Eric D. Williams, ESPN Staff Writer 6y

Rookie jitters? Derwin James bounces first pitch at Angels game

ANAHEIM, Calif. -- It wasn't the result he wanted, but Los Angeles Chargers safety Derwin James was all smiles after throwing out the first pitch at the Los Angeles Angels' game against the Houston Astros Wednesday night.

James, the Chargers' first-round pick in last month's NFL draft out of Florida State, bounced his left-handed offering in front of the plate, and Angels outfielder Chris Young scooped up the one-hop throw.

"I was a little bit worried because he took like 50 pitches to warm up," joked Chargers second-round selection Uchenna Nwosu.

James was joined on the mound by Nwosu and the rest of the Chargers' rookie draft class, and they shared a laugh with their new teammate.

"It was farther than I thought," James said, smiling.

The Angels proved gracious hosts, as the rookies spent time with outfielders Mike Trout and Kole Calhoun, along with first baseman Albert Pujols. They also saw Japanese sensation Shohei Ohtani take batting practice and watched the game from Angels owner Arte Moreno's box, with general manager Billy Eppler providing some insight on the game.

A San Diego native, Eppler grew up a Chargers fan.

"I really didn't grow up a baseball fan at all," said Nwosu, who played college football at USC and is an L.A. native. "It was my first time in this stadium, so it's pretty cool."

James and the Chargers will hold the team's first organized team activities Tuesday as they ramp up offseason work.

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