KU linebacker Ben Heeney to throw out first pitch at Sunday’s Royals game

By Matt Tait Aug 26, 2014

Led by senior linebacker Ben Heeney tossing out the ceremonial first pitch, Sunday will mark “KU Night at the K” for the Kansas University football program and the Kansas City Royals.

Heeney, a Hutchinson native dubbed “Captain Heeney” by the KU athletic department, will be joined at the game by head coach Charlie Weis, offensive and defensive coordinators John Reagan and Clint Bowen and teammates Cassius Sendish, Nick Harwell, Pat Lewandowski, Keon Stowers and quarterback Montell Cozart.

In addition to throwing out the first pitch — Harwell will serve as the catcher for Heeney’s fastball — the Jayhawks will sign autographs from 5:30-6:15 p.m. near the Gate B entrance.

Game time between the first-place Royals and Cleveland Indians is set for 7 p.m. and the showdown will be the featured game on ESPN’s Sunday Night Baseball.

The first 2,000 KU fans who bring their specific “KU Night at the K” ticket to a table inside Gate B will receive a limited edition crimson-and-blue KC Royals cap.

Lewandowski recalls defensive roots

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Written By Matt Tait

A native of Colorado, Matt moved to Lawrence in 1988 and has been in town ever since. He graduated from Lawrence High in 1996 and the University of Kansas in 2000 with a degree in Journalism. After covering KU sports for the University Daily Kansan and Rivals.com, Matt joined the World Company (and later Ogden Publications) in 2001 and has held several positions with the paper and KUsports.com in the past 20+ years. He became the Journal-World Sports Editor in 2018. Throughout his career, Matt has won several local and national awards from both the Associated Press Sports Editors and the Kansas Press Association. In 2021, he was named the Kansas Sportswriter of the Year by the National Sports Media Association. Matt lives in Lawrence with his wife, Allison, and two daughters, Kate and Molly. When he's not covering KU sports, he likes to spend his time playing basketball and golf, listening to and writing music and traveling the world with friends and family.