McConnell softball team honors local fallen ball boy

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Victor J. Caputo
  • 22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. --  The McConnell Air Force Base softball team dedicated their performance in the 2015 Military Worlds Softball Tournament in Columbus, Georgia, to the memory of Kaiser Carlile, 9.

Carlile, who was the ball boy for the Liberal Bee Jays, a baseball team from Liberal, Kansas, died after being struck in the head by a bat by a player warming up in the batter's box during a game August 1.

"After talking to a few guys on the team about the accident, I brought it up about honoring him and everyone was on board," said Tech. Sgt. Aaron Butts, third baseman the McConnell softball team. "It meant a great deal to us to dedicate our trip to Kaiser, and it also gave everyone a little extra boost when it came time to play."

The team made a sign to mark their dedication, and wrapped taped marked with "KC" on their wrists as they played.

"Our team is very family oriented, and we always have our families come out with us to the tournaments," said Senior Airman Kyle Black, co-head coach and second baseman of the McConnell team. "What happened to Kaiser was heartbreaking, and I can't imagine how much it would affect us if something happened to one our kids."

Overall, the team came in fifth place out of 34 teams, and dedicated every moment of play to the Carlile family.

"Even though we came up short of our goal, everyone on the team played with class and wanted to win to honor Kaiser and his family," said Butts. "It was a great experience for everyone on the team, and it really brought to attention that crazy things can happen and in a moment's notice someone could be taken from you."