Help wanted: more ‘working on the Railroad(ers)’

Since the founding of the Kitty League in 1903, the crack of a wooden bat and the roar of a hometown crowd has echoed across dirt roads and grassy fields in Fulton, for almost as long as the shrill whistle of a locomotive.

The Railroaders played in that Kitty League, at the Class D level, from 1903 to 1955.

In 2005, a group of local business people who shared a love of baseball and community spirit joined together to become owners of the Fulton Railroaders, reborn within the new K.I.T. League through 2010, and then in 2011, the Railroaders joined the Ohio Valley League, with teams from Owensboro, Madisonville, Hopkinsville, Paducah, Muhlenberg County and Henderson, Ky., as well as Dubois, Ind.

With the close of the 2018 season, a serious discussion took place among team owners, many of whom were a part of the original group who took a swing at bringing a wholesome, family-oriented event to the hot summer evenings at Fulton’s Lohaus Field.

Mike Smith, one of the original owners said he recalled a conversation with another owner, Dan Voegeli, about the possibility of forming the owner group, sometime in 2005.

Others who agreed to join that group included Cubb Stokes, Richard Parham, David Greer, Elaine Forrester, Gordon Jones, Buck Carroll, Shawn Simpson, Jim Martin and Willie Dement.

“While we are the smallest town in the league, we have a great fan base,” Smith said, during an interview which also included Voegeli, Greer and Parham.

With an annual budget of approximately $65,000, Voegeli notes no one “gets rich” through team ownership, as “one year, we might make a few dollars, and then the next year, lose a few, and maybe the next, break even” as he recounts the expenses of team transportation, bus maintenance, fuel, a driver, and countless other issues vying for any funds in excess of the cost of doing business in “The Yard.” Baseballs, alone, amount to a pretty penny, with balls approximately $4.25 a piece.

“We need young blood,” Parham said, alluding to the need for more involvement from fresh eyes, minds and hands.

Parham became involved with the Railroaders organization when his oldest son, Zach graduated from South Fulton High School in 2005 and then returned to the Twin Cities while in college to play for the local team.

In an effort to accommodate more easily those who might want to consider being a part of the organization, the Railroaders owners are entertaining the idea of obtaining a non-profit status, a change from the current LLC, or for profit partnership.

In pursuing the non-profit designation, the partnership as it is now, would transition to possibly just a board, with no more “ownership” interest.

There would no longer be a “buy-in” to be a part of the Railroaders organization, which could potentially offer more opportunities for team support.

Businesses and industries could then contribute to the Railroaders, an advantageous option at tax time, and school groups, teams, or civic organizations could potentially earn funds or community service hours through working at the home games, or sponsoring game events.

Host families are needed each season, as well, for the young college-age men, with few requirements other than the provision of a bed, shower, washer and dryer.

As pointed out by Voegeli, most host families do offer to provide meals for the players, however often times, groups will agree to feed the team after a home game, in exchange for use of the outfield deck.

In addition to the non-profit status consideration, the present group of owners would like to see specialty nights become the norm, as well as fun activities throughout the game such as contests and spectator participation on the field during breaks.

Voegeli, Greer, Parham and Smith agree that the season takes work, “a lot of work”. And they also agree, “we aren’t getting any younger.”

The consensus was that new ideas and new faces are needed, to continue the enthusiasm, and the draw from neighboring communities that has resulted from the modern day formation of Fulton’s “boys of summer” tradition.

“People come here to watch the Railroaders, but they also buy gas, food…some of the team members’ families stay overnight during the season. It’s a plus for our community,” Smith said.

At this time, Smith, Greer, Voegeli and Parham, are part of the owners group, as well as Keith Kimbell, Klint Kimbell, Michael Davis, Cubb Stokes, Peggy McNeill, Elaine Forrester, Gordon Jones and Jim Martin.

Those interested in knowing more about the Railroaders organization or who might be interested in becoming part of the group of dedicated individuals who “Keep the Train Rollin’ “ may contact any one of the current owners.

Those interested may also visit the Railroaders website, www.railroaderbaseball.net. or visit their facebook page, Fulton Railroaders Baseball Club.