Prospect League
Encyclopedia
The Prospect League is a collegiate summer baseball league comprising teams of college players from North America and beyond. All players in the league must have NCAA
eligibility remaining in order to participate. Players are not paid so as to maintain their college eligibility. Beginning in 2011, the league will consist of two divisions and play 56 games a season.
(CICL), the precursor league to the Prospect league, was formed as a charter member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association
(NCAA) summer collegiate baseball
program. The league existed under NCAA rules and guidance for 41 years. In 2005, the NCAA ended its official association with summer collegiate baseball; however, the CICL continued to preserve the amateur status of its member athletes by abiding by the rules and regulations of the National Alliance of College Summer Baseball (NACSB). In 2009, the CICL planned to expand to six teams by adding the Hannibal Cavemen
, but in winter 2008, the league ownership voted for further expansion.
Dr. Chris Hanners, owner of the Chillicothe franchise and one of the founders of the Frontier League
wanted to keep a Paints baseball team in Chillicothe. Dr. Hanners, Leo Trisch Jr., former Frontier league director of development, and current General Manager
and majority owner of the Butler BlueSox
, and Duke Ward, former owner of the Frontier League's Richmond Roosters worked with the ownership of the CICL to form the Prospect League.
The Prospect League began its inaugural season in summer 2009 with the original CICL teams forming the Western Division. Five expansion teams formed the Eastern Division. Three of the Eastern Division teams began play in markets previously served by Frontier League teams. Besides the Chillicothe Paints, the Richmond RiverRats
(Richmond, Indiana
), played in the previous home of the Frontier League's Richmond Roosters, which are now the Traverse City Beach Bums
. The Slippery Rock Sliders
(Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania
) played in the previous home of the Frontier League team of the same name
.
In 2010, the Prospect League expanded adding four new franchises: the Terre Haute Rex
(Terre Haute, Indiana
), the West Virginia Miners
(Beckley, West Virginia
), the DeKalb County Liners (Sycamore, Illinois
), and the Nashville Outlaws
(Nashville, Tennessee
).
Due to a change in team ownership in 2010, the North Coast Knights became the Lorain County Ironmen.
In 2011 the Dupage Dragons
franchise folded after 5 years with the CICL (2006-08) and Prospect League (2009-10). As a result the league returned to a 2-division format after having 3 divisions in 2010. Richmond was moved to the six-team Eastern Division, while Danville, Nashville, Terre Haute, and Dubois County were moved to the eight-team Western Division.
In 2012, the Nashville Outlaws folded, and the DeKalb County Liners left the league to join the Midwestern Collegiate League, leaving the Prospect League with twelve teams in two, six-team divisions.
Teams in italics qualified for that season's playoffs as a wild card entry under that particular season's playoff format.
2009 Playoff Format: After 56-game schedule, teams with best record in each division faced each other in a best-of-three series for the Championship.
2010 Playoff Format: 56-game schedule divided in two halves. Winners from each half in each division faced each other in a one-game playoff (home field to team with best overall record). Where the same team won both halves in a division, the team with the next-best overall record from that division was declared the wild card. Championship Series was a two-game affair with the divisional playoff winner with the best overall record receiving a bye into the Championship Game. The remaining two divisional playoff winners met in a one-game play-in for the right to go to the Championship Game. Championship Series held at Chillicothe, Ohio
.
2011 Playoff Format: 56-game schedule divided in two halves. Winners from each half in each division faced each other in a one-game playoff (home field to team winning the first half). Where the same team won both halves in a division, the team with the next-best overall record from that division was declared the wild card. Divisional playoff winners met in one-game playoff with home field awarded to the team with the best overall record from the regular season.
National Collegiate Athletic Association
The National Collegiate Athletic Association is a semi-voluntary association of 1,281 institutions, conferences, organizations and individuals that organizes the athletic programs of many colleges and universities in the United States...
eligibility remaining in order to participate. Players are not paid so as to maintain their college eligibility. Beginning in 2011, the league will consist of two divisions and play 56 games a season.
League history
In 1963, 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...
(CICL), the precursor league to the Prospect league, was formed as a charter member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association
National Collegiate Athletic Association
The National Collegiate Athletic Association is a semi-voluntary association of 1,281 institutions, conferences, organizations and individuals that organizes the athletic programs of many colleges and universities in the United States...
(NCAA) summer collegiate baseball
College baseball
College baseball is baseball that is played on the intercollegiate level at institutions of higher education. Compared to football and basketball, college competition in the United States plays a less significant contribution to cultivating professional players, as the minor leagues primarily...
program. The league existed under NCAA rules and guidance for 41 years. In 2005, the NCAA ended its official association with summer collegiate baseball; however, the CICL continued to preserve the amateur status of its member athletes by abiding by the rules and regulations of the National Alliance of College Summer Baseball (NACSB). In 2009, the CICL planned to expand to six teams by adding the Hannibal Cavemen
Hannibal Cavemen
The Hannibal Cavemen are a collegiate summer league baseball team located in Hannibal, Missouri, in the United States. They are a member of the West Division of the summer collegiate Prospect League.-History:...
, but in winter 2008, the league ownership voted for further expansion.
Dr. Chris Hanners, owner of the Chillicothe franchise and one of the founders of the Frontier League
Frontier League
The Frontier League, based in Sauget, Illinois, is a professional, independent baseball organization located in the Midwestern United States, Western Pennsylvania, and Southern Ontario. It operates mostly in cities not served by Major or Minor League Baseball teams and is not affiliated with either...
wanted to keep a Paints baseball team in Chillicothe. Dr. Hanners, Leo Trisch Jr., former Frontier league director of development, and current General Manager
General manager
General manager is a descriptive term for certain executives in a business operation. It is also a formal title held by some business executives, most commonly in the hospitality industry.-Generic usage:...
and majority owner of the Butler BlueSox
Butler BlueSox
The Butler BlueSox are a collegiate summer baseball team based in Butler, Pennsylvania, in the United States. They are a member of the East Division of the summer collegiate Prospect League.-History:...
, and Duke Ward, former owner of the Frontier League's Richmond Roosters worked with the ownership of the CICL to form the Prospect League.
The Prospect League began its inaugural season in summer 2009 with the original CICL teams forming the Western Division. Five expansion teams formed the Eastern Division. Three of the Eastern Division teams began play in markets previously served by Frontier League teams. Besides the Chillicothe Paints, the Richmond RiverRats
Richmond RiverRats
The Richmond RiverRats are a collegiate summer baseball team based in Richmond, Indiana. They are a member of the summer collegiate Prospect League.The RiverRats play at the 1,787-seat Don McBride Stadium.-Seasons:-Players of the Year:...
(Richmond, Indiana
Richmond, Indiana
Richmond is a city largely within Wayne Township, Wayne County, in east central Indiana, United States, which borders Ohio. The city also includes the Richmond Municipal Airport, which is in Boston Township and separated from the rest of the city...
), played in the previous home of the Frontier League's Richmond Roosters, which are now the Traverse City Beach Bums
Traverse City Beach Bums
The Traverse City Beach Bums are a professional baseball team based in the Traverse City, Michigan, suburb of Blair Township, in the United States. The Beach Bums are a member of the East Division of the Frontier League, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball...
. The Slippery Rock Sliders
Slippery Rock Sliders
The Slippery Rock Sliders are a collegiate summer baseball team based in Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania, in the United States. They are a member of the East Division of the summer collegiate Prospect League.-Frontier League past:...
(Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania
Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania
Slippery Rock is a borough in Butler County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 3,068 at the 2000 census. It is home to the Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania.-Geography:Slippery Rock is located at ....
) played in the previous home of the Frontier League team of the same name
Oakland County Cruisers
The Oakland County Cruisers were a professional baseball team based in Waterford Township, Michigan, in the United States. They are a member of the East Division of the Frontier League, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball....
.
In 2010, the Prospect League expanded adding four new franchises: the Terre Haute Rex
Terre Haute Rex
The Terre Haute Rex are a collegiate summer baseball team based in Terre Haute, Indiana. They are a member of the summer collegiate Prospect League....
(Terre Haute, Indiana
Terre Haute, Indiana
Terre Haute is a city and the county seat of Vigo County, Indiana, United States, near the state's western border with Illinois. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 60,785 and its metropolitan area had a population of 170,943. The city is the county seat of Vigo County and...
), the West Virginia Miners
West Virginia Miners
The West Virginia Miners are a collegiate summer baseball team located in Beckley, West Virginia. The team began play in the Prospect League for the 2010 season. Home games are played at Linda K. Epling Stadium at the Upper Deck Training Center....
(Beckley, West Virginia
Beckley, West Virginia
Beckley is a city in Raleigh County, West Virginia, United States, which was founded on April 4, 1838. The 2008 population was estimated to be 16,832 by the U.S. Census Bureau. Early in its history, the town was known as Beckleyville and Raleigh Court House...
), the DeKalb County Liners (Sycamore, Illinois
Sycamore, Illinois
Sycamore is a city in DeKalb County, Illinois, United States. It has a commercial district based and centered on Illinois Route 64. The population was 17,519 at the 2010 census, up from 12,020 at the 2000 census.-Early settlement:...
), and the Nashville Outlaws
Nashville Outlaws
The Nashville Outlaws are a collegiate summer baseball team of the Prospect League. They are located in Nashville, Tennessee, and are named for the city's association with country music, particularly the outlaw country genre which was popular during the late 1960s and 1970s...
(Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville is the capital of the U.S. state of Tennessee and the county seat of Davidson County. It is located on the Cumberland River in Davidson County, in the north-central part of the state. The city is a center for the health care, publishing, banking and transportation industries, and is home...
).
Due to a change in team ownership in 2010, the North Coast Knights became the Lorain County Ironmen.
In 2011 the Dupage Dragons
Dupage Dragons
The DuPage Dragons are a collegiate summer league baseball team located in Lisle, Illinois. The team plays in the Prospect League, which their former league, the NCAA sanctioned Central Illinois Collegiate League, was absorbed into...
franchise folded after 5 years with the CICL (2006-08) and Prospect League (2009-10). As a result the league returned to a 2-division format after having 3 divisions in 2010. Richmond was moved to the six-team Eastern Division, while Danville, Nashville, Terre Haute, and Dubois County were moved to the eight-team Western Division.
In 2012, the Nashville Outlaws folded, and the DeKalb County Liners left the league to join the Midwestern Collegiate League, leaving the Prospect League with twelve teams in two, six-team divisions.
Current Teams (prior to the start of the 2012 Season)
| Western Division | ||
|---|---|---|
| Team | Stadium | City |
| Hannibal Cavemen Hannibal Cavemen The Hannibal Cavemen are a collegiate summer league baseball team located in Hannibal, Missouri, in the United States. They are a member of the West Division of the summer collegiate Prospect League.-History:... |
Clemens Field | Hannibal, Missouri Hannibal, Missouri Hannibal is a city in Marion and Ralls counties in the U.S. state of Missouri. Hannibal is located at the intersection of Interstate 72 and U.S. Routes 24, 36 and 61, approximately northwest of St. Louis. According to the 2010 U.S. Census the population was 17,606... |
| Quincy Gems Quincy Gems The Quincy Gems are a collegiate summer league baseball team located in Quincy, Illinois. The team plays in the Prospect League, which absorbed their former league, the Central Illinois Collegiate League.Records- Records :CareerGames... |
Quincy Stadium Quincy Stadium Quincy Stadium is located in Quincy, Illinois and was home to the Quincy Jets, a minor league affiliate of the New York Mets. Currently, it is home to the Quincy Gems of the summer-collegiate Prospect League.- External links :... |
Quincy, Illinois Quincy, Illinois Quincy, known as Illinois' "Gem City," is a river city along the Mississippi River and the county seat of Adams County. As of the 2010 census the city held a population of 40,633. The city anchors its own micropolitan area and is the economic and regional hub of West-central Illinois, catering a... |
| Springfield Sliders Springfield Sliders The Springfield Sliders are a collegiate summer league baseball team in the Prospect League. They play at Robin Roberts Field at Lanphier Park and are based in the city of Springfield, Illinois. The Sliders formed in November 2007 and were an expansion franchise for the 2008 season... |
Lanphier Park Lanphier Park Lanphier Park is a stadium in Springfield, Illinois. It is primarily used for baseball. It originally opened in 1928 and was renovated in 1977. It holds 5,000 people. The facility's full name is Robin Roberts Stadium at Lanphier Park... |
Springfield, Illinois Springfield, Illinois Springfield is the third and current capital of the US state of Illinois and the county seat of Sangamon County with a population of 117,400 , making it the sixth most populated city in the state and the second most populated Illinois city outside of the Chicago Metropolitan Area... |
| Danville Dans Danville Dans The Danville Dans are a collegiate summer league baseball team located in Danville, Illinois. The team plays in the Prospect League, which their former league, the NCAA sanctioned Central Illinois Collegiate League, was absorbed into.... |
Danville Stadium Danville Stadium Danville Stadium is a baseball stadium in Danville, Illinois. It is home to the Danville Dans of the collegiate summer Prospect League, and former home of the Danville Warriors, an A baseball team of the Midwest League. Built in 1946, it holds 4,000 people... |
Danville, Illinois Danville, Illinois Danville is a city in Vermilion County, Illinois, United States. It is the principal city of the'Danville, Illinois Metropolitan Statistical Area' which encompasses all of Danville and Vermilion County. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 32,467. It is the county seat of... |
| Dubois County Bombers Dubois County Bombers The Dubois County Bombers are a collegiate summer league baseball team located in Huntingburg, Indiana. The team plays in the Prospect League, which their former league, the NCAA sanctioned Central Illinois Collegiate League, was absorbed into.... |
League Stadium | 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... |
| Terre Haute Rex Terre Haute Rex The Terre Haute Rex are a collegiate summer baseball team based in Terre Haute, Indiana. They are a member of the summer collegiate Prospect League.... |
Bob Warn Field at Sycamore Stadium | Terre Haute, Indiana Terre Haute, Indiana Terre Haute is a city and the county seat of Vigo County, Indiana, United States, near the state's western border with Illinois. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 60,785 and its metropolitan area had a population of 170,943. The city is the county seat of Vigo County and... |
| Eastern Division | ||
| Team | Stadium | City |
| Richmond RiverRats Richmond RiverRats The Richmond RiverRats are a collegiate summer baseball team based in Richmond, Indiana. They are a member of the summer collegiate Prospect League.The RiverRats play at the 1,787-seat Don McBride Stadium.-Seasons:-Players of the Year:... |
Don McBride Stadium Don McBride Stadium Don McBride Stadium is a baseball ballpark built in 1936 at the corner of Northwest 13th Street and Peacock Road in Richmond, Indiana.The ballpark has hosted four minor-league baseball teams over the years -- the Richmond Roses , the Richmond Robins , the Richmond Tigers and the Richmond Roosters ... |
Richmond, Indiana Richmond, Indiana Richmond is a city largely within Wayne Township, Wayne County, in east central Indiana, United States, which borders Ohio. The city also includes the Richmond Municipal Airport, which is in Boston Township and separated from the rest of the city... |
| Butler BlueSox Butler BlueSox The Butler BlueSox are a collegiate summer baseball team based in Butler, Pennsylvania, in the United States. They are a member of the East Division of the summer collegiate Prospect League.-History:... |
Pullman Park Pullman Park Pullman Park is a baseball stadium located in Butler, Pennsylvania. Constructed in 1934, and rebuilt in 2008, the ballpark hosted minor league teams that were affiliated with the New York Yankees, Cleveland Indians, Detroit Tigers, and the Pittsburgh Pirates... |
Butler, Pennsylvania Butler, Pennsylvania The city of Butler is the county seat of Butler County in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania, situated north of Pittsburgh. The population was 15,121 at the 2000 census.- History :... |
| Chillicothe Paints Chillicothe Paints The Chillicothe Paints are a collegiate summer baseball team based in Chillicothe, Ohio, in the United States. The team is a member of the summer collegiate Prospect League.-Team history:... |
V.A. Memorial Stadium V.A. Memorial Stadium V.A. Memorial Stadium is a baseball stadium located on the grounds of the Veterans Administration Hospital campus 3 miles north of Chillicothe, Ohio. It is officially designated as building 244. The stadium is the home field of the Chillicothe Paints, a collegiate wooden bat baseball team in the... |
Chillicothe, Ohio Chillicothe, Ohio Chillicothe is a city in and the county seat of Ross County, Ohio, United States.Chillicothe was the first and third capital of Ohio and is located in southern Ohio along the Scioto River. The name comes from the Shawnee name Chalahgawtha, meaning "principal town", as it was a major settlement of... |
| Lorain County Ironmen | The Pipe Yard | Lorain, Ohio Lorain, Ohio Lorain is a city in Lorain County, Ohio, United States. The municipality is located in northeastern Ohio on Lake Erie, at the mouth of the Black River, about 30 miles west of Cleveland.... |
| Slippery Rock Sliders Slippery Rock Sliders The Slippery Rock Sliders are a collegiate summer baseball team based in Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania, in the United States. They are a member of the East Division of the summer collegiate Prospect League.-Frontier League past:... |
Jack Critchfield Park Jack Critchfield Park Jack Critchfield Park is a stadium in Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania. It is primarily used for baseball and hosts the Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania college baseball team. The ballpark is also home of the Prospect League's Slippery Rock Sliders. It was also the home of the Slippery Rock... |
Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania Slippery Rock is a borough in Butler County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 3,068 at the 2000 census. It is home to the Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania.-Geography:Slippery Rock is located at .... |
| West Virginia Miners West Virginia Miners The West Virginia Miners are a collegiate summer baseball team located in Beckley, West Virginia. The team began play in the Prospect League for the 2010 season. Home games are played at Linda K. Epling Stadium at the Upper Deck Training Center.... |
Linda K. Epling Stadium Linda K. Epling Stadium Linda K. Epling Stadium is a baseball field in Beckley, West Virginia. It opened in 2010. The field was built by the Epling family after it sold out its interests in the coal business. The stadium seats 2500... |
Beckley, West Virginia Beckley, West Virginia Beckley is a city in Raleigh County, West Virginia, United States, which was founded on April 4, 1838. The 2008 population was estimated to be 16,832 by the U.S. Census Bureau. Early in its history, the town was known as Beckleyville and Raleigh Court House... |
Division and League Champions
| Year | Eastern Division playoff winner | Central Division playoff winner | Western Division playoff winner | League Champion |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Chillicothe Paints (31-25) | N/A | Quincy Gems (36-20) | Quincy over Chillicothe, 2 games to 0 |
| 2010 | Chillicothe Paints 5, West Virginia Miners 3 | Danville Dans 4, Nashville Outlaws 2 | Quincy Gems 2, Springfield Sliders 0 | Chillicothe 7, Danville 6 (11) [after Danville def. Quincy, 7-3, in play-in game] |
| 2011 | West Virginia Miners 2, Slippery Rock Sliders 1 | N/A | Quincy Gems 15, Terre Haute Rex 5 | Quincy 5, West Virginia 0 |
Teams in italics qualified for that season's playoffs as a wild card entry under that particular season's playoff format.
2009 Playoff Format: After 56-game schedule, teams with best record in each division faced each other in a best-of-three series for the Championship.
2010 Playoff Format: 56-game schedule divided in two halves. Winners from each half in each division faced each other in a one-game playoff (home field to team with best overall record). Where the same team won both halves in a division, the team with the next-best overall record from that division was declared the wild card. Championship Series was a two-game affair with the divisional playoff winner with the best overall record receiving a bye into the Championship Game. The remaining two divisional playoff winners met in a one-game play-in for the right to go to the Championship Game. Championship Series held at Chillicothe, Ohio
Chillicothe, Ohio
Chillicothe is a city in and the county seat of Ross County, Ohio, United States.Chillicothe was the first and third capital of Ohio and is located in southern Ohio along the Scioto River. The name comes from the Shawnee name Chalahgawtha, meaning "principal town", as it was a major settlement of...
.
2011 Playoff Format: 56-game schedule divided in two halves. Winners from each half in each division faced each other in a one-game playoff (home field to team winning the first half). Where the same team won both halves in a division, the team with the next-best overall record from that division was declared the wild card. Divisional playoff winners met in one-game playoff with home field awarded to the team with the best overall record from the regular season.
Mike Schmidt Award Winners (Player of the Year)
| Year | Winner | Position | Team |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Tyler Bullock | Catcher | Richmond River Rats |
| 2010 | Jeff Holm | Outfielder | Chillicothe Paints |
| 2011 | Chris Serritella | First Baseman | Quincy Gems |
Pitcher of the Year Award Winners
| Year | Winner | Throws | Team |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Rusty Shellhorn | Left | Northcoast Knights |
| 2010 | Dean Wolosianski | Right | West Virginia Miners |
| 2011 | Clayton Schulz | Left | Chillicothe Paints |