WICHITA, Kan.- The NBC Baseball Foundation is proud to announce the Liberal Bee Jays baseball team is set to donate $18,000 to the Foundation’s Play Hard, Have Fun campaign this Saturday at the first Play Hard, Have Fun Baseball Clinic in Liberal, in honor of the team’s late bat boy Kaiser Carlile.
Kaiser passed away in 2015 after he was accidentally struck by a bat at the NBC World Series. His infectious energy and enthusiasm for the game of baseball was part of every Bee Jays’ pregame during the 2015 season as he broke the team’s pregame huddle with the mantra “Play Hard, Have Fun, Win!”, and his passing was national news. The money being donated to the Play Hard, Have Fun initiative was contributed by the public after his passing, and has been in the care of the Bee Jays since.
Created alongside Kaiser’s family in 2025 during the 10th anniversary of Kaiser’s passing, the NBC Baseball Foundation’s Play Hard, Have Fun campaign creates opportunities for kids across the state of Kansas to share Kaiser’s love for the game and not only play baseball, but learn important life skills and develop their love of the game while celebrating his legacy. It will fund youth baseball camps and clinics, and other opportunities to bring joy to the game for kids.
“Kaiser would love this and would not want it to be any other way,” Kim Carlile, Kaiser’s grandmother said. “It feels like he is still out there making a difference.”
The first Play Hard, Have Fun clinic is set to take place in Liberal, Kansas this Saturday from 10:00am-12:00pm at Brent Gould Field on Seward County Community College’s campus. The clinic is free for kids 8+, and a check presentation will take place with NBC representatives and Kaiser’s family in attendance.
“The Bee Jays are excited to host the first Play Hard, Have Fun baseball clinic in honor of Kaiser,” said Bee Jays General Manager Danny Luebbers, “The money we are donating to the Play Hard, Have Fun campaign is a great testament of the kindness and generosity of the people of Wichita and other surrounding communities.”
The celebration of Kaiser’s legacy has already led to inspiration for the NBC’s college-aged players as well.
“Originally, we thought of this as a youth initiative, giving more kids the chance to learn and love baseball like Kaiser did. But it really has become a mantra for what the NBC is all about,” NBC Executive Director Katie Woods said. “It’s great baseball, but at its core it is a joyful community event for fans, and grassroots baseball for players and teams. And now we have that reminder every day, thanks to Kaiser.”
The initiative relies heavily on the generosity of donors, sponsors, and community partners to bring these opportunities to life. Every contribution creates more ways for kids in the state of Kansas to discover the joy of baseball. Contributions to the Play Hard, Have Fun initiative can be made at https://nbcbaseball.com/play-
About the NBC Baseball Foundation: The NBC Baseball Foundation 501c3 (EIN: 46-3773723) empowers young athletes, connects communities, and creates lasting memories through events including the NBC World Series, one of the longest-running sporting events in the United States. Since 1935, the NBC World Series has provided a national stage for summer collegiate and amateur baseball talent, with more than 900 alumni reaching the Major Leagues. The 2026 NBC World Series will be held July 23-August 1 in Wichita, and tickets are available now at nbcbaseball.com.
About the Liberal Bee Jays: Starting their 71st season in 2026, the Liberal Bee Jays summer collegiate baseball team has won five National Championships, and is operated by a community board in Liberal, Kansas. To learn more about the Bee Jays, visit liberalbeejays.net.
Photo courtesy of the Carlile Family
Katie Woods
