ST. JOSEPH, Mo. — After the tragedy that took the life of Kaiser Carlile, the late Liberal Bee Jays bat boy, at the National Baseball Congress World Series last season, the St. Joseph Mustangs will no longer allow bat boys or bat girls at Phil Welch Stadium.

Carlile passed away last August after he was struck by a player’s follow-through swing near the on-deck circle during a game in Wichita, Kansas. He was just nine-years-old.

“The incident in Wichita broke a lot of hearts,” Mustangs manager Matt Johnson said. “In remembrance of Kaiser, we won’t have bat boys or bat girls this season.”

Instead of bat boys or bat girls, the Mustangs will offer the opportunity for young fans to participate as honorary coaches at home games.

The honorary coaches will join the team on the field for warmups, will participate in the lineup exchange during the pregame meeting at home plate, and will stay with the team for the national anthem. Children won’t be allowed in the dugout once the game begins.

For more information on the honorary coaches, or season tickets, call (816) 279-7856.

— Mustangs Press Release —