By TONY GUERRERO Hays Post

Bazaar on the Bricks Sidewalk Sale is coming to the heart of Hays to give local vendors, businesses and nonprofits a chance to set up shop.

The sale runs from 7:30 a.m. to noon on Main Street. Lee Ann June, executive director of the Bricks in Downtown Hays, said the event will feature more than 50 vendors, along with downtown retailers.

"There's everything from your homemade food items to different nonprofits, and items to wear and personalize," June said.

The annual sale stretches from Eighth to 12th streets. The Downtown Hays Market will also take place alongside Bazaar on the Bricks at 7:30 a.m. under the Downtown Hays Pavilion.

Bryan VonFeldt, treasurer of the Bricks board of directors, said the day will also be full of family fun with a bouncy house, bubble machine and chalk for kids.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/36bedd43-80a3-489f-a1f9-7768ab328c62">SEE RELATED STORY: Post Podcast: 'The Bricks'&nbsp; board treasurer on Downtown Market, Bazaar on the Bricks</a>

Commemorative bricks will be sold at the event to help fund a shed for storing Downtown Hays Market supplies, June said.

You can visit the Bricks in Downtown Hays' <a href="https://www.downtownhays.com/bazaar-on-the-bricks">website</a>&nbsp;for a vendor list and locations once they become available.&nbsp;You can also follow them on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/DowntownHays">Facebook</a>.

The event was previously known as the Sidewalk Bazaar, which started in 1963, and has undergone several changes. It was initially intended as an annual back-to-school clothing sale for downtown businesses.

You can find more information on the Bricks in Downtown Hays&nbsp;<a href="https://www.downtownhays.com/bazaar-on-the-bricks">website</a>&nbsp;and follow them on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/DowntownHays">Facebook</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Bazaar on the Bricks Sidewalk Sale set for Saturday in Hays

&nbsp;Submit events to&nbsp;<a href="mailto:admin@hayspost.com">admin@hayspost.com</a>. Cover photo courtesy Pixabay

Special thanks to <a href="https://www.visithays.com/183/Events">The Hays Convention and Visitors Bureau</a> and<a href="https://www.fhsu.edu/"> Fort Hays State University</a> for their contributions to the community calendar.

Community Calendar

HOXIE — As part of the Main Street Arts Council’s 10th anniversary celebrations, we are beyond excited to announce a special performance with Broadway performer, singer, and songwriter Desi Oakley.

Oakley is a versatile and accomplished Broadway performer, singer-songwriter, and voiceover artist based in New York City. Raised in Wichita, she began her theatrical journey at Music Theatre Wichita, taking on roles such as Eponine in Les Misérables and Ariel in The Little Mermaid. She continued her studies at the University of Michigan, earning a BFA in Musical Theatre.

Oakley's Broadway credits include Wicked, where she served as a swing and understudied Elphaba and Nessarose; the 2012 revival of Annie, where she understudied Grace Farrell and Lily St. Regis; and the 2014 revival of Les Misérables, where she was an understudy for Fantine. She also performed in the National Tour of Evita as the alternate for Eva Perón.

In addition to her stage work, Oakley has co-starred on television in shows such as Gotham (FOX), The Gilded Age (HBO), and Only Murders in the Building (Hulu). She has also recorded voiceovers for national commercials and appeared in films like Dear Evan Hansen, Tick, Tick... Boom!, and Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile.

As a singer-songwriter, Oakley has released several albums, including Don't Look Back (2014), Repeat (2019), and A Pocket of Time (2020), with proceeds from the latter benefiting the Dramatists Guild Foundation. She is also passionate about mentoring young artists and co-founded the Pop Rock Broadway program in 2019 to provide training and support to aspiring performers.

The public is invited to see Oakley perform in a free concert on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, at 7:30 p.m. at the Hoxie High School Auditorium, 1625 Queen Avenue. This concert will be a memorable evening for all to enjoy, and we encourage everyone to attend.

The concert is free, however, ticket reservations are required and can be made online at <a href="https://www.mainstreetartscouncil.com/events">www.mainstreetartscouncil.com/events</a>. Free-will donations will be accepted.

Don’t miss this incredible opportunity to see Desi Oakley live in performance!

Main Street Arts Council celebrates 10th year with special Broadway guest artist

The Eagle Media Center in Hays will be hosting marketing workshops on Wednesday, Aug. 27 at 8:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., and 1:30 p.m. 

 The workshops will be at the Eagle Media Center at 2300 Hall Street in Hays. 

 To book a time to attend or for more information, please call Scarlett at 785-301-2211.

Eagle Media marketing workshops set for Aug. 27

HOXIE – The Main Street Arts Council (MSAC) invites the public to join them this weekend as they continue their production schedule of the annual Main Street Summer Theater Festival with performances in Colby.

“Local youth from across northwest Kansas have been hard at work rehearsing for their performances of Disney’s Dare to Dream Jr., and we invite you to join us in celebrating their incredible talent!” said MSAC Executive Director Karl Pratt.

This year’s festival features the same production, Disney’s Dare to Dream Jr., performed by young actors from six different communities, each bringing its own interpretation to the musical revue. The show, which includes songs from Encanto, Coco, Frozen, and more, celebrates dreams, teamwork, and creativity.

Colby: Friday, July 18 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, July 19 at 3 p.m., Heartland Christian School, 1995 W 4th St., Colby.

Quinter: Friday, July 25 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, July 26 at 3 p.m., Quinter Elementary School, 601 Gove St., Quinter.

Oakley: Friday, Aug. 8 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, Aug. 9 at 3 p.m., Oakley High School Auditorium, 118 W 7th St., Oakley.

“Each performance is an opportunity to support our talented youth performers who have poured their hearts into bringing this magical show to life. We invite everyone to attend and help us celebrate the creativity and passion that defines our community,” noted Pratt.

For more information about the festival, including additional performance details, tickets, and ways to support the event, visit <a href="https://www.mainstreetartscouncil.com/msstf2025">www.mainstreetartscouncil.com/msstf2025</a> or contact mainstreetartscouncil@gmail.com.

Learn more at <a href="https://www.mainstreetartscouncil.com/">www.mainstreetartscouncil.com</a>.

Main Street Summer Theater Festival continues with performances in Colby, Quinter, Oakley

The Hays Public Library will host a program about the creation of eight Catholic parishes in Ellis and Rush Counties in the late 1800s. Father Reggie Urban will give the presentation on Thursday, July 24 at 6 p.m.

In 1876, Father Valentine Sommereisen, a German-speaking priest from France, arrived in Hays just as waves of Volga-German immigrants were settling in the region. In only 19 months, he founded eight Catholic parishes within a half-hour of Hays, spanning Ellis and Rush counties. Join us as we explore his remarkable legacy, the growth of these early faith communities, and the enduring cultural impact of the Volga-German settlers in western Kansas.

Father Urban is a semi-retired priest of the Dodge City Diocese living in Hays. Both sides of his Volga-German ancestry settled in the Pfeifer area. Since living in Hays, he has learned some interesting things about the Catholic priest from France who founded parishes in Hays, Catherine, Victoria, Pfeifer, Liebenthal, Rush Center, Munjor, and Schoenchen.

You can find out more about this and other library programs at <a href="https://hayslibrary.org/">https://hayslibrary.org/&nbsp;</a>or by calling 785-625-9014.

Father Valentine, Eight Parishes presentation at Hays Public Library

The Women Who Lead still has raffle tickets left for its 31 Days of Cash drawing in August.&nbsp;

Tickets are $25 each. A maximum of 500 tickets will be sold.

A drawing will be conducted each day in August. 

Prizes will be $75 each day Aug. 1-15 $125 each day Aug. 16-28 $250 on Aug. 29 $500 on Aug. 30 $1,000 on Aug 31

All proceeds from the raffle will support scholarships for women in Ellis County pursuing post-secondary education.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/eb1eab34-3efe-439b-b038-a0dc1afb6465">This spring, Women Who Lead awarded eight $1,000 scholarships.</a> Help us continue to support women's education in 2026 with your generous donation and maybe win some cash in the process.

Tickets can be purchased from Renee Moritz at the Bank of Hays, by calling Moritz at 785-650-1095 or emailing rmoritz@bankofhays.com.

You can also purchase tickets at the Eagle Radio Media Center, 2300 Hall St., Hays. Ask for Scarlett Deutscher or Cristina Janney. You may also contact Janney at crisksu@gmail.com or 785-301-2077.

Tickets on sale for Women Who Lead raffle; funds support scholarships

Volunteer needed for final cleanup at Grinnell

The Hays Youth Advisory Leadership Board is sponsoring a Cruise Main Street event Friday, June 18, beginning at 9 p.m. in the Chestnut Street District of downtown Hays.

There is no charge to participate or attend.

It's a nostalgic celebration of car culture for all ages!

For more information contact Mario Hernandez, board member, at 785-365-9216.

Cruise downtown Hays Main Street Friday with the Youth Leadership Advisory Board

Join our new Hays Post Newsletter and receive the top news stories from your community every morning in your email inbox plus one-click access to the latest obituaries.&nbsp;

Sign up for free Hays Post Newsletter

City of Hays The city of Hays will begin asphalt sealcoating work on select streets starting this month, weather permitting.

Sealcoating protects and extends the life of pavement while improving safety and appearance.

During the project, affected areas will be temporarily closed or reduced to one lane. All vehicles must be moved by the dates noted on contractor notices to avoid towing.

Residents are encouraged to follow all posted signage and use caution while the sealcoat cures. The full project map and details are available at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.haysusa.com/155/Project-Management">HaysUSA.com</a>.

Please note that weather conditions could delay the schedule.

This important preventative maintenance is part of the city’s ongoing efforts to maintain road quality.

The city appreciates the community’s patience and cooperation.

Questions may be directed to the City of Hays Public Works Department at 785-628-7350.

Sealcoating project set to begin as early as today

Hays Police Department arrest log: July 13-19, 2025

Hays Police Department activity log: July 13-19, 2025

By BECKY KISER Hays Post

After a high of 102 degrees Monday, the temperature cooled off a little as a summertime thunderstorm moved through Hays during the evening hours and overnight.

The official total&nbsp; amount of rain measured at the K-State Agricultural Research Center south of town was 1.46 inches. The Eagle Media Center, 2300 Hall, received 1.50 inches.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/e67f10b8-70f3-45f7-a002-76990b4a3f5a">Flash flood warnings</a> were issued for Ellis and Trego Counties from just before 8 p.m. until 1 a.m.

Hays still remains about an inch below normal for the month of July and the year-to-date.

Average monthly moisture for July is 3.33 inches. As of July 21, Hays has received 2.39 inches. Average moisture for the year to-date is 14.67 inches. Hays has measured&nbsp;13.43 inches so far in 2025.

Welcome rain falls in Hays overnight Monday

Click&nbsp;<a href="https://hayspost.com/category/obituaries">HERE</a>&nbsp;to view the most recent obituaries and service times from our funeral home partners.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/pages/corrections-about-us">Click HERE for the Hays Post obituary policy.&nbsp;</a>

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/45c326ac-a856-480a-b491-0312e5d43c5c">Find our obituary posting policy by clicking here.</a>

Recent obituaries and service times

On this episode of the Hays Post Podcast, news reporter Becky Kiser talks with Brenda Meder, executive director of the Hays Arts Council about summer art center activities and the upcoming Fall Art Walk on Aug. 22.

🎙 Post Podcast: Summer activities at the Hays Arts Council

Each year the Kansas Sheriffs Association awards up to $19,000 worth of educational scholarships to eligible members or family members. The eight-member Scholarship Committee, chaired by Lyon County Sheriff Jeff Cope, receive the written applications, and conduct interviews with all applicants. This year, fifteen $1,000 awards were issued along with one $2,000 Sheriff Matt Samuels Award and one $2,000 Wilson/Fletcher Memorial Scholarship.

Sheriff Samuels was killed in the line of duty on January 19th, 2005, and shortly after that, this scholarship was established in his honor. This year there were 34 scholarship applications to be considered. The Wilson/Fletcher Memorial Scholarship represents former Executive Director Darrell Wilson and Deputy Director John Fletcher who both passed away in 2025.

Winning one of the $1,000 Scholarships for 2025 is Taegan Shannon. Taegan is attending the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg, MS. Her application was sponsored by her father, Brian Shannon.

The Kansas Sheriffs Association wishes Taegan our best for her educational future.

Sheriff Sandy Horton, Retired Executive Director Kansas Sheriffs Association

Kansas Sheriff Association awards scholarships

We're reaching out from Feeding Hays because we're looking for passionate folks to join our board of directors. You are invited to a prospective board of directors meeting on Sunday, September 14, 6:30 p.m. at St. Michael's Episcopal Church, 2900 Canal Blvd., Hays.

Why join the board of Feeding Hays? Well, are you aware that 39% of Ellis County residents are working and yet are living BELOW the poverty level*. Feeding Hays is dedicated to combating food insecurity right here in our community. We do this by providing free, weekly, hot meals, donating to USD489 student lunch debt account and providing food through our pantry. It's incredibly rewarding work, and we see the positive impact every day. We have provided over 4,000 meals and donated over $2,500 towards student lunch debt in the past 12 months.

As we move towards the next phase of growth, creating a stable and committed board plays a crucial role in guiding our efforts, helping us make important decisions, and meeting our goals for the future of Feeding Hays. We're a friendly, dedicated group, and we believe that a diverse range of voices makes us stronger. You don't need prior board experience – just a desire to help your neighbors and time to contribute.

If you've been looking for a way to make a real difference in Hays, this could be a fantastic opportunity. We're especially interested in people who are enthusiastic, have fresh ideas, and are ready to roll up their sleeves to support our mission.

Interested in learning more? Please plan to join us Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025, at at 6:30 p.m. and email MAPFeedingHays@gmail.com or call/text Ben Houchen at 785-259-2851.

Thanks for considering joining us in the fight against food insecurity in Hays!

*Data from United for Alice, KS - <a href="https://www.unitedforalice.org/introducing-ALICE/Kansas">https://www.unitedforalice.org/introducing-ALICE/Kansas </a>

Feeding Hays seeking board members

<a href="https://hayspost.com/pages/state-farm-weather-window">For a full look at the weather forecast, click here.</a>

Three-day weather outlook

At 7:57 p.m., Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing
  heavy rain across the warned area, including northern Ellis County and northeastern Trego County.

Between 1 and 4 inches of rain
  have fallen. The expected rainfall rate is 1 to 3 inches in 1
  hour. Additional rainfall amounts of 1 to 2 inches are possible in
  the warned area.

Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin
  shortly.&nbsp;

Affected areas may include&nbsp;small creeks and streams, urban           areas, highways, streets and underpasses as well as           other poor drainage and low-lying areas.

This includes the following streams and drainages...

  Big Creek trib NE of Ellis, Wild Horse Creek, Spring Creek tributary, Sweetwater Creek, Tomcat Creek, Saline River, Big Creek  tributary N, East Spring Creek tributary, Saline River tributary,  Saline River trib S, Sand Creek, N. Fk Big Creek trib NW  Catherine, East Spring Creek, North Fork Big Creek, Shaw Creek,  Big Creek and Big Creek trib N of Ellis.

Turn around, don`t drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles.

Flash flood warning for Ellis, Trego counties

KAYS - (1400/94.3) KFIX - (96.9) KHAZ - (99.5) KJLS - (103.3) KKQY - (101.9)&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

Tuesday, July 22
 KAYS: Kansas City
Royals at Chicago Cubs, 6:30pm

Wednesday, July 23
 KAYS: Kansas City
Royals at Chicago Cubs, 12:30pm

Friday, July 25
 KAYS: Kansas City
Royals vs. Cleveland Guardians, 6:30pm

Saturday, July 26
 KAYS: Kansas City
Royals vs. Cleveland Guardians, 5:30pm

Sunday, July 27
 KAYS: Kansas City
Royals vs. Cleveland Guardians, 12:30pm

🎧 Eagle Radio, Hull sports broadcast schedule

CHICAGO (AP) — Salvador Perez homered twice and drove in four runs, Jac Caglianone and John Rave added solo shots and the Kansas City Royals beat the Chicago Cubs 12-4 on Monday night.

Chicago’s Matt Shaw and Carson Kelly went deep off Noah Cameron (4-4) in the second, but the rookie lefthander was in control for most of the first six innings. He allowed all four Cubs runs and seven hits while striking out six to help the Royals win their second straight.

Ben Brown (4-7), recalled earlier in the day from Triple-A Iowa, replaced opener Ryan Brasier in the second and gave up six earned runs and seven hits while striking out four over the next four innings. Caglianone had a solo shot off Brown in the second and Perez added a two-run homer in the fourth.

Kansas City got RBI hits from Jonathan India and Bobby Witt Jr. to start a four-run fifth. The two scored on a throwing error and wild pitch, respectively.

Rave homered in the seventh off Chris Flexen, who gave up Perez’s two-run shot in a four-run eighth that ensured the Cubs’ second straight loss. Relievers John Schreiber and Andrew Hoffman kept Chicago scoreless, and Witt and Rave each finished with a pair of RBIs.

Shaw drove in three runs for the Cubs, who gave All-Star centerfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong the night off due to knee soreness.

Witt made the most of his at-bat in the fifth inning. He drove in Kyle Isbel with a single to put the Royals in front for good, stole second and went to third on Kelly’s errant pickoff throw, then scored on Brown’s wild pitch for the final run of the inning.

The top third of the Cubs’ order — Nico Hoerner, Kyle Tucker and Seiya Suzuki — was a combined 0 for 11.

Cubs LHP Matthew Boyd (10-3, 2.34 ERA) makes his first post-All Star break appearance Tuesday. Kansas City has not named a starter.

⚾ Perez, Caglianone and Rave homers power Royals over the Cubs

HAYS - It appears mother nature may be the only thing able to stop the Hays Larks. 

The Larks (28-4-1, 20-4 RMBL) had won 13-straight overall and 15 in a row at home entering Monday's regular season finale against Dodge City and had a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first when rain and lightning moved in forcing the game be eventually be called.

Thomas Lyssy singled, advanced to third on a
Trent Baker base hit then stole home to give the Larks the early lead.


The Larks now head to Wichita where they will begin defense of their NBC World Series title Thursday at 6 p.m. against the Seattle Blackfins. 

There will be a link to watch the Larks games on the NBC YouTube page on Hays Post.

⚾ Larks regular season finale rained out

The Hays Larks host the Dodge City A's in the final game of the regular season Monday at Larks Park at 7 p.m.&nbsp;

You can catch on the action on the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/@hayslarksbaseball/streams">Larks YouTube channel.</a>

Hays Larks baseball on HaysPost.com is courtesy of the Hays
Larks. The broadcast is produced by the Hays Larks

⚾🎥 WATCH LIVE Hays Larks close out season with Dodge City

LEXINGTON, Ky. - The Fort Hays State volleyball team earned the 2025 AVCA Team Academic Award, sponsored by INTENT, announced Monday (July 21) by the American Volleyball Coaches Association. This is the 11th consecutive year the Tigers have received the award.

Teams must maintain a year-long grade-point average of at least 3.30 to earn the award. Fort Hays State was one of seven MIAA programs to earn the honor this season.

The 2024-25 volleyball team had 12 student-athletes listed on the MIAA Academic Honor Roll. Additionally, Claire Olson and Avery Eshleman earned the MIAA Academic Excellence Award. Olson, Tallon Rentschler, and Kirsten Evans were CSC Academic All-District selections for the year.

A total of 1,450 institutions from all college levels and high school received the award this year, including 152 NCAA Division II women's programs.

🏐 Tigers earn all AVCA team Academic Award for 11th-straight year

MANHATTAN, Kan. – C.J. Jones will return to K-State for his senior season in 2025-26 after withdrawing from the transfer portal.

The East St. Louis, Ill., native was one of four players who played in all 33 games in 2024-25, earning 9 starts, after two seasons (2022-24) at UIC. He averaged 5.7 points on 40.7 percent (70-of-172) shooting, including 30.9 percent (17-of-55) from 3-point range, with 1.7 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 0.5 steals in 18.9 minutes per game as a junior.

Jones scored in double figures in 5 games in his first season as a Wildcat, including a season-high 12 points vs. Mississippi Valley State on Nov. 19 and at UCF on Feb. 26.

Jones has seen action in 95 games with 59 starts in his college career, including 62 games with 50 starts at UIC. He has scored 744 points during his college career on 39.7 percent (286-of-720) shooting from the field, including 34.6 percent (71-of-205) from 3-point range and 64.7 percent (101-of-156) from the free throw line.

Jones has 31 career double-digit scoring games, including three 20-point performances. His career-high of 25 points came against Bradley on Jan. 13, 2024, while at UIC. He led the Flames in assists (159) and minutes played (1,102) as a sophomore in 2023-24, while he was second in scoring (11.4 ppg.) and steals (1.0 spg.).

Jones is one of four players who are returning to K-State in 2025-26, joining rising juniors Mobi Ikegwuruka and Taj Manning and sophomore David Castillo.

🏀 K-State's Jones to return for his senior season

KANSAS CITY, Mo.—The Kansas City Royals announced today that they have signed 20 of the 22 selections made in the 2025 First-Year Player Draft, including all picks from rounds 1-17, and 20. The Royals have also agreed to terms with four undrafted free agents, including outfielder Hunter Ensley, right-handed pitcher Max Poirier and left-handed pitchers Cory Ronan and Ryan Ure.

Ensley, 23, played in parts of five seasons at the University of Tennessee and slashed .303/.399/.495 (202-for-667, .894 OPS) with 29 home runs, 141 RBI, 133 runs scored, 41 doubles and 85 walks. During his time with the Volunteers, he was teammates with 2024 Royals draftees Drew Beam (3rd Round) and A.J. Causey (5th Round).

Poirier, 18, graduated from Foothills Composite High School in Okotoks, Alberta, Canada, and he pitched for the Canadian Junior National Team in 2024. Prior to signing with the Royals, he was committed to play baseball at the University of Miami (Fla.).

Ronan, 23, appeared in 35 games (10 starts) across three seasons at the University of Hawai’i, striking out 64 batters in 57.1 innings with a 4.87 ERA (31 ER). He appeared for West Virginia (2024) and Mahoning Valley (2025) in the MLB Draft League, striking out 33 combined batters in 33.0 innings.

Ure, 22, pitched in 41 games (5 starts) for the Oklahoma State University Cowboys, logging 50 strikeouts in 37.2 innings over three seasons. Despite going undrafted in the 2025 Draft, he was previously selected by San Francisco in the 19th round of the 2024 Draft, and by Texas in the 16th round of the 2021 Draft, but chose to not sign with either club. He was born in Garden City, Kan.

⚾ Royals sign 20 selections from 2025 draft

Monday, July 21
 KAYS: Kansas City
Royals at Chicago Cubs, 6:30pm

Sunday, July 27
KAYS: Kansas City
Royals vs. Cleveland Guardians, 12:30pm

By RANDY GONZALES Special to Hays Post

On a warm summertime evening, hundreds of baseball fans flock to Larks Park. Some are of a certain age, remembering days—and games—gone by. Others are youngsters who are just discovering the joy of summer baseball in Hays, America.

Young or old, there is something special about Larks baseball. When the home team rallies for a victory, people say it’s “Larks Magic.” But the magic goes far beyond what one can find between the white lines.

Fans look forward to fun in the sun every summer.

They wear their Larks T-shirts and caps; they chow down on Larks burgers; they catch up with other fans they might not have seen since the summer before. Their kids play catch behind the visitor’s dugout and fight for foul balls.&nbsp;

Frank Leo is in his 43rd season as the Larks’ manager.

When the original Jayhawk League disbanded after the 2018 season, Hays played in another league for a year before joining the Rocky Mountain Baseball League, where the Larks won their fifth title in six years this summer.

Hays has an automatic berth at the 91st National Baseball Congress World Series in Wichita. The Larks, who have made the season finale almost every year under Leo, open defense of their title on Thursday with a 6 p.m. game against the Seattle Blackfins at Eck Stadium. Like every year, a big Larks crowd is expected to cheer on their favorite team.

Leo, now 75, remembered the years when perhaps 50 fans would show up for a game, on a good night. However, with the help of community support, the program has slowly evolved into what it is today.

“It is a special story,” Leo said, “what it was and what it has become.”

The Larks program was in danger of folding, not that long ago. After recruiting a team for the 2007 season, the organization faced financial difficulties and was at risk of not being able to field a team that summer. Leo understood that could not be allowed to happen.

“I knew if you canceled something (for a season), you’re not going to get it back,” Leo said. “(College) coaches are going to be hesitant to send somebody out here. When you’re done for a couple of years, people may not support you as much as they did.”

“After 2007, I think we found out people wanted Larks baseball in the summertime,” he added. “That’s when it started getting bigger and bigger.”

Once word got out around town about the Larks’ financial woes in 2007, businesses rushed to sponsor games, allowing free admission to continue. The Larks also formed the Diamond Club, where individuals could contribute financially at different monetary levels.

Having game sponsors provides the organization with the necessary boost in income needed every year to field a team.

“The sponsorships are one of our big fundraisers,” Leo said. “It’s very key to our program.”

Winning helps, too. The Larks, year in and year out, rarely lose at home.

“There’s no substitute for winning,” Leo said. “Fortunately, we’ve been successful.”

Keith Harper was Leo’s pitching coach for all 39 years they were together coaching the Hays High School baseball team. Harper is now in his 20th summer as the pitching coach for the Larks.

Harper still throws batting practice even at 72 years old. You can find him on the mound day in, day out, tossing 300 or 400 pitches in 90-degree heat in the afternoon sun.

“I love it,” Harper said. “I’ve been doing it for 43 years.”

Leo and Harper have been together since their days at Fort Hays.

After playing for the Tigers, Leo was in his first year as an assistant coach when Harper joined the program.

A Colby native, Harper also played basketball for the Tigers and played everything but first base and catcher in the spring. A pitcher for the Colby American Legion team when he was in high school, Harper never pitched in college, but he studied pitching.

“It’s about understanding the game, and dedicating yourself to understanding the elements of pitching,” Leo said. “You don’t necessarily have to be a pitcher to teach people how to pitch. Keith has the knack of understanding the mechanics and being able to relate them to his players.”

During games, Harper studies the deliveries of his pitchers from his rocking chair next to the dugout.

You see, Harper likes to rock. He really likes to rock. About six years ago, he brought a portable folding rocking chair to the park.

“I said, ‘If I’m going to sit here and chart, I’d rather rock and chart,’ ” Harper said. “I love to rock.”

“It just relaxes me,” he added. “ I can’t explain it.”

Harper thinks of his pitchers like family. The players, the fans, the community–it’s a family atmosphere.

“That’s exactly what we wanted,” Harper said. “The community has bought in. They want to be a part of this.”

The community stepped up financially, and community members stepped up by volunteering to become host families.

“It’s a community event, the cheapest place to entertain yourself in Hays, Kansas,” Harper said. “We do entertain.”

Harper said he is asked by opposing coaches how the Larks draw so well, how they create such a good atmosphere. It’s a lot of hard work through the years, is his standard reply.

“Because of the passion, the money that’s been donated, the families who take care of these kids,” Harper said, “we’ve built a little monster at Larks Park.”

After a Larks’ home win, Frank Sinatra’s song “New York, New York,” can be heard blaring over the loudspeakers. That’s not by happenstance. It's a tribute to Leo, a New York City native and Yankee fan who came to Hays to play baseball at Fort Hays.

Ken Windholz–public address announcer for Fort Hays State University football and basketball games for the past 25 years–also has been the PA guy for Larks’ home games since 2013.

When Windholz took over announcing duties, he wanted the atmosphere at Larks Park to feel like a baseball game.

That’s where his treasure trove of recorded music comes into play. Windholz typically plays only about one-fourth of the songs he has on his laptop on any given night. What is happening on the field helps determine what songs to play.

“It has to fit the occasion, pick the crowd up,” Windholz said. “We play songs that are contemporary and some throwback stuff, nostalgic baseball songs.”

“I do have a game plan,” he added. “I do have songs that I use at exact intervals.”

Indeed, there are some songs that have become staples. In addition to “New York, New York,” before the home half of the eighth inning, fans can sing along to one of their favorites, Neil Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline.”

Don’t be surprised to hear “Cotton-Eyed Joe,” and if one fan who usually shows up wearing a chicken mask is in attendance, you can count on the “Chicken Dance,” with the fan dancing for the crowd. Then there is “The Old Ball Park,” an original theme song just for the Larks.

The passion Windholz has for the Larks began when he attended games at Larks Park as a child. That passion for the team continues to this day.

Back in the day, as a youngster, Windholz had a job running the manual scoreboard beyond the fence in left field and would often ask to be the bat boy, too.

Larks Park became Windholz’s own field of dreams one summer night when the barnstorming Kansas City Monarchs came to town for an exhibition game with the Larks. Satchel Paige, a star pitcher in the Negro Leagues, was billed to pitch for the Monarchs.

Local

Region

Sports

Announcements