NBC Baseball Foundation Internship & Practicum Information

NBC Baseball Foundation Internships & Practicum Opportunities

The NBC Baseball Foundation (National Baseball Congress World Series) is looking for spring and summer interns to assist in the operations of the NBC Baseball Foundation, as well as the 90th Anniversary NBC World Series (July 25-August 3, 2024) in Wichita, Kansas.

The internship & practicum program may include nights and weekends. These internships are paid a $500/month stipend, with the opportunity for commission on sales, and they will be able to network with individuals, organizations, and businesses in the community.

Spring Session: February through May

Summer Session: May through Mid-August

 

Sales & Sponsorship Internship

  • Actively make sales calls for groups & fundraisers for the NBC World Series (commission paid on sales made)
  • Learn to create partnership proposals
  • Assist with sponsorship execution and fulfillment
  • Assist with ticketing operations, including ticket printing and distribution
  • Work with local business and community partners on trade partnerships
  • Create and execute sales-focused theme nights

 

Baseball Operations & Communications Internship

  • Communicate with teams, leagues & players about the NBC World Series
  • Work with official scorer to update website, record book, and create content & features about teams & players
  • Update summer collegiate database and research best practices in amateur baseball
  • Make sure NBC continues to innovate and integrate technology in to the tournament
  • Baseball knowledge required

 

Marketing & Promotions Internship        

  • Assist in creating a marketing plan for upcoming events
  • Create social media and marketing content, including Instagram, Facebook & Twitter
  • Email marketing
  • Website updating and content creation
  • Work with local media partners and marketing partners to promote events
  • Create a fun fan experience for events, including elements such as between innings promotions, stadium entertainment, promotional events etc.
  • On event day, execute in-game promotions and assist with giveaways, promotions and entertainment as needed

 

Content/Video Production Internship

  • Organize shoots and coordinate logistics with coaches and front office
  • Quickly edit content for social media distribution
  • Research and create videos for all NBCWS/WSC social media profiles and YouTube channel
  • Oversee/coordinate NBC World Series livestream
  • Shoot videos at events as needed
  • Help maintain the department’s video and replay database
  • Take ownership and lead design and creative projects as assigned
  • Contribute creativity to planning and executing in-game promotions
  • All other duties as assigned

 

Operations Internship

  • Assist in planning and organization of events, including organizing and executing event timelines, and assisting with all aspects of event operations
  • Assist in set up and tear down of all events
  • Areas of involvement may include (but not limited to): ticketing system, venue operations, equipment and gear, volunteer organization, merchandise, hospitality etc.
  • Opportunity to work across departments and learn overall operations of sporting events
  • Must be detail oriented and organized
  • Must be able to lift 50 pounds

All interns will work with other internal departments on various special projects throughout the season, and perform other duties as assigned.

For additional information about the internship program, please submit your resume to katie@nbcbaseball.com or call 316-265-6236 with questions.

Posted in NBC

2023 NBC Official Scorer’s Report

 

Pool play tweak
The 89th National Baseball Congress World Series (NBCWS) continued the pool play format with one tweak: the
top three teams qualified for the knockout rounds, which was done in the 2019 tournament.

Improved offense
Offensive stats in the 89th NBCWS showed a modest improvement, as the tournament batting average was .265,
up 10 points from last year. Runs per game gained a run from last year (11.74 compared to 10.67), and hits per game
increased slightly (16.63 compared to 16.10). RBIs averaged 10.46, only the third time that it reached double digits. While
extra-base hit averages continued to fall (the 0.63 home runs per game was the lowest since the nadir of 0.28 in 2019),
additional baserunners were gained by a tournament-high 9.69 walks per game (edging out the previous high of 9.65 in 2018).
Winning teams topped 10 runs 15 times compared to twice for defeated teams. Losing teams scored two or fewer
runs 17 times, including seven shutouts.
Three teams, led by champion Hutchinson (Kan.), batted over .300. OKC D-BAT was second at .323, but failed to
advance out of pool play.
Only one team failed to reach .200, the SC (Kan.) Blues. The Blues became the third team to fail to score a run in
pool play, and set records for lowest batting and slugging average at .054.
Grant Nottlemann (Great Bend) set a Modern Wood Era (MWE) record by going 12-for-16 for a .750 average,
eclipsing the .714 of the San Diego (Calif.) Waves’ Bryan Rosario in 2018 over four games. Nottlemann also set a MWE
record with an .850 on base percentage, surpassing Rosario’s .765.
Tournament MVP Max Buettenback (Hutchinson) batted .524 with seven extra-base hits, 10 runs scored, 10 RBIs
and a 1.063 slugging percentage. Three players (Josh Livingston, Five Tool Kraken; Sam Wiese, Monarchs; and Miguel
Santos, Santa Barbara) shared the home run lead with two, while Buettenback and teammate Jaden Gustafson each had
10 RBIs.
At least three Hutchinson players were found among the top five in seven of the eight tabulated offensive
categories; Buettenback was among the top five in six of them.
Of the 22 home runs that were hit (down from 27), Hutchinson, Santa Barbara and the Five Tool Kraken each had five.
Stolen bases were up by nearly 1.00 (3.40 in 2023 against 2.47 in 2022), with Lonestar (Texas) stealing 22 bags
and Santa Barbara 19.
Winning teams batted .320, hit 17 home runs, and stole 82 bases, while defeated teams had .205, 5 and 37
respectively. The average margin of victory fell just shy of 6.00 at 5.91 (8.80 to 2.89)

Call to arms went into voicemail?
Pitching in the 89th NBCWS seemed to be either very good or very bad. The tournament ERA was 5.48, up from
last year’s 4.81.
ERA champion Kansas Cannons was the lone team under 2.00 with a 1.85 ERA. Santa Barbara had a chance to
overtake the Cannons, but allowed four earned runs in the title game to finish third with a 2.12 mark (Champion
Hutchinson was fourth with a 2.39 ERA)
At the other extreme, newcomers Arlington (Texas) Baptist University and Seattle (Wash.) finished with the
highest ERAs at 11.87 and 15.92 respectively. The Five Tool Kraken would have joined that group, but had enough low
earned run games allowed to finish at 9.53. Sandlot Tulsa (Okla.) also had a 9.00 ERA.
Strikeouts were down at 14.51/game from last year’s 15.77, and walks set a record with 9.69/game, up from
2022’s 8.07. Hit batters were up a little at 2.23 compared to 2.07 last year.
Santa Barbara’s Zane Petty took home leading pitcher honors, winning two games, allowing no runs in 13 innings
with two walks and 15 strikeouts. The Monarchs’ Brady Pacha was almost as dominant, allowing one run in 11 innings,
winning two games, walking one and striking out 16. Six starters had an 0.00 ERA (with a minimum of 5 innings pitched),
and two others had an ERA under 1.00.
Lonestar’s EJ Garcia pitched 7.1 innings of shutout baseball in relief, while Hutch’s Reed Scott had a win and two
saves in 3.2 innings. Robert Cranz of the Foresters struck out 14 over seven innings.
Winning teams had a 2.40 ERA, walked 3.57 batters and struck out 8.20 per game. Defeated teams had an 8.78
ERA and nearly walked as many batters per game (6.11) as they struck out (6.31)

No-hitter notes
1955 and 1964 were the year of three no-hitters.
2021 was the last time two no-hitters were thrown. Other years were 1939, 1950, 1954, 1958, 1961, 1962, 1964,
and 2001.
Denver Cougars have been at both ends of no-hitters, defeating the SC Blues in a five-inning perfect game and
losing to Santa Barbara in a nine-inning no-no..
The Foresters (2020 and 2023) joins Greensboro, N.C. (1962 and 1964), Sinton, Texas (1950 and 1951) as clubs
that have thrown two no-hitters.
Grand Rapids Slagboom is the only team to be no-hit twice.

Fielding took a step back
The tournament field had a .955 average, down six points from 2022’s 9.61. Errors topped three per game at
3.06, and double plays were up to 1.43/game.
Hays had the best fielding at .985. Santa Barbara had an opportunity to better that, but committed two error in the
championship game to finish at .979, along with the Seattle Studs.
No team finished with sub-.900 fielding despite three teams (Great Bend, Kraken and Lonestar) committing over
10 errors.
The tournament opened with an errorless game (Arlington Baptist-D-BAT), but never saw another one thereafter.
Hutchinson-GPS had the most combined errors with seven; the Monarchs prevailed despite committing five of them. Two
other teams (Great Bend, SC Blues) were also charged with five miscues.
Winning teams fielded .970, committed 1.03 errors per game, turned .74 DPs and caught seven of 34 base
stealers. Defeated teams had averages of .941, 2.03, .69 and caught 17 of 85 steal attempts and picked off seven
runners.

Game times were slightly longer
With all games played at Eck Stadium, game times averaged 2:22, just higher than last year’s 2:20. Six games
were completed in under two hours, with Denver’s perfect game over the SC Blues (#9, Aug. 5) the quickest at 1:12. That
marked the first time since 2016 that a game finished under 75 minutes.

                                            Four games lasted over three hours, with Hutchinson-Hays (#7, Aug. 4) the longest at 3:17. Two of the four three-hour games                                                           occurred on Aug. 8 and a third fell just shy at 2:52.  Fourteen games lasted between 2:15-2:29.
Rain delayed the start of the semifinals 1:24 on Aug. 11.

The margin of victory was (not quite as big)
The average margin of victory almost reached 6.00 again, but finished just shy at 5.91. There were some close
games (10 decided by one or two runs), but nine were had at least 10-run margin. Seven games were settled by the 10-
run lead rule, and three others by the 8-run rule.
Winning teams topped 10 runs 15 times, while defeated teams did so twice. Two of the highest-scoring games
both occurred on Aug. 8: Great Bend 17, Kraken 11 (28 runs, #23) and Hutchinson 12, GPS 10 (22 runs, #21). Lonestar
posted a tournament-high 19 runs against Arlington Baptist (#25, Aug. 9).
Winning teams averaged 8.80 runs/game against 2.89 for defeated teams.

Miscellany
Winning teams had a five-game stretch of scoring at least 10 runs (games 21-25, Aug. 8-first game of Aug. 9).
Two of the four debutants (Seattle Blackfins and Arlington Baptist) reached the knockout rounds, but their last two
game did not end well: The Blackfins fell to Hays 16-3 and 17-6 to Great Bend, while the Patriots lost 13-3 to Liberal and
19-3 to Lonestar. The other two (SC Blues and Sandlot Tulsa) wen 0-3 in pool play.
Double-digit innings are generally rare, but there was a rash of them: Great Bend scored 11 in the ninth inning to
turn an 8-6 deficit into a 17-8 win (#23, Aug. 8); Hays scored 11 in the fourth to run-rule the Blackfins 16-3 (#24); Lonestar
topped that with a 12-run ninth in a 19-3 win over Arlington Baptist (#25, Aug. 9). Hutchinson scored 10 in the third to run rule the Kraken 17-0 in a five-inning semifinal on Aug. 11 (#33).
The Kraken had a rather mercurial tournament: In their six games, they allowed nine or more runs in four of them
(including 17 to Great Bend and Hutchinson). But they yielded less than three runs in two of their wins.
Lonestar Baseball Club had an interesting tournament. They scored nine runs in pool play, allowing three to reach
the knockout rounds. Then, in the first round of elimination play, they scored more runs in the ninth (12) than they did in
pool play in a 19-3 win over Arlington Baptist. Lastly, the team allowed as many runs (six) in the eighth inning as they did
in their first four games in an 11-1 loss to Hutchinson. As part of the implosion (or to cap it off), two players and a coach
were ejected.
Speaking about ejections, Santa Barbara saw Robert Cranz and head coach Bill Pintard were ejected in the
eighth against Great Bend. The Foresters came back to win 5-4 in 10 innings.
Doppleganger: Conner Woods, Santa Barbara and Kansas Cannons (yes, they are different)
Been around a while: Great Bend is the first team this writer has seen that has the year established (1871) on the backs
of their jerseys.

Knockout round finals
The first time knockout rounds were used was in 2016. In that tournament, Hays and Santa Barbara reached the
championship round undefeated. Hutchinson-Santa Barbara was the second time that two undefeated teams reached the
finals.
Both Santa Barbara and the NJCAA National Team had one loss in the 2018 championship game.
The Seattle Studs are the only two-loss champion, defeating an undefeated Cheney (Kan.) Diamond Dawgs in
the 2019 title game.
Knockout round play was not used in 2020 (Covid) and 2021 (the only time the NBCWS played games at
Riverfront Stadium)

MULTI-STATE LEAGUE REPORT
Kansas fielded the most teams with six, with the Jayhawk Collegiate (neé Sunflower) accounting for three of
them. Texas had four teams, Washington two, Oklahoma two, leaving as singletons California and Colorado. Seattle sent
two teams, and the Rocky Mountain Baseball League also had three clubs.

     

League play
The 89th NBCWS saw three teams each from the (new) Jayhawk and Rocky Mountain baseball leagues. Led by
tournament champion Hutchinson, Jayhawk 2.0 decisively won the contest of the leagues with an 11-4 record, placing all
three entrants in the quarterfinals (Hutchinson, 6-0; Great Bend, 3-2, fifth; and the Cannons, 2-2, eighth). The Denver
Cougars led the way for the RMBL with a fifth-place finish at 3-2, while former Jayhawk members Hays and Liberal
finished tied for ninth for a 7-6 cumulative mark.
In head-to-head meetings, the Jayhawk held a 2-0 edge:
Aug 3 Kansas Cannons 8 Denver CO Cougars 1
Aug 4 Hutchinson KS Monarchs 6 Hays KS Larks 4
Intraurban play
The 16-team format usually doesn’t allow for two teams from the same city to compete in the tournament, but the
Pacific International League did that as the Seattle Blackfins qualified as league champions and the Seattle Studs gained
an at-large berth. (Would there be a Circle of Love without the Studs??) The two clubs would have met in the
quarterfinals, but it was not to be, as Great Bend eliminated the Blackfins in the first round of knockout play 17-6.
San Diego (Calif.) has had the most recent of the intraurban contests when the Stars edged the Force 2-1 on
8/5/2013. San Diego has sent four teams to the tournament during the Modern Wood Era, three in 2009: Force, Stars and
Waves. Despite all of those appearances, the 2013 tournament was the only time two San Diego clubs met.
Host city Wichita has had the following: Braves 14, NABA Stars 1, 8/4/2000; Braves 5, Gators 2, 8/2/2005; Titans
7, Gators 4, 8/5/2005; Gators 7, Titans 1, 8/4/2006; Sluggers 7, Titans 4, 8/2/2003.
Two teams from the same city have never met in the championship game, and the last time two teams from the
same state met in the finals was in 2002, when Fairbanks (Alaska) defeated Anchorage 8-3. Other all-Alaska finals were
Anchorage 9, Kenai 4, 1991; Kenai 6, Fairbanks 5, 1977; Fairbanks 3, Anchorage 0, 1976; Fairbanks 3, Anchorage 2,
1972; Anchorage 2, Fairbanks 1, 1971. The Goldpanners-Glacier Pilots are the most frequent matchup with four; the
Pilots won the first one, but the ‘Panners took the next three.
All-Kansas finals occurred in 2000 (Liberal 3, Hays 2) and 1965 (Wichita Dreamliners 11, Liberal 6).
Evolution of the Modern Wood Era
The Modern Wood Era (defined as the return of wood bats to the NBCWS and the prohibition of metal bats) has
seen three distinct stages: The “Wild West” era, 2000-2008 with 40+ teams; the “More Normal” era, 2009-2019 with
between 26-36 teams; and the current 16-team era, 2020-2023 (which includes the 2020 Covid year of 13 teams).
Per-game averages are really the only way to compare seasons, but it was interesting to note that the at bats per
game was a MWE low at 62.80. 2020 and 2021 are the only years that saw an average of more than one home run per
game, and twice there were fewer than eight runs scored per game (7.43 in 2012 and 7.69 the year following).
2016 was the last year there were double digits in complete games with 10; since then, the most complete games
in the tournament was five, done in 2019 and 2021 (2020 saw the fewest with two).
There has been at least one extra-inning game in the NBCWS (done four times; the most recent was 2021). The
2012 tournament was the last one to have at least 10 of them, and holds the highest percentage at 15.87%.
The 2021 tournament saw winning teams average over 10 runs a game at 10.03; the last time that happened the final year of metal bats in 1999 at 10.59. This year’s tournament fell just shy of nine runs at 8.91, which is the second highest average in the MWE. Last year’s tournament saw defeated teams average a low of 2.10 runs/game; the most
losing teams averaged was 3.54 in 2018. The past three years saw the widest average margin of victory, with the 2023
tournament the third highest at 5.914/game (the 2016 edition averaged 5.912). Only once did the average margin fall
below 3.00 as the 2012 competition saw an average margin of 2.92. 2013 had an average of 3.53 and the 2001
tournament average was 3.63.
Five-year players
Players who appeared in more than four tournaments are a rarity, but three players reached the five-year mark in
2022 and another in 2023. Two of them (Anthony Brady and Landon Riker) are Seattle Cheney Studs players. Wyatt Divis
appeared in six tournaments, five with Hays. Austin Eggleston played in five tournament with five different teams.

And thank you again to:
Rachelle Miller and Rick Potlock, managing the Pointstreak software; and doing the associate scoring.
Rick did the work on Pointstreak from his home in Tallahassee, Fla. Overall, it went well.
And, the writer also thanks Kevin Jenks, Katie Woods and Andrew Burgos for helping this writer complete his 40th
tournament.

 

Mike Dean

Official scorer and lead statistician

National Baseball Congress

“All the Way Mae in Wichita”

All The Way Mae in Wichita

In the 1940s, baseball took on a very different role in America. Companies often had their own company teams that played across the country, with many of them making their way to Wichita to play in the National Baseball Congress. As the United States joined World War II, a new professional baseball league with female players was formed to keep baseball in front of fans while so many men were away. Known as the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League and made famous by the 1992 film ‘A League of Their Own’, the Midwest-based league existed until 1954 with more than 600 women playing in the league.

In the mix was Maybelle Blair, who played for the Peoria Redwings in 1948. Growing up with her brother Tommy, who was seven years older, in California, Maybelle couldn’t remember a time when she didn’t play baseball.

“At first I didn’t get to go play baseball with all the other kids,” Maybelle recalls, “I was the little sister so my job was to sit and listen to the professional games on the radio and keep score, so they could come back in and find out what had happened in the game. But once that was over, I would go out and shag balls, and play catch… I just worshipped Tommy.”

Tommy played for Northrop Aircraft’s company team in the 1940s, and Maybelle rarely missed a game. In 1941 the Northrop Bombers of Hawthorne headed to Wichita for the National Baseball Congress national championships, ending up tied for fourth, and then knotted with Camp Wheeler (GA) Spokes for fifth in the 1942 nationwide ratings. Their third baseman – Tommy Blair.

We all know that there’s no crying in baseball thanks to the 1992 film ‘A League of Their Own,’ and this summer one of the inspirations behind the film will celebrate women’s history in baseball at Wichita’s prolific NBC World Series. The film depicts the emergence of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League (AAGPBL) in the 1940’s, when Major League Baseball teams feared the collapse of the league due to many young men being drafted into the war. Madonna’s character nicknamed ‘All the Way Mae’ is partially based on the legendary Maybelle Blair, a former pitcher for the 1948 Peoria Redwings. Blair, now 96 years old, still travels the country inspiring the next generation of girls and women in baseball.

Blair is an integral part of USA Baseball and MLB’s Trailblazer Series – a baseball tournament for girls – she is tied in with the USA Women’s National Baseball Team, and she makes appearances at girls’ baseball events across the country, and on August 10th Blair made a stop at Eck Stadium on Wichita State University’s campus for the NBC World Series.

 

Promoting women in baseball isn’t Blair’s only connection to the NBC World Series; in 1942 Blair’s brother, Tommy, played third base for the Northrop Bombers at the longstanding tournament. Growing up, Blair often followed her brother to baseball practice and sometimes played outfield with his team in California, and still remembers him going to play in Wichita.

Aside from her contributions to the game of baseball, Blair is also a trailblazer for women in aviation. Following her professional baseball career and a successful professional softball career, Blair began what would become a 37-year career at Northrop Corporation in California, where she became one of only three female managers early in her career, and the first in transportation. Joining her during the celebration on August 10th at the NBC World Series is one of Wichita’s own Rosie the Riveters, Connie Palacioz, 98, who worked on B-29s at Boeing during World War II.

The journey of women in baseball started more than 150 years ago, but growth has quickened over the last decade, with major accomplishments including the first female general manager in the MLB (Kim Ng, Miami Marlins), the first female MLB minor league coach (Rachel Balkovec, New York Yankees), the first woman to appear in the starting lineup of an Atlantic League game (Kelsie Whitmore, Staten Island Ferry Hawks), the first woman to make an NCAA Division I baseball roster (Olivia Pichardo, Brown University), and many more accomplishments.

Now, at 96, Maybelle’s goal is to raise funds for an International Women’s Baseball Center in Rockford, Illinois, home of the Rockford Peaches made famous by “A League of Their Own”, that would house a museum, an umpire school, a Hall of Fame and more – all to continue to promote the game of baseball for the next generation of girls. To learn more about her vision, and learn how you can get involved, visit http://www.internationalwomensbaseballcenter.org/.

2023 All-American Class Announced

WICHITA, Kan. – The 2023 National Baseball Congress All-Americans all played key roles in advancing their respective teams through the 89th NBC World Series, powered by Evergy. The Hutchinson Monarchs claimed their first National Championship in franchise history. Each NBC All-American will receive a customized commemorative bat from Hook Bats, www.hookbats.com.

 

2023 NBC World Series All-American Team

Pitchers

Zane Petty                             Santa Barbara Foresters (CA)                      0.00 ERA, 2-0 Record, 1 CG, 13 Innings, 15 Ks, 2 BB

Brady Pacha                          Hutchinson Monarchs (KS)                          0.82 ERA, 2-0 Record, 1 CG, 11 Innings, 16 Ks, 1 BB

Caleb Heuertz                       Five Tool Kraken (TX)                                    0.93 ERA, 1-0 Record, 2 APP, 9 2/3 Innings, 12 Ks

Chayse Gruber                     Great Bend Bat Cats (KS)                              0.00 ERA, 2-0 Record, 2 APP, 6 Innings, 7 Ks, 1 BB

 

Catchers

Grant Nottlemann                Great Bend Bat Cats (KS)                              .750 BA, 12 Hits, 1 2B, 1 3B, 9 R, .938 SLG%, 1 SB

 

Infielders

1B – Sam Wiese                   Hutchinson Monarchs (KS)                          .391 BA, 9 Hits, 9 RBI, 3 2B, 2 HR, .783 SLG%, 1.000 FLD%

2B – Case Pettis                    Five Tool Kraken (TX)                                    .368 BA, 7 Hits, 2B, HR, 4R, 7 RBI, .579 SLG%

SS – Jalin Flores                    Santa Barbara Foresters (CA)                      .318 BA, 7 Hits, 3 RBI, 5 R, .500 SLG%, 2 SB, 1.000 FLD%

3B – Rodric Black                 Lonestar Baseball Club (TX)                         .450 BA, 9 Hits, 2 3B, 5 R, 4 RBI, 3 SB, .700 SLG%

 

Outfielders

Preston Curtis                       Five Tool Kraken (TX)                                    .625 BA, 10 Hits, 1 HR, 4 2B, 1.063 SLG%, .700 OB%

Max Belyeu                           Santa Barbara Foresters (CA)                      .440 BA, 11 Hits, 2 2B, 4 R, 3 RBI, .520 SLG%

Will Edmunson                     Hutchinson Monarchs (KS)                          .440 BA, 11 Hits, 11 R, 4 2B, 7 RBI, .600 SLG%, 4 SB

 

Utility

Jaden Gustafson of/dh       Hutchinson Monarchs (KS)                          .417 BA, 10 Hits, 9 R, 10 RBI, HR, 5 2B, 1 SB

Tyler Cowan 2b/3b/ss         Great Bend Bat Cats (KS)                              .313 BA, 5 R, 8 RBI, 3B, 2 SB, 1.000 FLD%

 

Designated Hitter

Max Buettenback                Hutchinson Monarchs (KS)                          .524 BA, 4 2B, 2 3B, HR, 10 RBI, 4 R, 1.048 SLG%

 

Manager – Casey Lippoldt, Hutchinson Monarchs (KS)

MVP – Max Buettenback, Hutchinson Monarchs (KS)

Home Run Trophy – Sam Wiese, Hutchinson Monarchs (KS)

Leading Prospect to the Majors – Zane Petty, Santa Barbara Foresters (CA)

Eric Pintard Most Inspirational Player – Tristin Crusenberry, Liberal Bee Jays (KS)

Best Team Offensive – Hutchinson Monarchs (KS)

Best Team Defensive – Santa Barbara Foresters (CA)

Best Team Pitching – Kansas Cannons (KS)

Leading Pitcher – Zane Petty, Santa Barbara Foresters (CA)

Leading Hitter – Grant Nottleman, Great Bend Bat Cats (KS)

Michael Dean RBI Award – Max Buettenback, Hutchinson Monarchs (KS)

Outstanding Local Player – Brady Pacha, Hutchinson Monarchs (KS)

Just Block It Catcher Award – Zeke Minic, Denver Cougars (CO)

Hap Dumont Award – Ray Baty

Sportsmanship Award – Five Tool Kraken

Umpire of the Year – Jeff Spisak

Download 2023 NBC All-American-Awards PDF

2023 Hall of Fame Class Inducted

(L-R) Roy Smalley III, Josh Robertson, Dick Martin (son of Joe Martin)

 

The National Baseball Congress inducted four new members into the National Baseball Congress Hall of Fame on Saturday night as part of their Championship Night festivities.

On hand at Eck Stadium in Wichita to collect their awards were Josh Robertson, Roy Smalley III, and Dick Martin, son inductee Joe Martin. Mike Harkey, currently a bench coach for the New York Yankees, was not able to attend in person and accepted his induction virtually.

The National Baseball Congress Hall of Fame was started in 1991 to recognize the men and women who have made a lasting impact or contribution to the NBC. The NBC Hall of Fame includes ten members that are also in the National Baseball Hall of Fame: Satchel Paige, Tony Gwynn, Ozzie Smith, Tom Seaver, Whitey Herzog, Don Sutton, Bob Boone, Pat Gillick, Buck O’Neil and Dave Winfield.

 

About the 2023 Inductees:

Mike Harkey

Mike Harkey was a two-time NBC World Series All-American in 1985 and 1986, playing both for the Eureka Humboldt Crabs and the Fairbanks Goldpanners. In 1985 with the Humboldt Crabs he pitched 17 innings and gave up only one earned run, with 16 strikeouts and three walks, and was the NBC World Series Leading Pitcher. In 1986 with the Goldpanners he pitched 15 innings and gave up six earned runs and struck out 12. He was drafted 4th overall by the Chicago Cubs in 1987, and played eight seasons in the Majors.

Joe Martin

In 1942, Joe Martin became manager of the Bellingham (WA) Bells, and in 35 years as manager of the team led the Bells to 20 National Baseball Congress state championships, participating in the National tournament more than a dozen times and finishing third in 1940 and 1964. The National Baseball Congress named him “Sportsman of the Decade” for the 1950s, and he served as the Washington State NBC Commissioner in the 1950s, as well, before being named National NBC Manager of the Year in 1970. Joe also brought pro baseball to Bellingham, WA in the 1970’s with the Los Angeles Dodgers farm team, and then the Bellingham Mariners. The City of Bellingham, Washington named the baseball complex Joe Martin Field before he died in 1981, and Joe Martin Field is the current home of the Bellingham Bells, who play in the West Coast College League.

Josh Robertson

Josh Robertson played in eight NBC World Series throughout his career: for the Wichita Jets, Wichita-Derby Twins, Wichita Sluggers, Park City Cowboys, Wichita Titans, Haysville Angels, and the San Diego Stars. He went on to coach the Wichita Twins to three consecutive appearances in the NBC World Series before moving over to the management side. From 1999 – 2018, he served as Operations Manager, Stadium and Baseball Operations Manager, Tournament Director, Assistant General Manager, General Manager, President, and Consultant for the National Baseball Congress World Series. In addition, he served on the Boards for Hap Dumont Youth Baseball and USA Baseball. During that same period, he served as the Assistant GM and Co-GM for the Wichita Wranglers and President/GM for the Wichita Wingnuts.

Roy Smalley III

Roy Smalley played in the NBC from 1971 to 1973. Roy was a two-time All-American at shortstop with the Anchorage Glacier Pilots in 1972, and the Boulder Collegians in 1973. In 1971, he was named to the National Tournament Honor Roll and appeared in 6 games to help the Boulder Collegians finish 4th. In 1972, he played in 8 games, going 11-for-25 with 8 runs scored and was again named to the National Tournament Honor Roll as the Glacier Pilots finished second overall. Smalley returned to the World Series in 1973 with Boulder, leading the tournament in both extra base hits and homeruns. The Collegians were the best offensive team in 73’ as they finished 4th led by Smalley’s bat. After his NBC career, he went on to play for 13 seasons in the Major Leagues, with the Texas Rangers, New York Yankees, Chicago White Sox and retired with the Minnesota Twins. He was selected as a shortstop for the American League All-Stars in 1979.

As a part of their induction the Hall of Famers were presented with custom ring boxes made by local Wichita-based Ten Work Fabrication, made out of handcrafted black walnut with custom engraved brass with the original NBC logo and their name and year of induction.

A complete list of NBC Hall of Fame members can be found at: https://nbcbaseball.com/nbc-hall-of-fame/.

Bracket Play Schedule

Pool play has officially concluded for the 89th NBC World Series, powered by Evergy. You can see pool play results here. Bracket play  starts Wednesday, August 9th. 12 teams remain alive with a chance to be crowned champions. The top team from each pool receives a bye. The first round between teams who finished second and third in their pools will be played on August 9th.  Quarterfinals at 12:00pm, 3:00pm, 6:00pm, and 8:30pm will be played on August 10th, Semi-Finals at 6:00pm and 8:30pm on August 11th, and first pitch on August 12th’s Championship Night will be at 7:00pm.

Download Bracket Here

Wednesday, August 9th

12:00pm:  Lonestar Baseball Club 19  vs. Arlington Baptist 3

3:00pm –  Liberal Bee Jays 5  vs. Denver Cougars 6

6:00pm – Hays Larks 2 vs. Five Tool Kraken 9

8:30pm – Seattle Blackfins 3  vs. Great Bend Bat Cats 19

Thursday, august 10th

12:00pm: Hutchinson Monarchs 11  vs. Lonestar Baseball Club 1

3:00pm: Santa Barbara Foresters 3  vs. Denver Cougars 0

6:00pm: Kansas Cannons 3  vs. Five Tool Kraken 6

8:30pm: Seattle Studs 6  vs. Great Bend Bat Cats 1

Friday, August 11th

7:15pm: Hutchinson Monarchs 17  vs. Five Tool Kraken 0

8:30pm: Santa Barbara Foresters 5 vs. Seattle Studs 0

Saturday, August 12th

7:00pm: Hutchinson Monarchs 6 vs. Santa Barbara  Foresters 3

Tickets start at $10 for general admission, or $15 for reserved seating, and tickets are good for the full day’s slate of games. They can be purchased online at nbcbaseball.com or at the Eck Stadium Box Office on game days.

Can’t make it out to the games:

  • Live Stream – https://bit.ly/WatchNBC
  • App – Search “NBC World Series” on the Apple Store or Google Play Store

2023 NBC World Series Game Recaps

Saturday, august 12th

Hutchinson Monarchs (KS) vs. Santa Barbara Foresters (CA)

The Hutchinson (KS) Monarchs dethroned the 10-time champion Santa Barbara Foresters (CA)with a 6-3 victory Saturday in the championship game of the 89th National Baseball Congress World Series. The title came in the Monarchs’ first time in the championship game and broke a three-year run of Forester championships. It also broke Santa Barbara’s 20-game winning streak in the tournament and 10-game winning streak in the finals.

Hutchinson (6-0) capitalized on a Santa Barbara error in the fifth to score a pair of unearned runs on a Will Edmunson double. Cooper Harris doubled in a run and scored another in the sixth, and Jaden Gustafson hit a two-run homer in the seventh.

Winning pitcher Cole Toureau stymied the Forester offense through 7⅓ innings, allowing a run on Will Rogers’ base hit and departing after a Daniel Patterson double in the eighth. Santa Barbara (5-1) got two runs in the inning and brought the tying run to the plate, but a Derick Johnson strikeout quelled the threat. Reed Scott retired the side in order with two strikeouts to close out the game and earn his second
save. Jarrett Flaggert had three hits and scored a run, while Gustafson scored twice.

Carson Turnquist took the loss, allowing the two unearned runs in 4⅔ innings, while two relievers each gave up a pair of runs. Max Belyeu paced the Santa Barbara offense with two hits, a run scored and one knocked in.

The championship was the first for a Kansas team since Liberal Bee Jay title in 2010 and the Kansas Stars’ ex-pro team in 2017. The game was only the second time since knockout round play began in 2016 that two undefeated teams met in the finals.

The Monarchs led the tournament with a .360 batting average and was fourth with a 2.39 ERA.

The Foresters led in pitching and fielding coming into the finals, but finished second in ERA at 2.12 and second in fielding with a .979 mark.

Tournament MVP Max Buettenback went 1-for-3 to finish with a .524 average with 10 runs scored 11 hits and 10 RBIs.

Friday, August 11th

Hutchinson Monarchs (KS) vs. Five Tool Kraken (TX)

The Hutchinson Monarchs dominated the Five Tool Kraken in a semi-final game, clinching a 17-0 victory.

The Monarchs displayed an explosive offensive performance, scoring two runs in the second inning and ten runs in a dynamic third inning. Max Buettenback and Sam Wiese stood out with a combined seven RBIs , while Jaden Gustafson contributed three.

Brady Pacha led the Monarchs’ pitching efforts, delivering a stellar performance with only one hit allowed and eight strikeouts over five shutout innings. Defensively, the Monarchs’ teamwork and precision stifled the Kraken’s opportunities.

In contrast, the Kraken struggled both at the plate and on the mound, unable to contain the Monarchs’ offense.

Seattle Studs (WA) vs. Santa Barbara Foresters (CA)

The Santa Barbara Foresters secured their spot in the tournament finals by defeating the Seattle Studs with a final score of 5-0 in the semi-final matchup.

Notable contributors included Jalin Flores, who hit a home run and tallied two RBIs, and Eammon Lance and Will Rogers, who each hit a home run and brought in a combined four RBIs.

Zane Petty led the Foresters’ pitching efforts, delivering an outstanding performance by throwing seven shutout innings, allowing only three hits while striking out eight. The Foresters’ defense also played a pivotal role, holding the Studs to six hits and preventing them from scoring.

In contrast, the Studs struggled to generate offense against the Foresters’ strong pitching and defense. Despite their efforts, they were unable to overcome the deficit, resulting in a 5-0 loss.

Thursday, August 10th

12:00pm: Hutchinson Monarchs (KS) vs. Lonestar Baseball (TX)

The Hutchinson Monarchs asserted their dominance in a decisive 11-1 victory over the Lonestar Baseball.

From the very start, the Monarchs demonstrated their offensive prowess, with Will Edmunson, Samuel Wiese, Jarrett Flaggert, and Blake Bradford delivering key hits. Edmunson’s two hits included a double and three RBIs, while Wiese’s notable efforts resulted in three hits, including a home run, and three RBIs. Flaggert’s timely hitting contributed two RBIs, and Bradford’s performance included three hits and an RBI.

Brady Beverman’s pitching for the Monarchs was equally impressive, allowing only four hits and one run over seven innings while striking out seven batters. Lonestar struggled to find their footing against Beverman’s effective pitching and the Monarchs’ solid defense.

On the Lonestar side, Rodrick Black was the main contributor, recording a hit and an RBI. However, their offensive efforts were overshadowed by the Monarchs’ strong showing.

As the Monarchs secured their place in the semifinals, the Lonestar team faced a challenging loss that saw them exit the tournament.

3:00PM: Santa Barbara Foresters (CA) vs. Denver Cougars (CO)

Santa Barbara Foresters delivered an impressive performance by throwing a no-hitter and securing a convincing victory over the Denver Cougars with a final score of 3-0.

The game showcased a pitching duel between Ben Bybee of the Foresters and Austin Wagner of the Cougars. Bybee’s dominant presence on the mound was evident as he pitched six scoreless innings and struck out an impressive ten batters. His ability to mix up his pitches and locate them effectively kept the Cougars’ hitters off balance throughout the game. Robert Cranz took over the pitching duties in relief and continued the trend of stellar pitching, delivering three more scoreless innings and recording eight strikeouts.

Offensively, the Foresters capitalized on their opportunities. Miguel Santos powerful swing resulted in a crucial home run, giving his team an early lead. Will Rogers sacrifice fly added another run to the Foresters’ tally, demonstrating their ability to manufacture runs and execute in key situations. While the Foresters managed to collect six hits as a team, the standout performance on the mound from their pitchers ensured that their lead would be sufficient.

6:00PM: Kansas Cannons (KS) vs. Five Tool Kraken (TX)

Five Tool Kraken secured a 6-3 victory over the Kansas Cannons in a closely contested matchup.

The game began with the Kraken taking an early lead in the first inning, driven by Juhlien González, who showcased his skills by scoring twice during the match. Throughout the game, both teams demonstrated resilience, with the Cannons battling to close the gap.

Cade Tucker and Case Pettis also stood out for the Kraken, each driving in important runs to propel their team to victory. Meanwhile, the Cannons’ Owen Clyne showcased his bat with a timely hit that brought in two runs.

Pitching proved to be a critical factor in the Kraken’s win, with Caleb Heuertz delivering an impressive performance over 5.1 innings, allowing only one run. Brandon Manaska and Bryce McCain stepped in as relief pitchers, preserving the lead and ensuring the win for the Kraken.

8:30PM: Seattle Studs (WA) vs. Great Bend Bat Cats (KS)

Seattle Studs emerged victorious with a 6-1 win against the Great Bend Bat Cats.

The Studs took control early on, building a solid lead by capitalizing on key opportunities. Landon Rikers home run stood out as a notable offensive highlight, contributing two runs to the scoreboard.

Jacob Bradley played a significant role on the mound for the Studs, delivering an impressive pitching performance. With 8.1 innings pitched and allowing just one run, Bradley’s efforts set the tone for the team’s victory. Brice Foster came in for the final outs, closing the game and sealing the win for the Studs.

Defensively, the Studs executed well and limited the Bat Cats’ scoring opportunities. The Bat Cats’ lone run came in the ninth inning, but it wasn’t enough to mount a comeback against the strong performance of the Sea Studs WA.

Wednesday, August 9th

12:00Pm: Lonestar Baseball CLub (TX) vs. Arlington Baptist (TX)

In the first round of bracket play, Lonestar Baseball beat the Arlington Baptist 19-3.

Right from the start, Lonestar displayed their offensive prowess. Andre Jackson and Rodrick Black led the charge, accumulating a total of 6 hits, driving in 4 runs, and scoring 5 themselves. Keaton Grady’s consistent presence on the bases added to the pressure on the ABU Patriots’ defense.

Jamie Richey’s well-timed hits contributed to Lonestar’s offensive barrage, and Tony DeJesus showcased his hitting abilities with 2 RBIs. The game’s standout moment was Lonestar’s astounding 12-run inning in the ninth, putting the game out of reach.

On the pitching front, Ryan Bailey’s masterful performance stifled the Arlington’s offense. With 7.1 strong innings, Bailey allowed only 3 runs and showcased excellent control. His ability to keep Arlington hitters off balance played a crucial role in Lonestar’s victory.

While Arlington put up a fight, they were unable to match Lonestar’s level of play. Lonestar’s collective performance proved to be the defining factor in this game.

3:00Pm: Liberal Bee Jays (KS) vs. Denver Cougars (CO)

The Denver Cougars secured a narrow 6-5 victory against the Liberal Bee Jays.

The Cougars showcased their offensive prowess, registering a total of 11 hits throughout the game. Caleb McClellan’s performance was particularly noteworthy, going 2-for-4 at the plate with two runs scored. Jonathan Gonzales and Matt Bathauer also made significant contributions, each adding a hit to their name.

The Bee Jays displayed resilience as well, with Owen May leading the charge with two RBIs, and Hudson Polk contributing an RBI as part of their offensive effort. Despite their best efforts, the Bee Jays fell just short of overcoming the Cougars’ offensive output.

On the pitching front, Liam Hohenstein of the Cougars demonstrated his skill and control, lasting six innings and allowing four runs. The Bee Jays’ Tristin Crusenberry and Tyler Wilcox both took the mound, with Crusenberry going five innings and Wilcox covering the remaining four innings. Despite their efforts, the Cougars managed to edge out a victory.

6:00PM: Hays Larks (KS) vs. Five Tool Kraken (TX)

The Kraken defeated the Hays Larks 9-2 in the first round of bracket play

The Kraken wasted no time in making their mark, with Chase Pendley and Case Pettis leading the charge. Pendley’s standout performance, going 3-for-6 at the plate, included two runs scored and two stolen bases. Pettis contributed significantly with three hits, including a home run, and three RBIs.

Pitcher Justin Webster of the Kraken showcased his skills by allowing only two hits and one run over six innings, effectively keeping the Larks in check. The Larks, led by Trent Baker and Payton Ebbing, put up a resilient effort, but they struggled to keep pace with the Kraken’s dominant performance.

The Kraken continued to build on their lead, with a total of 12 hits throughout the game. Their offensive display was complemented by the solid pitching of Webster, who secured the win. Despite their efforts, the Larks were unable to bridge the gap, resulting in a well-deserved victory for the Five Tool Kraken.

8:30: Great Bend Bat Cats (KS) vs. Seattle Blackfins (WA)

Great Bend Bat Cats demonstrated their dominance with an impressive 17-6 victory over the Seattle Blackfins.

The Bat Cats’ lineup was firing on all cylinders, with Robby Bolin, Tyler Cowan, and Isaiah Ural leading the way. Bolin’s remarkable day at the plate included three hits and two runs scored, while Cowan contributed significantly with two hits, including a home run, and three RBIs. Ural’s efforts resulted in one hit and two runs scored.

The Blackfins’ pitching struggled to contain the Bat Cats’ offensive onslaught, as they capitalized on walks and made the most of their at-bats. The Bat Cats’ impressive display was not limited to hitting; their strategic base running allowed them to create scoring opportunities and put pressure on the Blackfins’ defense.

On the mound, Tyrus Riley, Chayse Gruber, and Bryan Bartels combined their efforts to limit the Blackfins’ scoring. Gruber’s performance was particularly noteworthy, as he pitched two innings without conceding a run. The Blackfins, led by Zion Williams and Harrison Kaufman, put up a fight, but their efforts fell short in the face of the Bat Cats’ overwhelming offensive display.

Tuesday, August 8th

12:00PM: GPS Lengends (TX) vs. Hutchinson Monarchs (KS)

The GPS Legends and Hutchinson Monarchs played an intense game that ended with the Monarchs winning by a narrow margin of 12-11.

The game was characterized by a high-scoring back-and-forth battle between the two teams. Both teams had their offensive moments, and the Monarchs managed to secure the victory in the end.

The Legends showed their offensive prowess, scoring 11 runs on 13 hits. Trent Rucker, Zachary Mazoch, and Abraham Valdez were among the standout players for the Legends, contributing to the team’s offensive effort. However, despite their efforts, the Monarchs’ pitching staff struggled to contain the Legends’ hitters.

On the Monarchs’ side, their offense was driven by Will Edmunson, Cooper Harris, and Jaden Gustafson, who each contributed multiple RBIs to the team’s 12-run total. The Monarchs’ hitters took advantage of some opportunities and managed to score enough runs to secure the win.

Both teams had their share of defensive challenges, with a combined total of seven errors between them. The game was a rollercoaster of runs and excitement for both teams and their fans.

3:00PM: Sandlot tulsa (ok) vs. Santa Barbara Foresters (CA)

Sandlot Tulsa faced off against the Santa Barbara Foresters in a game that resulted in a 11-4 victory for the Foresters.

The Foresters’ offense was in full swing, collecting 15 hits and scoring 11 runs throughout the game. Key players like Miguel Santos, Max Belyeu, and Nate Voss contributed to the Foresters’ offensive efforts with multiple hits and RBIs.

On the other hand, Sandlot struggled to contain the Foresters’ offense and could not match their production. Despite their efforts, they managed to score only 4 runs on 7 hits. Zac Burns and Keaton Campbells were notable contributors for the Sandlot team, driving in a total of three runs.

Both teams had their share of defensive moments, with a combined total of three errors during the game. The Foresters’ pitching staff did a better job at limiting the Sandlot’s offense, which played a significant role in their victory.

6:00pm: Great Bend Bat Cats (KS) vs. Five Tool Kraken (TX)

 

Monday, August 7th

12:00pm: D-Bat Collegiate League (OK) vs. seattle Studs (WA)

In a closely contested match,  D-BAT Collegiate League secured a 5-4 victory over the Seattle Studs .

D-BAT got off to a good start, scoring two runs in the bottom of the third inning. However, the Studs fought back and started to lead the game with a run in the forth inning and two more in the fifth inning, making it 3-2.

In the bottom of the fifth inning, D-BAT regained the lead with two runs, taking a 4-3 advantage. The Studs managed to add one more run in the eighth inning, but D-BAT answered back with a run of there own, making the Studs comeback fall short by one run.

Both teams displayed solid pitching performances, but the D-BAT’s Gunner Phillips had a standout performance, going 8 innings and allowing 4 runs while striking out 7 batters. Cole Luebbert closed out the ninth inning to secure the victory and earn the save.

Akiyoshi Buckson and Makana Murashige were among the offensive stars for the Studs, while Luke Jayaraman and Greg Maskarinec stood out for D-BAT.

3:00PM: Kansas Cannons (KS) vs. SC BLUES (KS)

The Kansas Cannons put on an impressive display, defeating the SC Blues with a commanding 9-0 victory.

The Cannons took an early lead, scoring one run in each of the second and third innings to go up 2-0. They continued to pile on the pressure, adding another run in the seventh inning to make it 3-0.

Kansas Cannons’ pitcher, Conner Woods, was outstanding on the mound, keeping the Blues hitters at bay with six shutout innings and six strikeouts. His dominant performance set the tone for the game.

In the seventh inning, the Cannons added one more run, extending their lead to 4-0. However, the real breakthrough came in the eighth and ninth inning when they exploded for six runs, putting the game out of reach for the Blues.

Offensively, Trey Orman had a fantastic day, going 3-for-7 at the plate with two runs scored and an RBI. Jack Wagner also had a strong showing, contributing three hits and driving in two runs. Owen Clyne was also productive, tallying two RBIs in the game.

On the defensive side, the Cannons’ pitching was nearly untouchable, limiting the Blues to just two hits throughout the entire game.

The Kansas Cannons celebrated a well-deserved victory, with an impressive offensive and pitching performance.

6:00pm: Liberal bee jays (KS) vs. Arlington Baptist (TX)

Liberal Bee Jays dominated the Arlington Baptist Patriots with a convincing 13-3 victory in five innings

The Bee Jays took control of the game right from the start, scoring 2 runs in the second inning to take an early lead. They continued their offensive onslaught in the third inning, adding 3 more runs to extend their lead to 5-0.

While the ABU Patriots managed to score a run in the third inning, the Bee Jays’ offense remained relentless. In the bottom of the forth, they put up 5 more runs to widen the gap to 10-1.

The Bee Jays’ offensive stars shined in this game. Ryota Kusumoto and Mateo Garcia each had impressive performances, with Kusumoto driving in 4 runs and Garcia contributing 3 RBIs. Polk also had a notable day at the plate, adding 2 RBIs to the team’s total.

On the pitching side, Adrian Najar led the way for the Bee Jays with a solid outing. He pitched 4.1 innings, allowing 3 runs and striking out 6 batters. The Bee Jays’ bullpen was also effective in shutting down the ABU Patriots’ offense, as Paul Panduro came in for relief and closed out the game without allowing any additional runs.

8:30 PM: Lonestar Baseball Club (TX) vs. Denver Cougars (CO)

Denver Cougars faced off against Lonestar in a closely contested game that ended with the Cougars winning 2-1.

The Cougars managed to edge ahead in the game, scoring 2 runs in the third inning to take a 2-0 lead. However, Lonestar responded with a run in the bottom of the third, narrowing the gap to 2-1.

The Cougars’ pitcher, Brian Walters, had a strong performance on the mound, pitching 5 innings and allowing only 1 run. He was supported by the team’s defense and pitching staff, which held Lonestar to just 1 run.

Jonathan Gonzales and Mike Bathauer were among the key players for the Cougars, with Gonzales scoring a run and Bathauer driving in a run. The Cougars’ offense may not have been explosive, but their timely hitting and solid pitching allowed them to secure the victory.

On the Lonestar side, their pitcher Christian Okerholm had a decent outing, pitching 3 innings and allowing 2 runs. The Lonestar offense tried to rally but fell short, managing to score only 1 run in the third inning.

The game remained tense throughout, but the Cougars managed to hold on to their narrow lead and seal the win with a final score of 2-1. Both teams put up a strong fight, but the Cougars’ pitching and defense ultimately proved to be the deciding factors in this game.

Sunday, August 6th

12:00 PM: Sandlot Tulsa (OK) vs.Five Tool Kraken (TX)

In a high-scoring affair, Five Tool Kraken outlasted Sandlot Tulsa with an 11-9 victory in a back-and-forth contest.

The Kraken started strong, scoring a run in the first inning and adding three more in the third. Josh Livingston led the offensive charge, hitting a three-run homer and driving in a total of four runs for the Kraken.

However, Sandlot Tulsa responded with an impressive seven-run outburst in the bottom of the fourth inning. They capitalized on some shaky pitching from the Kraken and timely hits from Kaiden Ashton, Trey Migl, and Keaton Campbell to take the lead.

But the Kraken refused to back down, scoring two runs in the fifth inning and three more in the seventh to regain the lead. Juhlien González was instrumental in the comeback, contributing two RBIs to help his team get back in front.

The game remained tight until the end, but the Kraken’s bullpen held off the Sandlot’s late surge to secure the 11-9 victory. Caleb Heuertz, who pitched 4.1 innings of scoreless relief, was credited with the win for the Kraken.

Both teams showcased their offensive firepower, with a total of 24 runs scored and 24 hits combined. The Kraken’s ability to respond to the Sandlot’s big inning and their strong bullpen performance ultimately made the difference in the game.

3:00PM: GPS Legends (TX) vs. Hays Larks (KS)

The Hays Larks secured a 5-2 victory over the GPS Legends in an exciting matchup.

The Legends struck first, scoring a run in the second inning. However, the Larks quickly responded with two runs in the bottom of the second, highlighted by a triple from Trent Baker, who later scored on an RBI single from Lenny Ashby.

The Larks extended their lead with another run in the third inning, making it 3-1. The Legends fought back in the eighth inning, scoring a run to cut the deficit by one.

In the bottom of the eighth, the Larks added an insurance run, thanks to Luis Garcia’s RBI single. They carried a 5-2 lead into the ninth inning. The Larks’ closer, Jose Velazquez, shut down the Legends in the final inning, securing the victory and earning his first save of the tournament.

Luuk ter Beek was credited with the win for the Larks, delivering a solid performance over 5.2 innings, allowing only one run.

Both teams put up a strong offensive effort, but the Larks’ pitching and timely hitting proved to be the difference. The Legends left ten runners on base throughout the game, while the Larks capitalized on their opportunities to score five runs on ten hits.

6:00PM: Hutchinson Monarchs (KS) vs. Seattle Blackfins (WA)

The Hutchinson Monarchs dominated the Seattle Blackfins with a 12-1 victory.

The Monarchs got off to a strong start, scoring three runs in the first inning. They added another run in the third inning to take a 4-1 lead. In the fourth inning, they exploded with four more runs, highlighted by a three-run home run from Max Buettenback. The Monarchs continued their offensive onslaught in the seventh innings, scoring three runs in the frame to seal their commanding victory.

The Monarchs’ pitcher, Brady Pacha, delivered an impressive performance, allowing only one run in six innings while striking out eight batters. He earned the win for his stellar outing.

On the offensive side, the Monarchs’ bats were red-hot, with Will Edmunson, Max Buettenback, and Jaden Gustafson leading the way with multiple hits and RBIs. Buettenback’s three-run homer was a major highlight of the game.

The Seattle Blackfins struggled to find their rhythm offensively and faced challenges against the Monarchs’ pitching. They managed only five hits and were only able to score one run.

With this victory, the Hutchinson Monarchs showcased their offensive firepower and strong pitching, while the Blackfins will look to regroup and come back stronger.

8:30PM: Santa Barbara FOresters (CA) vs. Great Bend Bat Cats (KS)

In a thrilling extra-inning matchup, the Santa Barbara Foresters emerged victorious with a 5-4 win against the Great Bend \Bat Cats.

The Foresters took an early lead with a run in the second inning, but the Bat Cats responded with two runs in the fourth inning to take a 2-1 lead. However, the Foresters tied the game in the fifth inning, making it 2-2. The Bat Cats regained the lead with two more runs in the sixth inning, but the Foresters fought back to tie the game once again at 4-4 in the seventh inning.

The game remained tied until the bottom of the tenth inning when the Foresters sealed the victory with a walk-off hit. The game-winning run was scored by Greg Pace, who showed great patience at the plate and displayed a strong performance throughout the game.

Both teams had solid pitching performances, with the Foresters’ Carson Turnquist and Robert Cranz putting up a valiant effort to keep their team in the game. Sean Youngerman earned the win, shutting down the Bat Cats’ offense in the final two innings.

The Bat Cats showed resilience and a strong offensive performance, but the Foresters’ clutch play in the extra innings secured their victory.

Overall, it was an exciting and closely contested matchup, highlighting the competitiveness of both teams.

Saturday, August 5th

12:00PM: SC Blues (KS) vs. Denver Cougars (CO)

The Denver Cougars put on a show with a dominant performance, throwing a combined no-hitter in five innings as the defeat the SC Blues 11-0.

Denver started the game with a bang, scoring six runs in the first inning to take control early on. They continued to add to their lead, scoring two more runs in the second inning and another two runs in the fifth inning.

Cougars’ pitcher Austin Wagner was exceptional on the mound, throwing four no-hit innings and striking out an impressive nine batters. He kept the Blues offence off balance and did not allow any runs during his outing.

The Cougars’ offense was firing on all cylinders, with multiple players contributing to the run total. Caleb McClellan, Jonathan Gonzales, Zeke Minic, and Brady Webb all had multiple hits and played key roles in driving in runs. Judah Wilbur also had a notable performance, driving in three runs to help pad Denver’s lead.

On the other side, the Blues struggled to get their offense going against Denver’s pitching. They were held hitless throughout the game and had trouble reaching base against the Cougars’ pitchers.

Tyler Boothe, the Blues’ starting pitcher, had a tough outing, giving up eight runs in just 1.2 innings. The Cougars capitalized on his struggles to build a substantial lead early in the game.

Defensively, the Blues committed two errors, which also contributed to Denver’s offensive success.

The game was a dominant display by the Denver Cougars, with impressive pitching and a powerful offensive performance. They held the SC Blues scoreless and secured an 11-0 victory in a game where they showcased their skills and dominance on both sides of the ball.

3:00 pm: D-bat collegiate leauge (OK) vs. liberal bee jays (KS)

The Liberal Bee Jays dominated the D-BAT All-Stars in a high-scoring game, finishing with a 12-4 victory.

Liberal started the scoring in the bottom of the third inning, cutting into D-BAT’s early lead and making it a 2-1 game. They followed it up with another run in the fourth inning, tying the game at 2-2.

In the fifth inning, D-BAT managed to regain the lead by scoring two runs, but Liberal quickly responded by adding two more runs in the bottom of the fifth, making it a 4-4 game.

The Bee Jays then took control in the seventh inning, erupting for four runs to take an 8-4 lead. They continued their offensive onslaught in the eighth inning, scoring four more runs to end the game via run-rule.

Offensively, the Bee Jays’ bats were red-hot, as they collected 11 hits and capitalized on D-BAT’s defensive miscues. Ryota Kusumoto and Owen May were both standout performers, each contributing two hits and RBIs to lead the team’s offensive charge.

On the pitching side, Holden Carpenter started for the Bee Jays and threw five innings, giving up four runs on nine hits. He was followed by Luke Wilkerson, who pitched a scoreless inning, and Kage Ralstin, who also pitched two shutout innings to close out the game.

For D-BAT, Nate Windle started on the mound and pitched four innings, allowing two runs on four hits. However, the bullpen struggled to contain Liberal’s offense, surrendering 10 runs over the next four innings.

Both teams had their fair share of scoring opportunities, leaving 12 runners on base for D-BAT and 14 for the Bee Jays. However, it was Liberal that capitalized on those opportunities and came away with the commanding 12-4 victory.

The game showcased the Bee Jays’ offensive firepower and their ability to come back from an early deficit. They displayed impressive hitting and took advantage of D-BAT’s defensive struggles to secure a convincing win.

6:00pm: Kansas Cannons (KS) vs. Lonestar Baseball Club (TX)

Lonestar Baseball Club secured a 3-1 victory over the Kansas Cannons in a closely contested match.

Lonestar started the scoring in the bottom of the third inning, taking a 1-0 lead. They added another run in the fifth inning, extending their advantage to 2-0. In the sixth inning, they scored once more, bringing their total to 3 runs.

Cannons struggled to find their offense, managing to score only one run in the top of the seventh inning. Despite having 13 runners left on base, they were unable to capitalize on scoring opportunities.

The standout performers for Lonestar were starting pitcher John Gonzales, who threw 5.2 scoreless innings with four hits allowed and four strikeouts, and Keaton Grady, who contributed with two hits and an RBI.

On the other side, Corbin Talley started on the mound for the Cannons, allowing two runs in five innings of work. The Cannons’ offense was led by Hunter Jansen, who had an RBI and a double, and Carsen Pracht, who added a triple.

Lonestar’s bullpen held the Cannons in check, only allowing one run the rest of the game. EJ Garcia closed out the game, pitching the last two innings and securing the save.

The game showcased strong pitching performances from both teams, with the Lonestar pitching staff effectively limiting the Cannons’ offense. Lonestar’s timely hitting and solid defense proved to be the key factors in their 3-1 victory.

8:30PM: Seattle Studs (WA) vs. Arlington Baptist (TX)

The Sea Studs pulled off a late comeback to secure a 4-3 victory over the Arlington Baptist in a closely contested game.

Arlington Baptist took an early lead, scoring three runs in the first two innings. Two-way player Alex Aleman was the standout performer for the Patriots, contributing three RBIs with a double and also pitching six strong innings.

However, the Studs’ pitcher Sam Hellinger kept the game close, allowing three runs over six innings with seven strikeouts. The Studs’ offense struggled to produce runs until later in the game, scoring their first run in the sixth.

In the seventh inning, the Studs took advantage of a pitching change and loaded bases to score two more runs, taking a 4-3 lead, which they held until the end of the game.

Brice Foster came in for the Studs in relief and pitched three scoreless innings to earn the win.

Both teams had opportunities to score, but solid pitching and defense limited the scoring for most of the game. The Studs showed resilience in the late innings, capitalizing on their chances and securing the 4-3 victory over the ABU Patriots.

Friday, August 4th

12:00PM: Great Bend Bat Cats (KS) vs. sandlot tulsa (OK)

The Great Bend Bat Cats emerged victorious in a hard-fought matchup against Sandlot Tulsa. The final score was 4-2 in favor of the Bat Cats.

The Bat Cats took an early lead, scoring three runs in the first inning, setting the tone for the rest of the game. The scoring continued in the third inning, adding another run to their total.

Pitching was a key factor in the Bat Cats’ success. Starter Kevin Schoneboom went four innings, allowing only one hit and no earned runs. He was followed by Chayse Gruber, who delivered a solid four innings of relief, allowing no hits and no earned runs while striking out five batters. Tyrus Riley closed out the game with a scoreless ninth inning, securing the win and earning the save.

Sandlot Tulsa struggled to generate offense against the Bat Cats’ pitching staff. They managed just one hit and two runs throughout the game. While they showed resilience in the fifth inning, scoring two runs, it was not enough to overcome the early deficit.

Defensively, both teams had a few shaky moments, with a combined total of four errors. However, the Bat Cats managed to limit the damage and ultimately secured the win.

The Bat Cats’ balanced performance, both on the mound and at the plate, propelled them to victory, while the Sandlot Tulsa will look to make adjustments in their upcoming games.

3:00PM: Seattle Blackfins (WA) vs. GPS Legends (TX)

In a matchup between GPS Legends and Seattle Blackfins, the Blackfins came out on top with a final score of 7-3.

The Blackfins got off to a strong start, scoring a run in the first inning, and then followed it up with three runs in the second and another run in the third inning, taking a commanding lead early in the game.

The Legends tried to mount a comeback, scoring a run in the second inning and another in the sixth, but they couldn’t overcome the deficit. They left 10 runners on base throughout the game, while the Blackfins left 11 runners on base.

Blackfins’ starter Ian Roemer put on an impressive performance, going seven innings and allowing only two runs, one earned, on six hits while striking out three. He earned the win for his efforts. Kolby Wheadon took over in the final two innings and allowed one run on two hits.

Legends’ starting pitcher Danny Valadez struggled in his outing, giving up five runs, two earned, on four hits and two walks in just two innings. The Legends’ bullpen had mixed results, with Logan Riggs delivering a solid three innings, allowing one run on two hits.

Offensively, the Blackfins were led by their shortstop, Jeffries, who scored two runs and drew a walk. Kaufman, Herko, and Snyder also contributed with timely hits and runs scored.

For the Legends, Rucker had a good game at the plate, going 2-for-4, while Mazoch, Mendoza, and Valdez each had an RBI.

In the end, the Sea Blackfins’ early lead and strong pitching from Roemer were enough to secure the victory.

6:00PM: Hays Larks (KS) vs. Hutchinson Monarchs (KS)

The Hutchinson Monarchs faced off against the Hays Larks in an intense extra-innings game, with the Monarchs eventually prevailing with a final score of 6-4.

The Larks took an early lead, scoring two runs in the second inning and then adding two more runs in the seventh inning to extend their advantage. However, the Monarchs showed resilience and mounted a comeback in the eighth inning, scoring three runs and one more in the top of the ninth to tie the game at 4-4.

In the eleventh inning, the Monarchs continued their momentum, scoring two more runs to take a 6-4 lead. They held on to that lead in the bottom of the eleventh to secure the victory.

Monarchs’ center fielder Caleb Cotton had a standout performance, going 2-for-6 with two doubles and two RBIs. Jaden Gustafson, the left fielder, also had a significant impact with a double and two RBIs. Will Edmunson and Max Buettenback each contributed a multi-hit game to help power the Monarchs’ offense.

On the pitching side, Brady Beverman started for the Monarchs and threw six solid innings, allowing two runs on five hits with three strikeouts. Cole Toureau and Reed Scott also contributed with crucial innings in relief. Scott earned the win, while Derick Johnson closed the game and secured the save.

For the Larks, Trent Baker, Brady Evans, and Austen Jaslove each had two hits in the game, but their offense couldn’t generate enough runs to overcome the Monarchs’ late surge. Starting pitcher Tyler Schott had a strong outing, going six innings and not allowing a run, but the bullpen couldn’t hold the lead late in the game.

The game was characterized by strong performances from both teams and featured several lead changes and key plays throughout. The Hutchinson Monarchs’ late offensive surge and solid bullpen work were the deciding factors in their victory over the Hays Larks.

8:30PM: Five tool Kraken (TX) vs. Santa Barbara Foresters (CA)

The Five Tool Kraken faced a tough defeat against the Santa Barbara Foresters, with the game ending in a decisive 10-0 victory for the Foresters in six innings.

Santa Barbara wasted no time and started strong, scoring four runs in the first inning. They continued to build on their lead throughout the game, adding at least one run in every inning.

Foresters’ pitcher Zane Petty was dominant on the mound, throwing six scoreless innings, allowing only two hits and striking out six batters. He was in control from the start and led his team to a commanding victory.

Kraken’s pitchers, on the other hand, had a challenging outing. Justin Webster started the game and struggled, giving up six runs in just 2.2 innings. The rest of the staff also faced difficulties, allowing a total of ten runs throughout the game.

Offensively, the Foresters were led by their center fielder Greg Pace and shortstop Jalin Flores, who each scored runs. Will Rogers, Eamonn Lance, and Miguel Santos contributed with timely hits and RBIs to help secure the victory.

For the Kraken, Juhlien González and Case Pettis managed to get hits, but they were unable to generate any runs against the strong pitching of the Foresters.

The game was characterized by the Foresters’ dominant performance both on the mound and at the plate, while the Kraken struggled to find their rhythm. Santa Barbara’s cohesive play and aggressive offense proved to be the key factors in their convincing 10-0 win over Five Tool Kraken.

Thursday, August 3rd

12:00pm: Arlington Baptist (TX) vs. D-Bat COLLEGIATE LEAUGE (ok)

In a high-scoring and eventful game, the Arlington Baptist Patriots emerged victorious with a 9-5 win against the OKC D-BAT All-Stars.

The game began with an offensive outburst in the first inning, with both teams combining for 5 runs. The D-BAT All-Stars took an early lead, scoring 3 runs in the top of the first, led by Garcia, who had a big day with 3 hits and 2 runs scored. However, Arlington Baptist quickly responded, scoring 2 runs in the bottom of the first to keep the game close.

As the game progressed, Arlington Baptist’s pitching settled in, while their offense continued to put pressure on the D-BAT All-Stars. The Patriots’ pitcher, Torti, delivered an impressive performance, lasting 7 innings and allowing 4 runs while striking out 6 batters. The D-BAT All-Stars’ pitching, on the other hand, struggled with control, issuing a total of 9 walks throughout the game.

The turning point came in the bottom of the seventh inning when Arlington Baptist exploded for 4 runs to take the lead. Layne Wilkerson’s home run and Ochoa’s two-run double were the key hits that gave the Patriots a decisive advantage.

Despite the loss, the D-BAT All-Stars showed resilience and managed to score a run in the top of the ninth inning, but it wasn’t enough to mount a comeback against Arlington Baptist’s strong pitching and offense.

JJ Garcia was the standout performer for the D-BAT All-Stars, contributing both on offense and defense. On the other side, the Patriots’ offense was well-distributed, with multiple players getting on base and driving in runs.

In the end, the Arlington Baptist secured a 9-5 victory, thanks to a combination of solid pitching, timely hitting, and capitalizing on the D-BAT All-Stars’ struggles with control.

3:00 PM: sc blues (KS) VS. lONESTAR bASEBALL cLUB (tx)

In an impressive display of pitching and defense, Lonestar Baseball secured a shutout victory over the SC Blues with a final score of 5-0.

Lonestar’s pitching staff led the way, starting with an outstanding performance by their starter, Zach Tjelmeland. He pitched 5 scoreless innings, allowing only 1 hit and striking out an impressive 11 batters. He was effectively backed up by the bullpen, as Davis Luikart, Daniel Farrow, Xander Hall, and EJ Garcia combined for 4 innings of scoreless relief.

Offensively, Lonestar managed to score runs despite collecting only 5 hits in the game. Andre Jackson and Jamie Richey each contributed two hits and an RBI, while Keaton Grady and Tony DeJesus also added an RBI each.

On the other hand, the SC Blues struggled both offensively and defensively. They committed five errors in the game, which contributed to Lonestar’s offensive success. At the plate, the SC Blues managed only 2 hits and were unable to capitalize on the few scoring opportunities they had. The game was marked by excellent baserunning from Lonestar, with Jackson stealing two bases, and Grady, DeJesus, and DJ Pinkerton each adding a stolen base. They were aggressive on the bases and took advantage of SC Blues’ defensive lapses.

In summary, Lonestar’s strong pitching, opportunistic offense, and solid baserunning paved the way for their victory, while the SC Blues struggled both at the plate and in the field. The final score was 5-0 in favor of Lonestar Baseball.

6:00 pm: lIBERAL bEE jAYS (ks) VS. sEATTLE sTUDS (wa)

In an exciting matchup, the Seattle Studs dominated the Liberal Bee Jays with a convincing 10-2 victory.

The Studs got off to a strong start, scoring 2 runs in the first inning and keeping the momentum going throughout the game. They displayed an impressive offensive performance with 12 hits and taking advantage of the Bee Jays’ pitching struggles. Makana Murashige and Ben Schnurman were particularly impactful with 2 RBIs each.

On the pitching side, Studs’ starter Sean Callegari delivered an outstanding performance, going 8 innings, allowing only 2 runs, and striking out 2 batters. He controlled the game and kept the Bee Jays’ offense in check, giving his team a comfortable lead.

The Bee Jays, on the other hand, faced challenges both offensively and defensively. Liberal’s pitcher, Tristin Crusenberry, had a tough outing, allowing 4 runs in 4.2 innings. The defense also committed three errors, which contributed to the Studs’ offensive success.

Despite their efforts, the Bee Jays couldn’t match the Studs’ offensive firepower and struggled to create scoring opportunities. Their only two runs came in the seventh inning when Hudson Polk drove in two RBIs.

Throughout the game, the Studs showcased their ability to capitalize on scoring opportunities, with strong base running, timely hitting, and solid pitching.

With this win, the Seattle Studs asserted their dominance on the field and displayed a strong performance in all aspects of the game. Meanwhile, the Liberal Bee Jays will look to regroup and bounce back from this tough loss in their future matchups.

 

8:30 pm: dENVER cOUGARS (co) VS. kANSAS cANNONS (ks)

The Kansas Cannons had an impressive performance as they defeated the Denver Cougars with a convincing 8-1 victory.

The Cannons’ offense was firing on all cylinders, amassing 13 hits and capitalizing on scoring opportunities. Jack Wagner and Hunter Jansen led the charge, each with 2 RBIs. Wagner showcased his power with a double, while Jansen also had a double and a single.

On the pitching side, Garret VanDeventer delivered a solid start for the Cannons, going 7 innings and giving up only 1 run. He controlled the game with five strikeouts and limited the Cougars to five hits.

The Cougars struggled to gain momentum against the Cannons’ pitching and defense. Starting pitcher David Stuart had a tough outing, allowing 4 runs in 3.2 innings. Despite the efforts of the Cougars’ offense, they couldn’t generate enough runs to compete with the Cannons’ offensive output.

The Cannons’ defense was also stellar, making several crucial plays to support their pitching staff. They turned three double plays and made the most of their opportunities.

With this win, the Kansas Cannons demonstrated their strength as a well-rounded team with solid pitching, hitting, and defense.

Teams & Pool Play Schedule

 

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The National Baseball Congress World Series, powered by Evergy, kicks off at Wichita State’s Eck Stadium on Thursday, August 3rd for the 89th NBC World Series. Welcoming 16 teams from across the country for the 89th playing, the NBC World Series has been held in Wichita every year since 1935.

2023 NBC World Series Pool Play

2023 NBCWS Schedule & Bracket

The first six days of the NBC World Series will be pool play, with four pools of four teams. Three teams from each pool will advance to single elimination play, which starts on Wednesday, August 9th.

Pool A

Denver, CO Cougars (2-1)

Kansas Cannons (2-1)

Lonestar, TX Baseball Club (2-1)

Sedgwick County Blues (0-3)

Pool B

Great Bend, KS Bat Cats (2-1)

Five Tool Kraken (1-2)

Sandlot Tulsa, OK (0-3)

Santa Barbara, CA Foresters (3-0)

Pool C

Arlington, TX Baptist (1-2)

Liberal, KS Bee Jays (2-1)

D-BAT Collegiate League (1-2)

Seattle, WA Studs (2-1)

Pool D

GPS, TX Legends (0-3)

Hays, KS Larks (2-1)

Hutchinson Monarchs (3-0)

Seattle, WA Blackfins (1-2)

Pools A & C will play Thursday/Saturday/Monday

Pools B & D will play Friday/Sunday/Tuesday

Gametimes & Final Scores:

Thursday, AUgust 3rd

12:00 PM: Arlington Baptist 9 – D-BAT Collegiate League 5

3:00 PM: SC Blues 0 – Lonestar Baseball 5

6:00 PM: Liberal Bee Jays 2 – Seattle Studs 10

8:30 PM: Denver Cougars 1 – Kansas Cannons 8

Friday, August 4th

12:00 PM: Great Bend Bat Cats 4 – Sandlot Tulsa 2

3:00 PM: Seattle Blackfins 7 vs. GPS Legends 3

6:00 PM: Hays Larks 4 vs. Hutchinson Monarchs 6

8:30 PM: Five Tool Kraken 0 vs. Santa Barbara Foresters 10

Saturday, August 5th

12:00 PM: SC Blues 0 vs. Denver Cougars 11

3:00 PM: D-BAT Collegiate League 4 vs. Liberal Bee Jays 12

6:00 PM: Kansas Cannons 1 vs. Lonestar Baseball 3

8:30 PM: Seattle Studs 4 vs. Arlington Baptist 3

sunday, August 6th

12:00 PM: Sandlot Tulsa 9 vs. Five Tool Kraken 11

3:00 PM: GPS Legends 2 vs. Hays Larks 5

6:00 PM: Hutchinson Monarchs 12 vs. Seattle Blackfins 1

8:30 PM: Santa Barbara Foresters 5 vs. Great Bend Bat Cats 4

Monday, August 7th

12:00 PM: D-BAT Collegiate League 5 vs. Seattle Studs 4

3:00 PM: Kansas Cannons 9 vs. SC Blues 0

6:00 PM: Liberal Bee Jays 13 vs. Arlington Baptist 3

8:30 PM: Lonestar Baseball Club 2 vs. Denver Cougars 1

tuesday, August 8th

12:00 PM: GPS Legends 11 vs. Hutchinson Monarchs 12

3:00 PM: Sandlot Tulsa 4 vs. Santa Barbara Foresters 11

6:00 PM: Five Tool Kraken 8 vs. Great Bend Bat Cats 17

8:30 PM: Seattle Blackfins 3 vs. Hays Larks 16

 

Tickets start at $10 for general admission, or $15 for reserved seating, and tickets are good for the full day’s slate of games. They can be purchased online at nbcbaseball.com or at the Eck Stadium Box Office on game days.

 

Bracket play will start on Wednesday, August 9th, with the top team from each pool receiving a bye. Quarterfinals will be played on August 10th, Semi-Finals at 6:00pm and 8:30pm on August 11th, and first pitch on August 12th’s Championship Night will be at 7:00pm. All games will be played at Wichita State University’s Eck Stadium.

 

The NBC World Series will pay out $69,000 in total cash compensation for the top eight teams. The breakdown of compensation is:

  • 1st – $18,000
  • 2nd – $15,000
  • 3rd – $9,000 – two teams
  • 5th – $4,500 – four teams 

Information on streaming, the NBC World Series app, radio broadcasts and live stats can be found on nbcbaseball.com as the tournament begins.

National Baseball Congress Announces 2023 Hall of Fame Inductees

Harkey, Martin, Robertson, and Smalley are the newest members

 

The National Baseball Congress announced the 2023 NBC Hall of Fame class, adding four 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 12th at Eck Stadium in Wichita, Kansas.

 

The 2023 National Baseball Congress Hall of Fame inductees are:

 

Mike Harkey

Mike Harkey was a two-time All-American in the 1985 and 1986 World Series. In 1985, Mike Harkey was the NBC World Series Leading Pitcher with the Eureka, CA Humboldt Crabs. He pitched 17 innings and gave up only one earned run, with 16 strikeouts and three walks. Harkey had another great season in 1986 with the Fairbanks, AK Goldpanners, pitching 15 innings, giving up six earned runs and striking out 12, leading to being named an All-American for the tournament. In 1987, he was drafted 4th overall by the Chicago Cubs. He played 8 seasons in the Majors, finishing his career with 36 wins. Currently, he is the Bullpen Coach for the New York Yankees, and previously served as the Bullpen Coach for the Netherlands national team during the 2023 World Baseball Classic.

 

Joe Martin

Joe Martin became manager of the Bellingham Bells in 1942, and in 35 years as manager of the team led the Bells to 20 NBC state championships and participated in the National tournament more than a dozen times, finishing third in 1940 and 1964. The National Baseball Congress named him “Sportsman of the Decade” for the 1950’s, and he served as the Washington State NBC Commissioner in the 1950’s, as well. Martin was named NBC Manager of the Year in 1970. Joe also brought pro baseball to Bellingham, WA in the 1970’s with the Los Angeles Dodgers farm team, and then the Bellingham Mariners. The City of Bellingham, Washington named the baseball complex Joe Martin Field before he died in 1981, and Joe Martin Field is the current home of the Bellingham Bells, who play in the West Coast College League.

 

Josh Robertson

Josh Robertson played in eight NBC World Series for the Wichita Jets, Wichita Twins (Derby), Sluggers, Park City Cowboys, Wichita Titans, Haysville Angels, and the San Diego Stars. As a coach, he led the Wichita Twins to three consecutive appearances in the NBC World Series during the late 90’s. From 1999 – 2018, he served as Operations Manager, Stadium and Baseball Operations Manager, Tournament Director, Assistant General Manager, General Manager, President, and Consultant for the NBC World Series. Robertson also served on the Board for Hap Dumont Youth Baseball and USA Baseball. During that same period, he served as the Assistant GM and Co-GM for the Wichita Wranglers and President/GM for the Wichita Wingnuts.

 

Roy Smalley III

Roy Smalley was a two-time All-American at shortstop with the Anchorage Glacier Pilots (1972) and Boulder Collegians (1973). In 1971, he was named to the National Tournament Honor Roll and appeared in 6 games to help the Boulder Collegians finish 4th. In 1972, he played in 8 games, going 11-for-25 with 8 runs scored and was again named to the National Tournament Honor Roll as the Glacier Pilots finished second overall. Smalley returned to the World Series in 1973 with Boulder, leading the tournament in both extra base hits and homeruns. The Collegians were the best offensive team in 73’ as they finished 4th led by Smalley’s bat. After his NBC career, he went on to play for 13 seasons in the Major Leagues, with Texas, New York Yankees, Chicago White Sox and retired with the Minnesota Twins. He was selected as a shortstop for the American League All-Stars in 1979. His father, Roy Smalley II, played 10 years in the Majors, and his uncle was Gene Mauch.

 

The 2023 NBC Hall of Fame induction ceremony will take place preceding the Championship game of the 89th NBC World Series, powered by Evergy, on August 12th at 6:15pm at Eck Stadium in Wichita. More information on the tournament and tickets can be found at nbcbaseball.com.

 

 

About the NBC World Series:

First played in 1935, the NBC World Series is one of the oldest continuously held sporting events in the United States, and the National Baseball Congress has produced more than 800 future Major League Baseball players. Since 2020, the tournament is owned and operated by the Wichita Sports Commission. To learn more visit www.nbcbaseball.com

 

Ryan Helsley Named 2023 National Baseball Congress Graduate of the Year

The National Baseball Congress announced today that St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher Ryan Helsley is the 2023 NBC Graduate of the Year.  Helsley played in 2014 as a member of the Santa Barbara Foresters of the California Collegiate League.  During the 2014 NBC World Series, Helsley made an appearance in the championship game, striking out two batters to help the Foresters win the championship.

“The summer I played for the Santa Barbara Foresters was some of the most fun I’ve had playing baseball,” said Helsley, “Being able to meet guys that were from all over the country and coming together as one team was a great experience and something that I think helped me in my baseball career.”

The Graduate of the Year Award has been presented to an NBC Alumni member every year since 1975, based on their MLB performance in the previous season.  Past winners of the award include Aaron Judge, Alex Gordon, and Tim Anderson.

In 2015, Ryan Helsley was drafted in the 5th round of the MLB Draft by the St. Louis Cardinals.  After a few years in the minor leagues, Helsley made his debut in 2019, and instantly performed well, posting a 2.95 ERA for the Cardinals that season.  In 2022, Helsley had one of the best ERAs in the league at 1.25.  Additionally, he accounted for 19 saves and punched out 94 batters.  Helsley’s performance during the season led to being named an All-Star and was ranked as one of MLB Now’s Top 10 Relief Pitchers leading up to the 2023 season.

The 89th NBC World Series, powered by Evergy, runs August 3rd-12th.  All games will be played at Wichita State’s Eck Stadium, home of Tyler Field.  Tickets are available at nbcbaseball.com or by calling 316-265-6236.

August 20, 2019 vs Brewers. Credit: Billy Hurst/St. Louis Cardinals

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