Trending: Military family reunited at Rays game

Nine-year-old Alayna Adams runs to see her father, Army Lt. Col. William Adams, before a baseball game between the Tampa Bay Rays and the Boston Red Sox on Thursday, May 16, 2013, in St. Petersburg, Fla. Lt. Col. Adams, who had been stationed in Afghanistan, surprised his wife and daughter. (AP/Chris O'Meara)

Lieutenant Colonel Will Adams pulled the heart strings of baseball and sports fans everywhere Thursday as he surprised his family before the Tampa Bay Rays-Boston Red Sox game.

Adams, who had been serving the United States military abroad for the last two years but wasn’t scheduled to return until next Monday, disguised himself as a catcher during the ceremonial pitch that his nine-year-old daughter Alayna threw out.

Prior to Alayna throwing the pitch, with her mother Dana standing near her, a video message from her dad played on the jumbotron.

“I love you girls so much,” Adams said in the video. “Have fun today. Alayna, when you walk out there, remember: Take a deep breath, focus and have fun, baby. Daddy loves you.”

Alayna threw the ball and then Adams took off his catcher’s mask to reveal himself. His daughter sprinted towards her dad and jumped into his arms.

Thus, hearts were melted.

The Red Sox won the game 4-3.

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