Hill City publisher, former Lark will throw out first pitch at NBC Series

North Central-Flint Hills Area Agency on Aging

Bob Boyd, 80, Hill City, has been selected by Area Agencies on Aging in Kansas to be honored as Keeping Seniors in the Game! first pitcher on Thursday, Aug. 6, at the 7 p.m. feature game of the National Baseball Congress World Series.

The 81st NBC World Series happens at Wichita’s Lawrence-Dumont Stadium Games begin Friday and go until Saturday, Aug. 8.

Boyd is one of 16 Kansans over age 80 throughout the state selected for the honor. The Keeping Seniors In the Game! initiative recognizes the vitality and contributions of older Kansans and raises awareness of Area Agencies on Aging — a national network of groups that provide unbiased answers and real help to seniors and family caregivers with the goal of helping seniors stay happy and independent in their home communities.

Boyd and his wife, Diane have been married for 45 years. They have four daughters — Valerie, Susie, Robyn and Kristen — and 15 grandchildren.

Boyd played baseball at Kansas State for three years (1955 to 1957), then played professional ball for the St. Petersburg Florida Twins for one year. Bob’s last Twins game was one for the books. He hit two doubles, a triple and scored three runs. After returning to Hill City in 1961, he played baseball with the Hays Larks and was on the team until he was 40. While playing for the Larks, he hit two home runs at Lawrence-Dumont stadium in the state tournament.

For 54 years, Boyd has been the publisher of the Hill City Times weekly newspaper.

The Northwest Kansas Area Agency on Aging, based in Hays, nominated Boyd for the Keeping Seniors in the Game! honor. This group serves seniors and caregivers in Graham County and in 17 other counties in Kansas.

“We are very happy to work with the National Baseball Congress Foundation to recognize the amazing contributions that Bob Boyd and other older Kansans make to our country, our hometowns and our communities,” said Julie Govert Walter, Executive Director of the North Central-Flint Hills Area Agency on Aging who leads the Keeping Seniors In The Game!SM initiative.