One of the most fiery players on the pro beach volleyball circuit will take the mound at the Tampa Bay Rays game on Wednesday to throw out the first pitch. Before Wednesday's 7:10 p.m. game against the Oakland A's, AVP pro beach volleyball tour standout Nick Lucena will serve up the ceremonial first pitch. A Florida native and Florida State University alumni, Lucena will play in the AVP St. Petersburg Open, which is making a stop in St. Petersburg May 29-June 1 at Spa Beach Park with Olympic gold medalists and top beach volleyball players. — Sharon Kennedy Wynne, Times staff writer