KC loves its sports and caffeine, and now a few professional athletes have come together to combine the city’s passions. This Friday, the Pitchside Coffee trailer, owned and operated by six KC Current players, will make its debut.
“We all love coffee,” says Elizabeth Ball, KC Current defender and co-owner of Pitchside Coffee alongside Kristen Hamilton, Vanessa DiBernardo, Mallory Weber, Desiree Scott and Hailie Mace. “That’s the thing we do when we travel for away trips. We’re not going to the bars and the clubs. We got a game to play, so we’re going to get coffee.”
The idea to start a caffeine-based business came about during their many trips to Florida for preseason training. A brick and mortar seemed like too big a commitment with their busy schedules, but the convenience of a trailer was the perfect compromise.
The professional athletes get their beans from the Grandview-based roasterie Notion Coffee. They also source their chai and cold brew from Kinship Cafe. Both Notion and Kinship gave Ball and her team barista training.
When asked if the players are feeling more comfortable with their barista skills, Ball laughs.
“Kristen has really been taking the reins on it, and Hailie and Vanessa have also been pulling some shots,” says Ball. “We’re trying to see who has the best [latte] artwork, so we’re going to let the people decide that. We’re getting more confident.”
Right now, the trailer serves coffee, tea and lemonade but hopes to eventually add pastries, even ice cream sandwiches, to their menu.
Pitchside Coffee (“pitch” is another name for a soccer field, especially in Europe) plans to pop-up around the metro on a weekly basis and will be at this week’s First Friday event in the Crossroads. Time and location are yet to be determined. The best way to keep updated with the trailer’s schedule is to follow their Instagram, @pitchsidecoffee.
Operating Pitchside Coffee while also being a full-time KC Current athlete may seem like an exhausting schedule, but Ball says the group’s inherent competitive nature fuels their entrepreneurial endeavors.
“This is a cool opportunity to say hey to the people that are passionate about what we do while doing something that we’re also passionate about,” says Ball.
