Dear Editor,
On Aug. 1, 2015, during the second inning at the National Baseball Conference, in Kansas, a 9-year-old batboy for the Liberal Bee Jays was fatally injured by an on-deck player taking a practice swing. Neither one saw it coming. Kaiser Carlile succumbed to his injuries the following day.
It quickly became world-wide news, especially within the baseball community.
Being so heartbroken and yet so moved by what Kaiser’s beautiful heart meant to everyone, I felt that even though he was not from our area, his life should be honored.
This sweet boy was taken from us far too soon, just doing what he loved. Many little leaguers and others have been placing “KC” on their baseball helmets or wearing armbands to remember him. I’m hoping this will get out to our little leaguers as well so they can do the same.
I started contacting papers and our MLB team to have a memorial from the “big boys” in baseball. I received a reply email from Brian Auld, president of the Tampa Bay Rays, which said:
“We have been in touch with MLB about this. We are considering other ways to respectfully memorialize the situation.”
I just want the Carlile family to know that although we may not have met Kaiser, they are always in our hearts and our prayers.
“Have Fun! Play Hard!”
— Kristen Newman