VARIETY KC PARTNERS WITH MONARCHS FOR NEW INCLUSIVE PLAYGROUND

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March 8th, 2022– Wyandotte County, KS:  Variety KC and Legend’s Field announce the ground-breaking of the new All Inclusive Baseball Themed Playground at Legend’s Field. It’s part of the inclusive makeover at the field, including the new improved playground, adult-sized changing tables in restrooms, accessible parking signs, communication and sign language boards, ramped seating for up close field experience, sensory kits for checkout and accessible website updates.  These improvements will make it possible for more families to experience games at Legends Field and to enjoy the experience longer.

This playground, the latest in inclusive remodels with Variety KC, all started because of one girl – Olivia. (Pictured below) Olivia was excluded from playing with her friends on the playground because she uses a powerchair. The loose mulch on playgrounds can destroy the mechanics of this ten-thousand-dollar chair. Because of this surface and other barriers, all of which are technically ADA compliant, Olivia was left out.

Variety KC works with their partners, such as Legends Field, to go above and beyond what is ADA compliant – and create play spaces that encourage all kids to play and interact together.

To support this inclusive project visit:

https://varietykc.org/project/legends-field/

For more information, contact Deborah Wiebrecht, 913-558-2309.

HARTMAN TO THE HEART OF THE U.S.

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RHP Matt Hartman has signed with the Kansas City Monarchs

Spent 2021 season in the Atlanta Braves organization pitching at AA Mississippi and A ball Rome.

Joe C “We are happy to have Matt a part of our pitching staff for ’22.  He is able to start and relieve – Matt gives us great flexibility with our staff.”

THOMPSON TO KANSAS CITY

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The Kansas City Monarchs announced this morning the signing of right-handed hitter, David Thompson. Thompson plays both third base and first base. In 2021 he was in Syracuse–the AAA affiliate of the New York Mets–and hit .228 with 39 RBI and 13 home runs with 10 stolen bases. He also won the Minor League Baseball Organizational All-Star award for his time with the Mets in 2021. During the winter season, he was with Tigres del Licey.

Thompson was drafted in the 4th round of the 2015 draft by the New York Mets (also drafted out of high school but ultimately did not sign to attend the University of Miami)

Welcome to Kansas City, David Thompson!

2021 LEAGUE MVP AND SLUGGER RETURNS TO KC

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The Kansas City Monarchs today announced the signing of outfielder Gaby Guerrero for the 2022 season. Guerrero spent all of the 2021 season with the American Association Champion Monarchs and was named to the American Association All Star team as well as awarded the American Association Championship Series Most Valuable Player Award.

“The entire organization is very excited to get another big piece back from our 2021 Championship team.  Gaby was excellent for us on and off the field last season.  With his return for 2022 we are all ready to get started” said Kansas City Manager Joe Calfapietra.

Guerrero hit .319 with 18 home runs and led the team in RBI with 86 which put him tied for 4th in the league.  In 96 games, Guerrero’s 86 RBI puts him 5th all-time in Duluth / Kansas City franchise single season RBI totals.  The All-Star right fielder had a 15-game hitting streak and reached base in 26 straight games.  Guerrero also led the team with 37 multi-hit games and tied for 2nd with 20 multi-RBI games.   Also in the 2021, Guerrero led club with 398 at bats and in runs scored with 73.  His 127 hits during the regular season also led the team.

During the 2021 American Association playoffs, the MVP hit .519 in the six games with 13 RBI, three doubles, a triple and a home run. Guerrero also had 6 runs batted in during the 3 game Championship sweep of Fargo Moorhead.

Prior to his time with the Monarchs, the 28-year-old played 14 games with the Cincinnati Reds during the 2018 season with 18 at bats and a home run.  Guerrero is the cousin of Toronto Blue Jay All Star Vladimir Guerrero, Jr

“I am very happy to return to the team again.” the slugger said. “I feel very excited to try to win again”

The Kansas City Monarchs open training camp on May 4 and begin their defense of their Championship Opening Day on May 13 at Legends Field.  For your tickets, call 913.328.5618 or visit www.monarchsbaseball.com

STOUT HEADS TO THE CUBS

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The Kansas City Monarchs have transferred the contract of left-handed pitcher Eric Stout to the Chicago Cubs as announced by 2021 American Association Manager of the Year Joe Calfapietra. This marks the nearly unprecedented third time a single player contract has been transferred to a Major League organization.

Stout was drafted by the Kansas City Royals in the 13th round of the 2014 MLB Draft.  The Royals added him to their 40-man roster after the 2017 season and began the 2018 in Omaha.  He was called up to the Major Leagues on April 24, 2018 where he pitched in 3 games.

“We are very excited for Eric to get this opportunity with the Chicago Cubs” said Manager Joe Calfapietra. “He has been a very good player and extremely loyal to the organization for a long time”

Stout first signed with the Kansas City T-Bones in 2019 where his contract was transferred to the Cincinnati Reds organization.  Stout pitched for Louisville and Chattanooga in 2019.  Stout also signed agreement number to with Kansas City in 2020 but there was no 2020 season due to the pandemic. Stout signed a third contract with Kansas City in 2021.

In 2021, Stout recorded a 2-1 record in 23 innings and 1.95 era across 4 appearances for Kansas City before his contract was purchased by the Miami Marlins on June 6.  Stout pitched at Triple-A Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp. In 7 appearances for Jacksonville, Stout was 0-2 with a 10.19 ERA and 21 strikeouts. On August 12, Stout was released by the Marlins and re-signed by the Monarchs.

This winter Stout pitched for Mayaguez in the Puerto Rican Winter League where he was 3-0 with a 1.24 era in 6 starts across 29 innings.   Stout also started one game in the Caribbean World Series for Puerto Rico.

When asked about his time in Kansas City, Stout said “Over the past three seasons both with the T Bones and now the Monarchs we have come to learn this is a family in Kansas City.  Everyone from the front office to the players welcomes everyone with open arms.  The job in KC is to get guys back to the big leagues and they have done that time and time again.”   Stout added that “The Championship was amazing – we are looking forward to watching the Monarchs go back-to-back!”

FIRST BASEMEN COMING BACK TO MONARCHS

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Kansas City Monarchs first baseman Casey Gillaspie has agreed to rejoin the Monarchs for 2022, it was announced today by 2021 American Association Manager of the Year Joe Calfapietra.   “Our organization is very excited to have another key member of our 2021 Championship team returning.  Casey was a big big part of the team last year and we expect him to be as big in the 2022 season.”  said Calfapietra.

Gillaspie, 29, led the ballclub with 21 home runs also his career high, and 2nd in runs batted in with 70.  He played in all but 3 regular season games all at 1st base.  The switch-hitting slugger had a 10-game hitting streak and a 16 game on base streak in ’21 and 24 multi-hit games.

A native of Omaha and Wichita State star, Gillaspie has reached the Class AAA level with the Tampa Bay and Chicago White Sox.  The 2014 Tampa Bay first round draft choice was also with the Kansas City T-Bones for the 2019 season.

“We had such a good team last year and obviously won the Championship.  I am super excited, and we want to continue to add to the winning Monarchs culture.” Said the first basemen.  “We consider Kansas City home and can’t wait to get back on the field.”