Chip Saultz’s team, the only American Legion team in Tonganoxie, had no room on its roster for the children, one of whom had never played organized ball before.

So, seeing many local children left out of the fun, one local woman decided to do something about it.

Laura Hartshorn, with the help of husband Jerry, hit the streets of Tonganoxie to try to raise enough money to put together another Tonganoxie team.

Not a team with the best athletes with the most experience, but rather a team formed out of compassion for area youth a teamed formed because no child should be left out.

“If a kid wants to play ball, than he should be able to without anybody saying ‘Sit out’ or ‘Find a team’,” said Hartshorn, founder and manager of the new team

And it worked.

By the end of May, the Bichelmeyer Blasters had found a coach in Dennis Workman, shirts, hats and a 16-game schedule for this summer.

They also had gained a slew of sponsors.

Beside Bichelmeyer Meat and Grocery, the team is sponsored by Community National Bank, Meadows Construction, Mills Insurance Agency, First State Bank and Trust and J.L. Farms.

But though the Blasters have strong community support, the team has dropped its first six games of the season, the most recent being a rain-shortened outing Monday against Leavenworth in which the team lost 9-1.

Most of the team members are only 14 years old, compared to the rest of the league, which has players mostly ages 16 to 18

Hartshorn said that because they are younger the Blasters are at somewhat of a disadvantage.

“They’re a little intimidated playing all older teams, but they’re getting better at playing as a team,” she said. “But it really doesn’t matter as long as they’re having a good time.”

Hartshorn said that pitching was the team’s biggest problem but that it was getting better every game.

She said that the additions of pitchers Mark Walters and Jeremiah Ingerson had helped the team.

He husband Jerry agreed, but said that even if the Blasters never won a game, he would consider the season a success.

“I’d rather have them out there working hard and having fun, than trying to get into trouble,” he said.

The Blasters’ next game is tonight at the fairgrounds.

Tonganoxie’s other American Legion team, the Tonganoxie Merchants, next play in Tonganoxie on June 21.

The American Legion end-of0season tournament will be in mid-August.