2020 Mid-Plains LeagueSeason Preview

Baldwin CityBlues

Junction CityBrigade

Kansas CityKnights

Junction City stands out among the Mid-Plains League's best when it comes tofan experience. Just down the road from Fort Riley, home to over 15,000active duty military members, you can find the stands packed and the beergarden buzzing as fans gather to watch Junction City's premier baseball clubdominate series after series against their foes from throughout Kansas andMissouri. Junction City enters the 2020 season with plenty to look forwardto, as they are set to battle for their third straight championship despitefacing the task of replacing the two-time MPL Manager of the Year in DerekFrancis.

The 2020 Blues have high expectations, and General Manager MichaelMoore feels that it is about time for the Cowdin Cup to come to BaldwinCity. While the founding member club has yet to win a championship in theMid-Plains League, many Baldwin City alumni have gone on to find successin the professional ranks. Former Blues have been drafted by theCardinals, Tigers, Rays, Pirates, Royals, and Nationals. Blues have alsoplayed professionally for independent teams, including the local favoriteKansas City T-Bones.

The Knights had no trouble fitting right in through their first two seasonsas a member of the Mid-Plains League. The Knights were led by Mike Holmes,as well as former MLB standout Freddie Patek. Patek, a three time MLB All-Star, led the American League in stolen bases in 1977 on his way to cementinga spot in the Kansas City Royals Hall of Fame. In 2019, the Knights were onewin away from a trip to their first ever Cowdin Cup Championship Series,before ultimately falling to the eventual champion. You can catch everyKnights' game live on KNGT Radio- Home of the Kansas City Knights.

2019 Record: 8-18

2019 Record: 21-5

2019 Record: 15-11

Potential Returners:

Brandon Van Becelaere (.321/.441)

Jamie Mitchell (Pittsburg State)

Potential Returners:

Tyler Halstead (25 RBI, 21 R)

Zane Schmidt (Texas A&M)

Potential Returners:

Nick Michael (CP, 5 SV)

Taylor Foss (Baker University)

MidwestA's

The Midwest A's fell just short of their first Cowdin Cup Championship in2019, and face the heavy task of replacing a veteran-filled lineup.Shortstop Dusty Stroup managed to run away with the "Mid-Plains LeaguePlayer of the Year" award, but will be playing his final collegiate seasonin the spring of 2020. Fortunately for Belton's finest, the bullpen looksto be as solid as ever. Jeremy Husband, the pride of Kingwood, TX, iseligible to return to Belton for his third year with the A's. While theprospect of facing Husband is enough of a nightmare for opposing bats,the A's also have a pair of dangerous right-handed sophomores in ZachPratt and Gabe Combs. Expect the A's to be a contender once again if theyare able to re-sign their top gunslingers.

2019 Record: 19-7

Potential Returners:

Zach Pratt (MPL Pitcher of the Year)

Sam Tatum (22 RBI, 30 R, .297 AVG)

Kansas CityMonarchs

2019 Record: 9-5

Potential Returners:

Daryl Graham (.344/.475)

Morgan Johann (.378/.531)

The Kansas City Monarchs serve as the "at-large" team in the Mid-PlainsLeague. The Monarch roster is comprised of former collegiate and ex-professional players, and combines for more playing experience than anyother MPL club. With players aged from their mid-20s all the way to 40-plus, the Monarchs respond well to the leadership of player/managerJohnathan Krysa. Krysa is entering his tenth year at the helm, as hecontinues to make a name for himself across the country. The Kansas Cityclub has been crowned national champions in four of the last nine years,most recently at

SabethaBravos

2019 Record: 4-22

Potential Returners:

Brock Renter (60 K)

Ivan Medina (Venezuela)

The Sabetha Bravos survived a rebuilding year in 2019, and are lookingforward to returning to the race for the Cowdin Cup. The majority ofSabetha's roster is eligible to return to the Mid-Plains League in 2020.With the Bravos' recruiting pipeline spanning into Central and SouthAmerica, and crafty veterans like Carlos Barrios and Ivan Medina, it isonly a matter of time until the Cowdin Cup makes the journey to theleague's northernmost city.

TopekaGolden Giants

2019 Record: 15-11

Potential Returners:

Mitch Lady (.306/.440)

Ty Honda (Hawaii-Hilo)

The Topeka Golden Giants will be led by a new manager for the secondstraight year. Following tradition, Topeka ownership made the decision tohire a former player to take over for J.B. Eary's staff. Between his localroots, and the ability to work with players each year at Seaman High, JacobKirmer will certainly be influential in terms of recruiting. 2019 MPL All-Stars Mitch Lady, Zion Bowlin, and Casey Wulfkuhle are all eligible toreturn next season. Attracting veterans back to Jerry Robertson Fieldwill be key for Kirmer, while fans can fall back on the hope that theroster will be bolstered by the inevitable influx of former Seaman Vikingstars.

Community Involvement

As local baseball stars, MPL athletes and coaches are always takingadvantage of opportunities to give back to the communities that supportthem. Some of the most memorable outings for the players are thoseinvolving the sport they love, including softball exhibitions with specialolympics athletes and the opportunity to grow the game while coachinglocal youth clinics.

Golden Giant OttoJones posesfollowing an

exhibition matchupwith Special Olympicsoftball's Topeka

Stars.

Sabetha Bravosplayers pick up apaintbrush andassist in therestoration

effort of a localapartmentcomplex.

Junction City'sbiggest fans flock

their favoriteplayers forautographs

following the "2019JC Brigade Baseball

Camp."

The MPL All-Stars tour the

Tiny Homedevelopment atthe Veterans'CommunityProject in

Kansas City.

2019 Organization of the Year

The beer garden is frequented by some of Junction City's mostpassionate fans. Opposing batters often fall victim to rambunctiouscrowds reacting to the "beer batter" promotion, in which a stadium-

wide discount is offered in exchange for tne strikeout of adesignated opponent.

Rathert Stadium, built in 1937, is the most historic venue in the Mid-Plains League. Buck O'Neil, Satchel Paige,and Jackie Robinson all once set foot on the hallowed grounds. In addition to a covered grandstand, the

stadium features a turf infield, beer garden, and Traditional clubhouse locker rooms.

For the fourth time since2014, the Brigade earned theright to keep the Cowdin Cup

in Junction City.

GM: Cecil Aska

HC: Derek Francis

MEDIA: Ivy Stivers

The Junction City club has ledby example since the inceptionof the Mid-Plains League, bothon the field and off. The"Organization of the Year"honors have twice beenawarded to the Brigade, whohave won four of the last sixleague championships. HeadCoach Derek Francis earnedthe "Mid-Plains LeagueManager of the Year" award in2018 and 2019. Nothingcompares to the fan experienceat rathert stadium. If you'relucky, you might even catchone of the famous post-gamefireworks shows!

Contact us today:

Mid Plains League - PO Box 643 Lawrence, Kansas 66044

Visit us online at https://www.midplainsleague.com

Mike Norris - 785.917.3869 - M.Norris@MidPlainsLeague.org

Bob Conlon - 630.846.0671 - B.Conlon@MidPlainsLeague.org

Ethan Lee - 952.303.1399 - E.Lee@MidPlainsLeague.org