By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post
When Roger Ward created the Great Bend Bat Cats six years ago he had a
vision of a fan experience that allowed spectators to enjoy free baseball in an
entertaining atmosphere.
After six seasons, the summer collegiate baseball team is 152-108 and Ward has
seen the community and business participation increase.
Coaching the team
and serving as the general manager since the beginning, Ward stated this week
he was stepping down as coach to focus more on the fan experience.
"I really want to make it a fan-friendly atmosphere," said Ward. "It has to be me to incorporate that stuff. I think the time is right. I keep finding myself peeking around the dugout, seeing what the fans are doing, knowing that we could be doing so much more for them.
Ward plans on announcing the coaching staff soon.
"The time is right because I have people that I trust to coach," added Ward.
The Great Bend native thought
about the decision over the past year and is ready to create more ways to keep
fans coming back to Al Burns Field to watch the Bat Cats.
"Even something as simple as having somebody sing the national anthem on the field, a local talent," said Ward. "Who's going to be out there with them? Who's going to orchestrate it with the press box? That type of stuff. We're thinking about buying a dunk tank. I want fans to be able to win prizes between innings."
All Bat Cats baseball games are free to attend during the summer.