KIT League
Encyclopedia
The Kentucky-Illinois-Tennessee League (KIT League) is a summer collegiate wooden bat league
. The league's name is formed from the initials of the states that originally hosted the first iteration of the KIT League. However, since the league's latest formation in 2004, the KIT League has not had any teams in Illinois and has had two teams in Missouri.
Players in the KIT League are unpaid collegiate players who join the league to gain experience and to prepare themselves for other leagues. To date, several players from the league have gone on to sign contracts with major league ball clubs.
In previous years, each team in the KIT league was limited to 22 players and three coaches, but the rosters of each team were expanded to a maximum of 24 players beginning with the 2009 season. The league also poses limits on the age of players and the number of veteran players permitted on each team.
The league's season consists of 50 games for each team and normally runs from the beginning of June to the end of July with play-offs taking place at the end of July and in early August. The 2009 season started on May 29.
For the 2009 season, the league was intended to expand to eight active teams with the addition of the Western Kentucky Mavericks. This would have given the league the ability to divide the eight teams into two divisions with Sikeston, Farmington, Union City and Fulton in the Western Division and Marion, Owensboro, Tradewater, and Mayfield (Western Kentucky) in the Eastern Division. However, due to the withdrawal of the Farmington team in April 2009, the league was reduced once again to six active teams for the 2009 season, with no divisions.
The Bulls were inactive in 2008, but have returned for the 2009 season. The Greyhounds are inactive starting with the 2010 season.
The current league commissioner, Randy Morgan, has been the commissioner of the league since its inception.
The heritage for the KIT League is in the old KITTY League. This was a Class D Minor League that operated between 1903 and 1955. The KIT League consists of teams that have the same names as the original Class D Minor League teams, such as the Union City Greyhounds, a former Brooklyn Dodgers affiliate, and the Fulton Railroaders, a former Washington Senators affiliate.
All-Stars. In 2007 and 2008, the games were held at League Stadium in Huntingburg, Indiana
, home of the Dubois County Bombers.
all-stars beat the KIT League all-stars with a final score of 7-6.http://www.kitleaguebaseball.com
all-stars beat the KIT League all-stars with a final score of 7-2.
Wooden bat league
Wooden bat leagues are amateur baseball leagues in the United States that use wood bats instead of bats made of aluminum or composites. Most such leagues play in the summer months, during the traditional break in the academic year, and are approved by the NCAA....
. The league's name is formed from the initials of the states that originally hosted the first iteration of the KIT League. However, since the league's latest formation in 2004, the KIT League has not had any teams in Illinois and has had two teams in Missouri.
Players in the KIT League are unpaid collegiate players who join the league to gain experience and to prepare themselves for other leagues. To date, several players from the league have gone on to sign contracts with major league ball clubs.
In previous years, each team in the KIT league was limited to 22 players and three coaches, but the rosters of each team were expanded to a maximum of 24 players beginning with the 2009 season. The league also poses limits on the age of players and the number of veteran players permitted on each team.
The league's season consists of 50 games for each team and normally runs from the beginning of June to the end of July with play-offs taking place at the end of July and in early August. The 2009 season started on May 29.
For the 2009 season, the league was intended to expand to eight active teams with the addition of the Western Kentucky Mavericks. This would have given the league the ability to divide the eight teams into two divisions with Sikeston, Farmington, Union City and Fulton in the Western Division and Marion, Owensboro, Tradewater, and Mayfield (Western Kentucky) in the Eastern Division. However, due to the withdrawal of the Farmington team in April 2009, the league was reduced once again to six active teams for the 2009 season, with no divisions.
Current Teams
| Team | City | Stadium |
|---|---|---|
| Farmington Firebirds* | Farmington, MO | Wilson Rozier Field |
| Fulton Railroaders Fulton Railroaders The Fulton Railroaders are a collegiate summer baseball team based in Fulton, Kentucky. The team, a member of the Ohio Valley Collegiate Baseball League, plays its home games in Lohaus Field, located in Fulton.-History:... |
Fulton, KY | Lohaus Field |
| Marion Bobcats Marion Bobcats The Marion Bobcats are a collegiate summer baseball team based in Marion, Kentucky. The team, a member of the , plays its home games at Gordon Blue Guess Field at Marion-Crittenden County Park.-History:... |
Marion, KY | Marion City Park |
| Owensboro Oilers Owensboro Oilers The Owensboro Oilers were a minor league baseball team in Owensboro, Kentucky. The team played in the Kentucky-Illinois-Tennessee League in 1936 to 1942 and 1946 to 1955. In 1952 the team was managed by former major league all-star Wally Berger... |
Owensboro, KY | Panther Park at Kentucky Wesleyan College Kentucky Wesleyan College Kentucky Wesleyan College is a private Methodist college in Owensboro, Kentucky, a city on the Ohio River. KWC is just 40 minutes east of Evansville, Indiana, 2 hours north of Nashville, Tennessee, 2 hours west of Louisville, Kentucky, and 4 hours east of St. Louis, Missouri... |
| Sikeston Bulls Sikeston Bulls The Sikeston Bulls are a summer collegiate baseball team based in Sikeston, Missouri. The team, which plays in the KIT League plays its home games in VFW Memorial Stadium, located in Sikeston, Missouri... * |
Sikeston, MO | VFW Memorial Stadium |
| Tradewater Pirates Tradewater Pirates The Tradewater Pirates are a summer collegiate baseball team based in Dawson Springs, Kentucky. The team, a member of the Ohio Valley Collegiate Baseball League, plays its home games in Riverside Park, a reconstruction of an entirely wooden stadium used by several major league teams in the early... |
Dawson Springs, KY | Riverside Park, Dawson Springs Riverside Park, Dawson Springs Dawson Springs' Riverside Park, sometimes called Tradewater Park, was originally built in 1914 to serve as a spring training park for the Pittsburgh Pirates from 1914 to 1917. This is the only known baseball park in Kentucky to have hosted a major league team since the Louisville Colonels folded in... |
| Union City Greyhounds Union City Greyhounds The Union City Greyhounds were a summer collegiate baseball team based in Union City, Tennessee. The team, which played in the KIT League played its home games in Elam Stadium at LH Ladd Field, located in Union City, Tennessee.... * |
Union City, TN | Elam Stadium at LH Ladd Field |
- For the 2009 season, the Firebirds are inactive.
The Bulls were inactive in 2008, but have returned for the 2009 season. The Greyhounds are inactive starting with the 2010 season.
History
The KIT League was formed in 2004 with teams in Kentucky, Tennessee, and Missouri. Though the league was formed in 2004, its first season was in 2005.The current league commissioner, Randy Morgan, has been the commissioner of the league since its inception.
The heritage for the KIT League is in the old KITTY League. This was a Class D Minor League that operated between 1903 and 1955. The KIT League consists of teams that have the same names as the original Class D Minor League teams, such as the Union City Greyhounds, a former Brooklyn Dodgers affiliate, and the Fulton Railroaders, a former Washington Senators affiliate.
KIT League Champions
- 2010- Tradewater Pirates (Season)/Tradewater Pirates (Playoff)
- 2009- Tradewater Pirates (Season)/Tradewater Pirates (Playoff)
- 2008 - Tradewater Pirates (Season)/Owensboro Oilers (Playoff)
- 2007 - Fulton Railroaders (Season)/Union City Greyhounds (Playoff)
- 2006 - Owensboro Oilers
- 2005 - Farmington Firebirds (Season)/Sikeston Bulls (Playoff)
Notable events
- Three back-to-back homers were hit by Owensboro Oilers' batters on June 28, 2009 in Marion, KentuckyMarion, KentuckyMarion is a city in Crittenden County, Kentucky, United States. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 3,196. It is the county seat of Crittenden County...
. This is the first time in KIT League history that home runs have been hit by three consecutive batters. The event took place in the top of the fourth inning, contributing to the 6-1 win for the first-place Oilers. - Tyler McKay of the Owensboro Oilers pitched a 7-inning complete game shutout on July 1, 2009. The game was limited to seven innings because it was the first game of a double-header.http://www.kitleaguebaseball.com
2008
| Team | W | L | % | GB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tradewater | 35 | 15 | .700 | - |
| Fulton | 29 | 20 | .591 | 5.5 |
| Owensboro | 27 | 20 | .574 | 6.5 |
| Union City | 26 | 24 | .520 | 9 |
| Marion | 20 | 28 | .417 | 14 |
| Farmington | 8 | 38 | .174 | 25 |
2007
| Team | W | L | % | GB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fulton | 32 | 18 | .640 | - |
| Union City | 31 | 19 | .620 | 1 |
| Owensboro | 25 | 23 | .520 | 6 |
| Tradewater | 25 | 25 | .500 | 7 |
| Sikeston | 17 | 30 | .362 | 13.5 |
| Farmington | 17 | 32 | .347 | 14.5 |
2005
| Team | W | L | % | GB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Farmington | 31 | 8 | .795 | - |
| Union City | 29 | 11 | .725 | 2.5 |
| Sikeston | 12 | 27 | .308 | 19 |
| Fulton | 7 | 33 | .175 | 24.5 |
All-Star Games
The KIT League plays its All-Star games against the Central Illinois Collegiate LeagueCentral Illinois Collegiate League
The CICL was a collegiate wooden bat summer baseball league. It was composed of five teams from Illinois and Indiana.The CICL was founded in 1963 as a charter member of National Collegiate Athletic Association certified summer baseball...
All-Stars. In 2007 and 2008, the games were held at League Stadium in Huntingburg, Indiana
Huntingburg, Indiana
-Notable people:* Baseball pitcher Alex Graman was born in Huntingburg.* Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Mitch Stetter was born and raised in Huntingburg.* Retired professional basketball player Don Buse was born in Huntingburg.* Gordon St...
, home of the Dubois County Bombers.
2008
The 2008 All-Star Game was played on Monday, July 21, 2008 and featured the annual Home Run Derby. Players for the 2008 All Star team were selected during a meeting of all KIT League team mangers and coaches on Monday, July 14, 2008.http://www.kitleaguebaseball.com The Central Illinois Collegiate LeagueCentral Illinois Collegiate League
The CICL was a collegiate wooden bat summer baseball league. It was composed of five teams from Illinois and Indiana.The CICL was founded in 1963 as a charter member of National Collegiate Athletic Association certified summer baseball...
all-stars beat the KIT League all-stars with a final score of 7-6.http://www.kitleaguebaseball.com
2007
The 2007 All-Star Game was held on July 23, 2007. The Central Illinois Collegiate LeagueCentral Illinois Collegiate League
The CICL was a collegiate wooden bat summer baseball league. It was composed of five teams from Illinois and Indiana.The CICL was founded in 1963 as a charter member of National Collegiate Athletic Association certified summer baseball...
all-stars beat the KIT League all-stars with a final score of 7-2.
Notable players
Since its inception, the KIT League has produced several players who have been drafted by Major League baseball teams:- Marty Beno: Marty played for the Union City Greyhounds in 2005 and was the first KIT League alumnus to be drafted by a Major League franchise. In 2008, he played for the Hagerstown SunsHagerstown SunsThe Hagerstown Suns are a Minor League Baseball team based in Hagerstown, Maryland, United States. They play in Municipal Stadium, which was opened in 1930 and seats 4,600 fans....
before moving to the Potomac NationalsPotomac NationalsThe Potomac Nationals are a Minor League Baseball team located in Woodbridge, Virginia. The Nationals play in the Class A Advanced Carolina League, and are an affiliate of the Washington Nationals.-History:...
, both of which are farm teams for the Washington NationalsWashington NationalsThe Washington Nationals are a professional baseball team based in Washington, D.C. The Nationals are a member of the Eastern Division of the National League of Major League Baseball . The team moved into the newly built Nationals Park in 2008, after playing their first three seasons in RFK Stadium...
. In 2007, he made his professional debut with the Gulf Coast NationalsGulf Coast NationalsThe Gulf Coast League Nationals are the Rookie Level minor league affiliate of the Washington Nationals. The team plays in Viera, Florida, at the Washington Nationals Training Center next to Space Coast Stadium...
. - Tyler Blanford, a former Owensboro Oiler, was drafted by the Seattle MarinersSeattle MarinersThe Seattle Mariners are a professional baseball team based in Seattle, Washington. Enfranchised in , the Mariners are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Safeco Field has been the Mariners' home ballpark since July...
in 2009. He was previously drafted by the Baltimore OriolesBaltimore OriolesThe Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
in 2006. - Brandon Braboy: A former Tradewater Pirate, Brandon was picked up in the 18th round of the draft by the New York YankeesNew York YankeesThe New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
. - Tim Dunn, a current player for the Fulton RailroadersFulton RailroadersThe Fulton Railroaders are a collegiate summer baseball team based in Fulton, Kentucky. The team, a member of the Ohio Valley Collegiate Baseball League, plays its home games in Lohaus Field, located in Fulton.-History:...
was drafted by the Cincinnati RedsCincinnati RedsThe Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
in 2009.http://www.railroadersbaseball.com/ - Wade Gaynor: A former Tradewater Pirate, Wade was drafted in 2009 by the Detroit TigersDetroit TigersThe Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
. - Rafael Hill: A former Union City Greyhound, Rafael was drafted by the Texas RangersTexas Rangers (baseball)The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
. - Josh Hester: Josh, who played for the Fulton RailroadersFulton RailroadersThe Fulton Railroaders are a collegiate summer baseball team based in Fulton, Kentucky. The team, a member of the Ohio Valley Collegiate Baseball League, plays its home games in Lohaus Field, located in Fulton.-History:...
in 2006 was drafted by the St. Louis CardinalsSt. Louis CardinalsThe St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
in 2008. - Justin Long: A 2008 player for the Tradewater Pirates, was drafted by the Philadelphia PhilliesPhiladelphia PhilliesThe Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
in 2009.[www.kitleaguebaseball.com] - Ryan Modglin, a right-handed pitcher for the Bulls in 2009, was drafted by the Kansas City RoyalsKansas City RoyalsThe Kansas City Royals are a Major League Baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals are a member of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From 1973 to the present, the Royals have played in Kauffman Stadium...
in 2008. - Cory White: A Fulton RailroadersFulton RailroadersThe Fulton Railroaders are a collegiate summer baseball team based in Fulton, Kentucky. The team, a member of the Ohio Valley Collegiate Baseball League, plays its home games in Lohaus Field, located in Fulton.-History:...
player for the 2007, 2008, and 2009 seasons was drafted by the Cleveland IndiansCleveland IndiansThe Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
.
External links
- KIT League
- Full League Schedule
- Fulton Railroaders
- Marion Bobcats
- Owensboro Oilers
- Sikeston Bulls
- Tradewater Pirates
- Union City Greyhounds
- KITTY League - History of the Class D professional league for which the league was named