Kyle Ellison (Khan lab School Wichita Director) worked with kids for a long time and would see kids who would have thrived if they had a chance to experience a different learning environment, but never had a chance because it didn't exist here...yet.
KLS was created to overcome the disadvantages of the "normal" school system and create additional opportunities to get the spark right here in the 316.
A lot of innovation is happening in Wichita right now and that includes education. It is time to help students find the best version of themselves with innovative approaches to education.
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 2024 World Series.
The History of the NBC World Series
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.
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 90 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
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”.
2024 NBC World Series
That brings us to today.
The 90th NBC World Series kicks off Opening Day tomorrow (July 25th) at 6pm. The Championship Night game with fireworks is Saturday, August 3rd at 7pm.
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 San Diego.
All Featured Games (with promos) at 6pm except Championship Game is at 7pm.
Thursday, July 25th - Opening Night to celebrate the legacy of Satchel Paige with a Bobblehead Giveaway for the first 1000 fans, TKAAM All-American Club Event
Friday, July 26th - NBC In the ICT with special guests, vendors, prizes from local attractions and more!
Saturday, July 27th - Baseball 'Round the Clock returns and kicks off at 11am! You can catch 11 games in 33 hours! Complete every check-in within the assigned time frame and get a BRTC shirt and tournament pass for the rest of the week!
Sunday, July 28th - Baseball 'Round the clock continues until 6pm. Military Appreciation Day at the 6pm game with a Military Exhibition Game
Monday, July 29th - First Responders Night - first responders get in free when they show their ID. First game at noon, feature game at 6pm
Tuesday July 30th - Celebrate Women in Baseball with a special reunion of the 1994 Silver Bullets all-female professional baseball team who barnstormed across the country, The Bullets will be signing autographs & meeting fans before the game, Trailblazing Women Event in the All-American Club
Wednesday, July 31st - Educator Appreciation Night, show your work ID at the box office to receive a free ticket for the whole day
Thursday, August 1st - Little League Night. Bring our your whole team - at the 6pm game come in uniform to join the pre-game recognition on the field! Card Show, Special kid-focused activities, NBC team autograph sessions
Friday, August 2nd - Aviation Night with Stearman flyover, plane on display, STEM booths and activities, special guests, and more!
Saturday, August 3rd - Championship Night! Feature game at 7pm with fireworks after to celebrate a great week and the Champions!
Who else is excited for some baseball?
TOGETHER WITH BIG RIVER FOOTWEAR CO
When I bought shoes in the past, I would usually order them online or maybe go into a sporting goods store and try on a few pairs, but I was always shooting in the dark and hoping I was picking the right pair.
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I walked away with a pair of ON shoes and I could not be happier.
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December 23, 2024 | Sign Up | Support Us Good morning, Wichita! This is the final Update for 2024. I hope you all have a great Christmas, New Year, and Holiday Season. See you in 2025! - Landon p.s. Go Shockers. Great dub on Saturday! TOGETHER WITH YOU As approach 2025, we are looking for a couple local small businesses to work with. You know how you're reading this right now? So are thousands of other people. Wouldn't it be awesome to get your business or event in front of thousands and...
December 20, 2024 | Sign Up | Support Us TOGETHER WITH Good morning, Wichita! I'll stop bringing it up after today, but you have approximately 13 hours left to enter our 12 Days of Giveaways! You can enter over on our Instagram or by sharing this link: [RH_REFLINK GOES HERE] Today's giveaway is $500 in gift cards to 5 of the best food spots in Wichita. Let's get to it! - Landon Huslig NEWS The End of Free Parking u/trav2974 The verdict is in. Starting in the summer of 2025, downtown visitors...
December 19, 2024 | Sign Up | Support Us Good morning, Wichita! Only 6 days until Christmas! And only 2 days left to enter our 12 Days of Giveaways! Share this link: [RH_REFLINK GOES HERE] or head to our Instagram to enter! Let's get to it! - Landon TOGETHER WITH YOU As approach 2025, we are looking for a couple local small businesses to work with. You know how you're reading this right now? So are thousands of other people. Wouldn't it be awesome to get your business or event in front of...
