Three years ago, Regal Plastic infielder Jack Kiser watched the Ban Johnson Collegiate League All-Star Game with a twinge of jealousy.
His older brother, Ryan Kiser, a teammate on Regal’s squad that summer, was a National Division All-Star in 2021.
“He had been playing a little better than me and he got selected and I didn’t, so there was a little brotherly rivalry there and I was a little jealous,” Jack Kiser admitted. “But now I’m kind of the same age that he was, so it’s kind of cool that I’m getting the chance to play in it.”
Jack was selected to play second base for the American Division at the 2024 BJCL All-Star Game — which is set for 7 p.m. on Wednesday, July 10, at Kauffman Stadium.
“I went to watch him (Ryan), obviously, and I remember him getting a hit,” Kiser said. “It was something I was looking up to, something I wanted to do. Now, this year, getting to play in it for the first time, I’m really kind of excited that we both got the chance to play there.”
Kiser (Park Hill/Newman [KS]) has never played on the field at Kauffman Stadium before.
“I’ve been to plenty of games but I’ve never had the chance to be on the field and play,” he said.
After batting .400 with four doubles, 11 RBIs and 21 runs scored for playoff-bound Regal, Kiser will get that chance with the rest of this summer’s BJCL All-Stars.
“This was definitely a goal of mine to go play at Kauffman, have a good year and prove to myself that I’m good enough to be there,” Kiser said. “It’s kind of cool to see it play out and be able to play there.”
Kiser expects to have a few “butterflies when I first get on the field, but nothing huge.I think I’m just going to have a lot of fun playing with some of my buddies, so it’ll be a good time.”
There will be plenty of players he can ask for advice.
Seventeen players selected as all-stars have played in the BJCL All-Star Game in the past — including Regal Plastic RHP Jake Canent (Blue Valley North/Rockhurst), who is making his fourth consecutive All-Star Game appearance.
“It’s been awesome,” Canent said. “Growing up, I think every young baseball player dreams of playing in big-league stadiums. So, being able to do it multiple times is amazing and truly never gets old. Each time pitching on that mound gives me memories I will never forget.”
Ban Johnson Legends OF Caleb Adams (Lansing/Saint Leo University [Florida]) is one of three players selected to a third All-Star Game.
Adams also was a 2020 All-BJCL selection, but no game was played that summer due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It’s a lot of fun being able to play at Kauffman and being able to play with other guys on other teams, good players,” Adams said. “It’s just a good time overall.”
The other two three-time all-stars play for the Creche Innovations Stars — 1B Jaidan Quinn (Olathe West/Concordia University [Nebraska]), who will miss the game due to injury, and DH Sam McAleer (Blue Valley/Mesa [Arizona] CC/Lindenwood commit), who said being selected for the BJCL All-Star Game never gets old.
“Definitely not, it’s just so much fun playing in Kauffman and seeing the best players from Ban Johnson there. It’s also fun to face some good arms,” McAleer said. “It’s always fun for sure.”
He had never played at Kauffman before making his first BJCL All-Star Game.
“We were supposed to play there when I was a junior in high school, but I think with all the COVID stuff, it didn’t really work out,” McAleer said. “So, I was super excited the first time I got to play there for Ban (Johnson). It was so much fun, because obviously you grow up going to Royals games, so getting to actually be out on the field is super cool.”
Adams and McAleer have lofty goals for their third all-star appearances.
“Winning an MVP would be nice, but just making a couple of plays would be great,” Adams said. “I don’t think I’ve gotten a single ball hit to me when I’ve been in center (field).”
Meanwhile, McAleer hopes to become the first BJCL all-star since 2018 when All-Star Game MVP Maurice Bruce (Seaboard) swatted a home run.
“I’d love to hit one out of there,” McAleer said. “It’s a big yard, but I think I’ve got the power to do it. Hopefully, I can just get a good pitch this time around and hit one out of there. That would be pretty sweet.”
There are 13 two-time all-stars — Adapt PT Prospects OF Parker Disidore (St. Thomas Aquinas/Oklahoma Wesleyan); BJ Raiders SS Jett Buck (Liberty North/Washburn), RHP Aaron Lewis (Liberty North/KCKCC/Austin Peay [TN] commit) and 1B Ryan Williams (Liberty/Northwest Missouri State); Ban Johnson Legends 3B Brendyn Bard (Piper/Arkansas Tech) and DH Mark Elliott (Olathe South/KCKCC); KC Knights OF Luke Scalf (Rockwood Summit [St. Louis]/Rockhurst); MSBL Royals OF Josh Holmes (Shawnee Mission West/Pittsburg State); Milgram Mustangs 3B Peyton Lewis (Blue Springs/Bluefield State [West Virginia]); NKC Apartments Giants OF Koen Gakstatter (Blue Valley West/McPherson); Natural Baseball Academy OF Austin Buie (Gardner-Edgerton/UCM); and Regal Plastic teammates OF Max Pawela (Park Hill South/Northwest Missouri State) and RHP Jacob Ciafullo (Raytown/Northwest Missouri State).
