Tag: 2015
Gardenhire Highlights 2015 NBC Hall of Fame Class
WICHITA, KS The National Baseball Congress is proud to announce the 2015 Hall of Fame class. Six worthy inductees will be honored during the 81st NBC World Series, July 24th to August 8th at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium. Since the inaugural Hall of Fame Class in 1991 the National Baseball Congress has chosen to recognize some of the great contributors to the NBC legacy. The 2015 class is comprised of; Emmett Ashford, Ron Gardenhire, Chris Hmielewski, Frank Leo, Gil Carter and John Braden.
Ashford, inspired by Jackie Robinson breaking the color barrier as a player, became Major League Baseball’s first African-American umpire in 1966. Ashford umpired five seasons in MLB, including the 1967 All-Star game and the 1970 World Series. After his retirement from MLB, Ashford served as Umpire-In-Chief for the Alaska Baseball League in the early 70’s, then worked the NBC World Series for a couple of years.
Gardenhire managed the Minnesota Twins for 13 season, compiling a win-loss record of 1068-1039. He earned the AL Manager of the Year in 2010 after his team finished the season 94-68. Gardenhire played in the NBC World Series in 1977 and 1978 for Wichita (KS) Coors. Gardenhire also logged five years of MLB service as a short-stop and second baseman for the New York Mets.
Hmielewski is in his 10th year as the Director of Athletics at Southwest Minnesota State University. However, around Wichita, he?s known to have one of the best World Series performances ever. As a slugging first baseman and pitcher for Kenai (AK) Peninsula Oilers during the 1991 NBC World Series, Hmielewski smacked 8 homeruns, a record 25 RBI and 42 total bases.
This is Frank Leo’s 33rd season as manager for the Hays Larks. During his tenure, the Larks have won six NBC Midwest Regional titles, and eight Jayhawk League titles. Leo has coached the Larks in 23 trips to the NBC World Series. Finishing as Runner up in 1995, 2000, 2001 and 2007. Leo was inducted into Kansas Baseball Hall of Fame in 2005.
Carter is known as the man who hit the longest homerun in organized baseball, a record 733 feet!!!! Carter helped the Wichita Rapid Transit Dreamliners to NBC World Series Championships in 1962 and 1963. Belting six homeruns during the 62′ World Series. In July, Carter will be inducted into the Shawnee County Baseball Hall of Fame. Recently, his family was presented the Pride of Kansas Award by the Kansas Sports Hall of Fame.
Braden, became the first manager to guide teams to five NBC World Series Championships with teams from Fort Wayne, Indiana. He racked up four straight from 1947 to 1950, with number five happening in 1956. A dominating run though the NBC World Series in the early years has earned him a place in the National Baseball Congress Hall of Fame.
The 2015 Hall of Fame class will be inducted on six different nights during the World Series. The 81st National Baseball Congress World Series will be held in Wichita, KS on Friday, July 24th with a National Champion crowned on Saturday, August 8th. For more information visit www.nbcbaseball.com or call the NBC Office at 316-977-9400.
NBC Announces Hunter Pence as the 2015 Graduate of the Year
WICHITA, KS The National Baseball Congress announces San Francisco Giants and former Liberal BeeJay Hunter Pence as the 2015 National Baseball Congress Graduate of the Year.
NBC World Series Graduate of the Year is awarded based on the previous season stats. In 2014 Pence helped lead the San Francisco Giants to a franchise eighth World Series title. During the season Pence hit a .277 average with 20 homeruns, 180 hits and 74 RBIs. Including a career high for the post season .444 batting average, one homerun and five RBIs in the Major League World Series. Runner up in voting was Detroit Tigers and former Liberal BeeJay, Ian Kinsler.
During the summer of 2003, Pence played for the Liberal BeeJays of the Jayhawk League. During his lone season with the BeeJays, the left fielder was named the team?s MVP after an incredible season. Pence led the team with a .429 average, four triples, seven home runs, 39 RBIs, 61 hits, 48 home runs and was second on the team with 12 doubles. At the NBC World Series Pence, batted .500 in three games and tallied two RBIs and a .714 slugging percentage.
In the spring of 2007, Pence made his major league debut in center field for the Houston Astros. Even with an injury shortened season Pence was still unanimously selected to the Major League Rookie All-Star Team. From that day on Pence has proven to be an asset to each team he goes to.
In a big league career that began in 2007, the 32-year old Pence has batted .284 with 187 home runs, 702 RBIs and has appeared in three All-Star games. He also features a career slugging percentage of .471.
In the 2015 MLB season Pence has had to battle back from an injury to his left forearm. Pence has seen action in 18 games, and he has been hitting .282 while hitting two homeruns and 13 RBIs.
The Graduate of the Year Award has been given out since 1975 and past award recipients include Tony Gwynn, Joe Carter, Dave Winfield, Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, Albert Pujols, Tim Lincecum, Mark Teixeira, and Alex Gordon.
The 81st Annual National Baseball Congress World Series begins in Wichita, KS on Friday, July 24th with a National Champion crowned on Saturday, August 8th. For more information visit www.nbcbaseball.com or call the NBC Office at 316-977-9400.
New Fan Experience Membership, Ticket Prices Announced For 2015 World Series
Wichita, KS— The National Baseball Congress is excited to announce the new NBC Fan Club for the upcoming 81st NBC World Series.
This opportunity gives fans unique experiences and benefits during the World Series, July 24-Aug. 8.
Included in the membership is an NBC Fan Club performance T-Shirt, 10 lower box flex tickets, $10 in NBC Concession Bucks. Plus, members will receive access to exclusive team, player and Hall of Fame meet and greet opportunities during the tournament. NBC Fan Club memberships are priced at $75.
Kevin Jenks, NBC World Series general manager, expressed his excitement about the new fan club.
“We want to build an opportunity that gives the fans the feeling of ownership with the National Baseball Congress and their beloved World Series,” Jenks said. “So many of our fans support us year-in, and year-out, it’s time for them to feel rewarded for their loyalty.”
In addition to the membership, members who volunteer for three games during the World Series receive 40-percent off gift shop purchases and 25-percent off NBC fundraising entry fees and events.
However, the NBC Fan Club is not the only way fans or individuals can get involved by volunteering. The tournament depends heavily on the work and effort of volunteers, this year’s tournament being no different.
The NBC World Series also unveiled the new ticket pricing for this year’s summer tournament.
Ticket packages are significantly lower than in years past. Prices are as follows:
Full World Series Pass:
Lower Box: $150*, Upper Box: $120*, Evening Sessions Only: $120*
*World Series Passes include 1 (one) VIP Parking Pass
Individual Sessions:
Lower Box: $10, Upper Box/GA Bleachers: $6
NBC Flex Tickets:
20 Pack: Lower Box: $100, Upper Box: $60
40 pack: Lower Box: $200, Upper Box: $120
For information about our inclusive picnics, party decks and Skybox suites, please contact the National Baseball Congress office, 316-977-9400.
Baseball ‘Round The Clock
The Nicole Kirk-Baseball ‘Round The Clock returns for the 26th straight year and is slated for July 31-Aug. 2.
Entry is $20 while, any fan with a World Series Pass will only be charged $5. Fans this yearhave thechance to compete for a cash prize upon completing and winning the marathon event.
The contest spans 17 games over the three day stretch, beginning with the 4 p.m. game Friday, July 31, and finally concluding with the 10 p.m. game Sunday evening.
Fans will once again compete to see who can outlast the pack and complete all 17 games in 56 hours. For complete contest rules and registration, call the office or contact Jason Ybarra at jason@nbcbaseball.com.
2015 NBC Rulebook Pre-Orders
We are taking pre-orders for the 2015 NBC Official Rulebook. These are same rules of MLB and less expensive. To order, contact us at kevin@nbcbaseball.com.
Price breakdown is below.
| 1-9 Rulebooks | $3.50 each, plus shipping/handling |
| 10-24 Rulebooks | $3.00 each, plus s/h |
| 25-49 Rulebooks | $2.70 each, plus s/h |
| 50-99 Rulebooks | $2.50 each, plus s/h |
| 100 or More | $2.00 each, plus s/h |
