MLB All-Star festivities feature Skenes-Dunne pitching demonstration in Philadelphia

Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes and his partner, Livvy Dunne, attended the Major League Baseball All-Star festivities in Philadelphia, where the couple participated in a batting demonstration during the Red Carpet Show. The event took place at Citizens Bank Park, where Skenes was present for the celebrations despite being unavailable to pitch for the National League team in the main game due to other commitments.

Dunne, who had previously expressed interest in seeing Skenes’ pitching mechanics, stood in the batter’s box to face his fastball. The interaction was described by Skenes as a test of whether Dunne was ready for the speed and location of the pitch, noting that she had been asking to see how he threw.

Skenes confirmed he delivered a high-and-in fastball, a technique he referred to as "buzzing her tower." Dunne later stated that she was "frozen" by the pitch, unable to react to the speed and placement of the ball as it approached the plate.

The demonstration occurred during the week leading up to the 2026 MLB All-Star Game, which concluded on Tuesday night at the same venue. The game was broadcast nationally on Fox and drew a capacity crowd, with National League MVP honours awarded to Kyle Schwarber.

While the source material notes that most observers would likely struggle to hit against Skenes, the couple used the moment to engage with fans and share stories from the festivities. The event highlighted the intersection of professional sports and celebrity culture during the All-Star break, with Skenes and Dunne drawing attention for their public appearance and the subsequent viral nature of the pitching exchange.