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Benson, Gordon & Stephenson Join NBC Hall of Fame Ranks

Posted on by katiewoods

National Baseball Congress Announces 2025 Hall of Fame Class
David Benson, Alex Gordon, and Phil Stephenson Join the Prestigious Ranks

Wichita, Kansas – November 18, 2024 – The National Baseball Congress (NBC) is proud to announce the inductees for the 2025 class of the NBC Hall of Fame. This year’s honorees include legendary players, coaches, and contributors who have impacted the NBC World Series and the game of baseball. David Benson, Alex Gordon, and Phil Stephenson were inducted into the NBC Hall of Fame in a ceremony on January 30, 2025, at the B-29 Doc Hangar & Education Center in Wichita, Kansas.

2025 NBC Hall of Fame inductees:

David Benson – One of the most dominant pitchers in NBC World Series history, Benson made 20 appearances for the Seattle Studs in Wichita from 2008 to 2019. With a remarkable 10-3 record and a 2.85 ERA, he holds several NBC records, including most decisions, most starts, and most innings pitched in the modern wood bat era. A three-time NBC World Series Champion and four-time runner-up, as well as a two-time NBCWS All-American, Benson’s contributions to the tournament have cemented his legacy as one of the most durable and dependable pitchers to take the mound.

Alex Gordon – A standout player in the NBC World Series in 2002 for the Beatrice Bruins, Gordon went on to achieve greatness at the collegiate and professional levels. A decorated collegiate player, Gordon won the prestigious Dick Howser Trophy, Golden Spikes Award, and Brooks Wallace Award before being drafted by the Kansas City Royals. Over his MLB career, he won eight Gold Glove Awards, was a key player in the Royals’ 2015 World Series Championship, and was named to three MLB All-Star teams. Gordon was honored as the NBC Graduate of the Year in 2013 and continues to be a role model for young players aspiring to reach the major leagues.

Phil Stephenson – A multi-faceted contributor to the National Baseball Congress, Stephenson has worn many hats throughout his time with NBC, including player, coach, general manager, and commissioner. He played 2 years for the Alaska Goldpanners winning an NBC Championship in 1980 and with the Wichita Alumni team in 1995 with that team playing in front of the largest single-game crowd in NBC history. He then transitioned to coaching and leadership roles. As the manager of the Dodge City A’s and later Fairbanks, Stephenson led teams to multiple playoff appearances and helped shape the next generation of NBC talent. He also served as the commissioner of the Jayhawk League and currently manages the Kansas Cannons. In addition to the NBC, Stephenson is well known in baseball for his time at Wichita State, where he hit safely in 47 straight games in 1981 and went on to be drafted in the 3rd round in 1982 by the Oakland Athletics. After his WSU playing career, he held 13 NCAA offensive records and was named one of the 3 best players in the 20th Century by Collegiate Baseball. He played in four MLB seasons from 1989-1992 with the Chicago Cubs and San Diego Padres. His deep commitment to the NBC World Series and the development of amateur baseball makes him a fitting inductee into the Hall of Fame.

The 2025 NBC Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony was a special evening that had an appearance by Hall of Fame shortstop Ozzie Smith – former star of the Clarinda A’s and the St. Louis Cardinals and a 1992 National Baseball Congress Hall of Fame inductee. Smith shared his insights and stories from his legendary career, which gave attendees a unique opportunity to hear from one of the game’s most iconic figures.

CJ Blowers: Leaving It All On The Field

Posted on by katiewoods

When 27-year-old CJ Blowers took the mound for the Seattle Blackfins at the National Baseball Congress World Series in Wichita, Kansas on Saturday, July 27, no one thought he’d go 10 2/3 innings and throw 161 pitches. No one, except maybe for CJ.

Going against the Santa Barbara Foresters, a team who had won six of the previous 10 NBC World Series tournaments, and whose roster boasted a heavy lineup of DI players, was exactly the kind of opportunity that CJ was in Wichita for.

At 27, CJ was trying to jump start a career that he almost gave up on – that he did give up on for three and a half years – and what better way to do it than to leave it all out on the field against one of the best summer collegiate programs in the country.

Wichita wasn’t his first opportunity to play baseball and be noticed. A high school prospect and the son of Major Leaguer Mike Blowers, who spent 11 years in the big leagues from ‘89-’99, CJ has the pedigree to make his own name in baseball. Scouts were giving him looks in high school, and he spent two years at Edmonds Community College and one season at Cal State San Bernardino, but never felt like he found his people, himself, or his place in the game. So, after his junior year in college he hung up his cleats, called his parents and headed home.

At home, he stopped thinking about baseball and got a job at a pizza joint. That wasn’t his passion. He found a different job building houses, then working at a desk doing truss design, but that wasn’t it either. Even as he worked a 9-to-5, he felt himself called to the game again. First it was umpiring on the side, then giving pitching lessons, and then one day one of his students brought their older brother along to a lesson to watch, and the next thing he knew, CJ was being offered a chance to pitch in the Pacific International League, a league made up mostly of summer collegiate players in Washington state.

“I had barely picked up a baseball in the last three and a half years, so I didn’t think they’d actually want me. But then I just thought. I owe it to myself, family, & community to give myself a chance.”

This summer, Seattle Blackfins manager Dave Snell recruited Blowers to be a part of the Blackfins team travelling to compete in the NBC World Series in Wichita.

“He (Snell) told me prior to the NBC there would be people I want to be pitching in front of, so I went. And he was right.”

Back on the mound against the Foresters, the Foresters got on the board first, with a run in the first and a run in the second, but CJ battled his way through the Foresters lineup and held them scoreless through the 9th. His teammates did their part, playing solid defense and scoring a run in the top of the 7th and the top of the 9th to push the game in to extra innings.

As the 9th ended with the game tied 2-2, Blowers, the game’s starter, was still on the mound.

“I wasn’t ready to give it up, I knew I could still compete.” When the Blackfins head coach started walking his direction in the dugout, Blowers turned and walked to the bullpen effectively saying, “you are not taking the ball out of my hand.” When he looked back, no one was following him, so he went back out for the bottom of the 10th. After a scoreless 10th, he once again headed back out for the 11th. After 161 pitches – 103 of them strikes – and 10 2/3 innings, the game ended with the Blackfins on the losing end, 3-2.

“I knew I grinded it out, and pitched well, but I felt I didn’t do enough,” said Blowers. But fans in the stands, and the opposing manager, disagreed.

Bill Pintard, NBC Hall of Famer and manager of the Foresters approached Blowers after the game to tell him how impressive his outing had been. When he asked C.J. what he was looking for, CJ’s answer was simple – a shot. So, Bill made a call.

On August 6th, 10 days after his monstrous outing on the field at Eck Stadium in Wichita, CJ signed a contract with the Ottawa Titans in the Frontier League, and by August 8th he was in Canada, ready to take the mound.

“I’m not sure if guys appreciate the opportunity that the NBC World Series is,” said CJ, “I knew there would be eyes on me, but I didn’t realize how many, or that the people who could help me take the next step in my career would be there in the stands.”

Now, CJ is ready to keep making the most out of every opportunity that comes his way.

“I know the odds are against me, but I don’t care. No matter what happens I want to know I gave my dream everything I had. And to show others you can fall into a trap, make a mistake (even a couple), and work your way back to happiness, opportunity, & success. My story is meant to show others you can defy the odds if you work hard enough, and make friends along the way. Everyone has a purpose in life, but that gift isn’t just given to you. You have to search for it like your life depends on it. Because it does.”

The NBC Baseball Foundation is proud to announce CJ Blowers as the 2024 recipient of the Eric Pintard Most Inspirational Player Award. To support the NBC Baseball Foundation, and baseball dreams like CJ’s, visit nbcbaseball.com/donate.

CJ won the Triple Crown in the Pacific International League prior to competing in the NBC World Series with the Seattle Blackfins, with his home team the Northwest Honkers going 7-0 with a 0.77 ERA, 82 strikeouts and 21 walks over 58.2 innings.

In the regular season with the Ottawa Titans, CJ was 0-1 with a 0.87 ERA and has walked 11 and struck out 16 over 31 innings.

Pitching line vs. Santa Barbara: 10.2 IP, 13 H, 3 ER, 4 BB, 10 SO

2024 NBC All-American Team Announced

Posted on by katiewoods

WICHITA, Kan. – The 2024 National Baseball Congress All-Americans all played key roles in advancing their respective teams through the 90th NBC World Series, powered by Evergy. The Hays Larks claimed their first National Championship in franchise history in 2024, and Hays manager Frank Leo was named NBC Manager of the Year.

Pitcher Team Stats
Cooper Garrison Derby Twins (KS) 0.87 ERA, 1-0 Record, 10 1/3 Innings, 9 Ks, 1 BB
Jaden Bahl Lonestar Baseball Club (TX) 1.42 ERA, 2-0 Record, 12 2/3 Innings, 12 Ks, 7 BB
Nolan Wilson Hays Larks (KS) 2.45 ERA, 1-0 Record, 11 Innings, 17 Ks, 6 BB
Garrett Hicks Hays Larks (KS) 0.00 ERA, 4 App, 4 Saves, 6 2/3 Innings, 9 Ks, 1 BB
Davis Luikart Lonestar Baseball Club (TX) 0.00 ERA, 4 App, 1 Save, 6 1/3 Innings, 4 Ks, 0 BB

 

Catcher Team Stats
Kory Schmidt Lonestar Baseball Club (TX) .533 AVG, 8 Hits, 4 2B, 1 HR, 6RBO, 1.000 SLG%

 

Infielder Team Stats
1B – Garrett Gruell Hays Larks (KS) .385 AVG, 10 Hits, 2B, HR, 6 R, 10 RBI, .538 SLG%
2B – Will Carpenter Hays Larks (KS) .444 AVG, 8 Hits, 5 2B, 7 R, 6 RBI, .722 SLG%
SS – Camden Johnson Hutchinson Monarchs (KS) .414 AVG, 12 Hits, 2B, 3B, 7 R, 9 RBI, 5 SB
3B – Jarrett Flaggert Hutchinson Monarchs (KS) .308 AVG, 8 Hits, 4 R, 2 RBI

 

Outfielder Team Stats
Isaiah Afework Seattle Studs (WA) .600 AVG, 9 Hits, 3 2B, 3B, HR, 6 R, 8 RBI, 1.133 SLG%
Jaden Gustafson Hutchinson Monarchs (KS) 423 AVG, 11 Hits, 4 2B, 2 3B, 7 R, 8 RBI, SB
Andre Jackson Lonestar Baseball Club (TX) .520 AVG, 13 Hits, 2B, 7 R, 2 RBI, 5 SB

 

Utility Team Stats
Sage Sanders (1B/3B) Lonestar Baseball Club (TX) .333 AVG, 5 Hits, 2B, 3B, HR, 2 R, 6 RBI, SB

 

Designated Hitter Team Stats
Chase Diggins Kansas Cannons (KS) .600 AVG, 9 Hits, 7 2B, 10 R, 6 RBI, 1.067 SLG%, SB

 

Manager of the Year Team
Frank Leo Hays Larks (KS)

Celebrating Satchel Paige

Posted on by katiewoods

The National Baseball Congress World Series is celebrating its 90th tournament in 2024, but without one of the most prolific pitchers in baseball’s history, the tournament may not have survived past the first National Baseball Congress Semi-Pro Invitational in 1935. Leroy ‘Satchel’ Paige drew crowds and interest from baseball scouts across the country to downtown Wichita in that first tournament, etching the moment in history for Wichita, baseball and the eventual integration of the game. Looking back on his legacy: “I think he had a profound effect on baseball, particularly the integration,” said Michael O’Neal, Satchel Paige’s grandson.

Negro League legend Paige, who by the early 1930s had already established a reputation as one of the greatest pitchers in the league, was introduced to Niel Churchill, owner of the Bismark Chirchills from North Dakota, joining the team in 1933 and headlining the integrated team in 1935.

Raymond ‘Hap’ Dumont knew how to draw a crowd, so he invited Paige and his Bismarck Churchills to the inaugural National Baseball Congress National Tournament, offering the team a $1,000 paycheck.

A few years earlier, the Winnipeg Tribune called Paige ‘the greatest attraction of independent baseball.’ Dumont’s invitation was not only a way to fill the stands at the newly built Lawrence Stadium in downtown Wichita, but by hosting an integrated team – one and Paige would throw 8 out of 10 pitches directly

of five teams to feature African-American players in the tournament – nearly 12 years before the color barrier was broken in Major League Baseball would be an iconic moment in baseball history. Paige was also fun to watch for both his talent and his personality. Larry Tye, author of Satchel: The Life And Times Of An American Legend,’ told NPR in June 2024 that “Paige would get to the ballpark early and set up with a small object – a matchbook, a gum wrapper, a postage stamp – on home plate,
over it. Fans loved him, and opponents feared him.”

The Churchills went undefeated in the tournament, and Paige threw 60 strikeouts and won four of the team’s seven games. Some baseball historians credit Paige and the Churchills’ 1935 national championship as a key part of the eventual integration of baseball, as it was the first time an integrated team won a national tournament. At the time, the tournament drew attention from major league scouts and general managers, including Branch Rickey, the eventual Brooklyn Dodgers president who would go on to sign Jackie Robinson a decade later.

Not only was Paige’s appearance in Wichita pivotal for baseball, but it was also important for the future of the NBC World Series. The 1935 tournament drew more than 100,000 fans over 16 days, with crowds almost double in size on the days Paige took the mound, according to Tom Dunkel, author of “Color Blind: The Forgotten Team that Broke Baseball’s Color Line.”

Now, 90 years later, the tournament owes a lot of its success and notoriety to Paige and the Churchills.
“This is a league where some of the greatest ball- players went down and played a special tournament and brought the crowds down and it was about more than just baseball, it was about camaraderie and breaking the color barrier,” O’Neal said.

Paige eventually called Kansas City home and continued to visit Wichita. He played in the NBC World Series three more times over his career, the last appearance being in 1960, when Paige was 54 years old.

To his grandson, Paige was not larger than life; he was just a great grandfather to O’Neal, who spent a lot of time with his grandparents.

“He was a rather unassuming guy,” O’Neal said. “Even though he was a famous man, he never walked around with an arrogance or a conceded way about him; he was very approachable.”

O’Neal was eight years old when his grandfather passed away. He remembers baseball legends visiting when he was growing up—Buck O’Neil and Ewing Kauffman—but he wasn’t necessarily told stories of his grandfather’s stardom.

“I kind of knew, but I would think, ‘Why is my grandfather signing baseballs?’” said O’Neal.
O’Neal remembers the moment he realized just how prolific his grandfather was.

“During the World Series, they just so happened to show a picture of Hank Aaron on television, and I forgot who was calling the game, but they said, ‘You know who I would love to have here at the World Series? Satchel Paige,’ and my ears perked up, and I was like, ‘Grandpa, what?’ and he gave me a sly smile”.

Paige would go on to become one of the greatest pitchers in baseball. Hall-of-Famer and New York Yankees great Joe DiMaggio once called him “the best and fastest pitcher I’ve ever faced.” Paige debuted for the Cleveland Indians on his 42nd birthday, July 7, 1948, making him the oldest rookie in MLB history. He went on to help Cleveland win the World Series that year with a 2.48 ERA and played four more years in the majors. Paige was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1971.

“There’s so much that I remember him saying, but most importantly, never give up,” O’Neal said. “Just never give up, never accept being second best.”

90 Years of “The National“

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The National Baseball Congress World Series started with an idea from local businessman Raymond ‘Hap’ Dumont, who envisioned a national baseball tournament in the heart of the country. Dumont owned a sporting goods store in Wichita, and his marketing brilliance, ambition, and willingness to take risks contributed to his success in many ways.

In the 1930s the City of Wichita decided to demolish Ackerman Island, the site of the city’s current ballpark in the middle of the Arkansas River, as a way to widen the river. Dumont stepped in and helped convince city officials to build a new ballpark downtown – Lawrence Stadium, later renamed Lawrence Dumont Stadium in honor of Dumont – where he would host his national baseball tournament. A year later, in 1935, the tournament kicked off with one of the greatest pitchers in baseball, Satchel Paige, headlining the tournament with the Bismarck Churchills.

 

A Wichita Tradition is Born

 

From there, the tournament gained national attention from former U.S. presidents, national media outlets, MLB scouts and major names in baseball. The National Baseball Congress sold official baseballs and rule books, the programs featured recaps of every game and unique artwork on every cover. Teams from across the country – and in some years from across the world – came to Wichita late in the summer to play for the national title. Many teams were sponsored by companies, including major national companies like the Boeing Company and Northrop Grumman.

Dumont was not afraid to try new things with the tournament, always keeping it interesting and fresh for both players and fans. At a time when women were scarcely involved in baseball, Dumont hired the NBC’s first female umpire, Lorraine Heinisch, for the Tournament in 1943. Dumont created a pneumatic plate duster, a microphone that arose from home plate, and even proposed a reverse base running rule.

It was Dumont who tried out “glow ball,” hosting a blackout game using a brightly painted balls and equipment. While the idea wasn’t successful, it was one way Dumont tried to make the tournament accessible to shift workers in Wichita, by hosting games late at night and early in the morning. In the early 1940’s, Dumont scheduled games during the tournament that started at 5:00 am and during the seventh inning stretch Dumont would stop the game to serve breakfast to the fans. In 1943, Dumont started ‘Round the clock baseball, scheduling 18 back-to-back games in 40 hours, the predecessor of eventual tournament director Steve Shaad’s ‘Baseball ‘Round the Clock.’ The tradition started in 1990 with 17 consecutive games played in 56 hours. The tradition made national headlines and continued for decades until 2016, but after an eight-year hiatus, Baseball ‘Round the Clock returned in 2024 for the 90th tournament.

Through nine decades of the NBC, hundreds of MLB players played in Wichita, including Ozzie Smith, Joe Carter, Dave Winfield, Barry Bonds, Mark McGuire, Roger Clemens, Albert Pujols and many more. Current MLB players like Josh Jung, Ryan Helsley and Tim Anderson continue the great NBC World Series talent tradition.

 

Keeping Hap’s Legacy Alive

 

The NBC World Series has always been about pushing the envelope, drawing in crowds with cutting edge ideas and top baseball talent. Thanks to dedicated volunteers, staff, teams, players, communities, partners and fans, the National Baseball Congress looks ahead to the next 90 years, and the future of a baseball tradition.

2024 2nd Scorer’s Essay

Posted on by katiewoods

Aug. 8-10, 2024

Errorless Games in the Modern Wood Era

The first scorer’s essay didn’t make a reference to errorless games in the 90th Annual NBC World Series. So, in
rectifying this omission (there were three clean fielding games), this writer decided to survey the errorless contests in the
MWE:

2024 2nd Scorer’s Essay NBCWS

There have been three tournaments where five errorless games were recorded (2001, 2010, 2013), and three
times where a club was charged with nine errors in a game (2002, 2004, 2012). There were eight times where a game
saw 10 or more errors; the last one occurred in 2016. The 2022 series is the only one that did not have any error-less
games.

The club that has the most runs rules

This writer quipped (with a straight face) that the run rules are: “10 after five, 8 after seven, 1 after nine (he also
said “any amount after nine”)”, which got him some well-deserved razzing.

Run-rule development (from the 2022 scorer’s essay)

The first run rule was a 12-run lead after seven innings, invoked in a 13-0 Poplar Bluff (Mo.) win over New York
on 8/14/1935. There was also a 16-run lead after five innings, but the closest to that rule being called in was a 20-6
Gadsden (Ala.) win over Oceanside (Calif.) on 8/19 that ended by mutual agreement after six innings (perhaps an earliest
reference to a “mercy rule”).
A couple of games in the 1936 competition were also called by mutual agreement, including a 20-3 Indianapolis
rout of New Orleans 8/17 called after five innings.

  • 1937: Run rule 8 after seven innings.
  • 1951: Run rule 12 after five innings, 8 after seven.
  • 1960: Run rule 10 after five, 6 after seven.
  • 2002: Six-run rule dropped.
  • 2010: Eight-run lead after seven innings added (out of 157 games that would have been called on the old
    6-run rule, only once did the defeated team came back to win).

This writer is not sure that reinstating the 6-run lead after seven innings would help move the games along (only
three games would have impacted by that rule), and even more doubtful that there would be any buy-in.

Games in the 2024 NBCWS that would have been affected by the 6-run lead rule:
Derby 8, Boulder 3, 7/28: Would have ended after 8 complete
Santa Barbara 12, Haysville 6, 7/29: Would have ended in the SBF 8th
GPS 9, Blackfins 3, 7/29: would have ended after 7½

Wrestling with game times

Game times in the NBCWS has been a complicated puzzle with many moving parts.

In the six years this writer has data prior to the start of the MWE, average game times ranged between 2:02
(1998) to 2:14 (1997). The first four years of the MWE stayed close to those averages, but the 2005 edition saw a 5-
minute jump to 2:19. It receded from the 2006 high of 2:20 to 2:10 in 2014, but 2015 saw an 8-minute jump to 2:18.

The average time increased to a high of 2:34 in 2020, but then dipped to 2:22 in 2023. The 2024 tournament reached the
all-time high of 2:36, a 14-minute jump in average.
The number of quick games (defined as 1:30 or below) stayed equal to or above the number of long games
(defined as 2:45 and above) from 1994 until 2004. The number of super-quick contests (1:15 and below) were at least 7
(except for 3 in 1997) from 1994-1999 and a high of 4 from 2000-2002. With the exception of 3 in 2016, such games have
fluctuated between 0 (four times) and 2 (seven times) from 2003 on.

The 12 2:45-+ games is the most in the MWE; the previous high of 11 occurred in 2000 and 2009.

2024 2nd Scorer’s Essay NBCWS

The other significant piece of the puzzle relates to matters connected to the 20/90 action clock. While this writer
believes there could be some time savings with consistent operation of the clock, he doesn’t believe that a lot of minutes
could be saved in the area.

With the action clock a part of the NCAA rulebook, the NBC regulations could be aligned more with the NCAA
ones, particularly when the clock expires (e.g., no more buzzer going off (or air horn) at appropriate/inappropriate times).
The mechanic of the plate umpire tapping his left wrist to denote a violation is good, although making that signal more
obvious to the press box would be useful.

An area where the two regulations could be harmonized:
NBC: The 90 second clock starts when the last defensive players crosses his respective foul line closest to
dugout. The 90 second clock stops when the pitcher begins his wind-up to the first batter of the inning.

NCAA: The [120]-second clock shall start when all defensive players have started to leave their positions after the
last out has been made and stops when the umpire calls “Play” for the first pitch of the first batter of the next half-inning.

Perhaps another area of harmonization could be:
(4) The clock stops when the pitcher begins his motion to come set from the stretch position, or begins his motion
home in the wind-up.
(

5) A ball results when the pitcher does not deliver the ball within the 20 or 90 seconds when he is responsible for
the delay.

And lastly, posting a laminated copy in the PA room for easy reference…

$11,000 Donated for 2024 NBCWS Team Travel Fund

Posted on by katiewoods

Thanks to a generous donation to the NBC Baseball Foundation, $11,000 will be divided between the 11 teams traveling more than 100 miles for the 2024 NBC World Series to help offset travel expenses to Wichita.

The donor, a long-time fan and supporter of the NBC World Series who wished to stay anonymous, said “I love that the National Baseball Congress continues to celebrate grassroots and community baseball across the country. Seeing the joy that the players have participating in the game they love is infectious, and I am excited to be a part of enhancing their experience in Wichita. I know the work of the NBC Baseball Foundation goes far beyond just the 10 days of the World Series, so supporting the NBC has the potential to impact many young ballplayers and results in continuing the advancement of the NBC’s mission to be the future of a baseball tradition.”

The NBC World Series pays out $69,000 in prize money, divided amongst the top eight teams, but for teams traveling from various parts of the country the expenses for hotel, flights, ground transportation and meals for a 30-player roster can add up for teams, which are typically independently run and often operated almost fully by volunteers.

“We are so grateful for the impact that this donation will make for our teams that travel as far as 1800 miles to play in the NBC World Series,” said NBC tournament director Katie Woods. “It makes it easier for them to enjoy their time in Wichita and focus on baseball when there is less financial burden. This donation will cover a night’s worth of hotel for a team, vehicle rental, fuel, or multiple meals over their 6-10 day stay in Wichita.”

If you would like to donate to the NBC Baseball Foundation 501(c)3 in support of the NBC World Series and NBC affiliated teams, visit nbcbaseball.com/donate.

You can also mail a check made out to the NBC Baseball Foundation to:
National Baseball Congress
300 N Mead Street Ste 109
Wichita KS 67202

For more information about the NBC Baseball Foundation, or with any questions about opportunities for impact, contact Katie Woods at katie@nbcbaseball.com.

All donations to the NBC Baseball Foundation (EIN 46-3773723) are tax deductible

Posted in NBC

Know Before You Go

Posted on by katiewoods

 

The 90th NBC World Series, powered by Evergy, runs July 25th-August 3rd at Wichita at Eck Stadium

Promotions

There are promotions almost daily at the NBC World Series, including Military Appreciation Night, Baseball ‘Round the Clock, Fireworks on Championship Night and more!

View List of All Promotions


Tickets

Tickets are $12 for upper general admission or $15 for lower general admission.

Your ticket is good for the full day’s slate of games!

Get Your Tickets


Gate & Game Times

Thursday, July 25th | Opening Night/ Satchel Paige Night
Gates open at 5:00 pm, with games at 6:00 pm and 8:30 pm.

Friday, July 26th | ICT Night
Gates open at 11:00 a.m., and games will be held at 12:00 p.m., 3:00 p.m., 6:00 p.m., and 8:30 p.m.

Saturday, July 27th, | Baseball ‘Round The Clock
Gates open at 11:00 am, with games at 12:00 pm, 3:00 pm, 6:00 pm, 9:00 pm, 12:00 am, 3:00 am, 6:00 am, 9:00 am, 12:00 pm, 3:00 pm, 6:00 pm, 9:00 pm.

Monday, July 30th through Thursday, August 1st
Gates open at 11:00 am, with games at 12:00pm, 3:00pm, 6:00pm, and 8:30pm

Friday, August 2nd | Semi-Finals
Gates open at 5:00 with games at 6:00 and 8:30 pm

Sunday, August 3rd | Championship Night
Gates open at 5:30 with the first pitch at 7:00 pm and fireworks following the game!

View Tournament Schedule


Parking

Parking is free at Eck Stadium. Due to campus construction, the entrance closest to the field will be closed. Please enter through the Yale Dr. entrance, which is by Devlin Hall and the Corbin Education Center. Please refer to the map below.


Payment

We accept cash and cards for all ticket, concession, and merchandise purchases.


Bag Policy

The tournament will be following WSU’s Clear Bag Policy. Please refer to the graphic at the top of this page or you can visit their website for more details.

WSU’s Clear Bag Policy

 

Promotions

There are promotions almost daily at the NBC World Series, including Military Appreciation Night, Baseball ‘Round the Clock, Fireworks on Championship Night and more!

View List of All Promotions


Coleman Hill

Fans at Coleman Hill can enter through the outfield gate and can bring sealed outside food, non-alcoholic beverages and gas grills to Thursday – Sunday games only. Outside food must stay on Coleman Hill and is not allowed inside the stadium.

Games on Monday through Wednesday do not allow outside food or beverages, but you are more than welcome to sit there!


Stream Games Live

Don’t miss a pitch! Catch every game live on Youtube.com.

Watch Here

National Baseball Congress Announces 2024 Hall of Fame Inductees

Posted on by katiewoods

Blue, Konopka, Cunningham and Hooper are the newest members

The National Baseball Congress announced the 2024 NBC Hall of Fame class, adding three new members to the prestigious group representing those with a lasting impact or contribution to the National Baseball Congress. The new inductees will be recognized on August 3rd at Eck Stadium in Wichita, Kansas during the 90th NBC World Series, powered by Evergy.

The 2024 National Baseball Congress Hall of Fame inductees are:

Kevin Hooper

Kevin Hooper played his high school baseball in Lawrence, KS before coming to Wichita State University in 1996. During his time at WSU, Hooper was a two time All-American and won a Golden Glove award in all four of his seasons. His first appearance in the NBC World Series came in 1996 when he played for the Liberal Bee Jays, where he hit .429. During the summer of 1998, Hooper played for the NBC World Series Champions El Dorado Broncos. Hooper was named to the 1998 NBC World Series All-American team as a second basemen. Hooper went on to play professional baseball and made his MLB debut in 2005 with the Detroit Tigers. After a brief stint in the Majors, Hooper came back to Wichita to play for the Wichita Wingnuts. After one season as a player, Hooper was named the manager and led the Wingnuts to a 422-270 record over seven seasons. Today, Hooper is back in professional baseball, currently serving as the Director of Player Development for the Atlanta Braves.

Mike Blue

Mike Blue was active in the NBC World Series from 1959 to 1968. Before his NBC days, Blue was a star pitcher and football player at West High School and then went on to play baseball at Wichita State University. As a player in the NBC World Series, he played for the Boeing Bojets, Wichita Rapid Transit Dreamliners and Cessna Bobcats. Blue played seven years of affiliated baseball for the San Francisco Giants and the Washington Senators. After his playing days, Blue helped coach the El Dorado Coors. Blue was a prominent figure in the public school system, teaching and coaching for 32 years at East and West high school. He retired from education in 2001 and passed away in late 2017. Blue is also a member of the Kansas Baseball Hall of Fame and West High School Hall of Fame.

Myra Cunningham

Myra Cunningham came to Wichita in 1921 from Salina, KS where she graduated from the Salina Business College. Starting in 1934, the year before the first National Baseball Congress Invitational Tournament, she became the Secretary to Hap Dumont, the founder of the NBC World Series. Cunningham was the Secretary for 25 years until her sudden death in 1959. Myra Cunningham will be remembered as being instrumental in the start-up, success, and continuation of the NBC World Series.

Bruce “Bruno” Konopka

Bruce Konopka was a Major League Baseball player and War Veteran before ever stepping foot in Wichita, KS. After playing baseball at the University of Southern California, Konopka made the Major Leagues in 1942 with the Philadelphia Athletics. Konopka made appearances in the 1942 and 43 seasons, but Konopka was called to serve for the United States during WWII. Due to his service, Konopka missed the 1944 and 45 seasons. In 1946, Konopka returned to Athletics and played in 38 games. In 1947, Konopka came to Wichita, representing the Golden Colorado Coors in the NBC World Series. Konopka’s experience in the big leagues showed as he won the MVP of the tournament and helped his team finish second.

The 2024 NBC Hall of Fame induction ceremony will take place before the Championship game of the 90th NBC World Series, powered by Evergy, on August 3rd at Eck Stadium in Wichita. Tickets to the game start at $12, or $7 for groups of 10+ Click here for Championship Night Tickets. You can also purchase tickets to a special reception for the Hall of Famers in the All-American Club for just $45 including dinner. Click here for Hall of Fame Reception Tickets

2024 Hall Of Fame Induction Video Here

About the NBC Baseball Foundation: The National Baseball Congress World Series has been a cornerstone of summer collegiate and independent baseball for over 89 years, providing a platform for players to showcase their talents and fostering a sense of community among baseball enthusiasts. The NBC Baseball Foundation strives to connect communities through baseball, and foster a love for the game while celebrating the history. The NBC World Series, powered by Evergy, will be held July 25-August 3 at Eck Stadium in Wichita. For more information about the National Baseball Congress, please contact: Katie Woods, Tournament Director at katie@nbcbaseball.com or 316-265-6236 or visit nbcbaseball.com.

2024 Terry Brewster Award Recipients Announced with NBC World Series

Posted on by katiewoods

Community Volunteer All-Star Recognizes Wichita-Area Volunteers

The National Baseball Congress announced the 15 community members or groups who will be recognized as Terry Brewster Community Volunteer All-Stars at the 2024 NBC World Series, powered by Evergy.

The Terry Brewster Community Volunteer Award is given annually in honor of long time NBC supporter and former board member Terry Brewster. Volunteers are nominated by members of the community, and then winners are selected by a committee. More than 40 nominations were submitted in 2024 for local volunteers.

The 2024 honorees receive four tickets to an NBCWS game where they will be recognized during the feature game, and have their story shared. The community is invited to attend the games and help celebrate these dedicated residents who volunteer their time, talent, and resources for the benefit of others.

 

2024 Terry Brewster Community Volunteer Award Honorees

NBCWS Game Honoree Company Volunteer Organization (s)
Thursday, July 25 Sheila Officer Retired Racial Profiling Advisory Board of Wichita
Friday, July 26 Andy McFayden WSU Tech Goodwill, Salvation Army, Dress for Success, TKAAM, etc.
Friday, July 26 Judy & Cleo Albrecht Sedgwick County Zoo Sedgwick County Zoo
Saturday, July 27 Kristi Eden Eden Auto Sales Salvation Army
Saturday, July 27 Merlyn Tenclay Community Volunteer Salvation Army
Sunday, July 28 Ken & Rachel Ediger Community Volunteers Family Promise of Greater Wichita
Monday, July 29 Officer Brent Johnson Wichita Police Department WPD Volunteer coordinator for Bonding Through Board Games, overall service
Tuesday, July 30 Heide Bryan Evergy Wichita Area Builder’s Association, Professional Women in Building-Builder’s Care Fund, Junior Achievement, and other community service
Tuesday, July 30 Claire Meredith Community Volunteer Kansas Food Bank
Wednesday, July 31 Wichita Collegiate Schools Wichita Collegiate Schools Rainbows United
Wednesday, July 31 Tom Borrego Butler Community College Human Kind, Empower, Rotary, Hispanic Leadership, Catholic Schools of Wichita
Thursday, August 1 Mel Gregory League 42 League 42 photographer
Thursday, August 1 Erik Schiminger Textron Human Kind, League 42 coach, Big Brothers Big Sisters
Friday, August 2 Lowell (Tom) Gillespie   American Red Cross
Friday, August 2 Ken Holopirek ICT Food Rescue Volunteer ICT Food Rescue
Saturday, August 3 Joshua Whiteside Community Volunteer  
Saturday, August 3 LeRoy Kreutzer Jr Farm Bureau Financial Services Wichita Adaptive Sports

 

The 90th NBC World Series kicks off at Eck Stadium in Wichita July 25th – August 3rd. The largest summer collegiate national championship in the country, the NBC World Series is one of the longest running sporting events in the United States. More than 900 NBC alumni have gone on to play in Major League Baseball. Tickets to the 2024 NBCWS start at only $12 and are available at nbcbaseball.com.

About the NBC Baseball Foundation: The National Baseball Congress World Series has been a cornerstone of summer collegiate and independent baseball for over 89 years, providing a platform for players to showcase their talents and fostering a sense of community among baseball enthusiasts. The NBC Baseball Foundation 501c3 strives to connect communities through baseball, and foster a love for the game while celebrating the history. The NBC World Series, powered by Evergy, will be held July 25-August 3 at Eck Stadium in Wichita. For more information about the National Baseball Congress, please contact: Katie Woods, Tournament Director at katie@nbcbaseball.com or 316-265-6236 or visit nbcbaseball.com.

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