National Baseball Congress World Series

The first National Baseball Congress champion was crowned 91 years ago today! On August 27, 1935, the Bismarck (ND) Churchills defeated the Duncan (OK) Halliburtons to win the National Baseball Congress Semi-Pro Invitational at Lawrence Stadium in Wichita.

On that team: future National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum members Satchel Paige and Hilton Smith and Negro Leagues Baseball Museum star Chet Brewer, leading an integrated team to win a national tournament a decade before Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in Major League Baseball.

Next month, members of the NBC's Hap Dumont Society will have the opportunity to hear from author Tom Dunkel, writer of "Color Blind: The Forgotten Team That Broke Baseball's Color Line" about the Churchills, and the impact they had on the game of baseball, and on the NBC.

Read more about the Churchills and that first championship here: https://nbcbaseball.com/1935-1936-all-american/

Jersey Raffle Winners - If you purchased a raffle ticket for a team signed jersey, be sure to check your email! All winners should have received an email last weekend with more information on pickup or shipping options.

Thanks to all who participated!

2026 NBC World Series All-American Team has dropped!

Pitchers

- Noah Waldeck - Santa Barbara Foresters (CA) - 0.00ERA, 2-0 W-L, 11 SO, 12 IP

- Tanner Grove - Santa Barbara Foresters (CA) - 0.00 ERA, 2-0 W-L, 16 SO, 9 IP

- Reidar Vane - Seattle Blackfins (WA) - 0.00 ERA, 7 SO, 13.33 IP

- Corbyn Torti - Top Prospects Academy - 0.00 ERA, 12 SO, 7.33 IP

- Jake Fowler - Santa Barbara Foresters (CA) - 0.00 ERA, 1-0 W-L, 8 SO, 6 IP


Catcher

- Zane Becker - Santa Barbara Foresters (CA) - .300 AVG, 3H, 2B, 4RBI, 4BB, 1SB, .500 OBP


Infielders

1B – Jackson Copeland - Seattle Studs Baseball (WA) - .409 AVG, 9H, 3 2B, 3R, 4RBI, 5 RBI

2B – Chris Newstrom - Santa Barbara Foresters (CA) - .381 AVG, 8H, 4R, 3RBI, 2B, 3SB

SS – Patrick Klinkenberg - Seattle Blackfins (WA) - .467 AVG, 7H, 5R, 3RBI, 2 2B, 3BB, SB

3B – Drew Bugner - Hutchinson Monarchs (KS) - .467 AVG, 7H, 2R, 4RBI, 2B, 3B. SB


Outfielders

Troy Morrow - Alaska Goldpanners (AK) - .474 AVG, 9H, 9R, 3RBI, 2 2B, 4 3B, 2-2 SBA

Dayton Tockey - Austin Gold Sox (TX) - .500 AVG, 7H, 5R, 4RBI, 2B, HR, SB

Jaylon Humbles - Junction City Brigade Baseball (KS) - .471 AVG, 8H, 5R, 4RBI, 3 2B, 3B, 4-5 SBA


Utility

Carter Rutenbar (C & 1B) - Santa Barbara Foresters (CA) - .333 AVG, 5H, 6RBI, 6R, 3-3 SBA, 6BB

Kyle Graves (2B, 3B, SS) - Between The Lines Elite Sports Academy Hornets (KS) - .385 AVG, 5H, 4R, 2B, RBI, 2-2SBA


Designated Hitter
Camden Raymond - Seattle Blackfins (WA) - .429 AVG, 6H, 2R, 4RBI, 2B, HR

Manager
Bill Pintard Santa Barbara Foresters (CA)

FOUR HR in five games? Mario Martinez was HIM this year for the Seattle Blackfins in Wichita.

Last Chance! Team-signed jersey raffle ends tonight - enter to win your favorite 2026 NBC World Series team's signed jersey while you still can!

Raffle Tickets: https://pci.jotform.com/form/261975031509055

Team Spotlight: The Great Bend Bat Cats joined a strong field of Jayhawk Collegiate Baseball League competitors in the 2026 NBC World Series, but ran in to tough competition during pool play, including eventual 2026 NBC champion Santa Barbara Foresters.

Thank you to the Bat Cats for being a part of the 2026 NBC World Series!

Team Spotlight: Top Prospects Academy Texas showed up and showed out in pool play at this year’s NBC World Series.

Highlights:
Corbyn Torti - 7.33IP, 12K
Tanner Carson - .600 AVG, 9-for-15, 4RBI
Levi Risenhoover - .429 AVG, 4R, 2B, HR, 8RBI

Plus an extra innings win over Lonestar Baseball Club.

In 1995, Skip Bertman led USA Baseball's Team USA to the NBC World Series championship in Wichita, saying after their win, "This is very satisfying because this has been the most successful summer ever for this program.". Skip then led that team as they went on to win the bronze medal in the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta.

Skip was also named the NBC's Manager of the Year in 1995, and we are honored to have him as a part of the National Baseball Congress's legacy.