Teams 
Seat Winners
Buck O'Neil had an enormous impact on the world of baseball and the lives of the everyday people he touched. Buck spent many days and nights supporting the Royals from the same seat behind home plate at Kauffman Stadium, both as a scout and a fan. To honor Buck, the Buck O'Neil Legacy Seat program fills "Buck's Seat" for every home game with a member of the community who, on a large or small scale, embodies an aspect of Buck's spirit.
To nominate someone for the 2012 program, please click here.
April 13
Friday, April 13 – John Mayberry
"Big John" Mayberry is a fan favorite and one of three Royals selected to the 1973 All-Star Game in Kansas City. John played for the Royals from 1972 to 1979 and remains one of the best first basemen in team history. He was a personal friend of Buck O'Neil and considered him a mentor on and off the field.
During this 2012 All-Star year, Big John represents the spirit of Buck as a Royals Hall of Famer and a standout member of the community.
April 14
Saturday, April 14 – John Phillips
For the past 20 years, John Phillips of Wichita, Kans. has helped raise nearly one million dollars for Special Olympics of Kansas by gathering items and organizing an annual sports memorabilia auction to benefit the organization each November.
John's commitment helps the Special Olympics provide year-round sports training and athletic competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities.
April 15
Sunday, April 15 – Janet Campbell
Janet Campbell is the Director of Audio-Reader at the University of Kansas, which is a reading and information service for blind and visually impaired individuals in Kansas and Missouri. Audio-Reader volunteers read aloud and then broadcast all forms of print media creating an indispensable part of many people's lives.
Janet is also the Director of Kansas Public Radio at the University of Kansas and resides with her family in Eudora, Kans.
April 16
Monday, April 16 – John Miller
John Miller is an outstanding volunteer with the American Red Cross as well as other local charities. John has assisted with finance and aid distribution during tornado relief efforts in Joplin, Mo., and Greensburg, Kans., as well as in New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina.
The Leawood, Kans., resident is the former president of the Downtown Rotary and serves as a local mentor for entrepreneurs.
April 17
Tuesday, April 17 – Bob Cantin
In 2005, Bob Cantin of Olathe, Kans., contracted a life threatening illness which caused him to lose both of his legs. However, Bob became an advocate for people with disabilities and now serves on the Kansas Commission on Disability Concerns providing input on state legislation.
Bob is also Vice-President and founding member of the annual Downtown Olathe Arts Festival that sponsors artists with disabilities each June.
April 18
Wednesday, April 18 – Merl Cales
Merl Cales is a Veteran of World War II and is currently chairman of the Mayor's Parks and Recreation Committee in Bolivar, Mo. He served in the educational system as a teacher, principal, and superintendent for 37 years. Merl has left a positive effect on several generations of school children and continues to be a role model in his community.
Merl is 89 years old and recalls watching Buck O'Neil play for the Kansas City Monarchs while growing up.
April 20
Friday, April 20 – Dennine Odom
Dennine Odom has served as a volunteer victim advocate for the Grain Valley and Oak Grove, Mo., Police Departments for more than 6 years. Recently, Dennine worked to pass Hope's Law in the Missouri Legislature which strengthened laws regarding felony possession in the presence of a minor.
Hope's Law was named in honor of Dennine's daughter, which will further help her efforts to assist victims of violence.
April 21
Saturday, April 21 – John Tucker
John Tucker is a veteran of the Vietnam War where he served in the United States Marine Corps. John spent over 29 years as a coach for the Salvation Army Small Fry Basketball program in Lincoln, Neb., in addition, he has coached various other basketball and football teams in his community.
John also has served more than 36 years as a public addresser for Waverly, Neb., sporting events and continues to instill his positive coaching lessons to the youth in his community.
April 22
Sunday, April 22 – Jay Hunt & Jake Welpman
After witnessing a severe automobile accident near Buckner, Mo. in September of 2010, Jay Hunt and Jake Welpman stopped to assist the victims until emergency personnel arrived. Jay and Jake, both members of Boy Scout Explorer Post 2599, rendered treatment on a victim who was suffering from major injuries after being ejected from his truck.
Jay and Jake's heroic actions are credited with saving the people involved in the accident.
April 23
Monday, April 23 – Zach Rogers
17 year-old Zach Rogers volunteers after school and on weekends at the Hillcrest Thrift Store in Liberty, Mo. Zach's efforts support the Homeless Transitional Housing program which helps homeless families become self-supportive and self-reliant members of our community.
Zach is always willing to go out of his way to help others and described by all that know him as a considerate and a dependable volunteer.
May 3
Thursday, May 3 – Phil Dixon
Phil Dixon lives and breathes baseball. The Belton, Mo. resident has written nine books about Negro Baseball Leagues including one about Buck O'Neil. In 1990, Phil was one of five individuals, including Buck, who co-found the Negro League Baseball Museum and still serves on its Board of Governors.
In addition to regularly speaking to community groups about baseball history, Phil has volunteered as a coach for the past 5 years with the Reviving Baseball in the Inner Cities league.
May 4
Friday, May 4 – Annie Craft
For the past eight years Annie Craft has been an art teacher at Alta Vista Charter School in Kansas City, Mo. During her time she has positively affected the lives of her students by providing countless artistic opportunities including creating murals throughout the school and leading community service projects with the Westside Community Action Network.
Annie's dedication has expanded the reach of her student's artwork and has even had her students showcase their talents at First Friday events in the Crossroads District.
May 5
Saturday, May 5 – Alvin Brooks
Kansas City Police Department Commissioner Vice-President Alvin Brooks has been involved in KC law enforcement since 1954 when he served as a police officer and detective. Since then, he has served on the President's National Drug Advisory Council, been one of the founders of Kansas City's Ad Hoc Group Against Crime, was Kansas City's Assistant City Manager and served on the city council.
Alvin is joined today by his family, and this past Thursday, celebrated his 80th birthday.
May 6
Sunday, May 6 – John Maguire
John Maguire and his wife Sheryl have been impacting Kansas City and the world through their volunteer work for the past 8 years. They opened Anna's Oven restaurant in July of 2011, located off 39th and Stateline, donating half of the restaurant's profits to education charities locally as well as in rural Kenya.
In addition to other local work, the couple created Friends of St. Anne's to help raise money for the school in Kenya to provide both classrooms and resources to the children.
May 7
Monday, May 7 – Monica Steiner
For the past five years Monica Steiner has battled stage IV metastatic breast cancer. Even through the treatments, the Olathe, Kans., resident has competed in multiple triathlons and served as an example of strength and determination.
In addition, Monica and her husband Jay, a leukemia survivor and triathlete, created IRONTEAM, which raises money through donations for cancer research done at the University of Kansas Cancer Center.
May 8
Tuesday, May 8 – Rhonda Gibson
On May 22, 2011, Rhonda Gibson was a victim of the tornado, which struck Joplin, Mo. She survived by seeking shelter in a cast iron bathtub, which protected her as the building she was in was demolished. Even though Rhonda suffered injuries, the respiratory therapist reported to Freeman Hospital, the only remaining standing hospital, to help other victims.
As the one-year anniversary of the Joplin tornado approaches, the Royals honor Rhonda and the other victims of the devastating disaster.
May 9
Wednesday, May 9 – Betty Seale
In 2004, Betty joined close friends to establish the Evelyn Gates Award, in honor of their friend who was a dedicated advocate for girls' high school sports. The Award honors the Kansas City's top female high school volleyball student-athlete each year based on spirit, sportsmanship, and skill, as well as provides a $500 stipend for the school's athletic department.
Betty, who is a Lee's Summit, Mo. resident, has not only helped to honor her friend through this award, but has also been able to recognize female athletes in the Kansas City community.
May 16
Wednesday, May 16 – Tina Dinkel
Shawnee, Kans. resident Tina Dinkel is the Executive Director of Heartland Kidney Network in Kansas City, Mo. She works with more than 14,000 patients in Kansas, Missouri, Iowa, and Nebraska helping them battle various diseases.
In addition, Tina is a founding board member of Explore Transplant which has expanded nationally to help thousands of patients discover the best way back to a healthy life.
May 17
Thursday, May 17 – Ann Nurse
After the horrific tornados last summer in Joplin, Mo., Ann Nurse knew she wanted to help. In response, Ann and her family organized a golf tournament in Lawson, Mo. and raised more than $6,500 for the Red Cross Disaster Relief efforts in Joplin.
Ann resides in Kearney, Mo. with her husband Dan and works as a teacher for Joyful Noise Preschool.
May 18
Friday, May 18 – Debbie Schulte
Debbie Schulte is a 10-year survivor of breast cancer. She attended the first Komen Kansas City Race for the Cure in 1994 and has been a dedicated volunteer ever since. Debbie served for two years as the Race for the Cure Chairperson and the past four years on the local Komen Board of Directors.
Debbie is continually inspired to take action on educating women on the importance of annual screening starting at age 40, as it truly can and does save lives, including her own.
May 19
Saturday, May 19 – Misti Lindquist
After the devastating tornado went through her hometown of Joplin, Mo., Misti Lindquist knew she needed to help her neighbors. Mistis home was untouched, so she turned her home and 5-acres of land into a make-shift donation center sorting and storing contributions from all around the world.
Now, Misti travels across the United States to help other states with relief efforts and is currently raising money to build a warehouse to store disaster relief items on her land.
May 20
Sunday, May 20 – Steve Pello
Steve Pello is a veteran dog socializer at Wayside Waifs, which is an independent humane society and animal welfare organization whose purpose is to place adoptable companion animals in responsible homes. Steve is a dedicated volunteer who helps to give the Wayside dog residents much needed attention.
Steve volunteers with a great attitude and is ready to help with anything that is asked of him. Wayside Waifs relies on many volunteers like Steve to assist more than 5,000 animals each year.
