Recently, 8x8 Senior Talent Acquisition Partner Ryan Lambert won the unexpected yet incredible opportunity to throw out the ceremonial first pitch at a regular season Kansas City Royals game. We asked him about his experience launching his prime-time pitch during his first trip to the United States.

8x8: First, how did you win the first pitch trip?

Ryan Lambert (RL): This was part of an internal contest for employees, but to enter, you had to submit a photo of yourself wearing your 8x8 swag. I had literally just come off a trip, and my girlfriend took a picture of me walking my dog with my 8x8 rucksack on, so it was just by luck that I had the picture sitting in front of me when the email came out asking for submissions. So I put in for it.

8x8: Did you think you would win?

RL: Because of the distance being based in the UK, I didn’t expect to win it. Then one day, my director (Head of Global Talent Acquisition Steve Harris) sent me an email asking me to jump on a call with Jeanette Winters (8x8’s Chief Human Resources Officer) to give an update on the Explore 8x8 series that I run. It was a surprise to me when she said I’d won the Royals trip. I was like “No way!”—but it was very cool.

8x8: Tell us a little bit about your preparation for that first pitch.

RL: First, I bought a couple of balls and a mit. My director Steve Harris had grown up in Chicago before moving back to the UK, so he brought in a glove and we would practice at the office, outside obviously. : ) And then whenever I was out with my brother or out with friends, we would chuck the ball around. The week before the trip, I definitely got my practice in. When you review the YouTube videos of first pitch only the bad ones get publicized. I was going for the Royals P contract—or at least a leading role in the next Moneyball film. 🙂

8x8: How did you decide who would go with you to the game?

RL: My brother is a big baseball fan and also the dates were perfect to coordinate with his birthday, so it all aligned. As far as birthday presents go, he was pleased.

8x8: Had either of you been to the United States before?

RL: No, it was the first time for both of us so we were excited not only for the game but also to explore Kansas City. We extended our trip, took some PTO days, and booked three days in Chicago before flying back home to London.

8x8: What was the experience like at the Kansas City Royals game?

RL: I was more excited than I was nervous. We got to the stadium a few hours early, but we did that purposefully to check out the Kansas City Chiefs stadium located across the way from the Royals’ Kauffman Stadium. Then we went in and watched batting practice. Then as the time got closer we checked into the press area and waited for the announcements and the ceremonies to begin.

When they walked us onto the field, They told us there were hundreds of thousands of people watching between the stadium and television. So it was exciting, but there was a little concern about launching the ball somewhere wayward (laughs). Two things crossed my mind mid wind: one, trying to launch it as hard as I can, or two, just throw it and make sure it goes where it needs to go. I chose the second option thankfully.

They also got a win that day against the Astros, the atmosphere was amazing. After the game they had an incredible fireworks show as you were driving out of the park. The First Pitch ball that you keep is propped up by my desk. That's a great memento that I'll keep forever.

8x8: What else did you do while you were in Kansas City?

RL: We ate unbelievable food (burnt ends, brisket, and burgers) and also went to the College Basketball Experience and got to shoot on the open court in the T-Mobile Center. Then we met up with 8x8’s Business Value Consulting Manager Mel Hopken who lives in Kansas City who took us around the local microbreweries and we went for barbecue. Oh my!

KC Live! in the Power and Light District was another place that was buzzing with people, music, bars and food which was also a highlight of our trip. Kansas City was amazing. I would definitely go back in a heartbeat. Huge Huge shoutout to Mel for the kindness of showing us around.

Want to see Ryan’s first pitch highlights? Check out the video here:

Read more about the Kansas City Royals and how they use 8x8 to deliver exceptional employee and customer experience here.