Great Bend has really stepped up to the plate in a big way. 

You see, players for the new Pecos League expansion team the Great Bend Boom come from all over the country and rely on host families for places to live. However, these poor athletes landed in Great Bend without enough homes lined up for them.

However, following a heart-felt appeal from several well-spoken members Boom and their coach at the Great Bend Chamber of Commerce coffee Thursday morning and the subsequent media coverage, residents and organizations have come forward. As of Friday morning, things were looking much brighter.

Also, at the team’s inaugural game Thursday night at Al Burns Memorial Field, there were blanket-wrapped spectators braving the cold, wind and rain. Although the crowd was small, those in the stands cheered and supported their new boys of summer. There were even posters displayed and a cowbell being rung.

In his plea during the coffee, coach Dave Boron said his guys just want to play ball, but they felt as though the league let them down. We as a community have filled that void.

Sure, the scoreboard didn’t work for the first few innings Thursday night and the public address system skipped out occasionally. And, yes, the whole concession situation has not been ironed out yet.

But, these players don’t get paid a lot and they seem to be nice young guys who love the game. Of all the things lacking Thursday night, heart was not one of them.

So, don’t hold what the league did or didn’t do against these players. Get yourself out to the old ball game, hear the crack of wooden bats on baseballs and enjoy America’s pastime in a new way.

Dale Hogg