KANSAS CITY, Kansas – The American pastime, compressed into the backyard game of Wiffleball, has created a field of dreams for several lucky Kansas City, Kansas, children this week.
An unexpected visitor noticed that a group of Wiffle ball players in the backyard were missing players Thursday night and asked if he could join the game.
“He just came by yesterday and asked if he wanted to play with us, and we were all completely stunned,” said Cameron Lard, who lives in the house on the edge of a sunken Wiffle ball field in the backyard. “This is not a normal guy. This is Salvador Perez. This is a Hall of Famer for the Royals!”
That was Lard’s reaction when he realized that the adult who wanted to play with a group of children was Salvador Perez, the Royals’ superstar catcher.
Ryan Gamboa
“I guess if it hadn’t been Salvador Perez, I would have been more concerned,” Cameron’s mother, Lesley Lard, told KSHB 41 reporter Ryan Gamboa. “But a lot of people come to the neighborhood to play. My son and I are huge Royals fans, so he knew pretty quickly who it was.”
Cameron’s mother posted a video of Salvy and the boys playing on her X-account, which caused a stir on social media.
“I don’t even know if they realize what a big deal this is, that something like this is happening,” she said.
The boys understood and ran to tell their parents. They asked Mrs. Lard to send the picture so they could show it to their class at school.
Before the first pitch of Friday night’s game at Kauffman Stadium, the Lards’ backyard was packed again when another surprise occurred.
“Time out!” someone called from the driveway next door. “Someone wants to say hello quickly.”
It was Salvador Perez again.
“Salvy!” Cam shouted, running to the FaceTime call.
Ryan Gamboa
Perez asked the boys why they didn’t wait for him to play.
In an interview with KSHB 41 and other media outlets Friday at Kaufman Stadium, Perez said he spent time on his supposedly free night with a friend who lives in the neighborhood.
With the help of a friend, Perez presented Cameron with a signed baseball bat.
“Getting a call from Salvy is crazy,” Cameron said.
A children’s game that creates unexpected friendships and stories to last a lifetime.
