4-3-2024

The Prairie League (1995-1997)

and Expedition League (2018-2019)

There have been many independent minor leagues during the history of minor league baseball, however, as late as 1992 there were none in operation. During the 1993 season, two independents were started: the Frontier League with teams in Ohio, Kentucky, West Virginia and Pennsylvania and the Northern League operating in the upper Midwest covering Minnesota, Iowa, South Dakota and the Canadian province of Ontario.

In 1994, five independent leagues played ball including three in the upper Midwest: Great Central (Illinois, Indiana, Iowa and Minnesota); North Central (Minnesota, South Dakota and Manitoba) and Northern (Iowa, South Dakota, Minnesota, Ontario and Manitoba). Beginning in 1995 eleven league attempted operation. Gone from the upper Midwest region was the Great Central, but the North Central (Minnesota and Illinois) and the Northern (Minnesota, Manitoba, Iowa, South Dakota and Ontario) remained.

Joining the upper Midwest leagues in 1995 was the Prairie. This site will cover the three years of its operation. Some source material was obtained from news items first published in the Aberdeen American-News which, of course, were originally directed toward Aberdeen (SD) baseball fans.

1995

Aberdeen Pheasants

In February 1995 the Aberdeen city commissioners approved the expenditure of $130,000 for improvements to Fossum Baseball Field which was built in 1975 on the northeast edge of the city (8^th Avenue NE and Brown County Hwy 19) to replace Municipal Park which housed the original Aberdeen Pheasants (Northern League) from 1946-1971. Fossum had been used for Northern State University college games, Aberdeen youth baseball and amateur games. Its seating capacity was about 2,500 and it was named after Reedy Fossum who was a long-time manager and organizer of youth and amateur baseball teams in the city.

Fossum Field

The park's improvements were: two portable bleachers ($60,000), concrete pad for the bleachers ($20,000), wooden outfield fence, a storage area, backstop netting, a clubhouse, four bullpen mounts and practice field improvements. Twenty investors from the Aberdeen area capitalized the club and hoped for “a long term relationship with the city with some proceeds going to youth baseball.” The club's executive ownership committee consisted of Jeff Sveen, attorney; Keith Kusler; and Dr. Scott Berry.

Also in February, Rich Bosma was selected Aberdeen general manager. According to an article written by Eileen Briesch, Bosma contacted team investor Scott Berry about a job as the PA announcer at their home park. Over subsequent conversations, it became obvious that Bosma had the background to be the GM since he had a B.A. in Business Administration from the University of South Dakota and had played amateur ball in the city and for USD.

Bosma [Aberdeen American-News]

In early March, the team secretary-treasurer Sveen announced ticket prices for home games: season tickets (36 games) $155 for adults, $60 for children 6-12, $90 for children 13-17 and $375 for a family of two adults and their children; general admission $5 for adults, $4 for children 13-17 and senior citizens 60 and over and $3 for children 6-12. In April, a news report that 300 season tickets had been sold.

Sveen and Berry [Aberdeen American-News]

Flori [Aberdeen American-News]

By mid-March, the Pheasants (a nickname originally used for their teams in the old Northern League) named Bob Flori the field manager. His listed age in the news release was “50”, however BaseballReference.com showed his birth date as December 28, 1929, which would have made him 65 in March 1995. Flori played in class D in 1958-59 and and class A in 1966 for a few games each year as a catcher and outfielder. His resume included 19 years of experience in pro baseball, three years of coaching in colleges and three years as scout for the Yankees. In 1994, he was the assistant coach for the Winnipeg Goldeyes of the Northern League. He also managed a semi-pro team in St. Petersburg,

FL, for 14 years. Aberdeen's president of operations Art O'Bright worked with Flori in 1994 when he (O'Bright) was the public relations director for Winnipeg.

Flori expressed concern to reporter Briesch that his search for players to play for the Pheasants would be tough: “So many of the players that would be available to us are probably going to be replacement players for the strike [the major league players association was on strike until April 1995]. And this summer there are eight new independent leagues... The availability of players is just not there like it has been in the past. Hopefully they'll get the strike settled and things will get back to normal for both the major leagues and the minor leagues.”

Radio station KGIM (now ESPN 1420 radio) agreed to broadcast home game with the possibility that road games could be aired if the station could get a feed from other league cities. In late March, the club had chosen a logo which was created by Gary Heier who was a 38-year-old employee in the graphics and print shop at St. Lukes Hospital in Aberdeen.

Pheasants Logo

League representatives met in late Spring at the Aberdeen Holiday Inn to set ground rules for the season. President of the league was Dave Ferguson. The experienced Independent baseball operators at the meeting were Jack Nieboer of the Minneapolis Loons and representatives from Regina SK (Cyclones) and Saskatoon SK (Riot) who had all played in the North Central League in '94. Besides those three and Aberdeen, the other league cities at the meeting were from: Moose Jaw SK (Diamond Dogs), Minot ND (Mallards), Bismarck ND (Dakota Rattlers) and Brandon MB (Grey Owls).

League rules allowed each team to have a maximum of two players with class AAA or major league experience and required a salary cap of $50,000. Nieboor explained the salary cap: “The salary cap really dictates the number of former major leaguers you can have because they're not going to come and play for $700 a month.” The roster size for each team was 20 and the league was divided into two divisions – one for the Canadian teams and one for the ones from the United States.

Nieboor was also quoted by reporter Dave Vilhauer as saying: “The majors love independent minor leagues. They have no player developmental costs. We're developing the players. They come and scout us.”

On April 24, the Pheasants began to sign players for the season. They were announced by Art O'Bright but were selected and signed by manager Flori:

Chris Schmitt (LHP): drafted in 21^st round of 1993 draft by the Brewers. Two years spent in class A.

Vic Baez (C): no pro experience except in summer and winter leagues. From the DR.

Gary Painter (RHP): four years of pro ball. Highest class played was AA. Pitched at Florida State.

Stewart Wilson (LHP-OF): played two years of college ball for Middle Georgia College. Was in a rookie league in 1994.

Steve Ruckman (3b): performed in college at Indiana State. Played in an Inde league in 1994.

Darryl Robinson (1b/DH): 10-year vet of pro baseball. Eight years in Royals organization with three in AA. A 2^nd round draft pick.

Steve Hayward (RHP): was a college player at Seton Hall. Was taken in 28^th round of '93 draft by the Red Sox. Played at high A for two seasons.

Travis Burley (RHP): played two years in rookie leagues. Had not played pro since '92.

Brad Gay (C): three years of pro baseball. Highest class played was high A.

Steve Phillips (OF): played baseball and football for U. of Kentucky. Four years of pro play with high A as highest class reached.

Chris Huff (util): played three years of college ball at Eckerd Colleage where Bob Flori managed. No pro experience.

Eddie Gerald (OF): six-year pro with experience in AA. Played in college at Ohio State.

Ken Tirpack (1b): three-year pro. AA was highest class reached.

Erick Bryant (RHP): three-year pro, but had not played (except amateur) since 1989 because of a car accident and subsequent surgeries. Played college ball at Cal State.

Darrin Reichle (RHP): had played for four years as a pro. The 1991 season (in AA) was the last one he performed.

Kris Quillan (RHP): pitched for Catawba College as a closer. No previous pro play.

Enrique Duncan (2b): four-year pro in rookie, Inde and low-A. Brother is Mariano Duncan.

Eric Parkinson (RHRP): six-year pro with experience in AA.

Bob Holley (SS): seven years of pro ball with AAA experience.

Miguel Sabino (OF): six-year pro in the US and two years in other countries.

At the end of May, the club started their spring training in Groton, SD, at Locke Field since Fossum field was unavailable because of the continuing re-construction to the park. Twenty-four players were invited for the 20-man roster. On the Pheasants wish list for additions to the improvements to Fossum were: a hitter's background on the top of the center field fence and adjustment of the lights from the adjacent softball field which were causing vision problems for first basemen.

Aberdeen added a coach to the club. Joe Calfapietra who played at Eastern College (St. David's, PA) had coached in the Northern League in 1994 at Duluth and earned his Masters in education. He had a great future in coaching at the college and independent baseball levels.

On June 1, Aberdeen played the Dakota club in an exhibition match winning 11-0. It was the first time the Pheasant players had been to Fossum Field. Attendance was 750. The same teams then traveled to Bismarck for two more practice games with the Rattlers winning the first 4-3 and the Pheasants defeating the home team in the third matchup 6-5 in ten innings

On June 9, Aberdeen opened the regular season in Brandon, Manitoba scoring 7 runs in the seventh inning to win going away 14-2. The starter was Gary Painter who held the Grey Owls hitless until the fifth inning and left after completion of that inning. Miguel Sabino and Steve Phillips each had four RBI. The Pheasants went on to win the other two games in Brandon 10-5 (on the excellent relief pitching of Steve Hayward and EB Bryant) and 4-0 (spearheaded by starter Chris Schmitt's 7 2/3 innings of shutout ball).

Appearing in game three was Groton, SD, native Dan Karst. He joined another South Dakota native (from Langford) – Trent Osborne who was added to the 20-man roster. They both had formerly played for Northern State University and amateur teams in the area. Karst replaced catcher Vic Baez and Osborne took the roster spot of infielder Enrique Duncan who both had passport problems when they attempted to enter Canada from the U.S (Both Baez and Duncan were citizens of the Dominican Republic.)

Third baseman Steve Ruckman never played a game for Aberdeen as he returned to the independent Frontier League for the season. Manager Flori was not happy about losing Ruckman and pursued possible legal action to try to get him back with the club. Darryl Robinson became the starting third baseman.

The Aberdeen club's second series moved the team to Regina, Saskatchewan for a three-game set at Currie Field. Again the South Dakotans offense proved too much for the Canadians as the Pheasants won 17-2, 7-3 and 7-1 for their sixth straight victory. In game one, Eric Parkinson was the starter giving up just two hits in five innings and he was relieved by David Morris who allowed the Cyclones one run the rest of the way. Ken Tirpack, Darryl Robinson and Eddie Gerard all had four hits and Steve Phillips hit a grand slam in the eighth to lead their 22-hit attack.

Gary Painter was the starter in game two and lasted seven innings allowing one earned run. Ken Tirpack was 3-for-4 with two RBI. In the series finale, Tirpack hit his third homer of the season and had three RBI while starter Darrin Reichie pitched seven strong innings.

For the Pheasants home opener, the club brought in former Northern League pitcher Bob (“Bullet Bob“) Turley who was 23-5 in 1949 for Aberdeen and went on to win a Cy Young award and World Series MVP for the Yankees in 1958. After Turley's dramatic entrance via a helicopter which landed in centerfield, the Pheasant went on to beat Regina 7-3 on Bob Holley's 2-for-4 night with four RBI. Chris

Bob Turley In Aberdeen [Aberdeen American-News]

Schmitt went into the sixth allowing two earned runs and reliever Steve Hayward kept the Cyclones in check for 2 2/3 innings giving up only one hit. Dan Karst and Trent Osborne were kept on the team for a chance to play before their South Dakota friends and relatives. They were cut after the game.

After a seven-game winning streak, Aberdeen lost 17-8 in game two of their first home series. Regina scored 13 runs in the sixth inning as their first ten batters in the inning all scored. After Eric Parkinson (3 ER in 5 innings), EB Bryant (3 ER without getting an out) and Stew Wilson (6 ER in 2/3 inn) were chased, David Morris held them to one ER over the rest of the game. Bobby Holley had two RBI and Eddie Gerald had three for the Pheasants. Enrique Duncan and Vic Baez played in their first regular season games. The Pheasants also won game three.

Staying in Aberdeen, the Pheasants won game one of a series v. Dakota (Bismarck, ND) narrowly 5-3 as starter Darrin Reichle lasted seven innings giving up one earned run. After reliever Stew Wilson allowed one run without retiring a batter, Kris Quillin closed the deal with two shutout innings. Eddie Gerald had three hits and had 19 for season to be second in the league in that category. The leader was Ken Tirpack with 20 safeties. Chris Schmitt pitched a complete game in the series' second game allowing ten hits and no runs. Robinson and Tirpack's one RBI each was all Aberdeen needed in their 2-0 victory.

Game Action At Fossum [Aberdeen American-News]

After not playing in Aberdeen's first eight games, Enrique Duncan came through in the final series game v. the Rattlers. He was 3-for-5, including a double and homer, with three RBI as the lead-off hitter. Catcher Brad Gay also came up big with four RBI during a 16-10 victory. Steve Hayward had the start and a bad day allowing five runs in five innings. EB Bryant also didn't pitch well giving up four in 1 1/3. David Morris pitched the eighth and ninth with only one run being charged against him.

On June 23, the Pheasants traveled to Minot, ND, for a three-game series and swept the Mallards (a nickname retained from the city's days in the old Northern League). In the first two games, Eddie Gerald hit grand slams and in game two Darrin Reichle pitched eight innings giving up one run in a 19-1 Aberdeen rout. The same teams then played in Aberdeen with another sweep for the Pheasants.

The Aberdeen club then traveled to Saskatoon for the first time and won a series there two games to one. In game three, Aberdeen native Kent Alm, who joined the team the week previous, had three hits and four RBI in a 19-2 Pheasants win.

On July 6, Aberdeen had a 21-2 record in first place by two games over Minneapolis. Shortstop Bobby Holley had a 23-game hitting streak going. S.D. Senator Larry Pressler spoke on the senate floor stating: “I also am proud, though not surprised, how the entire Aberdeen community has rallied behind the effort to return pro baseball to the area. The Pheasants are the talk of the town.” The team roster was placed in the Congressional Record.

In early July, manager Flori began to use relief pitcher Steve Hayward as his closer. On July 7, he came into a 7-5 game at Corbett Field in Minot with the tying runs on first and second with one out in the ninth. Hayward struck out Butch Smith (led league in HRs and RBI) and Brad Strauss who was batting .348 at the time. Gary Painter's win streak continued to seven with the win. The next night, the Pheasants won 16-2 with their eighth straight victory over the Mallards with Steve Phillips completing a statistical anomaly – a cycle.

At that point in the season, Aberdeen had hit 51 home runs and had allowed 12. Eddie Gerald took over the league home run lead with 12 and the league owners lifted a ban an trading players between league clubs, however, the number of players traded was limited to three.

After Aberdeen's victory in Bismarck on July 11, they had won ten straight and had a 27-2 record. Gary Painter's record stood at 8-0.

Finally, on July 14 the best teams in the league by far – the Pheasants (28-2) and the Minneapolis Loons (23-7) – met in Aberdeen for a three-game face off. Twenty years after the fact it appears the Loons may have broken league rules regarding the pro experience allowed by team players. In the series, Minneapolis used Juan Berenguer and Greg Olson (both with MLB experience) and Willie Tatum who played dozens of games in AAA. League rules allowed only two players with MLB or AAA experience. [Perhaps only two were on the 20-man roster at one time.]

Duncan [Aberdeen American-News]

Surprisingly, the Pheasants swept the series 16-7, 4-3 and 7-1. For game one, 2,178 fans crowded into Fossum Field and saw Eddie Gerald, Ken Tirpack, Bobby Holley and Steve Phillips homer once each. Phillips and Enrique Duncan each had three hits and Gerald had five RBI. Starter Steve Schmitt went

seven innings three hits, three walks and two earned runs. Greg Olson was the Loons' DH going 1-for-2.

Game two lasted 14 innings with neither team scoring after the third inning until the Pheasants manufactured the winning run in the bottom of the 14^th. That run was scored by Miguel Sabino who had reached first on an infield error (by second baseman Jonckowski), got to third on another error (third baseman Mick Kern's bad throw to second after fielding an attempted sac bunt) and then scored on a wild pitch. Former major league reliever Juan Berenguer pitched two shut out innings for the Loons and future big league closer Kerry Ligtenberg was their starter. Attendance was 2,687.

The Sunday afternoon finale lengthened Aberdeen's league lead to eight games and was their 14^th straight win. In the fifth inning after two outs, the Pheasants drew a walk and then had four straight hits scoring four runs. Gary Painter pitched eight innings for his ninth victory and Kris Quillin handled the ninth as he had not allowed a run in 12 innings. The total attendance for the three-game series was 6,146.

Coach Calapietra Calming Duncan [Aberdeen American-News]

An ejection “highlighted” the next series against the Dakota Rattlers. Enrique Duncan who had homered against Rattler pitcher Chris Rusciano in the second inning was hit by a slow curve ball with a runner on and no outs in fourth. Duncan overacted by slamming his helmet to the ground and pointed at Rusciano. After both benches cleared (no punches were thrown), plate umpire Ace Boschee ejected both Duncan and Rusciano based on a league rule which stated - as per Aberdeen manager Bob Flori: “If the batter comes off the dirt toward the mound and if the pitcher comes of the dirt toward the plate, they both are ejected.” As pointed out by observers, a pitcher does not use a curve with runners on base

for a purpose pitch. Later that inning, Aberdeen scored nine runs which led to a 19-0 win. Darrin Reichle pitched nine shutout innings for his seventh victory.

Starting pitcher Gary Painter was interviewed by the American-News and was quoted: “This is the first winning team I've been on in pro ball. It's really a different feeling. The last five years the teams I've been on have pretty much been in the cellar, so I went out there thinking 'Well, we're probably going to loose so I'll just try to do as well as I can individually. But with the Pheasants, I know that if I do my job well, we're probably going to win and that's the way every one of our guys approaches the game. It's a lot more fun when you're winning – that's true no matter if you're in Little League or in pro ball.” He was a replacement pitcher with the MLB A's during spring training because of the player's strike. He did not allow a run in 11 innings pitching against other replacement players. He was released after the strike ended.

Painter [Aberdeen American-News]

Since the Pheasants did not hire a pitching coach for the season, manager Flori asked Painter to help the younger club hurlers with pitching tips. Painter said: “I really enjoy that. It's a good felling to know they respect what I have to say. And I'm learning a lot from the other guys too. You can never stop learning in this game – if you're ready to stop learning, you might as well give it up.”

At the mid-point of the season the Aberdeen club finally filled their 20^th roster spot with left hander Scott Diez. At age 33, he was the oldest Pheasant and was a roommate of Darrin Reichle's during spring training as Milwaukee Brewers replacement players. After they were released, manager Flori asked Diez to sign on with Aberdeen, however, he choose to play in Taiwan which he did for six weeks but left after only getting one game appearance. He was the club's second player with AAA experience (the other being Bobby Holley).

Diez stated to American News writer Mike Zimmer: “After being on a small island with 21 million people, it's nice to see some wide-open spaces and breathe some fresh air. I've heard nothing but good things about Aberdeen and about the guys on the team.” Before 1995, Diez had not played pro since 1991 and had spent the succeeding three years as a scout for the Marlins and Indians and an instructor at the Bucky Dent Baseball School in Florida. “I'm not here to make a lot of money or to get signed by an organization.” Diez said. “I'm starting broadcasting school in September so I'm here to enjoy a couple of months of small-town baseball and to have some fun. When you get a little older, you learn to appreciate opportunities like this.”

On July 21, after winning 17 straight games, Aberdeen lost in Minot 4-3 at Corbet Field in front of 985 fans. Dave Morris got the start for the Pheasants and pitched a complete game allowing four runs. However, against three Mallard hurlers, Aberdeen could only muster the three runs. After the game, the Pheasants were 34-3 and the Mallards 12-26.

In late July and early August Gary Painter picked up his 10^th and 11^th victories in-a-row which were his last ones in a Pheasants uniform. In a game against the Minneapolis Loons he did not allow a hit until one out in the fifth inning and pitched three more innings thereafter giving up only four hits and no runs. The Loons' starter Kerry Ligtenberg went the distance allowing only one run. As August began, Painter retired 15 straight Brandon batters from the third to the eighth innings and finished eight innings giving up three hits and one run. After the game, Aberdeen released reliever Erick Bryant who had requested the action for family reasons.

Until very late in the year, Gary Painter was limited to watching games from the bench because of a sore elbow. He never pitched professionally again.

Also in early August, Mike Zimmer interviewed Darryl Robinson who was signed by the Pheasants as a 1b/DH, but had to play third base after Steve Ruckman abandoned ship a day before the season began. “I was drafted as a third baseman but that was a long time ago,” said the 27-year-old. “I played third for five years in pro ball, but before this year I haven't played it since 1989 or 1990 [actually, he played 59 games at third in 1991]. It's taken a little while to get to used to third again, especially my arm. I haven't done this much throwing for a few years, so I've had a sore arm for most of the season.”

Robinson [Aberdeen American-News]

Because of their torrid start (45-5, .900), Aberdeen club officials and local sportswriters began to wonder if they were on the verge of setting some kind of baseball record. The American News stated that the minor league best record (by percentage) was set in 1884 by the Union Association's St. Louis Maroons at .832. The problem with that research was that the Union Association has been considered a “major” league that year (or not – more on that later). A review of The Encyclopedia of Minor League Baseball showed ten minor league teams who had finished a complete season with winning percentages over .790. Through 1994, they were:

The record, as of 2014, was a rookie league team (the Nationals) in the Gulf Coast League who had a 49-9 (.845) record in 2013.

Also, at this point in the season, some Aberdeen locals wondered if the Pheasants should try to join the independent Northern League in 1996. However, that league had five of the largest attendance averages of the 58 independent teams in 1995. St. Paul, Winnipeg, Sioux City and Sioux Falls were averaging more then 2,600 fans per game which was more seats then Fossum Field could comfortably house.

During the Pheasants' August 12 game in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, manager Flori had a problem finding nine players to place on the field. Two bench-clearing altercations caused the ejections of Darryl Robinson (he was also suspended for the next two games), Eddie Gerald, Brad Gay, Stew Wilson and Kris Quillin. Maguel Sabino was also lost when he sustained a severe groin pull in a pushing match which made him doubtful for the remaining games of the season. The Diamond Dogs starting pitcher Mike Richardson, who hit two Aberdeen batters following home runs (thus instigating the battles) also was run.

Flori replaced Gerald with RP Steve Hayward in right field, Sabino in center with RP Scott Diaz, Bobby Holley moved to third base with Chris Huff taking over at short, Vic Baez took over for Gay at catcher and SP Darrin Reichle became the DH for Wilson. When Hayward was called to pitch, RP Dave Morris went to right. All of those defensive moves nearly cost the Pheasants a win as, through eight innings, starter Chris Schmitt had only allowed one run on two hits. Schmitt walked the first batter in the ninth and then was taken out with a bad finger which required calling in Morris to pitch. He walked his first batter which was followed by and infield single to load the bases. Hayward then came in and Morris went to right.

Hayward's first batter grounded to shortstop Huff whose throw pulled Enrique Duncan off second and a run scored. The next batter hit a bloop to center scoring run number three. Hayward then got the next two batters. With two out and the score 7-3, Moose Jaw's Mack Steele lined a ball down the right field line that career pitcher Morris misplayed scoring three runs. Now the score was 7-6 with the tying run on third and the crowd of 2,000 exploding. The next batter grounded out and the game was infamous history. Aberdeen's record at that point was 48-8 (.857).

Rumors circulated in mid-August that shortstop Bobby Holley would retire from pro baseball at the end of the season. On August 17, he was in the mist of a 18-game hitting streak and had gotten a hit in 58 of the 60 games the Pheasants had played to that point. He was hitting in the number two position of the batting order and told American News reporter Mike Zimmer: “I don't care how good you are, you're nothing but a nameless face in this lineup. I've been a number four or five hitter my whole career. But this lineup is full of four or five hitters. So somebody had to hit in the two hole.” He began the season with a 23-game streak and then later a 16-game one.

Holley [Aberdeen American-News]

The 28-eight-year-old Holley added: “I'm taking a lot more pitches this year than I did as a four or five hitter and that helps a lot. By the time I get two strikes on me, I've pretty much seen every pitch the guy has and I'm ready to hit anything he throws.” He was to be married after the season and planned to settle in Corona, CA, where he owns and operates his own baseball school and is a substitute teacher. “The dream of getting to the major leagues is still there for every one of us.” Holley said. “But right now my greater dreams are to get married and start a family.”

When thinking about retiring, he stated: “There couldn't be a better way to end a career. Playing with a bunch of down-to-earth guys that you really enjoy being around and winning the way we have, it's hard to describe how enjoyable this summer has been. To be in the history books of baseball is not something that everyone has the opportunity to do. Now all we have to do is keep winning, get the record and win the championship.”

On August 5 the league schedule forced the Pheasants into a 14-game stretch without a day off. It began with an eight-day, three-city 1,700-mile road trip.

After an unusual home loss to Dakota (Bismarck) on August 16, the Pheasants record was 50-10 (.833) which was still better then any other “minor league” professional team's record in history but they had won only five of their last ten. The losses of Painter and Sabino were costing them (pitchers Darrin Reichle and Stew Wilson were used also as hitters). However, there was good news the next day as they defeated Dakota and clinched at least a tie for the American (United States) division title.

Even in an August 21^st article, the American-News was using the “major” league St. Louis of the Union Association record of .832 as the mark Aberdeen had to match. However, was the Union really a major league? From wikipedia: “Although the league is conventionally listed as a major league, this status has been questioned by a number of modern baseball historians, most notably Bill James. The league had a number of major league players (on the St. Louis franchise, at least), but the league's overall talent and organization was notably inferior to that of the two established major leagues. James found that the contemporary baseball guides did not consider the Union Association to be a major league either. The earliest record he could find of the Union Association as a major league was in 1922.

“For example, the league's only "star" player, Fred Dunlap, led the league in batting average with .412 (86 points higher than his second-best season and 120 points higher than his career average), on-base percentage, slugging percentage, runs scored, hits, total bases, and home runs (with just 13, typical for the era). After the league folded, Dunlap never hit more than .274 or more than 10 home runs until he retired in 1891, another measure of the inferior quality of the Union Association.

Of the 272 players in the Association, 107 (39.34%) never played in another major league, while 72 (26.47%) played very briefly (less than 300 at bats and/or 50 hits) in other major leagues, and 79 (29.04%) had longer careers but little success in other major leagues.”

Like some sports records, the designation of “best winning record” depends on the point of view of the researcher. This author considers the 20^th Century United States record of Paintsville (.800) in the 1979 rookie Appalachian League to be the mark that Aberdeen was to better. The American-News also used that as a more reasonable goal in their August 21 article and they determined that the team could only loose two more games in the season to better the .800 record.

The local newspaper also stated that it had the best record of any Aberdeen Pheasants team ever. The Northern League 1947 club finished with an 82-36 (.694) record and the 1964 championship team had an 80-37 (.684) mark. Of course, teams have to be also rated on the quality of their opposition. It is very doubtful that anyone would consider the 1995 Aberdeen team to have better players then the Cal Ripken Sr.-led Pheasants of 1964 and other Aberdeen teams of the old Northern League.

At the end of Aberdeen's final regular season home stand, they went into a hitting slump going 23 innings without scoring a run and lost three in-a-row. Bobby Holley, however, continued to hit having a 25-game hitting streak through August 24 having gotten hits in 65 of Aberdeen's 67 games to that point.

After a home victory over Minneapolis, the Pheasants held a 53-13 record. The Loons then forfeited their final three regular season home games giving Aberdeen a 56-13 (.812) mark which did set a record for a 20th century “minor league” team albeit one that could be construed as “backed into”.

Minneapolis was forced into the forfeitures because the University of Minnesota raised the rent on Siebert Field where the Loons played. The higher rent was no longer affordable. Manager Flori explained further: “(The Loons) asked us about playing one game here (in Aberdeen) and then forefeiting the last two. But we decided that we either play all three at their place or we don't play at all. “ [More about Minneapolis' financial problems is included on this site's section on the Loons.]

Flori continued: “I'm not thrilled about our guys having a week off (before the playoffs), but we'll have to deal with that.” However, he was elated about the club's final record: “It's a great feeling. To set a record like that is just unbelievable. When I put this team together I knew we had a chance to dominate this league, but to go 56-13 is hard to believe.”

The Pheasants final attendance was 40,036 which was third in the league.

Final League Standings (divisions combined):

The first round of the playoff schedule pitted the two top teams (Moose Jaw and Regina) from the Canadian division against each other and the two top clubs from the U.S. (Aberdeen and Minneapolis) playing. The winners would then play for the league championship.

Regina beat Moose Jaw in three games in their first series.

Aberdeen defeated Minneapolis two games to none. In game one, Lee Heath singled in Ed Gerald with the winning run in a 5-4 victory as the Minneapolis team was considered the “home” team even though they played in Aberdeen. Gary Painter returned to the mound lasting five innings giving up 4 runs on seven hits and two walks. Relievers Diez, Guillin and Hayward did not allow a run. Ken Tirpack was the offensive hero hitting a three-run homer.

The Pheasants won game two 7-1 on Darrin Reichle's complete game six-hit performance. Stew Wilson hit a grand slam in the sixth and was two-for-three with five RBI.

In the finals, Aberdeen lost in four games to Regina. In the first game at Regina's Currie Field, the Cyclones won 9-4 as they got to starter Eric Parkinson. They then blew past the Pheasants 7-4 in the second game. Starter Gary Painter pitched his final pro game walking four and hitting a batter in 5 2/3 innings and the Pheasants committed two errors.

The finals then returned to Aberdeen where the home team won game one 6-1 on the back of Darrin Reichle's complete game one-hitter. He struck out 15 and walked only one. The game followed a long trip home which included a bus breakdown just 50 miles outside of Regina. The club had to spend a night in a convenience store in Weyburn while they waited for another bus and they arrived in Aberdeen only two hours before game time. But, it was all for naught as Aberdeen then dropped game four to hand Regina the playoff championship.

The league's All Star team included seven Aberdeen players: Ken Tirpack, Enrique Duncan, Bobby Holley, Eddie Gerald, Brad Gay, Chris Schmitt and Darrin Reichle. Reichle was chosen Pitcher of the Year and had the season's most wins (14). Gary Painter won the ERA crown (2.23) and Bob Flori was picked as manager of the year.

Steve Phillips ended the 1995 season in the Yankees organization at AA playing in 11 games.

Aberdeen final statistics:

What happened to?:

Victor Baez – The backup catcher played one more year in independent (Frontier) baseball in 1996.

Bobby Holley – did not play pro ball in 1996, but was in 33 games for Moose Jaw in 1997. Thereafter he was the owner of Spectacular Events and Hardball Warehouse (since 2001) in the Atlanta area. He also has been a baseball instructor, coach and Atlanta Braves scout.

Darryl Robinson – played the 1996-97 seasons with Minot in the Prairie League. His final pro year of 1998 was in Independent baseball (Atlantic League). Robinson returned to affiliated ball as a coach for the Lancaster JetHawks from 2009 to 2014. He also is the Saints Sports Academy's Director of Player Development. He serves as the lead instructor. The academy is located in the Twins Cities (MN) area.

Miguel Sabino – never played pro ball after the 1995 season.

Scott Diez – did not play pro after 1995. In 2002, he ran a "Baseball Intense" camp specializing in pitching instruction, mini-sessions and coaching clinic in South Florida. Currently, he coaches freelance in Fort Lauderdale with the focus on pitching. He also has been a scout for the Marlins.

David Morris – pitched for Green Bay in 1996 for his final pro year.

Gary Painter – ended his pro career in 1995.

Eric Parkinson – the 1995 season was his final appearance as a pro player.

Kris Quillion – played his final professional season in 1996 for Southern Minny.

Darrin Reichie – pitched his final pro games in 1995.

Chris Schmitt – ended his career in class high A in 1996.

Regina Cyclones

Regina, Saskatchewan, had a population of about 180,400 in 1996 and is the capital of Saskatchewan Provence. The city had professional baseball teams in the Western Canada League in 1909-10, 1913-14 and 1919-21. They entered an independent league (North Central) in 1994 and adopted the nickname “Cyclones” because their city was destroyed by Canada's worst cyclone in 1912. The owner was Chris Ferguson (his brother Dave owned the Saskatoon franchise).

The team played at Currie Field which had a capacity of 1,000 and was located at Mt. Pleasant Sports Park off Winnipeg Ave. It was named after legendary coach Gord Currie who spent many seasons coaching High School athletics, Regina Ram Football and amateur baseball during the 50's,60's and 70's. Its dimensions were 300-400-300 and, during the 1995 season, they drew 49,223 which was second in league attendance.

Currie Field

Regina had the best record in the North Central League in 1994 and seven of their players returned for 1995. However, their 1995 roster still had limited affiliated minor league experience. Their player/manager Jason Felice had ten seasons under his belt with two partial years in AAA and Tommy Griffith played four seasons including some games in the AAA Mexican League. Other then that, two position players (Brett Feauto and Pat Lussier) had experience in low A and one (Shawn Sanderfer) had a season in rookie ball. Four other position performers had played in Inde baseball.

The pitching staff's experience was worse. There was only one player (Tommy Taylor) who had risen to AA and he only pitched seven games for the Cyclones. Three other pitchers had one season each in rookie ball and three others had pitched one year in Inde leagues.

Felice

Even with their lack of playing experience, the Regina club won the playoff championship and finished in fourth place (40-30) in the combined divisions standings. They were in second place in the Canadian Division's regular season but were the hottest league team at the end of the season. Prior to their meetings with the Aberdeen Pheasants in the playoff finals, they had lost five of six to the Pheasants with the most recent being on June 18. Manager Felice won the North Central League triple crown in 1994. the 33-year-old started the '95 season just as their manager, but after the team got off to a poor start, he played regularly hitting .394 with 23 home runs and 80 RBI.

Regina Leader-Post sportswriter Murray McCormick said this of Felice: “He's amazing. They came back from that first road trip to Aberdeen and Felice was beside himself. He said 'There's no way we can compete with Aberdeen with the club we have right now. We have to make changes'. And he was right. They made changes and they are a different team.”

After he started playing, he talked club management into acquiring outfielder Tommy Griffith in a trade with Moose Jaw and DH Daryl Burrus from Saskatoon. Griffith hit .330 with 12 HRs and 24 stolen bases and Burrus had a .336 average with 15 doubles and 7 homers. The also traded for lefty Pete Southall who balanced their formerly all-right handed starting staff.

After the first couple of games in the playoff finals, Aberdeen manager Bob Flori said of Regina: “They are a better ball club then when we saw them in June. How in the world they were able to get three quality players from teams that they were supposedly competing against for a division title is beyond me, but they are definitely improved.”

Regina's starting pitchers were: Jason Chandler (3.99 ERA, 1.49 WHIP), Marco Contreras (6.61, 191), Glen Hoffman (3.96, 1.27), John Najar (5.68, 1.67) and Southall (4.06, 1.77). The main relievers were Kevin Ehl (32 g, 2.02, 1.26), Tim Salado (23, 2.55, 1.25) and John Bretza (20 g, 7.67, 1.89).

The catchers were Steve Drent (.281) and Shawn Sanderfer (.203). At first was Burris (.336) who also hit at the DH position. The second base regular was Cory Wafer (.273) although he split the season between Regina and Saskatoon. Jeremy Heider (.244) apparently (complete fielding stats are not available) also played at second. It is assumed Heider was also positioned at shortstop for many games. Jayson Gravengoed (.316, 17HR) was the starter at third base and it is believed that Jim Cafferty (.188 ) backed up third and short.

Felice (the team's only League All Star) and Griffith anchored the outfield along with Joey Arnold (.282), Ray Palagyi (.203) and Joshua Smaler (.345). Greg Sheppard was (.324) was a dependable DH and extra first baseman. It is also assumed that all of the other outfielders tasted DH duty.

The Cyclones were third in league hitting with a .298 average and third in pitching with a 4.92 ERA. Their attendance was the second-best in the league at 49,223.

Final Regina statistics:

What happened to?:

Jason Felice ended his playing career in 1995, but managed two more years in Inde ball. Thereafter there is no record of his involvement in baseball. All told, he batted .292 with 3,018 at bats in 871 games in affiliated minor leagues and independent ones. His Inde manager record was 137-83.

Greg Sheppard joined the affiliated minor leagues in 1996 and played there through 1999 reaching high A. In 2000 he was back in independent baseball for his last year.

Minneapolis Loons

After a year in the then-defunct independent North Central League, club ownership (playright Roger Nieboer) moved the team to the Prairie League in 1995. Also returning were nine position players including manager Greg Olson who had played professionally for 13 years with four years as an Atlanta Braves catcher. Besides Olson, five had affiliated minor league experience including Willie Tatum a 7-year pro who reached AAA.

The only affiliated experienced pitchers were Juan Berenguer (oh, what a background he had!) with 21 seasons including 12 in the major leagues and Ernie Castro a one-year player in class A. Bergenguer joined five other pitchers who returned from the 1994 staff including future MLB relief star Kerry Ligtenberg.

Olson

Berenguer

The Loons (nickname based on Minnesota's state bird) played in the University of Minnesota-owned Siebert Field, located at the intersection of 15th Avenue SE and 8th Street SE in Minneapolis, which was also the home of the baseball Gophers. Built in 1971, it had a capacity of about 1,500 and its field dimensions were 330-365-390-365-330. Numerous Minnesota State High School League baseball tournament games, three NCAA Regional tournaments (1974, 1977 and 2000) and six Big Ten Tournaments (1984, 1986, 2000, 2002, 2003 and 2004) were played there.

Siebert Field

The Loons played in a the huge Minneapolis-St. Paul market competing with the MLB Twins and the independent St. Paul Saints. In 1994, the Saints outdrew the Loons 10-to-1. Stew Thornley, in his book Baseball in Minnesota, described the lengths the club went to draw fans: “The Loons tried to match the Saints in on-field antics and even found a few new ones, such as a between-innings dunk tank sponsored by the Culligan water-conditioning company. In the middle of the second inning, the dunk tank was wheeled into foul territory behind third base. The Loons' promotion director, Paul Pruitt, then hollered, 'Hey, Culligan Man'. (Manager) Olson, dressed in a Culligan uniform, came out of the first-base dugout and climbed onto the seat in the dunk tank. A fan had a chance to throw balls at the lever the released the seat. Whether the fan was accurate or not, Olson ended up soaked, as the team's mascot, Louie the Loon, hit the lever to immerse the manager. Still in his dripping-wet uniform, Olson took his spot in the third-base coaching box for the bottom of the second inning.

“(Radio) play-by-play announcer Ryan Lefebvre [now doing play-by-play for the Royals] found different spots to work from, including a perch part way up one of the light towers for one game. Lefebvre also once convinced (the mascot) to let him don his costume and then went on the field with an unchoreographed routine, confounding Pruitt, who didn't realize this wasn't his regular loon.” However, the reason that attendance increased in 1995 was probably more due to the fact that the Loons obtained a license to sell beer that season.

Thornley describes differently (then the Aberdeen American-News) the problem the team had in finding a place to play by at the end of the season: “The Minneapolis Loons were unable even to finish their 1995 season at home. In a dispute over lease payments, the University of Minnesota locked the Loons out of Siebert Field, causing the Loons to cancel their final regular-season series and play all their post-seasons game on the road.” [The American-News had stated that the University had raised the rent. Perhaps the rent payments were in arrears?]

Pitchers who started for Minneapolis were Russ Fandel (16 starts, 3.94 ERA, 1.24 WHIP), David Jones (15, 5.32, 1.69), Kerry Ligtenberg (15, 2.73, 1.17), Tom McCormick (9, 4.33, 2.02) and Stevins Spurgeon (14, 2.94, 1.18). The heavy-used relievers were Erick Nelson (33 games, 5.68, 1.63), Chad Weisner (33, 3.02, 1.22), Berenguer (26, 0.82, 0.76) and John Ettel (16, 5.79, 2.14). The staff was second in league ERA at 3.72.

The team's batting average was third in the league at .298. Catching was shared between Rocky Boyce (.257) and Mike Vogel (.343). At first was Will Tatum (.313) with Vogel the apparent back-up and at second base was Mike Oster (.291). Third base was the domain of Mickey Kerns (.281) and the main shortstop was Sean McKamie (.322). Jeff Jonckowski (.248) backed-up the infielders. [Jonkowski is the son of the U. of Minnesota Basketball's Williams' arena PA announcer Dick Jonckowski.]

Outfield regulars were Paul Jackson (.317), Bob Kneefe (.286) and Jesse Ziebarth (.254). Back-ups were Ernie Castro (.291), Brian Sutter (.293) and Pat Wright (.324). Without the availability of fielding stats, it is not know who the prime DHs were.

The club's league All Star was Berenguer, but Ligtenberg led the circuit in strike outs. The Loons were fifth in attendance at 32,351. [The cross-town Saints drew 258,000.]

Final Minneapolis stats:

What happened to?

The Loons franchise left Minneapolis, but stayed in the league for 1996.

Willie Tatum finished the 1995 season in the Mexican League, but never played pro ball again.

Kerry Ligtenberg was mentioned to the Braves by manager Olson and they worked out a deal so Kerry could enter affiliated baseball. The story was that the Braves gave the Loons six dozen baseball bats and two dozen baseballs for him. Ligtenberg pitched in the Braves minor league system for 1 ½ seasons and then was called up in 1997. In 1998, he had 30 saves for the major league club. He pitched MLB ball for eight seasons (1997-2005 for 386 g, 3.82 ERA, 1.32 WHIP), and then in the minors through 2006. After one year (2009) with the St. Paul Saints, he became their pitching coach.

Erick Nelson was a starting pitching in the affiliated minor leagues in 1997-98 in classes A and AA. He returned to an Inde league in 1999 where he ended his pro career.

Moose Jaw Diamond Dogs

The last time the southern Saskatchewan city of Moose Jaw had professional baseball teams were in 1909-11, 1913-1914 and 1919-1921 in the Western Canada League. In 1995, the city's population was about 33,000 and they played at Ross Wells Park located at Caribou St E. and Ross Crescent (3^rd Ave.). the book Leagues of Their Own: Independent Professional Baseball, 1993-2000 describes the park as follows: “(a) band box of a park with limited seating capacity, tiny club houses and extremely inviting outfield distances.” It also had wooden bleachers installed in the late 1980s. [It should be mentioned that Jon Stott the author of Leagues of Their Own incorrectly described Aberdeen's Fossum Field in his book. His description was that of the park before its upgrades.]

Ross Wells Park

A visiting amateur baseball pitcher, Alex Tufts, recently described other features of the park: “Moose Jaw’s visiting bullpen is delicately tucked diagonally back and down the first base line from the visitors’ dugout. The unique fenced-in plateau bullpen adheres to the archaic nature of Ross Wells Park and provokes an old-time baseball feel from the restless bullpen pitchers who can be found demolishing sunflower seeds and gazing into the stands during games. The convenient positioning of this bullpen allows for close proximity to the rest of the team while also remaining out of the range of angrily-hurled bats and helmets. Not to be distracted by the lavish bullpen seating, Moose Jaw is not a place that ought to be deemed pitcher-friendly. A field where balls soar up and over the outfield fence and ERA’s seem to commit some sort of baseball-ritual suicide, the park has tended to be unkind to pitchers in the past. Batted balls appear to leave the park frequently with significant force, disappearing into the backdrop of tall trees and initiating debates regarding the distance of said homeruns.”

The Diamond Dogs club was owned by Murray Brace who author Stott described as “an almost frenetically energetic promoter.”

The club was managed by 31-year-old Mike Brocki who had played three years (1987-89) in affiliated classes A and AA as a second baseman. In 1986, he was a first team All-American at Cal State - Dominguez Hills. Including Brocki, the team had six position players with minor league experience including three with AAA games under their belts (Tommy Griffith, Randy Kapano and Ted Williams). Griffith played 23 games for the Diamond Dogs after they traded for him with Regina. Williams had played nine years in affiliated ball and Kapano performed for six.

Brocki

The pitching staff was not so experienced as only four hurlers had played in affiliated systems and two those were only in rookie ball. Still, for a first-year franchise, the roster was well-stocked and the team reported the the number one attendance figure in the league – 75,345. Author Stott's comments: “Whether the league represented paid admissions is debatable. (Owner) Brace freely admitted distributing hundreds of free tickets for each game counting on making profits through increased concessions sales.”

The main first baseman was Alonso Mendoza (.289), positioned at second was Scott Douglas (.282), at third All Star and future major leaguer Shawn Wooten (.373), and at short was manager Brocki (.402). Mark Steele (.312), Rocky Padilla (.183 for 23 games after the trade with Regina) and Randy Kapano (.390) also played infield positions at one time-or-another (lack of fielding stats makes specifics impossible).

The outfield was patrolled by Kyle Billingsley (.258), Brian Cornelius (.403), Grittith (.259) and Williams (.316). Catching was in the hands of Matt Paulson (.337) and Lee Torres (.195 in 29 games as he split the season with the Diamond Dogs and Saskatoon). Other players who may have caught (they had minor league experience there) were Griffith, Kapano and Wooten.

Cornelius won the league batting, runs and hits titles and he was also a league All Star. Wooten was also named to the All Star team. The team's BA was .321 which was first in the league.

The club's starting pitchers were Mike Richardson (18 starts. 4.25 ERA, 1.30 WHIP), Brett Lagerblade (14, 4.56, 1.44), Jason Batcha (12, 7.56, 1.67) and Brett Paptist (9, 4.16, 1.34). Relievers were Mark Brincks (26 games, 4.88, 1.31), Ron Matthews (24, 6.36, 1.76), Dan Bushar (17, 4.34, 1.79), Scott Patrick (16, 2.25, 1.35), Scott Englehart (13, 4.93, 1.57) and Tom Gilles (11, 8.92, 1.88).

The team ERA was 5.40 which was fifth in the league. The small dimensions of their home park was certainly the main cause of the high ERAs and high team batting average.

Final attendance was 75,345 which was league-best.

Final stats:

What happened to?:

Mike Brocki did not play nor manage in pro ball after 1995. From 1996-2005 he was the owner of RBI Batting Cages and in 2005-06 was the varsity baseball coach at Rowland High School. He then became owner of Line Drive which provides private baseball and softball lessons. All of those activities were in the Chino Hills, CA, area.

Alonso Mendoza played in Inde ball through 2000 capping off eight seasons (422 g, 1,488 abs) with a .275 average.

Ted Williams ended his professional career with one game in the Texas League in 1995. He had played for ten years, eight in affiliated ball, all told he hit .250 in 967 games and 3,561 at bats.

Dakota Rattlers

The franchise played their games in Bismarck, ND, which hosted professional baseball in the Dakota/North Dakota Leagues (1922-23) and the old Northern (1962-64 and 1966). It is the capital of North Dakota and its population in 1990 was 49,250 with the outlining areas probably doubling that figure.

Municipal Park

They played at Municipal Park (II). Amateur baseball had been played at the site on Washington Street since 1921 (the Dakota Leagues probably played there too). The original Municipal Stadium was a wooden structure that stood where center field is now. The grandstand burned to the ground in 1971 and the park underwent a $50,000 face lift with the most obvious change being a 900-seat concrete grandstand with roof. In the early 1990's, Washington Street, which runs on the east side of the ballpark, needed to be widened and the old ballpark took up a lot of land that was needed to widen the

street. Therefore, the park was turned around 180 degrees with center field moved to home plate and home plate moved to center. The concrete grandstand was completely demolished and a new one built in time for the 1992 season. The current (2014) ticket booth and entrance to the ballpark were dedicated in memory of Brad Hetland during the 2005 American Legion baseball season. Hetland was a participant in the Bismarck American Legion baseball program with the Scarlets in 1996 and the Governors during the 1997 and 1998 seasons.

The Prairie League did not grant a franchise to Bismarck until mid-April so its organization was formed very quickly with John King being named GM. According to author Jon Stott, in his book Leagues of Their Own: “The...organization experienced difficulties in mid-season. GM John King mysteriously abandoned his position taking with him souvenir merchandise and part of the night's gate receipts and leaving behind unpaid tax invoices and bills from local suppliers.” King had a history of strange behavior with another case outlined below.

From Stew Thornley's Baseball in Minnesota (referring to the 1994 Minneapolis Millers): “The Millers front office got off to a late start and was still struggling to get organized as the season began. Following the resignation of the team's general manager, Bill Williams, John King was appointed to the post only a few days before the team's first game and abruptly resigned two weeks into the season...King, after resigning in late June, gave his version of events to [Minneapolis] Star Tribune reporter Rachel Blount. King said the team's equipment was inadequate and that he ordered a batting cage for the Millers but had to send it back because they couldn't afford it. He blamed a recent loss in Mason City on a shortage of pitchers after the Millers left three pitchers behind because there was no room for them on the team bus.” Apparently King had no logical explanation to the press when he left Bismarck with gate receipts and team merchandise in 1995.

The team's announced season attendance was only 28,042 which was seventh in the league and mostly explains its lack of revenue. Dave Gilbertson was the team's director of promotions having been hired by his father and other owners of the team. He wrote the book Baseball in the Badlands which detailed his experiences during 1995-96. The following are excerpts:

“ there is much we don’t know when we sit down in the metal bleachers to watch a ballgame. The personal and often heartwarming stories of young men with a dream, the chaotic lives of those men off the ball field, and stories of general managers disappearing in the middle of the night with the gate receipts from the previous night’s game, leaving a 19-year-old college freshman to fend off bill collectors.

"On July 16, 1996, Rob Halasy, right-handed pitcher for the Dakota Rattlers of the Prairie League, walked into United Printing on Front Street in Bismarck, North Dakota. As director of promotions, I oversaw the release of the 1996 edition of Dakota Rattler baseball cards. The rest of the team was in Austin, Minnesota playing the Southern Minny Stars. Halasy was injured and had stayed in Bismarck for treatment on his ailing right arm. He had been asking, without fail, every single day since he arrived in Bismarck for this, his second season with the Rattlers, when the baseball cards would be done. I kept assuring him that they would be coming out soon and not to worry. He decided that the usual allotment of fifty cards given to each player would not be nearly enough. He had family and friends at home in Brooklyn, New York, that would like to see his face on an actual baseball card, so he ordered an extra one thousand baseball cards of himself. Partly because he was injured and partly to assure him that the cards were, indeed, on the way, I invited him to United Printing to view the final proofs of the cards before they went to print. As he walked in, his eyes twinkled and a grin appeared on his face. He was a child on Christmas morn. I showed him the proof of his first professional baseball card. The picture was dominated by Halasy, grinning from ear to ear, assuming the usual pitcher’s pose in his pinstriped Dakota Rattlers uniform. It was at that point, as he was admiring his very own baseball card, that he said it. It caught me off guard, but renewed my confidence in professional baseball and its much-maligned athletes. What did he say? What was it? 'Look at this part of the card, right across my uniform, it’ll be perfect for me to autograph.'

"It was at this point that I immediately wished I could speak to Mr. Phil Rizzuto to assure him there is a place where they still play baseball on real grass. There’s still a place where the players don’t bother with what their agents tell them, or how much money someone will pay for their signature. Mr. Rizzuto, that place is Bismarck, North Dakota. It could, however, be Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan; Austin, Minnesota; or Aberdeen, South Dakota. In none of these places do the professional ballplayers worry about catching their chartered airplane or how to spend seventy five dollars per diem on meals.

“The ballplayers in each of these cities wonder how the next month’s rent will be paid, what their batting average or earned run average has reached, and where the next meal will come from. Rob Halasy is one of these players, as is Boo Moore and Dan Halpern. These players play because they love the game of baseball. Their dreams are simple: to play major league baseball. Millions of children grow up with these very same dreams putting them to sleep at night, but these players have come tantalizingly close to fulfilling those dreams. This fact makes it much more cruel when each eventually realize the dream will stay just that: a dream. They want to know the smell of a major league locker room, the feel of major league dirt beneath their cleats, to see a major league stadium filled with 60,000 people, and to hear those 60,000 cheer wildly for them. They dream every waking minute what it feels to put on major league, New York Yankee pinstripes and hear the announcer say, just as he does for Ruben Sierra, 'Now starting in right field for your New York Yankees . . .'

"Dreams were made and crushed, re-made and crushed again. Aberdeen first baseman Craig Dour summed the experience best in saying, “That was the most fun I’ve ever had in baseball. The fans in each park are what I will remember. The people were just so great.” In the end, it is these memories which will last. The kids who chased foul balls at every game will reminisce to their children about those two idyllic summers. Baseball was in town and they met their heroes, whether they be Boo Moore, Dan Halpern, Ray Moon or Brett Muche. For the players the dream has lived and is now dead. For the children, the dream still lives. The sport is certainly bigger than Bismarck, and it will go on. For the small town fans in an isolated part of the Upper Midwest United States, however, the national pastime will again be enjoyed only through television and the distant radio. The fans will no longer be able to sit on top of the uncomfortable metal bleachers of Bismarck Municipal Ballpark, taking in a professional baseball game, looking out on the horizon where a North Dakota sunset is in full bloom. For Bismarck baseball fans, the sun has set and darkness has covered the soul."

The manager of the team was also John King, who if his middle initial is “W”, played one year in affiliated ball in 1980 as mainly a catcher in class A ball and had much success as an athlete at Brown University. It is not known who replaced King when he left the team, the city and apparently baseball.

King found two pitchers with minor league experience with Chris Rusciano reaching the highest level of class A with three years pro experience. The only other hurler from affiliated ball was Tobias Price who played in rookie leagues for two seasons and an Inde league for one. Otherwise six pitchers used during the season had one year of independent baseball and six were rookies to the pros.

Four position players on the roster had affiliated pro experience, one had an Inde ball background and ten had no prior pro experience. Considering this, the club did quite well finishing fourth at 30-42.

Rusciano started 13 games for a 5.29 ERA and 1.80 WHIP. However the best starter was Bismarck native Dave Prosser (14, 3.67, 1.53) and the other two main starters were Dan Slater (16, 4.08, 1.59) and Mike Angileri (9, 3.81, 1.66). Trey Draper (12, 5.94, 1.67) also was used as a starter.

Relievers were Brandon Bogges (22 games, 3.61, 1.51), Keith Brown (13, 4.66, 1.66), Alex Diaz (17, 5.51, 1.80), Price (7, 8.76, 1.95), Scott Smith (8, 10.67, 2.79) and Todd Zweifelhofer (11, 4.91, 1.91). The Dakota staff was fourth in the league with an ERA of 5.15.

Rookie Brandon Mather (.244) was the starting catcher and his backup was Brett Muche who hit very well (.429) with only 14 at bats. At first was Dan Helpern (.300), Joe Jelinek (.250) was the second base starter, Jim Larkin (.251 was stationed at third and Tommy Dong (.339) was the starting shortstop. Pitcher Diaz (.272) also played some at third and Bren Pehser was used at second. First base backups were Malcolm Cepeda (.234 – son of Orlando), Eli Robinson (.204) and Jermaine Swinton (.274).

Outfield regulars appear to be Ray Moon (.304), Boo Moore (.348 – used often at DH as he was the league All Star there) and Mike Zirngibl (.300). Backups were Cepeda, Mike Casey (.292), Swinton and Roger Walker (.278). The Rattlers team hitting finished fifth in the league with a BA of .287.

Attendance was 28,042 which was next-to-last for the league.

Final Stats:

What happened to?:

John King – still searching

Tobias Price played in 1996, 1998 and 2000-01 in inde ball.

Jermaine Swinton entered high class A in 1996-97 and then played in inde leagues through 2003.

Saskatoon Riot

Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, had professional franchises in the Western Canada League (1910-11, 1913-14, 1919-21) and the Independent North Central League in 1994. The city is located in central Saskatchewan and was the largest in the province with a population in 1996 at 193,700 with an outlying population of about 30,000.

The Riot played at Cairns Field located at 1202-1244 Ave. P South roughly one block south off 11^th St. North and it was named after James Cairns – an early 20th century city leader and sports enthusiast. The seating area held in excess of 5,000 fans and its dimensions were 335-400-335. A park of the same name was located at Idylwyld Drive and 26^th St. from 1913 to 1963 when it was torn down.

Cairns Field

The manager was George “Boomer” Scott who played in the minors from 1962-65 and 1980-84 and in the majors during the 1966-79 seasons hitting .268 with 271 homers in 2,034 games. He had managed the Minneapolis Millers in the North Central League in 1994. The club owner was Dave Ferguson.

Scott

During the season, the Saskatoon club went through 30 position players and 14 pitchers as they attempted to right their ship. Eight players played for them and other league Canadian teams. Four also played for their owner's brother's team – Regina.

Reviewing the past records of all the players who were on their roster at one-time-or-another reveals that one had AAA experience, three made it to AA, seven to A and two had played at the rookie level. In addition, the manager's son, George Jr., played in the team.

The club pitchers had the seventh worse ERA in the league with a 5.55. Pete Southall (4.23) had 15 starts, Mark Mueller (5.27) had 10 and Marty Reinhart (6.59) had 18. Mike Pierce (3.82) had only five starts before being traded and Robby Alexander (4.58) was used mostly as a starter (6 times in 10 games.

Trevor Skjerpen (4.71, 30 g) was the most-used reliever, Jim Marchesi (5.83, 26) was next and Vladimir Perez (4.96, 18) was third. David May (2.41, 12) had good success and Dennis Jones (17.72, 12) did not.

The Riot's team batting average (.247) was the worst in the league. Darryl Brinkley (.200) was the starting catcher. Jeff Dormuth (.211) and Chad Melin (.111) backed him up.

At first base was Daryl Burrus (.360) in 31 games, Tim Mitchell (.118) played in five and it is hard to pinpoint other players at the position without complete fielding stats. Second was manned by Don Fletcher (.203) for 20 games and Cory Wafer (.264) played there approximately 36 times.

Saskatoon's main shortstop in 1995 was Duane Stelly (.157) who played in 30 contests and Skip Hopgood (.163) got into 18. Third was the domain of Brian Heather (.225). Other infield backups appeared to be Ed Campaniello (.100), Tony Mack (.190) and Rocky Padilla (.205).

The starting outfield mix appeared to have been Ed Herrera (.251), Andre Johnson (.279), Scott Jr. (.307) and Kory Wilmer (.289). Moterboat Jones (.257), Padilla, Donny Jones (.323) and Pat Lussier (.200) were the backups.

The franchise had an attendance of 38,711 (fourth in league).

1995 Statistics: