Keiter started in the Montlake District of Seattle, with parents Jake and Dolly Keiter, where they lived until he was 4 years old. From there, the family moved to the Capitol Hill District, and in 1923, Les’ younger brother, George “Buddy” Keiter, was born.
From age 9, Les and Buddy spent summers at Camp Orkila on Orcas Island of the San Juan Islands. Les’ prime interest at Orkila was Softball – he played until he got blisters, and then played some more. At 9 years old, it was at Camp Orkila that Les informed his camp buddies that he intended to announce from Yankee Stadium when he was grown. About 30 years later, that dream came true. And in 1997, the baseball field at Camp Orkila was renamed “Keiter Park”.
Les attended Seward Elementary School and then Broadway High School in Seattle.
He got his college education at University of Washington, where he was a member of the Zeta Beta Tau fraternity. Les Keiter graduated in 1941. While attending U of W, Les played on the Baseball team in left field. He could be heard announcing the entire game, except when he was up at bat. Spectators came and crowds increased just to hear Les Keiter announce.
A side note: Les’s father, Jake Keiter, was quite an athlete in his youth. He was asked to try out for the Chicago White Sox.
Aloha! If you found this web site, you probably have an interest in learning more about Les Keiter, the legendary sportscaster. Les’ youngest daughter, Cindy Keiter, and I (her spouse, Lory Henning) are putting together this informational tribute to Les’ life and work of 50 Years Behind the Microphone (also the title behind Les’ book).