Frank Mason's back, and he's throwing out the first pitch for the T-Bones

Tuesday night's home opener for the Kansas City T-Bones won't be your garden variety night of minor-league baseball.

After playing on the road to open the season, the T-Bones finally get to play in their own ballpark for the first time this year. They're taking on the Gary SouthShore RailCats in a 7:05 p.m. game at T-Bones Stadium in Kansas City, Kan., and there's a T-shirt giveaway for the first 1,500 fans through the gates.

But the evening will be notable for another reason: former Kansas Jayhawks men's basketball star Frank Mason is throwing out the first pitch.

“We are thrilled to have him,” said T-Bones general manager Chris Browne. “It’ll be fun night. Obviously, the KU program is right down the street, and it will be good to have him home.”

Mason, now playing for the Sacramento Kings in the NBA, will be in attendance to promote his Frank Mason and Friends charity softball event that's set for June 16. And he's sure to draw a crowd.

For T-Bones baseball die-hards, Tuesday night presents a chance to see the home team in action. The T-Bones are 1-2 after a three-game series against the Wichita Wingnuts.

Browne was happy to see his team leave Wichita with a win in the final game of the season-opening series.

“You really would like to come home winning the entire series,” Browne said. “But it is always nice to win the last game."

Liberty native Lucas Irvine gets the start for the T-Bones Tuesday evening. That is, after Mason is done throwing a pitch of his own.

This story was originally published May 21, 2018 at 4:40 PM with the headline "Frank Mason's back, and he's throwing out the first pitch for the T-Bones."