West Coast Eagles great Ben Cousins ​​makes the first pitch at a Perth Heat match

He may never earn a place as a closing pitcher, but West Coast Eagles great Ben Cousins ​​traded Sherrin for a baseball when he took center stage for the Perth Heat on Saturday night.

Cousins, a 2005 Brownlow medalist, took to the mound at Empire Baseball Stadium to throw out the ceremonial first pitch before the Heat’s Australian Baseball League game against the Sydney Blue Sox.

Premiership-winning Eagle may never be called up to the majors but walked into the diamond to the cheers of a 1,100-strong crowd at Thornley Stadium.

Cousins ​​decided to leave the fastball in his back pocket on the field, but Heat executive Brett Patten said it was a huge and important moment for the ballclub.

“Having Ben Cousins ​​throw out the ceremonial first pitch was a special moment for everyone there,” he said.

“His legacy as a champion goes far beyond football and his presence added a spark that lifted the spirits of the evening.

“It’s a testament to the unity and pride we all feel in representing Washington State sports.”

Cousins ​​wasn’t the only sports champion to throw out the first serve this weekend, with Perth Thundersticks star and three-time Dutch Olympic hockey champion Eva de Goede opening the game.

The Heat won the game against Sydney 3–2.