Despite Death Of Son, Father Supports Bat Boy Tradition

WICHITA (AP) — The father of a 9-year-old batboy who died after being accidentally struck by a follow-through swing in Wichita says the batboy tradition should continue.

Kaiser Carlile was struck Saturday by a warm-up swing by a Liberal Bee Jays player near the on-deck circle during a National Baseball Congress World Series game. Kaiser died Sunday.

The National Baseball Congress suspended using batboys and girls during its World Series games in Kansas after Kaiser's death.

Kaiser's father, Chad Carlile, said on NBC's Today show Thursday while there "might be a better way of doing things," the batboy tradition should continue because it's "tremendous for kids."

Carlile also said the family donated organs from Kaiser.

The Wichita Eagle reports Kaiser's funeral is Aug. 11 at the Seward County Community College in Liberal.

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