KANSAS CITY, Mo. — It’s July 31, which means it’s time for the home opener for the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium.
As the country and the Kansas City region continues to navigate the coronavirus pandemic, it’s only appropriate that healthcare workers will throw out the first-pitch.
Dr. Steven Stites and Dr. Dana Hawkinson from the University of Kansas Health System have been communicating with the public about how to stop the spread of COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic in March.
Tonight, the pair will throw out a “virtual” first-pitch during the pregame show of the Royals game against the Chicago White Sox.
During their media briefing show Friday morning, Stites said they were following in the first-pitch footsteps of Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious disease.
Last week, Fauci “threw” out the first pitch of the Washington Nationals game.
Dr. Anthony Fauci threw out the first pitch before the Nationals-Yankees game. pic.twitter.com/04Tbkh7Voa
— ESPN (@espn) July 23, 2020
“He’s a smart man, but I don’t think he can throw a baseball,” Stites said jokingly during Friday morning’s show.
Royals fans will get to be the judge of that.
The virtual first pitch is scheduled for around 6:35 p.m. The actual first pitch from Royals starter Kris Bubic is set for 7:05 p.m.
