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Katie Woods has been named tournament director for the National Baseball Congress World Series, becoming the ninth director dating back to 1935.

Woods has spent the last 13 years in Minor League Baseball as an innovative and celebrated minor league executive, serving as the Assistant General Manager of both the Lancaster JetHawks (CA) and Everett AquaSox (WA), and most recently the Director of Marketing & Community Engagement for the Wichita Wind Surge.

Woods has been honored as Female Executive of the Year three times in MiLB, twice in the Northwest League with Everett (2013 & 2015), and once in the California League with Lancaster (2019). She was instrumental in the execution of the 2013 NWL All-Star Game events and operations and has consulted on business operations for teams around the country.

In her new role, Woods will lead all aspects of the NBC World Series, including team selection, tournament operations, budget, schedule, promotions, merchandise, and marketing.

“The NBC World Series is a storied tradition in Wichita, and I’m looking forward to leading the tournament’s growth and evolution as we celebrate its 89th year and beyond,” said Woods. “Not only has the NBC World Series been home to the next generation of Major League players for decades, but its innovative fan experience and rich history makes it one of the most unique tournaments in the country.”

Woods takes the helm of the NBC World Series from Kevin Jenks, who has served as tournament director since 2014, and is now president of the Greater Wichita Area Sports Commission.

“Katie’s passion for baseball, relationships and guest experience is unparalleled. The NBC deserves a dedicated individual with new ideas and a proven track record. Katie is aware of our tradition, but it’s her vision and tenacity that will create unique opportunities for our future.”

In addition to becoming just the ninth tournament director, Woods also becomes the first woman to hold the position.

“For us, there isn’t a doubt that Katie is the right person for the position,” said Jenks. “Her experience in Minor League Baseball, her knowledge of the game, and her drive to create top tier experiences for everyone involved will be a shot of adrenaline for the NBC.”

WICHITA, Kan. – The Santa Barbara (California) Foresters won their 10th National Baseball Congress World Series title Saturday with a 12-1 win over the Hays (Kansas) Larks in the 88th NBC World Series at Eck Stadium.

The Foresters (6-0), who led the tournament in both hitting and fielding, became the third team to win three consecutive titles, joining Fort Wayne (Indiana), which won four straight from 1947-50 and Fairbanks (Alaska), winners from 1972-74 as part of a seven-year run of NBCWS Championship game appearances from 1971 to 1977. Santa Barbara also extended its string of wins to 15, tying Boulder (Colorado) for consecutive wins.

The Foresters took control early with six runs in the first two innings and never looked back. Five more runs in the sixth put the game out of reach. Gavin Kash was one of four players with two hits and drove in three runs to pace Santa Barbara’s 14-hit attack against five Hays pitchers. Miguel Santos and Nate Rombach each scored twice and had two RBIs, and Nick McLain was the other with two hits. Parker Smith won his second game of the tournament, scattering four hits and striking out five over six innings. Three relievers worked an inning each to complete the 7-hitter.

Hunter Rosson homered in the fifth for Hays (4-2). He and Palmer Hutchison finished the tournament with two home runs, joining the Foresters’ Rombach for the home run lead. Hunter Marshall (1-1) was knocked out in the second inning and was charged with six runs. Hays collected its sixth runner-up finish, tying Fairbanks for second, one behind seven for Liberal (Kansas). Santa Barbara led the tournament with a .376 average and a 1.29 ERA. The Larks entered the game with a 1.02 ERA, but exited it with a 2.94 mark.

The was the second time that Hays and Santa Barbara met in the championship game; the Foresters won the 2016 title 6-2. The 88th NBC World Series is powered by Evergy.

The 2022 NBC World Series, powered by Evergy, continues on August 4^th with the start of single elimination play. Eight teams remain as they compete for the 88^th NBC World Series Championship, to be played on Saturday, August 6^th at WSU Eck Stadium. Learn more about the matchups, and the players to watch.

The Haysville Aviators will play the Liberal Bee Jays at 12:00pm on Thursday. Liberal was undefeated in pool play, following a forfeit, while Haysville was 2-1.

Cade Baker (Nebraska – Omaha) and Arturo Ramirez (Vernon CC) are among the players to watch for the Aviators. Baker is 5-11 (.455) with 1 HR and 4 RBIs. Ramirez has thrown most of the innings for the Aviators. In 6 innings of work, he has a 4.50 ERA and 8 strikeouts while only walking 1.

Ryan Leary (Texas State) and Jackson Berry (Tennessee Tech) are the players to watch for the Bee Jays. Leary is 4-7 (.571) in the tournament with 2 RBIs and 2 doubles. Berry leads the Bee Jays staff with 7 innings pitched and 6 strikeouts. He has only given up 1 ER and has a 1.28 ERA.

The Hays Larks will face off against the Lonestar Baseball Club at 3pm, Thursday as both teams look for a win in bracket play. Lonestar Baseball Club went 3-0 in pool play while the Larks were 2-1.

Larks to keep up with through bracket play include Leo Jiminian (East Tennessee State) and Hunter Marshall (UT Arlington). Jiminian is 5-9 (.556) with 3 doubles so far. Marshall has a 0.00 ERA and 3 strikeouts in 7 innings of work.

Brendan Ryan (TAMUCC) and Nathan Medrano (Houston) are the players to watch for the Lonestar Baseball Club. Ryan is 4-9 (.444) with a double, a homerun, and 5 RBIs. Medrano has been dominating all summer. So far in the NBC tournament, he has 7 strikeouts and a 0.00 ERA in just 5 innings of work.

Hutchinson Monarchs and Seattle Studs play their first game of Bracket at 6:00pm Thursday. Both teams went 2-1 in pool play but the Studs were the 1-seed coming out of their pool while Hutch was the 2-seed.

Studs to watch include Charlie Larson (Central Washington) and Anthony Brady (Northern Colorado). Larson is 4-10 (.400) with 3 stolen bases and 3 runs scores. Brady has a 2.00 ERA and 9 strikeouts in 9 innings of work.

Sawyre Thornhill (WSU) and Dakota Palmer (SHSU) are the players to watch for the Monarchs. Thornhill is 7-11 (.636) with a homerun, 3 RBIs, and 5 runs scored. Palmer has gone 6 innings and maintains a 0.00 ERA to go along with his 6 strikeouts.

After going 3-0 in their pool, Santa Barbara Foresters will play the TBT Ballers in the nightcap on Thursday. The Foresters are the overall 1-seed for bracket play.

Ballers to keep up with through bracket play are Gabe Irwin (SFASU) and Peyton Carson (Emporia State). Irwin is 4-8 (.500) with a double and 2 RBIs. Carson has a 0.00 ERA and 6 strikeouts in 4 innings of work.

Payton Tolle (WSU) and Nick McClain (Arizona St.) are the pair of Foresters to watch. Tolle is scheduled to throw Thursday on his college field to make his NBC debut. Tolle has a 3.03 ERA in 29.2 innings of work this summer with the ‘Sters. McClain is 8-12 (.600) with 3 doubles, a homerun, and 4 RBIs. He hit his homerun with a broken wood bat!

Live streaming video and live stats for all games are available on nbcbaseball.com, or by downloading the 2022 NBC World Series app, available for both Apple and Android.

The National Baseball Congress announced today that Colorado Rockies first baseman C.J. Cron is the 2022 NBC Graduate of the Year. Cron played in the NBC World Series in 2009 as a member of the Anchorage Glacier Pilots of the Alaska Baseball League. During the 2009 NBC World Series, Cron played in four games, starting in two of them, and recorded nine defensive putouts.

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, Hunter Pence and Ian Kinsler.

Born in Fullerton, California, Cron was drafted as the 17^th overall pick of the 2011 Major League Baseball Draft by the Los Angeles Angels, and made his MiLB debut with the Orem Owlz of the Pioneer League. His Major League debut came in 2014 with the Angels, and he spent time with the Tampa Bay Rays, Minnesota Twins and Detroit Tigers before joining the Colorado Rockies in 2021.

During the 2021 season with the Rockies, Cron batted .281 with 28 home runs and a career-high 92 RBIs and 70 runs scored, and he was named an MLB All-Star for the 2022 season, representing the Rockies in Los Angeles.

MEDIA ALERT – Liberal Bee Jays vs. Waco Winners Game Cancelled

The 88^th NBC World Series, powered by Evergy, announced the cancellation of the Liberal Bee Jays vs. Waco Winners game scheduled for 12:00pm on Tuesday, August 2^nd due to forfeit. The game will not be made up, and the Liberal Bee Jays will be awarded the victory.

Updated game schedule for Tuesday, August 2:

• 3:00pm – Cheney Diamond Dawgs vs. TBT Ballers
• 6:00pm – Haysville Aviators vs. San Diego Stars
• 8:30pm – Santa Barbara Foresters vs. Denver Cougars

Gillick, Storrs Sr. and Walker are the newest members

The National Baseball Congress is excited to announce the 2022 NBC Hall of Fame inductees. Staying true to our legacy, we want to remember the legacy these men created and look forward to honoring them during the 88^th NBC World Series powered by Evergy, on Friday, August 5 at Wichita State University’s Eck Stadium, following the 6:00pm game.

Pat Gillick was a gifted pitcher and member of the 1958 College World Series champion USC Trojans before spending five years in the minor leagues. The Chico, California native started working in professional baseball, but still dabbled as a player. Gillick earned Pitcher of the Year and All-American honors in 1965 for NBC Champion, Rapid Transit Dreamliners. Pat pitched 13 innings and gave up only one earned run, with 18 Strikeouts. As a Major League Baseball executive, Gillick served as General Manager for the Blue Jays, Orioles, Mariners and Phillies. Becoming a 3-time World Champion as the GM of the Toronto Blue Jays (1992 & 1993) and Philadelphia Phillies in 2008. In 2011, he was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

William (Bill) Storrs Sr. founded the Crestwood (IL) Panthers in 1976 and managed the team for 41 years. The Panthers participated in the NBC World Series 21 times from 1991 to 2016, finishing 3rd Place twice (2006 & 2007) and were a top-ten team for 8 years. During his time as Manager/General Manager of the Crestwood Panthers, the Panthers won 26 Northern Illinois Baseball League championships and 4 Chicago Suburban League championships.

Dennis Walker umpired in the NBC World Series for 25 years, spanning the 1970’s, 80’s & 90’s. He spent three years in professional baseball umpiring in the Northern League and Florida State League. After that, he turned his attention to college baseball, working games in the Missouri Valley and the Big 8/Big 12 conferences. In addition to his college duties, Walker umpired summer league baseball which eventually led him to the NBC. He also officiated college football and basketball during those years. Following the 2006 season, Walker retired after 43 years of umpiring and officiating.

The 88th NBC World Series, powered by Evergy, runs July 28-August 6. Games are played in Hutchinson at Hobart Detter Field from July 28-31^st and Wichita at Eck Stadium from August 1-6th.

Promotions: There are promotions almost daily at the NBC World Series, including Military Appreciation Night, Thirsty Thursday, Fireworks on Championship Night and more!

Click HERE to see a full list of promotions

Tickets: Hutchinson tickets are $12 | Wichita tickets are $9 for general admission or $12 for reserved seating.

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

Gate & Game Times: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday (7/29), & Saturday (7/30) – Gates open at 11:00 am, with games at 12:00, 3:00, 6:00, and 8:30pm.
Sunday (7/31) – Gates open at 8:00, with games at 9:00am, 12:00, 3:00, and 6:00pm
Friday (8/5)– Gates open at 5:00 with games at 6:00 and 8:30 pm
Saturday (8/6)– Championship Night! Gates open at 6:00 with the first pitch at 7:00 pm and fireworks following the game!

View Full Game Schedule HERE

Parking: Parking is free at both Eck Stadium and Hobart-Detter Field

Download the App: The NBC World Series App is available in the Apple App Store and Google Play. Get the app for the most updated stats, lineups, scores, and more all series long!

Stream Games Live: Don’t miss a pitch! Catch every game live on Youtube.com

NBC Live Stream HERE