Interview with Kevin Reimer

Clint: Kevin:	When did you start playing baseball? Probably grade one. I played most of my minor league in Enderby. The one year Gus Stankoven decided to change to softball in Enderby instead of minor league. He wanted to do that because nobody was going anywhere. After that they could play in the beer leagues or the slowpitch leagues. When they changed to softball I went to Vernon and played for four years.
Wade:	How old were you?
Kevin:	13.
Wade:	Has it changed much in Enderby?
Kevin:	I really haven't seen it in the last few years. I know for awhile there were quite a few teams going. I think it is off and on. If somebody wants to take charge there will be an interest. It's just a matter of taking the time. It's quite a demanding thing, especially with all the lakes and cabins around here. Everybody likes their summer sports. I don't blame them either.
Wade:	Did the playing conditions and fields change?
Kevin:	Yeah, they upgraded them since I played minor league. The Legionnaires put in some money when they were going strong back in the early 80's and late 70's. Parks and Recreation takes care of it now. Yes, the conditions have improved.
Clint:	What team were you with before Texas?
Kevin:	I was going to college. I worked my way through the minors, went to Texas after Double "A", played there, then went Triple "A". After Spring Training this year I went back down to the Triple "A" and they didn't call me back. I signed in 1985. Played half a season in Berlington, Iowa. The next season I played at Salem, Virginia. Then I played the next season; I played part of the year in Tulsa. Then somewhere else, in Florida.
Wade:	When did you decide you wanted to go to the Major Leagues?
Kevin:	I wanted to play baseball when my dad quit. When I was 4. It was a little dream I had. Just being around it when I was a little kid forced me to it. Plus Dad's connections helped.
Wade:	Were you in track as much as your dad was?
Kevin:	Nope. I tried but I was never as good as him in track. Actually a whole lot of those sports he was way better than me in. I don't know if I was better than him in any sports. He was good at hockey and basketball.
Wade:	Did you play hockey?
Kevin:	Yeah. I got invited to play in Junior Hockey camps when I was 14. Mom and Dad wouldn't let me go. Same thing at 15 and 16. So I just said forget it. So I went to Salmon Arm and got serious about basketball and baseball. Dad wanted me to go to a Minnesota or North Dakota school and play hockey and baseball all year long. I wanted to go to arizona or California and play baseball all year long. That's what I did.
Clint:	You went to California did you?
Kevin:	Orange Coast College for 2 years. Then I got a scholarship to Cal State. Wade: How long were you with the Legionnaires?
Kevin:	I started playing at 14 or 15; finished in 1982.
Clint:	Is there much difference between around here than back in the States?
Kevin:	Oh yeah. Down there they play it in high school. In the Sunny State they play all year round. A lot more chances of going to college because scouts were around. A lot more places to go to shine your skills. Up here you have to look for chances to go.