Haliey Welch isn’t letting the backlash over her first pitch at Citi Field get to her. The internet personality, who gained viral fame for her now-infamous “hawk tuah” comment during an interview, was invited to throw out the first pitch before the New York Mets’ game against the Oakland Athletics on Thursday. However, not everyone was thrilled with her appearance.
Facing criticism from some corners of the baseball community, Welch took to X (formerly Twitter) on Friday to address her detractors with a lighthearted tone. “So I guess some of the baseball community wasn’t too happy to see me yesterday,” Welch wrote, adding a sheepish grin emoji to soften the message.
But Welch made it clear that her appearance wasn’t just for fun; it was also for a good cause. She explained that her participation in the event was in support of America’s Vet Dogs, a charity that pairs service dogs with military veterans. “The main reason I went to the game was to spread awareness and donate to America’s Vet Dogs, which pairs dogs with war veterans for a forever home,” Welch continued. She also encouraged her followers to contribute to the charity, adding, “Join me in donating to this amazing charity. I miss ya already Buddy,” referring to the service dog that accompanied her during the first pitch.
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Despite her charitable intentions, some critics, including WFAN host Sal Licata, were vocal about their disapproval. Licata didn’t hold back on his show, expressing frustration over what he saw as another gimmick in a season where the Mets have struggled on the field. “The Yankees have Aaron Judge and Juan Soto breaking records. [Babe] Ruth, [Mickey] Mantle, [Lou] Gehrig, and the Mets have Grimace and now ‘Hawk Tuah,’” Licata said on-air. “Come on, bro, I can’t take it, I cannot take it anymore. It’s ridiculous. And then you wonder why fans get so ticked off and upset. It’s embarrassing.”
Licata acknowledged that Welch’s appearance wasn’t the most significant issue facing the Mets, but he argued that it symbolized a larger problem. “Is it the biggest deal in the world? No, absolutely not. Does it mean anything on the field? No. But that’s the problem. The problem on the field isn’t good enough, and you come up with these silly gimmicks that are a laughing stock. It’s a joke. ‘Hawk Tuah.’”
While the backlash may have been intense, Welch remains unfazed, focusing instead on the positive impact of her involvement with America’s Vet Dogs.
Her response suggests that she’s more interested in supporting a worthy cause than engaging with critics who might not see the bigger picture. Whether or not the baseball community fully embraces her, Welch has made it clear that she’s using her platform to make a difference—one pitch at a time.
