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TOGETHER WITH

Good morning, Wichita!

Even if you don’t love baseball, the NBC World Series is an amazing tradition in Wichita that offers more than just baseball. Read on to learn more about some of the additional offerings over the next week.

In today's Wichita Life Update

The History of the NBC World Series
NBC Alumni
2023 Promos

Let's get to it!

- Landon Huslig

TOGETHER WITH THE CITY OF WICHITA

There are a lot of organizations that don't get the spotlight they deserve.

One of those organizations is The Miracle League of Wichita which provides an opportunity for players with disabilities to join an athletic league with their peers participating in a variety of sports.

The Miracle League of Wichita offers seasonal sports such as bowling, kickball, baseball and swim team. All registered athletes will receive a team jersey and some awesome swag.

Every athlete will be partnered with a Buddy to assist during the game. The team camaraderie between athletes and families is truly special and one of kind!

Get your athlete started in Miracle League today! The September season is coming up quick!

Learn More Here

NBC World Series

Baseball 'Round The Clock makes National Baseball Congress World Series in Wichita, Kan., a special event. - Page 2 - ESPN

The annual National Baseball Congress (NBC) World Series is a bedrock of American amateur (collegiate and semi-pro) baseball history, celebrated right here in the heart of the United States.

But why Wichita? And what do you mean "World Series"?

Today, we will dive into the rich history as well as take a look at the 2023 World Series.

The History of the NBC World Series

NBC World Series - Greater Wichita Area Sports Commission — The NBC World Series is put on by the Wichita Sports Commission

Take a look way back nearly 100 years.

The year is 1935.

Ray "Hap" Dumont - Kansas Sports Hall of Fame

Raymond “Hap” Dumont hosted the first NBC National Tournament (called the Little World Series) at the legendary Lawrence-Dumont Stadium to showcase the best amateur talent from the states and around the world.

Hap offered baseball legend and future Baseball Hall of Famer Satchel Paige $1000 ($22,270.37 in 2023 monies). Did Hap have $1000?

Well, no. He was a Sporting Goods salesman.

But he had confidence that his tournament would work.

Hap made enough money from this first tournament to pay Paige as well as throw some dough at the other 32 teams, thanks in part to Sporting News (think ESPN of back in the day, baseball’s “bible” at the time) covering the event.

The teams were mostly town and industrial teams back then and featured former (and older) minor league and major league players or those ineligible for the pros.

Diversity was a big deal for NBC.

5 teams were classified as “integrated” including a team consisting of Native American players and another with Japanese players.

Interview: Tom Dunkel, Author Of 'Color Blind: The Forgotten Team That Broke Baseball's Color Line' : NPR — Satchel Paige

Satchel Paige was a victim of the color barrier. As a black man, he was not eligible to play minor or major league baseball. Playing in the NBC World Series paid off not only monetarily for Paige, but on the field as well as he won 4 games, struck out 60 batters and won MVP of the tournament as he lead the Bismarck Churchills to the first NBC World Series Championship. Paige did eventually break through the color barrier and was able to play in the MLB starting in 1948 (a year after Jackie Robinson).

NBC World Series Alumni

For the last 89 years, Wichita has been the destination for elite collegiate/amateur baseball and professional league hopefuls from the fields of Lawrence-Dumont (RIP) downtown to WSU’s Eck Stadium today.

Since its start in 1935, the NBC World Series has produced more than 800 Major League Baseball players.

You might recognize a few:

Satchel Paige, Mark McGwire, Joe Carter, Roger Clemens, Ozzie Smith, Albert Pujols, Time Lincecum, Heath Bell

Mark McGwire Undressed in Front of Helen Hunt in a 1999 'Mad About You' Cameo — Mark McGwire

Each year, nearly every MLB team sends scouts to the tournament looking for the next diamond in the rough.

Since 1975, the NBC World Series also recognizes an NBC tournament alum who made it to the big leagues as the “Graduate of the Year”.

2023 NBC World Series

No photo description available. — 2023 will take place at WSU's Eck Stadium

That brings us to today.

The 2023 NBC World Series kicks off Opening Day on tomorrow (August 3rd) at noon with the feature game at 6pm. The Championship Night game with fireworks is Saturday, August 12th.

There are numerous fun events, games, and game times at all times of the day.

You can find tickets as low as $5 for general admission at your local Quiktrip or find tickets online!

This year, there are 16 teams ranging from local Wichita area and Kansas teams to teams from Seattle or Santa Barbara.

2023 Promo Schedule

Check out the various promos throughout the week.

All Featured Games (with promos) at 6pm except Championship Game is at 7pm.

Thursday, August 3rd - Opening Night with Team Autographs, limited-edition poster giveaway for the first 2500 fans, special guests from Tanganyika Wildlife Park
Friday, August 4th - Military Appreciation with BOGO Tickets for all active duty or retired members, Military Vehicles on display and more
Saturday, August 5th - Homerun Hangout with discounted tickets with valid student ID or $5 at QT. Bring your gas grill to Coleman Hill and play games with friends! Giveaways also include giftcards and a TV
Sunday, August 6th - Kids Take Over with kid dance offs and Pie Your Dad Contest, Root beer floats on sale
Monday, August 7th - Community Give Back Night with food drive benefiting the Kansas Food Bank
Tuesday, August 8th - Education Appreciation with BOGO tickets for all local educators and school employees with work ID
Wednesday, August 9th - First Responders Appreciation with BOGO tckets for local Fire, EMT, Police, and other 1st responders with ID, Tour emergency vehicles
Thursday, August 10th - Aviation Night & Women in Sports Night with appearance by Maybelle Blair, former All-American Girls Pro Baseball League Player, pre-game celebration of women in sports, STEM Activities, special appearances & surprises
Friday, August 11th - Circus Night with Tricks from Tyler’s Amazing Balancing Act and former Harlem Globetrotter Hannah Mortimer. Come be amazed by the Exploration Place exhibits on the concourse and other magical guests.
Saturday, August 12th - Championship Night (at 7pm) with Jersey Giveaway, Hall of Fame Induction & Graduate of the Year Award presentations, fireworks after, and all kids 14 and under get in FREE with youth baseball or softball jersey

Who else is excited for some baseball?

Still want more ball?

SummerBall Showdown

In a different part of town is a different baseball tournament, the 2023 SummerBall Showdown.

The SummerBall Showdown (SMS) is a non-professional, open summer baseball tournament located at Genesis Sports Complex in Goddard.

Teams get a guaranteed 3 games and there is $20k on the line for the best teams.

The SMS starts tonight (August 2nd) and runs through August 6th.

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