By Nick Brockman, Messenger Sports Reporter, nbrockman@the-messenger.com
Those involved in front office operations with the K.I.T. League and Tradewater Pirates have increased activity to a frenetic pace with the season less than four weeks away and none have been busier than Carol Keller.
As host families/player services director, Keller has been attempting to recruit as many individuals as possible to welcome the Pirates into their homes for the upcoming season.
"Since last summer, I have been contacting individuals I thought might have enough room for at least one player and contacting churches, The Messenger and The (Dawson Springs) Progress, just trying to do any thing I can think of to recruit more individuals," Keller said. "I just see the need and it's just something I feel needs to be done."
Keller's enthusiasm for the role comes after hosting her first player last summer, catcher Kevin Schlegel.
"My husband, Joseph, and I had such a great experience with the young player that stayed with us," she said. "We simply cannot imagine not hosting a player each year, at least one. We're considering a second player if we can decide where to put him in the house."
While Keller boasts of intangible benefits such as getting to know upstanding, young and talented baseball players, hosts also receive a season pass for the entire immediate family to all home games.
The team still needs to make accommodations for 15 beds, but Keller said she wants interested parties to know they are asked only to provide a bed and laundry facilities.
As host families/player services director, Keller has been attempting to recruit as many individuals as possible to welcome the Pirates into their homes for the upcoming season.
"Since last summer, I have been contacting individuals I thought might have enough room for at least one player and contacting churches, The Messenger and The (Dawson Springs) Progress, just trying to do any thing I can think of to recruit more individuals," Keller said. "I just see the need and it's just something I feel needs to be done."
Keller's enthusiasm for the role comes after hosting her first player last summer, catcher Kevin Schlegel.
"My husband, Joseph, and I had such a great experience with the young player that stayed with us," she said. "We simply cannot imagine not hosting a player each year, at least one. We're considering a second player if we can decide where to put him in the house."
While Keller boasts of intangible benefits such as getting to know upstanding, young and talented baseball players, hosts also receive a season pass for the entire immediate family to all home games.
The team still needs to make accommodations for 15 beds, but Keller said she wants interested parties to know they are asked only to provide a bed and laundry facilities.
"Players are required to abide by all rules of each household," Keller said.
Keller added some days families may not even see their respective guests because the Pirates play 50 games in 60 days and have other responsibilities like workouts and community appearances.
In a smaller town like Dawson Springs, such practices as welcoming a player in helps to make the young men feel at ease while spending the summer away from family and friends, Keller said.
"There was such a need to recruit more host families at the end of last season because we had several of the guys that stayed in older apartments and we just really want the players to live with families, so they can have the supervision as well as to feel more a part of the community," she said.
Keller has assembled a list of e-mail addresses and cell phone numbers for each of the 21 players signed by coach Brandon Kitch and she said she has formed a bond with several already and encourages others to do so.
"(Kitch) has made certain to recruit only those men who are of outstanding moral character," Keller said.
Players are expected to begin arriving in Dawson Springs May 23-24 and will remain through the end of July.
nThe Pirates are also asking for volunteers to help "spruce" up Riverside Park Saturday.
Beginning at 8 a.m., workers will help make improvements to the field and surrounding area to prepare for Opening Day on May 29.
"All volunteers are welcome for whatever hours and portion of the day you can be there," a release on the team's Web site said. "There will be tasks for the skilled and unskilled...for the young and the old."
Individuals interested in helping during Saturday's clean-up or becoming host families can contact Keller at 339-7652 or general manager Dwight Seymore at 853-7564.
Keller added some days families may not even see their respective guests because the Pirates play 50 games in 60 days and have other responsibilities like workouts and community appearances.
In a smaller town like Dawson Springs, such practices as welcoming a player in helps to make the young men feel at ease while spending the summer away from family and friends, Keller said.
"There was such a need to recruit more host families at the end of last season because we had several of the guys that stayed in older apartments and we just really want the players to live with families, so they can have the supervision as well as to feel more a part of the community," she said.
Keller has assembled a list of e-mail addresses and cell phone numbers for each of the 21 players signed by coach Brandon Kitch and she said she has formed a bond with several already and encourages others to do so.
"(Kitch) has made certain to recruit only those men who are of outstanding moral character," Keller said.
Players are expected to begin arriving in Dawson Springs May 23-24 and will remain through the end of July.
nThe Pirates are also asking for volunteers to help "spruce" up Riverside Park Saturday.
Beginning at 8 a.m., workers will help make improvements to the field and surrounding area to prepare for Opening Day on May 29.
"All volunteers are welcome for whatever hours and portion of the day you can be there," a release on the team's Web site said. "There will be tasks for the skilled and unskilled...for the young and the old."
Individuals interested in helping during Saturday's clean-up or becoming host families can contact Keller at 339-7652 or general manager Dwight Seymore at 853-7564.
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