Heartland Baseball League: 1984 and Beyond

[HerbD]

June 1988 will go down as one of the most interesting months in the history of the HBL. Not only did we see a no-hitter(that wasn't a shutout) but we got six shutouts, one five hit game, and the end of a 23 game hitting steak to go along with these two impressive accomplishments:

June 6, 1988
Poplar Bluff, MO


___Bruce McIntyre___

Bruce "Dump Truck" McIntyre tied an HBL record by striking out 16 in a win against visiting Cedar Rapids. Rebels thirdsacker Matt Maloney was the only starter to not got down via the strikeout with Eric Cates taking the walk of shame a team high four times. McIntyre pitched a complete game pushing his record to an unimpressive 3-7 on a team that, with this win, is now four games over .500 at 31-27. "Dump Truck" threw 147 pitches recording 97 strikes and walking four. Albert Lineberry and Leonardo Deleon each hit homers in the fifth inning to support the Predators in the win. McIntyre bacame just the fourth pitcher in the HBL to strikeout 16 batters with the last being the Jackalopes' Julio Gonzales in 1984 against Oshkosh.


____John Jones____

June 8, 1988
Jefferson City, MO

John Jones of the Jefferson City Jackalopes became just the 13 player in HBL history to hit for the cycle. Jones began his day with a two-run homer off of Rebels starter Edison Salsbury off the right field foul pole. In the bottom of the second he lined an RBI double into the left-center gap for his third RBI of the game. The bottom of the fourth saw Jones line a single between first and second base for his third hit of the game. The bottom of the sixth brought a bases on balls before he got the elusice triple in the bottom of the eighth down the right field line. Jones finished the game with four RBi and two runs scored leading the Jackalopes to a 7-3 win over the Rebels.

[HerbD]

North Hitter of the Month
Mitchell Hilton(BC)
.463/.500/.926, 14 2B, 12 HR, 27 RS, 44 RBI, 10 BB


North Pitcher of the Month
Jeffrey King(CR)
5-1, 3.80 ERA, 45.0 IP, 38 K, 7 BB, 1.09 WHiP, 2 QS


North Rookie of the Month
Matt English(ROC)
.253/.368/.471, 5 2B, 1 3B, 4 HR, 15 RS, 20 RBI, 16 BB, 10 SB




South Hitter of the Month
Rodney Mathie(DAY)
.407/.422/.657, 15 2B, 4 HR, 18 RS, 23 RBI, 5 BB, 8 K


South Pitcher of the Month
Lewis Long(JEC)
3-0, 2.01 ERA, 31.1 IP, 42 K, 10 BB, 1.09 WHiP, 2/5 QS


South Rookie of the Month
Elmer Fisher(PB)
.373/.395/.493, 6 2B, 1 HR, 17 RS, 5 RBI, 3 BB



Jackalopes Gardner Tosses Near No-No
Jefferson City is having one of those years where everything seems to be going right. That's maybe not the case for veteran starter Dave Gardner who has struggled to find his stride this season. Even when it's going right for the 28 year old it just doesn't seem to go quite right.

On July 19 Gardner threw a dominating game against the Dayton Dawgs at Best Buy Field in Dayton. Entering the game he had posted an 8-8 record and an ERA a full run higher than his career mark of 3.72. In the game Gardner pitched 7 1/3 perfect innings of baseball before surrendering a solid single to Dayton's Wes Marsh. After Marsh's single Gardner retired the next five batters in order for a one-hit shutout. He threw just 101 pitches enducing 14 groundouts, 11 fly outs, and two strikeouts.

"That's how my season has gone," Gardner said after the game. "Even when I pitch great it just doesn't seem like I've done enough. We won so that is the main thing."



Three Bomb Trio
Things just seem to come in bunches in the Heartland Baseball League. After going the first three and a half months without a three homer game the HBL saw three such games in a span of 10 days in mid-July.

On July 18th Bay City 1B Mitchell Hilton led the Lake Monsters to a 15-0 win in South Bend. Hilton smashed his 21st, 22nd, and 23rd homers of the season and set a North single game record with nine runs batted in.

On July 21 South Bend had a three homer game of their own from a most unlikely source. Catcher Mike Taylor doubled his homer total for the season by hitting three dingers against Rochester knocking in four runs in the Silver Sox 12-2 victory.

July 27 saw a rematch between South Bend and Bay City but the results were similar. The Lake Monsters dominated the game 12-3 and this time it was Arnold Stephenson's turn to shine as he drove in seven runs to go with his three homers. The three dingers put him at 21 for the season.

[HerbD]

It's that time of year again. The league offices of the Heartland Baseball League have announced the members of the 1988 North and South All-Star teams for the 11th annual HBL All-Star Game to be played on August 3 at Jefferson City's Charter Field.

The rosters feature nine time all-stars Bryan Williams of Bay City and Colin Reese of Canton and include two rookies Millard Wilhelm of Canton and Lucio Silva of Evansville.

North All-Star Game Selections announced:
SP Aaron Johnson (BC)**2nd**
SP Lee Franklin (BC)**3rd**
SP Henry Morrow (SB)**3rd**
SP Robert Snyder (DUL)**2nd**
SP Kelly Boyd (SB)**2nd**
MR Jim Johnson (OSH)**1st**
CL Bryan Williams (BC)**9th**
CL Jason Davenport (ROC)**4th**
MR Reese Peterson (DUL)**1st**
MR Manny Alvarado (OSH)**1st**
RF Bret Hawkins (BC)**1st**
LF Albert Chappell (OSH)**2nd**
1B Mitchell Hilton (BC)**2nd**
CF Richard Webster (CR)**1st**
SS Michael Pace (ROC)**2nd**
3B Ray Gray (OSH)**7th**
C Flynn Hudson (BC)**2nd**
CF Arnold Stephenson (BC)**2nd**
2B Eric Cates (CR)**1st**
RF James Campbell (ROC)**1st**
SS Mike Young (DUL)**1st**
CF Joe Jackson (SB)**5th**
C Melvin Shields (DUL)**5th**
LF Carson Stephenson (SB)**1st**
2B Roy Hill (BC)**2nd**

South All-Star Game Selections announced:
SP Brian McLean (PB)**2nd**
SP Lewis Long (JEC)**2nd**
SP Mike Collins (JEC)**1st**
SP Zane Carver (CAN)**7th**
CL Robbie Tyler (SPR)**7th**
CL Ray Adkins (CAN)**5th**
CL Larry Stanley (EVA)**7th**
MR Hilton Williamson (JEC)**3rd**
SP Augusto Ortíz (SPR)**2nd**
C Danny Moss (PB)**1st**
C Matt Bryant (JEC)**3rd**
CF Andy Nash (DAY)**1st**
RF Rodney Mathie (DAY)**2nd**
3B José Woods (CAN)**6th**
RF Rich Key (PB)**1st**
SS Joe Moody (JEC)**2nd**
3B John Winters (SPR)**4th**
C Doug Sullivan (EVA)**5th**
CF John Jones (JEC)**3rd**
LF Leonard Boyd (PB)**3rd**
3B José Ramírez (JEC)**3rd**
1B Millard Wilhelm (CAN)**ROOKIE**
LF Colin Reese (CAN)**9th**
1B Lúcio Silva (EVA)**ROOKIE**
SP Ric Blaikie (PB)**3rd**

[HerbD]

August 3, 1988
Jefferson City, MO



One year ago today the HBL North All-Stars broke an eight game losing streak to the South All-Stars by one slim run. This year the North left no doubt which team was the best following a 16-5 drubbing of the South at Charter Field in Jefferson City.

Early it looked like business as usual for the South team as Jackalopes catcher Matt Bryant two run double in the top of the second put the North down 3-0.

It all went south for the South in the top of the fourth when the HBL's winningest pitcher, Zane Carver, entered the game. Carver gave up five consecutive hits ending with a two run triple to Bay City's Arnold Stephenson that pushed the North ahead 4-3. Carver would not record an out before being replaced by Mike Collins who struck out the next batter. With one out Stephenson would score from third on a passed ball by Bryant to make the score 5-3. A walk and two singles would load the bases before Collins would record another strike out for the second out of the inning. Lake Monsters' OF Bret Hawkins would then coax a bases on balls making it 6-3. Out goes Collins and in comes Canton's Ray Atkins with the bases loaded and two down. Cedar Rapids Richard Webster then launched a 1-2 pitch down the left field line that just curved around the fair pole for a grand slam and a huge 11-3 North advantage. Stephenson would than foul out to end bloodbath.

The South would chip away in the bottom of the inning as rookie Lucio Silva singled to right with one out and moved to second on an OF error. Silva would score on the next at bat when Rodney Mathie doubled down the third base line. A Bryant single would put runners on the corners with two outs and Mathie would score on a John Jones sac fly to center. John Winters would follow with a two out double down the third base line before a Leonard Boyd HBP would load the bases. Jim Johnson remained on the mound for the North and worked out of the jam forcing a line drive by Jose Woods right to the first baseman Mitchell Hilton to end the threat.

Things would remain 11-5 until Larry Stanley grooved a fastball that Webster launched into the center field seats for a 443 foot, two run homer making it 13-5 in favor of the visiting North squad. The bullpens would hold things in check until the top of the ninth when the North would collect two bloops and a blast to increase the lead to 16-5. The blast came off the bat of Webster's Rebels teammate Eric Cates.

Jason Davenport then retired Winters and Andy Nash quietly in the bottom of the inning before Bryan Williams was called in to finish off Woods and end the game.

Webster and his two homers and seven runs batted in was named the game's MVP.

1988 BOX / 1988 LOG

HBL All-Star History Page


1988 AS Game MVP
3-4, 2 HR, 3 RS, 7 RBI

[HerbD]

Frank Stephenson couldn't be more proud of his two sons. Both Carson and Arnold were first round draft picks who didn't live up to the hype but have scripted decent HBL careers for themselves. The 1988 HBL All-Star game brought them a unique oportunity to play on the same team together. That's something that's never happened before.

Carson was just three years old when Frank and Jenny Stephenson divorced. Jenny and Carson stayed in Cincinatti but Frank moved four hours north to Shaker Heights for a job. Frank never missed a chance to see Carson and soon after the move Frank met Beth Jennings and remarried. In February of 1960 Arnold arrived. "Carson was so excited to have little brother," Frank recalled. "Carson loved baseball and that rubbed off on Arnold. They played together in the back yard all the time."

The two boys were tight and Arnold followed all of his brothers' high school exploits through newspaper clippings. When Carson wasn't drafted out of high school he decided to go to Northwestern to play baseball for the Wildcats. Carson suffered through injuries at Northwesten until his senior season when he hit .300 and slammed 24 homers. That same year Arnold starred for Ohskosh High School as a junior.

Carson was drafted ninth overall by Evansville in the 1978 ammy draft. Arnold hit .370 as a Senior in high school that same year.

Carson excelled in AA and AAA and even played two games for the Twisters in 1979. That winter Arnold was selected first overall by the South Bend Silver Sox.

From '79~'84 Carson was up and down playing 229 games for Evansville. From '81~'85 Arnold played 114 games for South Bend and Canton. "We wanted to play on the same team but it just never worked out," said Arnold. "When he was a free agent I was not and when I was a free agent he was not so it was hard for us get together," added Carson.

In January of 1986 Arnold signed a three year contract to play for Bay City. he made the North All-Star team that season. In November of 1987 Carson signed a three year deal to play for South Bend. "When we found out we had both made the All-Star team we couldn't believe it," Arnold told me. "We felt like kids in the back yard again," exclaimed Carson. "The next step is to play in the same outfield for the same team."

"Seeing the smile on our dad's face...sitting behind the North dugout...looking at us during the introductions," Carson said sheepishily. "That was worth all the hard work we've put in over the years. That's what it's all about!!"

They live less than four hours away from each other just like when they were kids. "In the offseason we spend a lot of time together but it's kinda nice when we play each other," Arnold explained. "We don't stay at hotels, we stay at each other's house instead."

And Frank is there as well. Spending his time watching his two boys play the best game ever invented.

[HerbD]

North Hitter of the Month
Ray Gray(OSH)
.398/.509/.639, 5 2B, 5 HR, 23 RS, 15 RBI, 21 BB


North Pitcher of the Month
Brant Hill(OSH)
5-1, 2.93 ERA, 43.0 IP, 40 K, 5 BB, 1.07 WHiP, 4/6 QS


North Rookie of the Month
Matt English(ROC)
.311/.409/.556, 3 2B, 2 3B, 5 HR, 16 RS, 18 RBI, 15 BB, 17 SB




South Hitter of the Month
Jose Ramirez(JEC)
.396/.475/.713, 8 2B, 8 HR, 29 RS, 20 RBI, 14 BB, 5 SB


South Pitcher of the Month
Bruce McIntyre(PB)
4-1, 0.86 ERA, 42.0 IP, 42 K, 20 BB, 1.07 WHiP, 5/5 QS


South Rookie of the Month
Millard Wilhelm(CAN)
.408/.468/.571, 7 2B, 3 HR, 12 RS, 17 RBI, 10 BB

During the month of August the Heartland Baseball League saw three shutouts. One each by Nate Mitchell(OSH), Mike Collins(JEC), and Dave Gardner(PB). .

Also during the month there were three five hit games achieved by Elton Caldwell(PB), Jose Ramirez(JEC), and Matt English(ROC)

[HerbD]

August 28, 1988
Charter Field
Jefferson City, MO

The last time neither Oshkosh nor Canton was in the Heartland Series was 1984 when Evansville defeated South Bend for the HBL title. This year it will be up to Oshkosh to continue the streak as Jefferson City today clinched the South League title and the first Heartland Series appearance in franchise history. The Jackalopes finished second three of the past four seasons but finally got over the hump today with a league clinching win over second place Poplar Bluff. The third win in a row over the Predators put Jefferson City on top by 13 games with 12 to play allowing them a couple of weeks to rest players and set their rotation for a yet to be determined opponent.

"We've been close for so many years that it's great to finally break through," said three time All-Star catcher Matt Bryant. "And to do it at home is just gravy...these fans really deserve this."

In the clinching game the Jackalopes fell behind 2-0 before a six run sixth inning put them in front for good. Rookie Curt Holmes has had an up and down 1988 but it was all up today as he allowed just two runs in eight innings to improve his record to 4-6 on the season. A two run double by Wesley Heaver tied the score and Jefferson City took the lead when Heaver scored from second on a Lonnie Baker single.



September 1, 1988

Jefferson City clinched the South four days ago but the North is still up for grabs. Bay City leads Oshkosh by 3.5 games with 11 games to play. Oshkosh only has 10 games left on it's schedule. The two teams could decide the fate of the North with a three game series that ends the regular season at Bay City. On the season Bay City holds a slim 11-10 lead and is 41-23 playing at home in Dow Chemical Field. The Outlaws are one of the best road teams in the HBL sporting a 37-29 record. Bay City is first in the North in runs scored and second in runs allowed while Oshkosh is third in runs scored and first in runs allowed. One thing is for sure, if the North hasn't been decided before these two face off to end the regular season then this will be one great series to watch.

[HerbD]

Many around the Heartland Baseball League thought the North League title would come down to a three game series between Oshkosh and Bay City to end the regular season. By the time the two teams met to open that series on September 7 Oshkosh had taken control of the North and needed just one win the final weekend to secure a third consecutive Heartland Series appearance. For teh Outlaws it was an uphill battle entering September trailing the Lake Monsters by 3.5 games and Bay City putting up an impressive 34-18 record through July and August to climb to the top. What happened next could not be be predicted by anyone. A perfect storm of events that saw Bay City lose it's first seven games of the month while the Outlaws won six of seven during the same stretch to retake the North lead.

Oshkosh would end the suspense early winning the first game of the series to clinch the North on Bay City's home field. To throw salt on the Lake Monster's wounds the Outlaws ended up sweeping the series and have won six consecutive games heading into the Heartland Series against Jefferson City. "We never gave up on ourselves," said veteran Ray Gray following the win. "We aren't celebrating because we have bigger things to accomplish but it feels good to come back like that and get another shot at a title."

"When they look back through the history books," Bay City manager Dusty Scrotum explained, "this will be one of the biggest choke jobs in the history of the HBL and it's on me...not the players...me!"

[HerbD]

Seems like a mismatch. The Oshkosh Outlaws, the defending HBL Champions, have four titles in their history while the Jefferson City Jackalopes are celebrating their first Heartland Series appearance in franchise history.

The Outlaws boast 152 playoff games on it's roster including four players with as many of more than the 10 total playoff games on the Jackalopes roster. Rob Clemons is third in HBL history with 32 playoff games behind Colin Reese(39) and Albert Lineberry(33). Sixth on that list is Outlaws infielder Allen Beck. Jefferson City is limited in playoff experience with just Wesley Heaver(6 games '82 CR) and Gabriel McDaniel(4 games '86 & '87 OSH).

[HerbD]

Oshkosh veteran Pat Best would outpitch Dave Gardner helping Oshkosh snatch away home field from the Jackalopes.
Greg Auchinlech was 2-4 knocking in three of the Outlaws' four runs. Oshkosh overcame three errors including two
in the first inning that lead to two of Jefferson City's three runs.
OSHKOSH 1 JEFFERSON CITY 0




20 game winner Brant Hill put the Outlaws up 2-0 going home with a five hit shutout over Jefferson City.
Auchinlech again was a star at the plate going 2-3 with three more RBI including a two run homer in the top of the seventh.
OSHKOSH 2 JEFFERSON CITY 0




Raymond Bailey and Steve Stout tallied just 48 RBI during the regular season but they combined to knock in seven of
Jefferson City's nine runs in game three of the Heartland Series ensuring the Jackalopes would not be swept by the Outlaws.
Stount clubbed two homers and 22 game winner Mike Collins allowed just two runs on three hits in eight innings.
OSHKOSH 2 JEFFERSON CITY 1




22 year old Curt Holmes allowed 11 Oshkosh hits but only three runs as Jefferson City slapped 12 hits(11 singles)
and drew five bases on balls on enroute to a 6-4 win in Oshkosh to even the series at two games each. Each of the
Jackalopes starting nine had at least one hit in the victory including Holmes who knocked in a run on a second inning
sac fly and later singled and scored on a Nate Mitchell wild pitch in the Jefferson City three run fourth inning.
OSHKOSH 2 JEFFERSON CITY 2




In a rematch of game one starters it was Dave Gardner who came out smelling like roses as Jefferson City swept
the three games in Oshkosh and head back home holding a 3-2 series lead. Gardner gave up just four hits in seven plus
innings as the Jefferson City offense continued to impress producing it's third straight double digit hits game. The Jackalopes
managed just 12 hits in games one and two combined but exploded for 38 in the three games on the road.
JEFFERSON CITY 3 OSHKOSH 2




Outlaws' second sacker Allen Floyd broke a 1-1 tie with a soul crushing grand slam in the top of the sixth inning off
of Lewis Long to send the Heartland Series to a winner take all game seven. Brant Hill dominated the Jackalopes again
giving up just one run in eight innings winning for the second time in the series.
JEFFERSON CITY 3 OSHKOSH 3




As far as game sevens go this one was a dud. Oshkosh jumped out to a 6-1 lead and the Jackalopes managed just two
singles and a hit batsman over the final three innings finishing the Heartland Series with a wimper. Outlaws starter Rod
McKenzie pitched a complete game giving up just two runs on eight hits. A Christian Rivers, two run homer in the top
of the first put the Outlaws up for good as the visiting team won every game of the seven game series. Oshkosh won the
Heartland Series for the second consecutive season and the fifth time in franchise history.
OSHKOSH 4 JEFFERSON CITY 3



Heartland Series Most Valuable Player

In just his first full season as a starter for the Oshkosh Outlaws 24 year old Brant Hill won 20 games and dominated the
Jefferson City Jackalopes in the Heartland Series to the tune of one run allowed in 16.2 innings pitched for a 0.54 ERA.
His two wins on the road led the way for the Outlaws to repeat as Heartland Baseball League Champions.

History of the Heartland Series

[HerbD]

1988 HBL Awards

NORTH


Hitter of the Year: Bret Hawkins(BC)
.413/.468/.570, 215 H, 90 RBI, 107 RS, 50 XBH, 39 SB
Hawkins broke the Heartland Baseball League record for batting average in a single season by an incredible 40 points.
He also set the league standard for hits and singles in a single season.



Pitcher of the Year: Henry Morrow(SB)
18-9, 2.46 ERA, 241.2 IP, 220 K, 1.13 WHiP, 9 CG, 2 SHO



Rookie of the Year: Matt English(ROC)
.289/.417/.523, 58 XBH, 96 RBI, 92 RS, 93 BB, 62 SB
English was the #1 pick in the 1987 ammy draft and played just two games
in AAA before sticking with the big club for good.


Reliever of the Year: Bryan Williams(BC)
5-6, 32 saves, 2.99 ERA, 72.1 IP, 66 K
Williams won his second Reliever of the Year Award and is tops in the HBL in career saves with 329.


SOUTH


Hitter of the Year: Rich Key(PB)
.348/.409/.595, 32 HR, 10 RBI, 104 RS, 57 XBH



Pitcher of the Year: Mike Collins(JEC)
22-4, 3.22 ERA, 223.2 IP, 166 K, 10 GV, 6 SHO
Collins set the HBL single season record with six shutouts and tied the league mark with 22 wins.



Rookie of the Year: Millard Wilhelm(CAN)
.318/.367/.448 6 HR, 70 RBI, 46 2B


Reliever of the Year: Robbie Tyler(SPR)
3-9, 27 saves, 2.89 ERA, 65.1 IP, 64 K
Tyler won his fourth consecutive South Reliever of the Year Award and is second to only Williams in career saves in the HBL.

[HerbD]

As Dayton Dawgs owner Kevin Knight and GM Jeff Early sat and watched the Oshkosh Outlaws celebrate their fifth Heartland Series win Knight reached into his jacket and pulled out his checkbook. "Here," he said to Early while handing him a check for $5 million. Pointing to the tv showing the Outlaws locker room antics, "I want that!"

"I was trying to get Jeff's attention," Knight would say later. "I wanted him to know that the cap in the HBL is $5 million and I want him to use it all to get us a championship."

Early got the message loud and clear. That moment set in motion a spending spree that would bring in seven veteran free agents and two more in trades for prospects. The Dawgs revamped their entire infield with the exception of Mike Larsen. "The big prize was John Winters," Early confessed. "Once he signed everything just fell into place." Winters has scored at least 90 runs and knocked in no fewer than 99 runs each of the last four seasons and he just turned 28. He was the most sought after free agent on the market this offseason and Dayton gave him a four year deal worth more than $1.4 million. The Dawgs also signed Winters best friend, Elliot Yoder, to a three year deal. Yoder has hit over .300 each of his four big league seasons and will split time at catcher with Adam McMahon. Throw in future Hall of Famers Albert Lineberry, Rob Clemons, and the return of Ray Gray along with returning starters Rodnie Mathie and Andy Nash and you have the make up of a potent offense.


_______Gray____________Lineberry___________Winters

The team also took a few chances on some veteran pitchers. "The pitchers are a little less predictable than the hitters," Early lobbied. "They are a little bit older and some didn't have great years last year." The best of the lot is 38 year old Nate Mitchell who came over from Oshkosh in a trade. Mitchell won 14 games in 1988 for the Outlaws and posted a 3.70 ERA. Randy Daniels, Terry Knight, and Hector Rodriguez all signed as free agents but none posted a winning record or an ERA below 4.78 last year. "We hope the offense can inspire them," Knight said. "Pitching is hard to come by in this league...teams don't let good pitchers walk."

The Dawgs actually had to cut some other guys they signed this offseason just to stay under the cap. "We went a little overboard but we got the guys we wanted and had to pay the some not to play for us," said Early. "It's an strange situation but it was all in the name of winning."

Dayton now boast the highest payroll in the HBL sitting just under the $5 million cap. That is up from the $3 million they have spent the last two seasons. The Dawgs may not win the Heartland Series this year but it should at least be fun to watch.

And if Early loses his job over this he has a backup plan, "I still have the $5 million check. He didn't sign it but I've been practicing his signiature since September."