Hays Baseball Association says ‘Play ball!’

By RANDY GONZALES

Hays Daily News

Hays Baseball Association President Mel Karst has faith in the Hays Larks.

And the community of Hays.

The HBA board voted 11-0 in its regular monthly meeting Wednesday night to have the Larks, Hays’ summer-collegiate baseball team, play the 2007 season, despite a projected $7,500 deficit.

The Larks were about $10,000 in debt after the 2006 season. Debt concerns and fundraising projections that fell short forced the HBA to determine whether the Larks’ program should suspend operations in 2007.

In a meeting last month, the Hays City Commission approved the city giving the Larks $10,000 in a one-time donation. That cleared the debt off the books, but the Larks still are searching for new revenue sources for 2007 and beyond.

“After looking at the projection numbers, we’re short,” Karst said. “But with the community support, take a chance, put a team back on the field this year.”

Larks manager Frank Leo, who has guided the club to back-to-back Jayhawk League titles and five of the last six league crowns, admitted the decision to go forward “takes a load” off.

“I’m pleased,” Leo said. “It’s official now. We can move forward, complete the fundraising events we started.”

But Leo is aware the future remain tenuous. Leo and Karst agreed that another look at the program will be needed after the season.

““It’s got to be re-evaluated, depending on how things go this year,” Leo said. “We’re going to have to have continued support.

“It could be pretty quick, done in the fall one way or another. Hopefully, we go forward,” Leo added.

Karst said all four HBA teams — the Larks, Hays Legion, Hays Junior Legion and Hays Renegades — will receive scrutiny for cost-cutting measures. He said all four teams will play this summer.

“We’ll look at all four programs in the fall,” Karst said.

Despite the projected deficit this summer, Karst is optimistic more revenue will be coming in.

“The deficit doesn’t worry me so much,” Karst said. “I really believe the community will step forward even more, (that the deficit) will go away at the end of the season.”

The HBA has been aggressively pursuing other fundraising opportunities. The Larks have established a Diamond Club, with four levels for contributions. As well, there will be a Save the Larks golf tournament in May.

“Our thought now is not just ’07, it’s ’07 and beyond,” Leo said. “ We need to continue to energize people.”

The local baseball team was named the Larks after a name-the-team contest in 1946. The Larks have appeared in 20 National Baseball Congress World Series in Wichita, finishing second in 1995, 2000 and 2001. Former Larks’ players include current major leaguers Albert Pujols, Lance Berkman and B.J. Ryan.

“I feel like we have dodged a major bullet,” Karst said. “I never wanted to see the Larks go away, any of these teams go away.”

The Larks’ season will begin in early June.

“A summer without Larks’ baseball is unfathomable,” Karst said.

Sports editor Randy Gonzales can be reached at (785) 628-1081, Ext. 130, or by e-mail at rgonzales@dailynews.net.