Category: Awards

The National Baseball Congress announced today that Texas Rangers 3^rd basemen Josh Jung is the 2024 NBC Graduate of the Year.  Jung was a member of the 2017 Santa Barbara Foresters that finished 5^th in the NBC World Series, Jung hit .385 across 4 games with a triple and 7 RBIs.

“I am honored to be selected for this award from the National Baseball Congress.  My time with the Santa Barbara club in 2017 was very memorable.  We had a great team, and we enjoyed the World Series in Wichita that year.  It was definitely a big part of my baseball journey, and I will always remember that summer.  I appreciate this recognition and send my thanks to the NBC.”

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 Paul Goldschmit, Ian Kinsler, and Ryan Helsley.

Jung played his college ball at Texas Tech University where he earned numerous accolades including being named the Big 12 Player of the Year in 2019.

In that same year, Jung was drafted 8^th overall by the Texas Rangers. Jung rose through the minors, and in 2023 made his debut as a highly touted prospect. Jung played in 122 games, hit .266 with 23 home runs and was named to the All-Star Team as a rookie. Jung really made his mark in the playoffs when he hit .308 across all four series and was a key piece on the 2023 Texas Rangers World Series Championship Team. Jung is the most recent NBC World Series Alumni to win a World Series and the first-ever Santa Barbara Forester.

The 90^th NBC World Series, powered by Evergy, runs July 25^th-August 3rd. All games will be played at Wichita State’s Eck Stadium, home of Tyler Field.  Tickets are available at Tickets – NBC Baseball or by calling 316-265-6236.

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

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.

WICHITA, Kan. – The National Baseball Congress is proud to announce the 2019 NBC Graduate of the Year, Jed Lowrie. The NBC Graduate of the Year Award has been awarded to former NBC players since 1975. Lowrie was born in Salem, Oregon on April 17, 1984 and lived in Salem his entire childhood.

In the summer of 2003, Lowrie played for the NBC affiliated Matsu, AK Minors in the Alaska Baseball League. While playing for Stanford University in 2004, Lowrie was named the PAC-10 Conference Player of the Year. Also in 2004, he won the gold medal at the University World Championship in Tainan City, Taiwan with the United States team.

In 2005, the Boston Red Sox drafted Lowrie as the 45th overall pick in the MLB First-Year Player Draft. The infielder made his MLB debut with the Red Sox on April 15, 2008. He went on to bat .258 with 67 hits and 46 RBIs.

After four years in the majors with Boston, Lowrie was traded to the Houston Astros. After a single subpar year, he joined the Oakland Athletics, where his dominance emerged.

In his two years with the Athletics (2013-14), Lowrie recorded total 300 hits, 80 RBIs, 139 runs and 21 homeruns. The Athletics advanced to the American League Divisional Series in 2013 and America League Wild Card game in 2014.

Lowrie spent the following year with the Astros once again, his numbers suffering due to a torn ligament in his thumb. In November of 2015, Lowrie was traded to the Athletics where he would work his numbers up in the following seasons.

In 2018, Lowrie hit for a .267 average, 159 hits, 23 homeruns, 99 RBIs and 78 runs scored. His performance earned himself a spot on the American League All-Star team in 2018. The Athletics found themselves in the playoffs yet again in 2018, but were eliminated in the American League Wild Card game.

In January of 2019, Lowrie signed a two-year contract with the New York Mets. He has been on
the injury list since the beginning of the season with a knee injury.

In his 12 years in the major leagues, Lowrie has 104 homeruns, 509 RBIs, 1043 hits and a .263
career batting average.

The NBC is proud to add Jed Lowrie to the list of former NBC players who have excelled at the
next level as the NBC Graduate of the Year Award.

The 85th NBC World Series powered by Westar Energy will be played July 27-August 10, with all
games being played at Eck Stadium at Wichita State University. To order tickets, reserve suites and
secure your spot for the NBC World Series, call 316-977-9400.

About NBC: The NBC World Series is the largest and the oldest continuous sporting event in the
United States. This non-profit 501c(3) foundation operates under the supervision of a 15-member
volunteer board of directors. To learn more visit www.nbcbaseball.com.

WICHITA, Kan. – The 85^th NBC World Series powered by Westar Energy is proud to announce the 2019 NBC Hall of Fame class of Isaiah “Fireball” Jackson, Steve McFarland, Mike Moore, Mark Potter and Rick Schroeder.

Isaiah “Fireball” Jackson was the highlight of the Kansas State Tournament at Lawrence Stadium in the 1960’s, but a series of armed robbery charges erased his professional baseball dreams. During this time, the Lansing State Penitentiary team was given permission in play in the NBC  Kansas State Tournament. Fireball was voted Most Popular Player at the 1965, 1966 and 1967 tournaments. Fireball’s 55 strikeouts in 34 1/3 innings played set him apart from the rest. While he did sit on the Pittsburg roster for 10 years, he never played in the Major Leagues due to his prison stints. Isaiah “Fireball” Jackson passed away on July 31, 2004.

Steve McFarland’s NBC World Series record alone shows the dominance his teams showed throughout his time coaching teams in the 1970’s – 90’s. While coaching for 21 years (11 as an assistant, 10 as head coach) at his alma mater, California Polytechnic State University, McFarland coached NBC teams Santa Maria Indians (1978-1983) and Anchorage Glacier Pilots (1984-1994). Throughout his 12 appearances to the NBC World Series, he combined for a 56-22 record with two Championships (one with each team), one runner-up finish and five third place finishes. In 1994, he joined the Miami Marlins as a scout/coach in the minor leagues. In 1999, he moved to the Chicago Cubs organization and became a minor league manager. He moved into a scouting role with the Cubs in 2005 and still holds that position.

Mike Moore sits along the best the Liberal Bee Jays have ever produced. The right handed pitcher from Eakley, Oklahoma was a two-time pitcher of the year for the NBC World Series. His performances in 1979 and 1980 earned Liberal a NBC World Series title and a runner-up finish. Moore was later drafted by the Seattle Mariners with the overall number one pick in the 1981 MLB draft. He made his MLB debut one year later on April 11, 1982. After 13 seasons in the MLB, including two trips to the World Series with Oakland, Moore called it a career. He finished his career with a 161-176 record, a 4.39 ERA, a World Series Championship and 2,931 innings pitched.

Mark “Potts” Potter played in 14 straight NBC World Series, starting in 1984 with the Wichita Tigers. Starting in 1986, he played for the Wichita Kountry Tyme Cubs. One year later, he had the opportunity to compete with the Cubs in an International Tournament in Cuba. Despite losing in the finals to Cuba, Potter called it “one of the best experiences of [his] life.” Between 1988-90, Potter would play for three different teams, the last being the Wichita Alumni who he would play seven more years with. Currently, Potter lives with his wife in Cheney, Kan. And is a full time public speaker on mental health and his personal journey with mental health issues.

Rick Schroeder is the ultimate example of commitment to the NBC World Series and the talent it produces. This year marks his 37^th consecutive year attending and scouting talent at the NBC World Series. Schroeder became an area scout for the Texas Rangers in 1982, his first year attending the NBC World Series. After 10 years with the Rangers, he began a series of shorter stints for a number of other teams: Houston Astros (1992-97), Anaheim Angels (1998-2000), again with the Rangers (2001-06), Kansas City Royals (2007-10), Chicago Cubs (2011-12). After this, he returned to the Rangers organization, where still serves as a Special Assistant Scout. Some of Schroeder’s most well-known scouter players includes Derek Holland, Danny Duffy, Steve Buchele and Aaron Miles. Schroeder now lives in Phoenix, AZ.

The National Baseball Congress is proud to induct these five men into the NBC Hall of Fame. Not only was their work on the field, dugouts and the stands exceptional, but these men showed what true love with the game of baseball looks like. The Hall of Fame induction will take place at 6 p.m. on Aug. 4.

The 85^th NBC World Series powered by Westar Energy will be played July 27-August 10, with all games being played at Eck Stadium at Wichita State University. To order tickets, reserve suites and secure your spot for the NBC World Series, call 316-977-9400.