Miracle fans can be like Billy

By David Dorsey
Fort Myers Miracle

The Fort Myers Miracle will pay tribute — and poke fun at — former Orlando Magic basketball coach Billy Donovan one week from today.

At 7:05 p.m. Wednesday, June 20, the Miracle will take on the Tampa Yankees at Hammond Stadium. Fans will be able to take part in "Billy Donovan Night."

Just as Donovan opted to get out of his $27.5 million contract with the Magic a day after signing it — he returned to the University of Florida — fans will be able to negotiate to get out of their ticket purchase.

"Anytime during the game, if they are not sure that they want to be there, they can leave and negotiate a release from their ticket purchase," the Miracle news release said.

And who will throw out the ceremonial first pitch?

Billy Donovan.

No, not that one. This Billy Donovan is an unemployed Fort Myers resident and former waiter and construction company owner from Yonkers, N.Y.

"I got a call two days ago saying they wanted me to throw the first pitch out at the Miracle game on 'Billy Donovan Night,' " Donovan said. "I laughed.

"I'm a big Florida State fan. It was kind of funny."

Donovan, 35, is not related to the coach of the same name.

"I'm an Orlando Magic fan myself," said Donovan, who has lived in Fort Myers for about a year. "When they got him, I was happy to hear we got somebody good. When he decided to leave, I wasn't crushed. I wasn't upset at all.

"Things happen. People change their mind."

Donovan said he has never thrown out a ceremonial first pitch.

"I played baseball when I was about 12," he said. "Other than that, that's about all of my baseball experience."

The promotion received national attention Tuesday morning, being mentioned on ESPN Radio's "Mike and Mike In the Morning" show.

Fans will be able to strike an "out clause," with Fort Myers attorney Michael Hornung, who, by coincidence, attended the same high school as coach Donovan.

The "out clause" will involve shooting a free throw with a Magic and/or a Florida Gators basketball into a hoop at the stadium.

A catch: Fans who purchase a ticket and stay for the first eight innings will have the chance to win, through a random drawing, four tickets to a Southeastern Conference basketball game in Gainesville this coming season.

Asked how he would handle negotiating with fans on getting ticket refunds, Hornung said: "I'm going to take the decision very serious."

"If it's a Tampa Yankee fan trying to get out of their tickets and the Yankees are losing, they're going to have to sit down and stick it out," Hornung said. "They're not going to get any favorable rulings on my part.

"Now, if it's a Miracle fan, and they feel like they're not getting their money's worth, then we'll sit down and negotiate."

BILLY DONOVAN NIGHT

What: During the Fort Myers Miracle game against the Tampa Yankees When: 7:05 p.m. Wednesday, June 20 Where: Hammond Stadium