about the risk factors.
“One of the biggest risk factors we see here in central Ohio is uncontrolled blood pressure,” said Hill. “It’s very, very important for the patient to work with their family provider or family physician to maintain a normal blood pressure to help prevent a stroke.”
Smalley took the mound at Huntington Park Thursday before the game. However, this is not his first time on the field. In 2022, he played in a benefit softball game with the Backstreet Boys, Columbus Blue Jackets, Ohio State Buckeyes and other celebrities.
Strike Out Stroke was created in 2009 by United Stroke Alliance with events at Major and Minor League Baseball games to build stroke awareness.
If you notice the signs of a stroke, health professionals say the key is to act fast. F.A.S.T. is the acronym developed by the American Stroke Association to help identify the signs of a stroke.

F – Face drooping. Is one side of the person’s face drooping or numb? When he or she smiles, is the smile uneven?
A – Arm weakness. Is the person experiencing weakness or numbness in one arm? Have the person raise both arms. Does one of the arms drift downward?
S – Speech difficulty. Is the person’s speech suddenly slurred or hard to understand? Is he or she unable to speak? Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence. Can he or she repeat it back?
T – Time to call 9-1-1. If any of these symptoms are present, dial 9-1-1 immediately. Check the time so you can report when the symptoms began.
The American Stroke Association says stroke is a disease that affects the arteries leading to and within the brain. It is the 5th leading cause of death and a leading cause of disability in the United States. A stroke occurs when a blood vessel that carries oxygen and nutrients to the brain is either blocked by a clot or bursts or ruptures. When that happens, part of the brain cannot get the blood and oxygen it needs, so it and brain cells die. It says 80% of strokes are preventable.