Former Vanderbilt basketball guard Tyler Tanner is slated to deliver the ceremonial first pitch at the Nashville Sounds' July 18 matchup against the Norfolk Tides at First Horizon Park.
The game, scheduled to start at 6:35 p.m. Central Time, will see the Commodores' standout player join a tradition that blends college basketball heritage with minor‑league baseball.
A Familiar Face on the Mound
Tanner's college career was marked by a breakout season in which he averaged 19.5 points per game, dished out a team‑high 184 assists and recorded a program‑record 86 steals, earning first‑team All‑SEC honors and a spot on the SEC All‑Defensive Team.
His all‑around production also included 3.6 rebounds per contest and a defensive presence that helped Vanderbilt advance to the second round of the NCAA tournament, a run that culminated in an honorable‑mention All‑American nod.
After completing the 2025‑26 season, Tanner announced in May that he would be returning to the Commodores for another year, a decision that came after a thorough evaluation of his NBA draft prospects.
The move has kept him in the spotlight, with analysts already projecting him as a preseason All‑SEC and All‑American candidate for the 2026‑27 campaign.
Tanner will become only the second Vanderbilt basketball player to throw a first pitch for the Sounds this season, underscoring the growing crossover between the university's basketball program and the city's baseball festivities.
Fans attending the game can expect a blend of basketball nostalgia and baseball excitement as Tanner takes the mound, adding a unique sports crossover that highlights Nashville's vibrant athletic community.