Arizona beekeeper Matt Hilton was called in to deal with a swarm of bees at Chase Field during a Diamondbacks game against the Dodgers. Hilton's quick thinking and expertise not only saved the day but also earned him the honor of throwing out the ceremonial first pitch.
Arizona beekeeper Matt Hilton was having a regular day, attending his son's T-ball game, when he received an unexpected call. Chase Field, home to the Arizona Diamondbacks, was experiencing a swarm of bees that had delayed the start of the game against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Hilton, a branch manager for Blue Sky Pest Control's Phoenix office, is an experienced beekeeper and was immediately called into action. Upon arriving at the stadium, he assessed the situation and quickly devised a plan to remove the swarm.
"When I got there, I actually had to climb through the netting behind home plate," Hilton explained. "The bees were all over the netting, and they were starting to get agitated."
Hilton used a vacuum to carefully remove the bees, one at a time. The process was meticulous and time-consuming, but eventually, he was able to safely relocate the swarm to a nearby tree.
"It was a little bit nerve-racking, because there were so many bees and they were all around me," Hilton said. "But I've been doing this for a long time, so I knew what to do."
Once the bees were removed, the game resumed and the Diamondbacks went on to defeat the Dodgers, 4-3. Hilton's heroics not only saved the day but also earned him a special honor.
As a thank-you for his efforts, Hilton was invited to throw out the ceremonial first pitch. It was a moment that he will never forget.
"It was amazing," Hilton said. "I've never thrown a baseball in front of that many people before, so it was a little bit nerve-racking. But it was also a lot of fun."
Hilton's experience at Chase Field highlights the importance of beekeepers and the vital role they play in our ecosystem. By safely removing swarms of bees, beekeepers help to protect both people and the environment.
In addition to his work as a beekeeper, Hilton is also an advocate for bee conservation. He believes that it is essential to educate the public about the importance of bees and to promote their protection.
"Bees are responsible for pollinating about one-third of the food we eat," Hilton said. "They are essential to our food supply and our environment."
Hilton's story is a reminder that even small actions can make a big difference. By working together, we can help to protect bees and ensure their continued presence in our world.
