SIKESTON -- A minor league baseball team is scheduled to take Sikeston's VFW field next summer, playing in the revived "Kitty League" that was popular back in the early decades of the 20th century.
Organizers Gary Jones and Randy Morgan have selected four cities for the independent professional league: Dyersburg (Tenn.), Fulton (Ky.), Paducah (Ky.) and Sikeston.
"I was a kid when the old Kitty League was in its last years. For me, going to a game was like going to Yankee Stadium," said Morgan. "I just wanted to bring baseball back to Paducah, and the only way to do that was by starting a league. It will work in a town like Sikeston. It's small enough where there's no competition, but it's still large enough that you've got retail community there to help with some promotions. There is also a sizable group of potential fans."
The league is scheduled to begin play in May of 2003 and end sometime in August. It will be a short season of less than 80 games. Although no price has been set, admission is expected to be around $3 or $4 per ticket.
The league will draw most of its players from two areas -- those cut by major league organizations, and players from obscure colleges that were not drafted.
While no pay has been set, it is expected to be less than $1,000 per month for an average player. And the players will only be paid during the four-month season.
"Getting players is not a problem," said Morgan. "The major leagues start cutting back before they leave Florida. There is a surplus of players, and they will be coming to us. We also may have a couple of open tryouts in the immediate area. We would sure love to get some players from around the area if they're good enough."
The league will rent the field from the city. In terms of scheduling, all of Sikeston's youth organizations will get top priority over the new professional team.
"They knew we had a nice facility here, and they thought it would be a good venue for a minor league team," said Jiggs Moore, director of Sikeston Parks and Recreation. "They approached us and asked for permission to use the field, and it has kind of progressed from there. We're excited about the prospect of having minor league baseball here in Sikeston. We think it will be another opportunity for baseball fans to come out to VFW Stadium and enjoy the game."
There are currently 10 independent leagues scattered across the country. The leagues are the lowest level of the minors, but there have been a few success stories, like St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Jason Simontacchi.
"If you had to rank it, I would say it would be at the A level," said Morgan. "You are going to have some kids that got up to AA, and then the big leagues gave up on them. They will be good, solid A level players. Occasionally, one of these independent league guys will go on and make the big leagues. Not many do, but enough make it to keep the others coming."
The idea of a minor league team is nothing new to Sikeston. Talk of a "Kitty League" team came two years ago, but plans fell through.
"Up until this past fall, both Gary (Jones) and I were working full time jobs," explained Morgan. "We had some people with us who were still trying to put the thing together, but we didn't have a lot of time to devote to it. The other people working on it saw greener pastures moved on to other projects. Gary and I both took early retirement and decided if it was going to get done, we were going to have to do it."
In the past, the "Kitty League" stood for the Kentucky, Illinois, Tennessee League. Morgan hopes the revived league will catch on around the area.
"I think it will grow over the years," he said. "We just wanted to start with four teams, because you can make fewer mistakes than you can with six or eight. I wouldn't be surprised if we expand in the upcoming years."