The Midwest Collegiate League All-Star game is Wednesday, July 13th in Whiting, Indiana at Oil City Stadium first pitch 7:05 PM. It should be an exciting time for the players, and it will be just as exciting for a former major league ball player who was born and raised in Gary, Indiana and will be the Celebrity Master of Ceremonies for the All-Star game.
That man is Ron Kittle! The 1983 American League Rookie of the Year for the Chicago White Sox will be coming to a town not too far from where he grew up.
“I have never been one to look at honors or awards to make me feel good, but getting a chance to represent the area I grew up in and played countless baseball games around many of the local cities, it is with great pleasure for sure. And I hope one day one of these young men get a chance to get to the top themselves,” Kittle said.
That 1983 season was a spectacular one to say the least; he batted .254 and finished with 35 home runs and drove in 100 RBI’s and made the 1983 All-Star team as well.
“I do believe the 1983 50th All Star game was my biggest highlight, the ovation for a local kid on the Sox and the American League winning also, pretty super,” Kittle stated.
While Kittle was growing up he was challenged and pushed by many people in order to succeed as a baseball player, but none more than his father. “No doubt my father was the person who challenged me to play harder and better, Kittle added.”
Kittle admires ball players who play the game hard and who never give up at any point. But one player Kittle liked the most was Milwaukee Brewers Hall of Famer Robin Yount. “I have always liked that player who gave it their all. Robin Yount, not one time ever did I see him not give everything he had.”
 Kittle talked about his impressions of the Midwest Collegiate League as well. “I am totally digging this Midwest Collegiate League, it is yet another option for young players to better their skills and compete at a little higher level. And I have always said if you want to get better, you have to play with better players.”
The Midwest Collegiate League All Stars will be represented by athletes who attend schools from across the country.  Individual standouts who have been selected as Midwest Collegiate League All-Stars are Will County Crackerjacks pitcher Stephen Taylor of Southern Polytechnic State University, Lendon Ehlmann of Kansas City Community College, Chicago Zephyrs Outfielder of Western Illinois University, Rockford Foresters shortstop Regulo Moy of University of Oklahoma, and Southland Vikings pitchers Stanten Jones of University of Arkansas Pine Bluff and Aaron Hauge of Heartland Community College.   In addition the game will feature Dontrell Rush John A. Logan who was drafted by the Chicago White Sox in June.  
Kittle has advice for many ball players trying to make it to the next level, but he focuses mainly on hard work and dedication. He said, “My advice to the young players coming up is, there is always someone better, be that someone. No need to be a showboat, be the hard working one and listen and watch, as most of your knowledge will come by paying attention. And don’t get hurt.”
Kittle is still involved in baseball as he is currently an ambassador for the Chicago White Sox. But in his free time he designs and creates bat benches, a personal hobby of his. Kittle said, “I have been making custom bat benches for over 25 years, mostly as a hobby-until others started wanting them. I like working with my hands and many other ideas have come from making benches.” Still to this date, Kittle’s favorite bench is “the 1983 team bench, just because I was with them as a teammate.”
To learn more about Ron Kittle you can read his book Ron Kittle’s Tales from the White Sox Dugout or check out his website at www.RonKittle.com. You can also learn more about the Midwest Collegiate League by checking out their website at midwestcollegiateleague.com.