100-year-old World War II veteran throws out first pitch at Ducks' ballpark

Some things are worth waiting for, even if it takes a whole century.

Henry Levy of Port Jefferson Station turned 100 years old in May. On Sunday, the World War II veteran threw out the ceremonial first pitch of a Men’s Senior Baseball League game at Fairfield Properties Ballpark — home of the Ducks — in Central Islip.

Levy threw the pitch to his son Cory, who plays in the MSBL.

Levy was disappointed that his pitch bounced in front of home plate.

“I should’ve done better,” he said with a smile. “I was doing all right beforehand in front of the dugout.”

Levy was 88 when he saw 85-year-old Yogi Berra throw the first pitch of a Yankees game in 2010 and said to Cory, “I can do that.”

They measured 60 feet, 6 inches in their backyard and started having a catch.

The following Father’s Day, Cory asked his dad if he wanted to have a catch. They’ve thrown together every Father’s Day since then.

“Sometimes I’ll have a catch with him, then my son will have a catch with him and my grandson — his great-grandson — will have a catch with him,” said Cory, 60. “That’s the bond that we have that goes a few generations deep.”

He added, “It’s amazing that we can still have a catch. He’s more than a father. He’s been my mentor, my hero . . . He’s everything to me.”

Said Henry, “I’m proud of him. He’s a great kid.”

Levy, who served in World War II under General George Patton, was surrounded by players from both teams who thanked him for his service.

The league’s commissioner, Jimmy Rose, was able to secure the stadium for two games on Sunday for any teams interested in playing there. Once Cory learned that his team would be playing, he figured it would be a cool moment to have his father throw out the first pitch.

Levy found out he would be getting the honor in a professional stadium a week earlier.

“I didn’t expect all of this. It was great,” he said. “I’ll never forget this for as long as I live.”