Former T-Bones pitcher gets married after game

Former T-Bones pitcher Jonathan Krysa took to the mound Friday night, but he didn’t throw a single ball.

Instead, Krysa exchanged vows with Stacy Folsom in front of 8,117 fans in what was the first wedding involving a former player with the T-Bones as hosts.

The ceremony took place between the end of the game and the fireworks show. Krysa, dressed in a white tuxedo, stood atop a familiar spot while groomsmen dressed in blue and bridesmaids in red lined both sides of the mound. Folsom walked from home plate with her father to Katy Perry’s “Firework.”

America’s favorite pasttime coupled with the fireworks show made for a picture-perfect American wedding.

Krysa, who now plays for the KC Monarchs in the KCABA league, pitched the T-Bones’ first-ever game at Community-America Ballpark in 2003.

During 2003-07, Krysa had 30 wins, second best in club history. He still holds a number of T-Bones pitching records, including most appearances by a pitcher with 90, most games started with 79 and most strikeouts with 445. In 2006, Krysa was chosen Northern League Pitcher of the Year.

The couple, both Kansas City natives, spoke earlier this week about the decision to get married on the mound.

“That was my idea,” Krysa said. “I used to play there, and I wanted fireworks.”

After they got engaged in late May, Krysa told Folsom that he wanted the wedding to be on the Fourth of July and had already emailed the T-Bones and received their approval.

While Folsom admits she’s not a huge sports fan outside of watching Krysa play, she said she was fine with getting married at the ballpark.

“Oh yeah, I’m really easygoing,” Folosm said. “I’ve gotten used to his baseball life.”

After all, it was baseball that brought them together, Folsom said.

Folsom, who is a nurse case manager for Comp Alliance, was working as a nurse with an orthopedic group in 2005 when the T-Bones went in for exit physicals.

“Jonathan and I crossed paths and smiled at each other, and he called and asked me on a date and it’s been off-and-on for about nine years,” Folsom said.

She said having media attention for her wedding and knowing she was going to be in front of a big crowd made her feel a little nervous. But even the reverend was excited to be a part of the ceremony.

“He was like, ‘Are you calling the news media?’ ” she said, laughing. “We’re not actively seeking it, but the T-Bones asked if they could promote it, and that was fine.”

The T-Bones weren’t able to give the couple and the fans a win, falling 2-1 to the Sioux Falls Canaries in their first game of a seven-game homestand, including a doubleheader today that will feature Derek Gordon, younger brother of Royals’ outfielder Alex Gordon, making his first start for the T-Bones in the second game.

Still, fans were treated to quite a show Friday, and they didn’t even have to bring a gift.

This story was originally published July 4, 2014 at 11:28 PM with the headline "Former T-Bones pitcher gets married after game."