COMMENTARY: The Larks climbed the mountain

Mike Kessinger

Commentary

On a Saturday evening three years ago the Hays Larks were getting pounded.

Three innings played, and the Wichita Dawgs were simply dominating the Larks on their home field. The game had turned into a runaway as the Larks trailed, 8-0.

It was one of those games as a spectator you thought, “OK, just take your lumps tonight, then move on.”

There was reason to believe the Larks would come back. On that night they looked flat, and almost as if they didn’t want to be there. It was a typical hot, muggy western Kansas summer evening. There was no wind, no reason to believe in a comeback.

As each inning unraveled though, the Larks nudged closer. It was if a switch had been turned to the ‘ON’ position. Once the game reached the bottom of the ninth, the Larks put themselves in a spot to win, and with some heroics, did pull out the victory.

It was one of those outcomes that as someone who grew up watching baseball, you remember why it is you love the game so much. Just like any game, no lead is safe.

After his usual speech to the team, Larks manager Frank Leo came off the field with just one thing on his mind.

“We climbed the mountain! We climbed the mountain,” he said.

The mountain of course was the large deficit the Larks overcame. It was a well-played comeback. Move ahead to 2007, and Leo and the Larks had a much larger mountain to conquer. With the economy not in the best of shape, it seemed as if the gates at Larks Park this summer or any other summer might be closed.

What would it be like in Hays without the Larks?

“I’ve heard a lot of people ask ‘what would it be like if we didn’t have the Larks in the summer?,’ Leo said. “I can’t even imagine Larks Park empty in the summer.”

Neither could a lot of the Larks’ closest followers. At the same time, the situation the Larks were in, chances seemed dim they would play.

As word spread the Larks might no longer exist, money was raised, donations were given, events were held, the team got a bus. And yes, the 2007 season was saved.

“It’s just good to be out there,” Leo said. “It’s fun to be out there. It’s exciting when we’re making strides, and it feels good.”

An organization that has its share of former players in the major leagues, the Larks are a Hays tradition. If fans weren’t showing up in the past, they are now. Attendance had always been sporadic, but go to a game this season, and by the fifth inning of a nine-inning game, or by the conclusion of Game 1 of a doubleheader, there’s usually more than 300 fans. Leo is excited about how the crowd has come out, and he’s proud of how much help the organization he’s been a part of for more than two decades received in their time of need.

As much as Leo appreciates the help the Larks have received, he also believes it’s necessary for them to give back to the Hays community. The Larks players on an off night will help with bingo night. None of the proceeds from bingo go to the Larks. Saturday, the Larks spent the morning with nine of the Littles associated with Big Brothers Big Sisters.

They played a round of putt putt, had ice cream, then entertained the Littles at Larks Park. During one of the games Saturday evening the Littles got to run out on to the field with the players as they were introduced.

“It was tremendous,” Leo said. “One of the little guys’ mother told (Excutive Director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ellis County) Nancy (Jeter) that it was the best day of his life.”

Just the chance to be able to be a part of something like spending time with the kids is something Leo takes pride in with his team.

The Larks manager has been proud of what his team has done this season on and off the field. He’s glad they want to give back to the community as much as he does.

At the end of the day it makes everything worthwhile, and Leo is one proud guy to know his team is going strong.

And still able to play.

Sports reporter Mike Kessinger can be reached at (785) 628-1081, Ext. 127, or by e-mail at

mkessinger@dailynews.net.