Wichita Wingnuts
Encyclopedia
The Wichita Wingnuts are a professional baseball team based in Wichita, Kansas
, in the United States
. The Wingnuts are a member of the Central Division of the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball
.
An expansion franchise in the 2008 season, the Wingnuts play their home games at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium
. The Wingnuts replaced the Wichita Wranglers
, the former AA affiliate of the Kansas City Royals
. The first Wichita Wingnuts manager was Kash Beauchamp
, who gained notoriety for his tirade during a game on July 9. Beauchamp's contract was not renewed at the end of the 2008 season. Kevin Hooper replaced Beauchamp as the manager for the 2009 season. The Wingnuts finished the first half of 2008 in second place, but a slide in the second half left them with an overall record of 45-50 in their inaugural season.
In 2009, the Wingnuts won the North Division title for the first half of the season, and in 2010 hosted the American Association All-Star Game, to be played at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium. The Wingnuts were named the 2010 American Association Organization of the Year. The current manager is former major leaguer
Kevin Hooper
, an alum of Wichita State University
and native Kansan.
Wichita, Kansas
Wichita is the largest city in the U.S. state of Kansas.As of the 2010 census, the city population was 382,368. Located in south-central Kansas on the Arkansas River, Wichita is the county seat of Sedgwick County and the principal city of the Wichita metropolitan area...
, in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The Wingnuts are a member of the Central Division of the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
.
An expansion franchise in the 2008 season, the Wingnuts play their home games at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium
Lawrence-Dumont Stadium
Lawrence-Dumont Stadium is a stadium in Wichita, Kansas. It is primarily used for baseball, and is the home field of the Wichita Wingnuts independent baseball team. It was built in 1934, underwent renovations in 2001 which brought improvements to the stadium sound system, new infield turf, a new...
. The Wingnuts replaced the Wichita Wranglers
Wichita Wranglers
The Wichita Wranglers were a minor league baseball team based in Wichita, Kansas. The team, which played in the Texas League, was the Double-A affiliate of the Kansas City Royals major-league club from 1995 to 2007, and of the San Diego Padres from 1987 to 1994. The Wranglers played in...
, the former AA affiliate of the Kansas City Royals
Kansas City Royals
The 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...
. The first Wichita Wingnuts manager was Kash Beauchamp
Kash Beauchamp
James Kash Beauchamp is the son of Jim Beauchamp, and a former minor league baseball outfielder and manager. Beauchamp originally attended Grove High School in Oklahoma and then Bacone College...
, who gained notoriety for his tirade during a game on July 9. Beauchamp's contract was not renewed at the end of the 2008 season. Kevin Hooper replaced Beauchamp as the manager for the 2009 season. The Wingnuts finished the first half of 2008 in second place, but a slide in the second half left them with an overall record of 45-50 in their inaugural season.
In 2009, the Wingnuts won the North Division title for the first half of the season, and in 2010 hosted the American Association All-Star Game, to be played at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium. The Wingnuts were named the 2010 American Association Organization of the Year. The current manager is former major leaguer
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
Kevin Hooper
Kevin Hooper
Kevin James Hooper is a former Major League Baseball infielder who played for the Detroit Tigers. He is currently the manager of the Wichita Wingnuts of the independent American Association.-College years:...
, an alum of Wichita State University
Wichita State University
Wichita State University is a NCAA Division I public university in Wichita, Kansas with selective admissions. WSU is one of six state universities governed by the Kansas Board of Regents. The current president is Dr. Donald Beggs....
and native Kansan.