The National Baseball Congress has suspended the use of bat boys and girls during its World Series games in Wichita following the death of a 9-year-old boy who was accidentally hit in the head with a bat during a game this weekend.
The National Baseball Congress' general manager, Kevin Jenks, said during a team press conference Monday that the decision to suspend the position is "out of respect" for the Liberal Bee Jays.
Kaiser Carlile served as a bat boy for the amateur team. He died Sunday after being hit by a follow-through swing near the on-deck circle during a Bee Jays' game on Saturday.
Kadon Simmons, the pitcher for the team, said during the press conference that Kaiser’s positive energy was an inspiration to the team.
“Kaiser was without a doubt one of the teammates," Simmons said. "You could label him as a bat boy, but you could label me just as a pitcher, or a catcher or a first baseman. In the end, he was a teammate. That’s what really mattered.”
Kaiser’s initials will be displayed on the scoreboard marquee for the remainder of the series, which ends August 8.
