Roger Ward, manager of the Great Bend Bat Cats Baseball Club, thanked the city council and the community Monday for supporting the team, which is entering its 10th year.

Ward also thanked the Great Bend Recreation Commission, Great Bend Economic Development’s Friday Nights on Forest, and the Chamber of Commerce, “but mainly the people of our community, who understand the value of what we’re trying to do.” He said the Bat Cats have brought quality of life to Great Bend in their own way, and will continue to do that.

“We have a brand new group of 24 to 28 players that are coming in. We’re adding two more countries to those who are coming to our community,” he said.

“We’re invested. We’re partnering with the Golden Belt Community Foundation now; we’re looking towards the future, and we hope that we’re here forever,” he said. “It started with pride and we continue with pride. Great Bend’s my hometown.”

Ward said they still need sponsors and host families for players, and he invited people to come out to the games at Al Burns Field. To show their appreciation, the club has purchased some speed bumps and cones that are light reflective, out of concern for the safety of kids who love to chase foul balls across 17th Street. They will work with City Administrator Logan Burns to see if the safety devices should be set up for the entire summer, or if they need to put them out and pick them up every game night.

He said he also hopes the council will approve any requests from the Bat Cats to have fireworks this summer. They usually have them once or twice during the season.