Tyler Moore of the Baldwin City Blues hit a grand slam home run in the bottom of the ninth

inning to help the Mid-Plains League All-Stars defeat the Kansas City Amateur Baseball Association / MSBL All-Stars 5-4 Saturday night at Rathert Field.

Moore’s walk off home run came off of Kansas City relief pitcher Kyle Watt.

Moore said he never expected a grand slam. Remembering his winning hit he stated the first pitch to him was a little high. “Second pitch got what I wanted, belt high fastball right down the middle. And I really capitalized on it.”

The Mid-Plains League team was comprised of four players from each of the six teams in the conference including Junction City. The Brigade were represented by pitcher Dalton Shalberg, outfielders Max Brown and Cole Brecheisen, plus first baseman Brett Nickle.  Brecheisen was one of the players on base knocked in by Moore’s hit at the end of the game.

This was the first ever All-Star game for the Mid-Plains League, which is a summer collegiate baseball conference. The Kansas City team featured older players who had already completed their college eligibility.

Cecil Aska, Junction City Brigade General Manager, said more than 600 fans attended the All-Star game. “Lot of people out here. It was great.”

On the reaction from fans of the other teams who visited Rathert Field, some for the first time, Aska stated, “The biggest reaction I get from them is one…they are impressed with the Stadium itself, just the look of it. They are impressed with the upkeep that we’ve done on it. ” Aska said at the end of the game the conversation he hears involves how good the fans are. “And they like playing before a crowd of people that they think are knowledgeable about the game, and then follow the game while they’re playing.”

The evening culminated with a fireworks display by Bennett Fireworks.