Beaten Giants fan, son move crowd at home opener

(CBS News) Friday was a very emotional day for baseball fans in San Francisco.

It was the Giants' home opener and they honored Bryan Stow, the Giants fan still recovering after being savagely beaten on opening day last year at Dodger Stadium, in Los Angeles.

On Friday, his son took the mound at AT&T Park.

The sold-out crowd was on their feet as Stow appeared on the stadium's JumboTron and virtually handed a baseball to his young son, Tyler.

Stow said, "Tyler, here's your ball. Good luck son."

On the mound, Giants reliever Jeremy Affeldt gave Tyler the ball and he promptly whipped an impressive fast ball for the ceremonial first pitch.

Stow, 43, was attacked last March in the parking lot of Dodger Stadium. He was wearing a Giants jersey when we was punched and beaten into a coma. He suffered severe brain damage.

The Giants had hoped Stow could be at Friday's game in person, but he is still recovering from his injuries. He was recently moved to a new care facility.

Ann Stow, Bryan Stow's mother, said, "We couldn't be more excited for the person filling in for Bryan, and that's his son Tyler."

In Los Angeles Tuesday, police were out in force for opening day at Dodger Stadium, clearly setting a new tone for security at that ballpark. The Stow family is suing the Dodgers, claiming damages of $50 million.

To watch Ben Tracy's full report, watch the video in the player above.