.: Hannibal Cavemen

Hannibal, Missouri — March 30, 2010

HANNIBAL, MO - It was officially announced today that the “2010 American Midwest Conference Baseball Championship Tournament presented by the Hannibal Convention and Visitors’ Bureau and Sawyer’s Creek” will be held at historic Clemens Field in Hannibal, Missouri, May 7th to May 10th.

The NAIA American Midwest Conference, of which Hannibal-LaGrange College is a member, will send the top five teams from the regular season standings for a double-elimination tournament. The winner of the tournament will advance to the opening round of the Avista NAIA Baseball World Series playoffs.

“The American Midwest Conference is excited to have our baseball tournament at historic Clemens Field. This is the first time that it will be held at a neutral site and Clemens Field is a great venue,” explained AMC Commissioner Lowell Pitzer.

“The AMC Baseball Championship Tournament presented by the Hannibal Convention and Visitors’ Bureau and Sawyer’s Creek” is scheduled to open with three games on Friday, May 7th. Elimination and Semi-Final games will be held on Saturday, May 8th. The first potential Final will be on Monday, May 10th. If necessary in the double-elimination format, a final game could be played on Tuesday, May 11th to determine the champion.

“AMC coaches and players are extremely excited to have Clemens Field be the host of our conference tournament. The field quality and stadium atmosphere should be a nice addition to a tournament that is always very competitive and intense,” said Hannibal-LaGrange head coach Clay Biggs.

“The level of play will be very high. The AMC currently has three teams that are receiving votes for the top 25 in the NAIA national poll,” Biggs added, referring to the preseason poll. “At least four players that competed in last year's tournament signed professional contracts at the end of the season.

” The teams that received votes are McKendree University, William Woods University, and Park University. McKendree won the AMC tournament championship in 2009, coming out of the loser’s bracket to defeat William Woods.

L.J. Watson, an infielder/outfielder for William Woods, is on the roster for the Hannibal Cavemen for the upcoming season this summer, with opening day June 3. Watson is currently batting .368 with 5 home runs.

“The Hannibal Convention and Visitors’ Bureau is excited to help sponsor a tournament of this magnitude for Hannibal,” said Beau Hicks, President of the HCVB. “We expect it will bring people from all over the state and surrounding region and expose them to America’s Hometown through America’s Favorite Pastime.”

Full-Tournament passes are available for order prior to the tournament at the Hannibal Convention and Visitors’ Bureau, located at 505 North Third Street in Hannibal or by calling 573-221-2477. These potentially four-day passes give holders entry to all games that will be played at a cost of only $18 for adults, $12 for children under 18-years old. Single-day tickets, good for all games on a particular day, will be available at Clemens Field on game days for $6 for adults and $4 for children. All tickets are subject to sales tax.

CAVEMEN 2010 Schedule Announced

Hannibal, Missouri — February 19, 2010

Hannibal, MO - The Hannibal Cavemen announced the 2010 Prospect League Schedule today. The season’s first game at historic Clemens Field will be Thursday, June 3 against the Dekalb County (IL) Liners, one of the new expansion teams in the Prospect League.

The much anticipated release of the Cavemen schedule for year two was delayed due to the incredible expansion of the Prospect League. Considered one of the premier college summer leagues, the Prospect League has added four teams; Dekalb County Liners, Terre Haute (IN) Rex, Beckley (WV) Miners, and Nashville (TN) Outlaws.

"The delay in announcing the 2010 Prospect League schedule is due to the major expansion of the league from 11 teams to 15 teams," explained Bob Hemond, one of the Cavemen owners. "To accommodate this growth the Cavemen will now play 28 home games at Clemens Field starting in June. This includes five home games versus the Quincy Gems".

The rival Gems will play five games at Clemens field in 2010. The Cavemen will host the Gems on Monday, June 6; Tuesday, June 15; Thursday, July 22; Friday, July 30; and a season finale showdown on Saturday, August 7.

Fans attending games will also enjoy more in-stadium fun. "Fans can also expect to see more giveaway nights, more fun on-field promotions and the traditional firework nights,” Hemond added.

Details on these promotions, game times and when individual tickets will go on sale will be announced at a later time. Fans can guarantee seats before individual tickets go on sale by purchasing season tickets. For more information on season tickets call 573-221-1010.

Clemens field has gone through some further upgrades during the off-season with more in the works before opening day. "As everyone familiar with Clemens Field knows, it has come along way in a short amount of time, and we are working to make it even better," Hemond pointed out. "We were thrilled about incorporating, for the first time, The National Tom Sawyer Days on property adjacent to the ballpark and handling all the newness of a first season and look forward to season two."

The Cavemen expect to make an announcement on the 2010 roster the first week of March.

“The quality of talent in the Prospect League is incredible and will only increase with the expansion the league has undergone,” said Jay Hemond, manager of the Cavemen. “The league spans a baseball-rich region with great college programs with players anxious to face the competition the Prospect League has to offer.”

Click here to view the 2010 Cavemen Schedule.

Prospect League Announces Expansion for 2010 Season

Chillicothe, Ohio — December 10, 2009

It was announced today that The Prospect League will expand from eleven to fourteen teams for the 2010 playing season. Joining the league as new members will be the Dekalb County Liners, the Terre Haute Rex and the West Virginia Miners.

The Dekalb County Liners will play at Founder’s Field, located in Sycamore Park in Sycamore, Illinois.

The Terre Haute Rex will play at Sycamore Field on the campus of Indiana State University in Terre Haute, Indiana.

The West Virginia Miners will play in the Linda K. Epling Stadium in Beckley, West Virginia.

“The Prospect League is extremely proud to announce the addition of three new members for the 2010 season” said League President Bryan Wickline. “All three new teams will bring great facilities and ownership to the Prospect League. We are honored to approve these Members and look forward to helping them bring an outstanding summer baseball program to their communities.”

Watch for more details on each of these new teams soon on ProspectLeague.com.

Hannibal Cavemen Baseball Summer Internship Opportunities

Hannibal, MO — November 4, 2009

Hannibal Cavemen Baseball will offer internship opportunities next summer for current college students who are interested in gaining real world work experience to supplement their education. Entering this job market right out of college with only a degree has left many graduates struggling to find work. Employers are now looking for more than just an education from first time applicants. Graduates will obtain the much need field specific work experience through these internships.

Hannibal Cavemen will be offering several local college students an opportunity to obtain this experience through their internship program. Students will get hands on training in the marketing, sales, sports information and customer relations field throughout several areas, enabling each student to gain the specific experience he or she wants most.

Interested individuals should contact the program director by email at randy@hannibalbaseball.com for more information.

Cavemen leave dark age
Lights switched on at Clemens Field

Hannibal, MO — The dark age is over at Clemens Field. The span of years since the historic ballpark’s baseball diamond was last illuminated at night by lights officially came to an end shortly after the sun slipped below the western horizon Monday. During a special ceremony hosted by the Hannibal Cavemen, the lights on all six standards were switched on.

Cavemen sign player with Hannibal ties

Hannibal, MO — The Hannibal Cavemen on Thursday announced the signing of two more players, one of which has ties to Hannibal. Joining the Cavemen are James Hudelson, a right-handed pitcher, and catcher Bryce Tafleski, a former draft pick of the Cleveland Indians. Hannibal is the hometown of Hudelson’s father, Kent, who was a member of the Hannibal High School baseball team when the Pirates played their home games at Clemens Field. Hudelson’s uncle, Brad, and his grandparents, Richard and MaryAnn, still live in Hannibal.

Taking a chance on local baseball

Sometimes, you just have to take a chance. That’s what’s happening with the reintroduction of baseball to Hannibal. Investors are renovating Hannibal’s 70-year-old Clemens Field ballpark with the intention of hosting a Central Illinois Collegiate League team here next year. The project is a collaboration between city and private investment dollars.

Hannibal baseball team break ground

Hannibal, MO — Hannibal has its bases covered for the return of America’s pastime. More than 200 dignitaries, sports enthusiasts, parents and kids joined the Hannibal Baseball Group in breaking ground Tuesday at Clemens Field.

For more news visit the Hannibal Courier-Post