Royals’ Kelley keeps playing Helmet, facemask protect J-B player

Daren Kelley was the most noticeable player on the field during Tuesday night’s Eastern Maine Class D baseball final between his Jonesport-Beals Royals and Van Buren High School.

Not because he was pitching for the Royals, but because he was the one wearing the helmet with the facemask while he was pitching.

Three weeks ago, the junior pitcher-shortstop broke his nose along with bones in his forehead that will require surgery today in Bangor. He took a two-hop ground ball in the nose.

He missed a regular season game and the Downeast Athletic Conference championship game and couldn’t stand watching his mates play without him.

“I told my dad [Mike Kelley] I still wanted to play so he called the specialist in Bangor and asked him if I could. The doctor said I could as long as my face and forehead were protected,” said Daren Kelley, who isn’t in any pain. “I didn’t want to miss out on this.”

Royals coach Blaine Steeves found a protective mask at the Wal-Mart in Ellsworth and figured he could attach it to a batting helmet. There was just one flaw.

“I’m not mechanically oriented,” said Steeves.

But two members of Steeves’ high school physical education class were: softball star Chelsie Carver and her cousin, Ami Carver.

“We had a rainy day and we couldn’t go out so they helped me put it together,” said Steeves. “Then Daren tried it on.”

Kelley said, “It was pretty tough to adjust to at first but I’ve gotten used to it now. I’m still a little gun-shy [on grounders]. I play a little deeper than I used to. Pop-ups are a little tougher than they used to be. I have to try to find the ball through the mask.”

He collected three hits in the Royals’ first two playoff games and pitched two scoreless innings.

Steeves said in addition to his production on the field, “Daren has given our team a spark emotionally. The fact he is even playing says quite a bit about him.”