It may be the off-season for the Casper Oilers, but they are keeping in shape by trying to keep up with kids at the Boys & Girls Clubs. Every Monday afternoon, about a dozen players from the Casper Legion baseball team hang out at the Club.

“I wanted them to give something back. The community has supported them for so many years. This is their chance to give of their time and give back,” said Coach Andrew Kaiser.

The players, ages 14-18, spend time interacting with the Club kids whether it’s playing pool or foosball in the game room, helping with homework, tossing a football around in the gym or sitting alongside them in the Tech Center. Some of the Oilers were once Club kids themselves and know the value of having someone to believe in them.

For Oiler Matthew Maddox, this all feels familiar. The 16-year-old Natrona County High School sophomore and former Club kid now finds himself searching out those kids who may need that extra boost of confidence to join in an activity.

“I know what it means to have someone notice you and what it means to have someone offer to hang out with you,” said Matthew. “I look for those kids and I want to be that person for them.”

After just a couple visits to the Club, Coach Kaiser says the team was nervous at first, but have acclimated well and enjoy spending time with the kids.

“For these young men, the team is their circle of friends. This forces them out of their comfort zone and gives them experience  interacting with people of different backgrounds.”