Eight survivors from San Francisco's 1906 earthquake throw first pitches

<p>At age 102, something told Violet Lynam to dance. She used her arms to move to the baseball-themed music while being wheeled off the field.</p><p>Lynam and seven other earthquake survivors from San Francisco's 1906 Great Quake and fires threw out the ceremonial first pitches before the Giants' home opener against the Atlanta Braves on Thursday, receiving a warm standing ovation from the sellout crowd.</p><p>"I'm a very self conscious person, so I'm surprised I'm enjoying this," a smiling Lynam said. "I've never done anything like this. I watch all the games. I've been going to ballgames since I was 18 years old and just out of high school."</p><p>Giants' players, including Barry Bonds, stood near the mound with the survivors so they didn't have to toss the balls far.</p><p>"Don't ask me to throw it. I'm liable to throw it backward," 104-year-old Jeanette Trapani said with a grin.</p><p>Lynam and Trapani were joined Thursday by 102-year-old Royal Beine, 100-year-old Frances Duffy, 103-year-old Libra Armstrong, 103-year-old John Violich, 101-year-old Herbert Hamrol, and 99-year-old Norma Norwood, who was born in the tent city set up after the earthquake.</p><p>After their on-field work was done, they headed to a special party in another part of the stadium.</p><p>Most of them were infants or toddlers when the quake hit, and few have vivid memories of the catastrophe on April 18, 1906.</p><p>They have been taking part in many activities to commemorate the upcoming 100-year anniversary _ and participating in the festivities of the Giants' home opener meant a lot.</p><p>"It was wonderful," Trapani said. "It was a big thrill to be out there and to face all of these wonderful people."</p>