Oregon State head coach Wayne Tinkle gives instructions March 19, 2021, during the first half against Tennessee at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.

CORVALLIS — Wayne Tinkle calls it a “bucket list” item, even though until March, he never knew it was something he could put on the list.

On Aug. 25, the Oregon State men’s basketball coach will throw out the first pitch at Wrigley Field prior to the Chicago Cubs game against Colorado.

The invitation became a side benefit of Oregon State’s run to the Elite Eight in March. Tinkle grew up in Chicago, and it was highly publicized in the days leading up to the Beavers’ Sweet 16 game against Loyola of Chicago.

Tinkle’s father, Wayne Sr., was dean of students at Loyola during his childhood. Tinkle often attended Cubs games with his father and family. Tinkle has made a couple trips to Wrigley Field in recent years, including 2019, when he and son Tres went to several games on father-son outings.

The Cubs got wind of Tinkle’s relationship with Chicago, and asked if he’d be interested in throwing out a first pitch this summer.

“You grow up as a fan and go to games and you’re wondering what it would be like to step onto that field,” Tinkle said. “I’m gonna have flashbacks to all the times my mom and dad took me and a couple of my siblings there, and we’re waiting for autographs outside the parking lot and all that stuff.

“It’s going to hit me. It’s going to be a real thrill, for sure.”

Tinkle said he’s thrown out the first pitch at Oregon State baseball and softball games, and once at Corvallis Knights. Throwing out a first pitch at a Cubs game is a new level — of nervousness.

“I hope I don’t have a (50 Cent-) type moment where I miss the catcher by 50 feet, or bounce one in there,” Tinkle said.

The 6-foot-10 Tinkle said he played baseball through his sophomore year in high school, giving up the sport to concentrate on basketball.

Tinkle picked Aug. 25 because July and early August is crowded with basketball recruiting and workouts. Tinkle also landed on Aug. 25 because Colorado bench coach Mike Redmond is a friend from Spokane.

Tinkle said he’ll have family and friends at Wrigley for the event. He’s hoping there will be a place underneath the grandstand where he can throw a few warmup pitches.

“You walk out and all those memories and emotions will hit,” Tinkle said. “I’ll be hard pressed to even get (the ball) out of my hand.”