Donald Trump will not participate in the longstanding Major League Baseball tradition of US presidents throwing out a ceremonial first pitch at Washington Opening Day games.
Trump, who was inaugurated on January 20, was extended an invitation by the Nationals but declined due to a scheduling conflict, a team spokesman told ESPN.
![Schedule clash: Donald Trump.](/web/20170330174044im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/v/8/l/2/3/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gv8p5m.png/1490875474318.jpg)
Washington open their season on Monday against the Miami Marlins.
Former presidents Barack Obama and George W Bush have thrown out ceremonial first pitches at Nationals games.
![President George Bush throws out the ceremonial first pitch in 2005.](/web/20170330174044im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/v/8/v/p/i/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gv8p5m.png/1490752557445.jpg)
William Howard Taft was the first president to throw out a ceremonial first pitch for the Washington Senators in 1910. Thirteen presidents in all have thrown out ceremonial first pitches for the Nationals and Senators franchises.
Reuters