2026 Season

Clowns Challenge but Reds Hold On to Win 3rd Straight

October 13, 2026

Grand Park

The 2026 Hoosier Adult Baseball Season came to a close Tuesday, with the Clowns and Reds playing for the league title in the 9th HABL championship game.

Jeff Johnson took the ball for the Reds and pitched a scoreless first.

The Clowns turned to Jeff Bertsch on the mound. With one out on the bottom of the inning, Reds’ shortstop Scott Yanney drove the first pitch he saw to deep center, where Jeff Pittard made a valiant effort, but couldn’t reel it in. Yanney circled the bases for a solo home run and a 1-0 Reds lead.

The Clowns answered in the second. Bruce Russell singled with one away, then got to second on a walk to Tom Nickol. Randy Schuller dropped down a bunt to move the runners, but the throw to first was high, escaping the reach of first baseman Mike Shadoan, heading up the right field line in foul territory. Russell scored from second to tie it at one, Nickol moved to 3rd, and Schuller found himself at second with one out.

Two batters later, Bertsch singled up the middle with two out, scoring Nickol, giving skipper Chris Kenyon’s Clowns a 2-1 lead.

The score stayed there until the 6th when Darren George led off with a sharp single down the third base line, then took third on Andy Coxe’s single to right. Todd Stull drove home George to give the Clowns a 3-1 margin. Craig Carns then came up with a two-out single to make it 4-1.

The Reds put together their best inning of the night in the bottom of the 6th. Golden walked to lead off. Yanney walked as well, and then Ryan Easterhaus hit a spinning chopper to first that could not be fielded cleanly loading the bases with no one out.

Jeff Johnson then singled to left to bring home Golden to make it 4-2. Shadoan walked with bags full to drive in another to make it 4-3, and then the big blow came on John Wetter’s double, just out of the reach of the outfielders in shallow right center, scoring a pair, as the ball careened into right field.

Mike Elkin followed with a two-run triple to cap the scoring at six runs in the frame, giving the Reds a 7-6 lead.

In spite of a tough 6th, the Clowns would not go away. They came right back in the top of the seventh to post four straight hits by Russell, Nickol, Schuller and Guy Vreeman. Schuller’s double was the key hit tying it at seven.

George then had a sac fly to center to plate Vreeman, giving the Clowns an 8-7 lead.

But the Reds would not be denied. In the bottom of the seventh, Golden singled, Yanney was walked intentionally, and Easterhaus singled to tie it. That was followed by another RBI single by Johnson to give the Reds the lead at 9-8.

Shadoan pitched in relief to finish for the Reds, getting the win. 9-8 was the final score.

The victory cements the third title for the Reds (2024, 2025, 2026), just one behind the Monarchs’ four titles (2019, 2020, 2021, 2023). The Rockies have the other two (2018, 2022).

Johnson paced the Reds attack with a 4-4 night. Yanney reached three times, two via walk along with the inside the park HR, scoring all three times he reached base.

The Reds finish the campaign with an 11-2-3 record.

The Clowns were led offensively by Carns two hits including a triple, Schuller’s pair of knocks, and Russell’s two hits and two runs. George and Allen Tunstall turned in some stellar defensive plays on the infield in the loss.

They finish the season with a 9-7-1 record, coming up just one win short of their first HABL title.

The 2026 championship was a rematch of the 2025 final, won by the Reds 7-4.

The Clowns, who entered the double elimination playoff tournament as the 4-seed, defeated the Red Sox in the opening round 10-9. They lost to the Monarchs 14-6 in the second round, defeated the Rockies 17-5 in the Losers Bracket final, and then won a rematch with the top seeded Monarchs 8-4 in the semi-finals.

The Reds took an easier path, winning all three of their playoff games. A first-round victory over the Cubs 11-4, a second-round victory over the Fusion 13-6, and a semi-final win over the Fusion 16-8.

---

The 2026 HABL Champions - Reds

---

Clowns Face Reds for 2026 Title

October 6, 2026

Grand Park

The HABL double elimination playoff tournament reached the semi-final round Tuesday at Grand Park. The seeds held up as the top four teams during the regular season made it to the penultimate round to decide the participants in the 2026 HABL Championship game.

Clowns 8, Monarchs 4

On one side, the top-seeded Monarchs hosted the 4-seed Clowns on D5. The two teams met last Tuesday, with the Monarchs emerging with a 14-6 victory. The Clowns bounced back with a 17-5 win last week against the Rockies.

The Clowns got on the board first with Andy Coxe singling to start the game. Two batters later, Craig Carns tripled him home for a 1-0 lead. Geoff Woodman tripled to left to start the Monarchs half of the first, and came home to score to tie it at one. Both teams scored again in the 4th for a two-all tie before the Clowns scored two in the 6th, highlighted by Bruce Russell’s two-run double to give the C’s a 4-2 lead. They added two in the 5th and 6th to go up 8-2, and never looked back, surrendering two in the Monarchs 9th to win it 8-4.

The win sends the 9-6-1 Clowns into their second straight HABL championship game Tuesday the 13th. Tom Nickol started, and Darren George, Jeff Bertsch and Guy Vreeman provided the bullpen-by-committee to hold down the Monarchs attack. The Monarchs finish a terrific season at 11-4, with the league’s best record in the regular season.

Reds 16, Fusion 8

On D3, the 3-seeded Fusion had another crack at the second-seed Reds after falling 13-6 last week in the second round. The Fusion had to go through the losers bracket to get another shot and did so edging the Black Sox 5-4 Thursday.

The Fusion posted a run in the first before the Reds came back with four unearned runs in the bottom of the bottom of the second to go up 4-1. The big inning was a 9-run 4th to take a 13-2 advantage, that all but ended the Fusion’s chances to reach their first HABL title game. The visitors battled to within 13-8 after six, but the Reds scored two in the seventh and two in the eighth for the final margin.

Scott Yanney was 4-5, Mike Shadoan 3-4 for the winners. Steve Hicks went 4-5 in the loss, with Ryan Schowe and Neal Amburgey adding three hits each. The Fusion end their season at 9-6-1. The Reds improve to 10-2-3 on the season, and will shoot for their third straight, and third overall HABL title next week against the Clowns, who are in search of their first HABL title.

The game will take place on D3 at 6:30 pm. The Reds will be the home team.

---

Fusion, Clowns Battle Back to Reach Semi-finals

October 1, 2026

Grand Park

October baseball arrived Thursday at Grand Park, and it felt like the playoffs. Four teams battled for the two remaining semi-final spots, as the losers bracket survivors from Tuesday, met the winner’s bracket losers from Tuesday. The season was on the line for all four teams, as they tried to bounce back from the loser’s bracket side of the playoff schedule.

Fusion 5, Black Sox 4

On D3, the Fusion grabbed a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the 4th on a double down the left field line by James Harter to score John McElwee. On the mound, Kent Works was good enough to work around four walks and a hit batter, allowing just two hits, dialing up strikeouts when needed, to throw 4 and 2/3 shutout innings for the Fusion.

Black Sox starter Brian Kelley was excellent in his own right, pitching five innings, allowing just the one run, scattering four hits, walking only two. The Sox pushed three across in the top of the seventh, two of them unearned, taking a 3-1 lead into the bottom of the 7th.

Chris Kania opened the Fusion half with a triple to left center. He was driven home on a single by McElwee making it 3-2. Steve Hicks followed with a single. McElwee scored the game’s tying run on a fielder’s choice off the bat of Harter, his second RBI of the night. The Fusion added two more to make it 5-3 after seven.

Hicks was limiting the Black Sox offense on the mound, allowing 4 hits in 5 innings. The Sox got to within one on an RBI single by Larkey to bring home Tim Berry who had doubled, but then Hicks closed the door in the 9th, stranding the tying run at first.

Kania was 2-for-3 with a walk and a run scored. McElwee 2-for-4 with an RBI and two runs scored. Phil Colvin singled as part of the Fusion’s 11 hit attack. Larkey led the Sox who had only 6 hits, going 3-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored.

In three games this season, two won by the Fusion, the run differential between these two teams was just one run. The Fusion scores 14 with the Sox scoring 13 (6-4 Sox, 5-3 Fusion, 5-4 Fusion). The Black Sox bow out, while the Fusion move on to Tuesday’s semi-final against the Reds on D3. The Reds won Tuesday’s matchup between the two teams 13-6. The Fusion and Reds tied 9-9 in week 2. The Fusion defeated the Reds 7 -1 in week 12.

Clowns 17, Rockies 5

On D5, the Clowns had 20 hits enroute to a 17-5 win over the Rockies. The Rockies jumped out early as Randy Kinnett’s 2-run double staked them to a 2-0 lead in the first. The Clowns took the lead after three, before Joe Durle tripled to right field, and the Rockies found their way back in front after 4. But the Clowns offense came on in the 5th and 6th. Andy Coxe had four of the team’s 20 hits, with three singles and a triple on the night. The Clowns took control, scoring nine runs in the 6th to pull away. Jeff Pittard went 2-for-5 on the night, driving in four runs for the Clowns. Durle, Mike Scheidt and John Lucia all had two hits each for the Rockies, whose season ends with the loss.

The Clowns will go on to a rematch of last Tuesday’s matchup, as they face the Monarchs Tuesday on D5 in the semi-finals. The Monarchs defeated the Clowns 14-6 Tuesday. The Monarchs won the week one matchup 8-3. The Clowns beat the Monarchs 15-5 in week 7.

---

Monarchs, Reds Advance to Semifinal; Red Sox, Cubs Bow Out

September 29, 2026

Grand Park

Round 2 of the 2026 HABl playoffs took place Tuesday. The top two seeds advanced to the semifinals, and two teams seasons ended.

Monarchs 14, Clowns 6

Scott Metzinger drove in 4 runs on 2 hits to lead an 18-hit attack, as the top seeded Monarchs defeated the 4-seed Clowns 14-6 on D5. The Monarchs advance to next Tuesday’s semifinal. They will await the winner of the loser’s bracket game Thursday, October 1 between the Clowns and the 8th seeded Rockies. The Clowns will be home team.

Rockies 9, Red Sox 2

On D2, the 8-seed Rockies got five strong innings from Jeff Kinder on the mound, and returned to form in defeating the 5-seed Red Sox by a 9-2 final. The loss eliminates the Red Sox. The Rockies advance to visit the 4-seed Clowns in another elimination game Thursday, October 1. The winner will advance to Tuesday’s seminal against the Monarchs.

Reds 13, Fusion 6

On D3, the two-time defending champion Reds got past the 3-seed Fusion 13-6, advancing to Tuesday’s semifinal. The Fusion will host the 6th seeded Black Sox in an elimination game on Thursday, October 1. The Fusion defeated the Black Sox in the opening round 5-3.

Black Sox 15, Cubs 7

On D4, the 6th seeded Black Sox advanced to Thursday, defeating the Cubs by a final of 15-7. The Black Sox will visit the 3-seed Fusion, with the winner advancing to Tuesday’s semifinal against the Reds. The loss eliminates the Cubs.

---

Top Seeds Hold Up in Round One as Playoffs Begin

September 22, 2026

Grand Park

The 2026 Hoosier Adult Baseball double elimination playoff tournament began Tuesday, as the league looked to crown it’s 9th champion.

Monarchs 17, Rockies 0

On D6, the top seeded Monarchs got five runs batted in from Chad Saalfrank on three hits on their way to an easy opening round win over the 8th seeded Rockies. The 4th inning proved to be a deciding factor as the Monarchs scored six runs on five hits. Steve Powell earned the win.

The Monarchs will host the Clowns Tuesday with the winner advancing to the Semifinal. The loser will drop to the loser’s bracket game Thursday. The Rockies will visit the Red Sox with their season on the line Tuesday.

Clowns 10, Red Sox 9

On D7 the 4th seeded Clowns outlasted the 5th seeded Red Sox 10-9 behind 12 hits, including a pair by Jeff Pittard. Alan Snedeker notched four hits for the Red Sox, but it wasn’t enough. Guy Vreeman was the winner allowing two earned runs over his five innings of work.

The Clowns advance to meet the Monarchs Tuesday. The Red Sox will play an elimination game Tuesday as they host the Rockies.

Reds 11, Cubs 4

On D8, the Reds advance to the second round unscathed, defeating the Cubs by an 11-4 final. The 2-seed will host the 3-seed Fusion Tuesday with a trip to the semis on the line. The 7th seeded Cubs visit the 6th seeded Black Sox Tuesday in an elimination game.

Fusion 5, Black Sox 3

The 3-seed Fusion scored three in the 8th, highlighted by Neal Ziliak’s 2-run single to beat the 6th seeded Black Sox by a 5-3 final. Kent Works pitched five scoreless innings in relief to earn the win.

The Fusion will visit the 2-seed Reds to see who will advance to the semifinal. The loser drops to the Losers bracket elimination game October 1. The Black Sox will host the Cubs Tuesday in an elimination game, and a right to meet the loser of the Fusion/Reds matchup.

---

Monarchs, Reds Finish 1 and 2
Playoffs Begin Next Week

September 15, 2026

Grand Park

It seems like a few short weeks ago that the 2026 Hoosier Adult Baseball Season began on June 30. Two and half months of baseball has produced the final standings for the regular season and the playoff matchups are set. The double elimination tournament begins next week, Tuesday September 22nd.

Red Sox 6, Monarchs 2

On D5, the Red Sox defeated the West champion Monarchs 6-2. With a 9-3 mark, and a Reds loss to the Fusion, the Monarchs will be the top seed heading into the post-season. The 4-time HABL champions will host the Rockies in the first round on D5. The Red Sox finish at 5-5-2 and will be the 5th seed. They will visit the 4th seeded Clowns next week on D2.

Fusion 7, Reds 1

On D3, the Fusion, who had already clinched the 3-seed, defeated the Reds 7-1. The Reds finish at 7-2-3 and remain East champions and the 2-seed. They will host the 7-seed Cubs next week in their playoff opener on D3. The Fusion at 7-4-1 will host the 6th seeded Black Sox on D4.

Clowns 12, Rockies 10

On D2, the Clowns held off the Rockies 12-10, finishing their campaign at 6-5-1, locking up the 4-seed. They will host the Red Sox next week in their playoff matchup on D2. The Rockies fall to 3-9 on the season, and will visit the Monarchs next Tuesday on D5.

Cubs 13, Black Sox 12

On D4, the Cubs scored five in the 8th to tie it at 10 but fell behind 12-10 after eight and a half. They tied it again in the 9th on Fred Michael’s 2-run triple, and won it 13-12 on Steve Kirkpatrick’s game-winning single. The Cubs win improves them to 3-8-1, and moves them up to the seventh seed. They will visit the Reds next week on D3. The Black Sox will be the 6-seed, finishing with a 3-7-2 mark. They will visit the Fusion next week on D4.

Here is a look at how the final seedings worked out:

Seed	Team	Record	GB
1	Monarchs	9-3-0	-
2	Reds	7-2-3	0.5
3	Fusion	7-4-1	1.5
4	Clowns	6-5-1	2.5
5	Red Sox	5-5-2	3.0
6	Black Sox	3-7-2	5.0
7	Cubs	3-8-1	5.5
8	Rockies	3-9-0	6.0

Field choice goes to the top seed Monarchs, then Reds, then Fusion.

---

This Week's Episode is Brought to You by the Number 11

September 8, 2026

Grand Park

Week 11 of the 9th HABL baseball season highlighted the league’s top two teams, still battling for the top overall seed with two to play. Ironically, all three winners of Week 11 scored 11 runs!

Only one seed is locked in place heading into the final week. The final week will dictate seedings and home field in the double elimination playoff tournament.

Monarchs 11, Cubs 7

On D2, the West Champion Monarchs collected 19 hits enroute to an 11-7 win over the Cubs. Jeremy Hoeppner went 3-for-5 and Will Klein 2-for-3 to propel the offense, while Scott Metzinger earned the win on the mound. The righty gave up 2 runs in 5 innings of work, allowing 5 hits, striking out three. Brett Denneman pitched well in the start for the Cubs, going 5 innings allowed an earned run. He also had a pair of hits at the plate, joined by Marc Rueffer, Steve Kirkpatrick and Ean Vanwinkle, all of whom had a couple of hits in the contest.

The Monarchs will take a 9-2 mark into the final game of the season Tuesday as they host the Red Sox on D5. A win and they are the top overall seed. A loss and a Reds win and they are the 2-seed. The Cubs sit at 2-8-1, in the 8th seed currently. They wrap up the regular season next week on D4 as they visit the Black Sox. The Cubs can move up to the 7-seed with a win and Rockies loss but can not reach the 6-seed.

Reds 11, Black Sox 6

On D4, the Reds took a 6-0 lead behind offense from Mak Knowles, John Wetter and Scott Yanney, while Jeff Johnson was shutting down the Black Sox. The Reds’ starter allowed 0 runs on just 4 hits in 5 frames. The Sox tied it with six in the top of the 8th, but Donnie Noel singled in the bottom of the inning to drive in the lead run, and the Reds added four more from there to win 11-6. They improve to 7-1-3. Greg Scarpone and Todd Larkey both had a pair of hits in the loss, as the Sox fall to 3-6-2.

The East champs can be the top seed if they win Tuesday at home on D3 vs. the Fusion, but must have a Monarchs loss as well. The Black Sox will be either the 6- or 7-seed. A win and they clinch the 6-spot. A loss and a Rockies loss, they maintain the 6 spot. A win and a Rockie’s win and they remain in the 6-seed. A loss and a Rockies win and they drop to the 7-seed.

Fusion 11, Clowns 1

On D3, the Fusion moved into the 3-seed with a convincing win over the Clowns. Chris Kania and John McElwee both shined on defense behind Kent Works and Steve Hicks on the hill. McElwee also doubled in the game. The Fusion improve to 6-4-1 and clinch the 3-seed for the double elimination playoff tournament. They hold a one game over the Clowns for that honor and swept the season series 2-0. The Clowns at 5-5-1 sit in the 4-seed, a half game up on the Red Sox.

A win Tuesday at home on D2 vs. the Rockies clinches the 4-spot for the Clowns, but a loss and a Red Sox win drops them to 5th. If both teams lose, the Clowns maintain the 5-seed and home field in the playoffs vs. the Red Sox. The two teams are locked into a first round playoff matchup, it is just a matter of which team is the home team.

Red Sox 1, Rockies 0 FORFEIT

Due to some badly timed injuries and absences, the Rockies had to take a forfeit against the Red Sox Tuesday, falling to 3-8 on the season. The Rockies will be either the 6, 7, or 8-seed depending upon what happens Tuesday. A win and a Black Sox loss and the Rockies will be the 6-seed. A win and a Black Sox win and they will be the 7-seed. A Cubs win and a Rockies loss, and the Rockies fall to the 8 spot. The Red Sox, now at 4-5-2, are locked into either the 4 or 5 seed and will face the Clowns in the first round of the playoffs. They hold the tie-breaker against the Black Sox, with a plus one run differential in the head to head season series which the two teams split. The Red Sox visit the Monarchs on D5. The Rockies will visit the Clowns on D2.

---

Monarchs and Reds Clinch Division Titles

September 1, 2026

Grand Park

Both division titles were decided Tuesday in Game 10 of the 12-game regular season. The Monarchs are the champions in the West, with the Reds claiming the East title. The top overall seed is still up for grabs between the two teams, with two to play.

Due to construction in Lot H, the games were moved to the top bank of fields of the Grand Park Campus Tuesday.

Monarchs 5, Rockies 2

On D7, the Monarchs got their usual terrific start from Steve Powell, who went 4 innings allowing 2 runs. Jeff Schmitt matched his performance for the Rockies, surrendering 2 runs on 4 hits in 5 innings. The big blow of the game came off the bat of Chad Saalfrank. The M’s plated two runs on the shortstop’s inside the park home run in the 8th. Scott Metzinger pitched five shutout innings in relief on just 3 hits with 5 strikeouts to earn the win. The Monarchs improve to 8-2 and clinch the Western Division title.

Reds 21, Cubs 6

On D6, the Reds were victorious over a shorthanded Cubs team who has been victimized by injuries down the stretch. The win seals the Eastern Division title for the 2-time defending HABL champions. At 6-1-3, they are winners of four straight, and a half game back of the Monarchs in the chase for the top overall seed, with two games left. The Cubs fall to 2-7-1.

Fusion 13, Red Sox 3

On D8, the Fusion got great pitching from their pair of lefthanders enroute to a ten-run victory over the Red Sox. Kent Works and Steve Hicks allowed just one earned run between them, while Neal Amburgey and James Harter had productive days at the plate for the Fusion. The Fusion improve to 5-4-1. That mark ties them with the Clowns, who they will face next week as they host their division rival. The Red Sox fall to 3-5-2 and into a second place tie in the East with the Black Sox.

Clowns 6, Black Sox 6

On D9, a terrific game ended in a 6-all tie, as the Clowns and Black Sox went back and forth until time ran out after 9 innings. The Clowns led 1-0 after a half inning, trailed 2-1 after one. Tied it at 2 in the second, then fell behind 3-2 after two. They tied it at 3 in the 4th, before the Sox took a 4-3 lead in the 5th. Three runs in the 6th gave the Clowns a 6-4 lead, but the Black Sox tied it with two runs in the 7th, and that is how it ended.

Guy Vreeman (Clowns) and Brian Kelley (Black Sox) both pitched well for five innings. Tom Nickol was excellent in relief for the C’s, throwing four innings allowing two runs, both unearned. Greg Scarpone, Kent Lindeman, Brent Steele, and Kelley each had two hits for the Sox, with Steele and Kelley driving in two apiece. Allen Tunstall, Bruce Russell, Jeff Pittard and Randy Schuller had two hits each for the Clowns.

Some great defensive plays were turned in by several players for both teams. Kent Welch saved two runs in the 4th with a diving catch of a line drive at third base. For the Clowns, Tunstall made a number of plays, including a diving stop up the middle that he almost turned into an incredible out in the 9th. Schuller made a diving catch of a David Benson fly ball down the left field line in the 8th. Both teams turned multiple double plays.

The Clowns now sit at 5-4-1, tied with the Fusion for the second spot in the West. Those two square off next week as the C’s visit the Fusion on D3. The winner takes possession of the 3-seed overall. The Black Sox are now tied with the Red Sox for second in the East at 3-5-2.

---

Monarchs, Reds Close in on Division Titles

August 25, 2026

Grand Park

The final third of the 2026 HABL regular season began Tuesday night at Grand Park, and the division leaders both managed to take another step towards securing regular season titles and a top two seed.

Monarchs 5, Fusion 3

On D5, Steve Powell continued his terrific season on the mound, pitching five scoreless innings, allowing just two hits striking out seven, with no walks. It is Powell’s 6th start of four innings or more allowing no earned runs. Robert Newton went 2-for-4 for the M’s, and Jeremy Heoppner drove in a pair. The Monarchs improve to 7-2 on the season, and possess a two-game lead over the second place Clowns in the West with three to play. Their magic number to clinch the West is 2. The Clowns hold the tiebreaker with a +5-run differential in two games that were split between the divisional foes.

The Fusion were led by Ryan Schowe and Corey Heniser with a pair of hits each. Kent Works pitched 5 innings allowing 5 runs, but only one earned.

Reds 5, Rockies 4

On D2, The Reds held off the Rockies in an extremely well-pitched game. Jeff Kinder started for the Rockies, Don Noel for the Reds. Both pitched five strong innings. The Reds eked out a 2-0 lead before the Rockies grabbed a 3-2 margin. Eric Decker pitched the final four for the Rockies against Mike Shadoan of the Reds. The Reds were able to escape with a one run victory 5-4. The defending champs improve to 5-1-3, 2-and-a-half games up on the second place Red Sox in the East Race. A win next week at the Cubs on D2 would clinch the division title and one of the top two seeds in the post-season double elimination tournament. The Rockies fall to 3-6, their third straight loss. They have been without some key contributors during that stretch.

Black Sox 9, Red Sox 5

On D4, the Black Sox got five brilliant innings from Brian Kelley who allowed just two hits, facing one more than the minimum, walking none, striking out three. Red Sox lefty Mike Pepples was equal to the task, allowing one unearned run in his 5 innings, scattering 5 hits, striking out three. Kelley was perfect through three innings, until Rod Parker led off the 4th with a single to center. The Red Sox grabbed the lead with two in the top of the 6th, but the Sox came right back with four in the bottom of the frame to take a 5-3 lead, then plated four more in the 8th to go up 9-3. The Red Sox brought the tying run to the plate in the top of the 9th in Pepples, who drove a hard hit ball to right field with the bases loaded and two out on a 3-2 count. Black Sox Right Fielder David Benson made a great catch on the move to seal the win. Kent Lindeman drove in three with a bases loaded double in the decisive 6th, Chris Schmidt had two hits and a pair of RBIs. Kent Welch notched two hits, and Greg Scarpone went 3-for-4 in the victory.

The Sox improve to 3-5-1.

Chris Stormer had three hits, Eric Shaw eached twice, and Dan Turner had two hits in the loss. Ari Fleischer went 1-for-2 with a walk and made a few terrific defensive plays at second. The Red Sox fall to 3-4-2, two-and-a-half games back of the Reds in the East race with three left.

Clowns 21, Cubs 6

On D3, the Clowns caught a shorthanded Cubs team, pounding out 18 hits on their way to a 21-6 win. Todd Stull had four hits, Craig Carns three, and Allan Tunstall had an inside the park home run for the winners. The Clowns improve to 5-4, two games back of the Monarchs in the Western Division. Sam Testa had a pair of hits in the loss as the Cubs drop to 2-6-1.

---

Division Leaders Extend Leads

August 18, 2026

Grand Park

It is hard to believe that the 2026 HABL regular season is already two-thirds of the way complete. Tuesday marked the 8th game of 12, and the Monarchs and Reds extended their leads slightly in the race for the East and West Division titles.

Monarchs 12, Black Sox 5

On D2, the Monarchs returned to form with a 12-5 win over the Black Sox. The M’s capitalized on 16 Black Sox walks, taking a 3-0 lead out of the gate before extending it to 12-1 after 6. The Black Sox pieced together four runs late, but fell far short of the 6-2 leaders in the Western Division. Steve Powell continued his excellent pitching this season, going five innings, allowing just one run on 5 hits, striking out five, wlaking only one batter. Scott Metzinger, who got the win on the mound, was an absolute menace offensively, reaching base four times, scoring three times with excellent baserunning. Jerry Shipman, Jody Donaldson, Will Klein and Terry Carson collected two hits apiece. The Monarchs lead in the West stretches to a game and a half with four left to play.

The Black Sox two game win streak is halted, as they fall to 2-5-1 on the campaign. Chris Schmidt, Brent Steele and Ben Kruszynski were all 2-for-4 in the loss.

Fusion 4, Rockies 2

After dropping three straight, the Fusion found their way back into the win column with a well pitched 4-2 victory over the Rockies on D4. Kent Works and Steve Hicks were terrific, allowing just two unearned runs on the night. Ryan Ventuir and Hicks drive in runs for the winners.

Cubs 8, Red Sox 8

On D3, the Red Sox got out to a 7-0 lead after two innings, led 8-3 at the end eight, before the Cubs came roaring back with five runs in the 9th, to force extra innings, and ultimately an 8-8 tie. Marc Rueffer pitched five terrific innings to give the Cubs a chance, and contributed with a pair of hits. Johnnie Firari and Shawn Conaway both went 2-for-4, with Firari driving home two and Conaway four.

Reds 13, Clowns 2

On D5, the Reds pounded out 17 hits, with Scott Yanney and Ryan Easterhaus both collecting three hits each, as the Reds got past the Clowns by a 13-2 final. Donnie Noel went five innings allowing one run to earn the win.

---

Clowns Win 3rd Straight to Start Second Half

August 11, 2026

Grand Park

The 2026 HABL season kicked off its second half of it’s 12-game regular season Tuesday with a short weather delay followed by intermittent rain. In the end the cool temperatures felt a little like September as the eight teams continue the chase for division titles.

Clowns 15, Monarchs 5

The Clowns, who lost in the title game last season to the Reds, appear to have found their groove after a 1 and 3 start, as they got past the first place Monarchs 15-5 Tuesday on D4. Jeff Pittard went 2-4 with 4 RBIS for the winners. Guy Vreeman pitched a terrific three innings, holding the Monarchs to one unearned run. The Clowns improve to 4-3 on the season, and close the gap to a game in the West race with the Monarchs who drop to 5 and 2.

Black Sox 13, Rockies 8

On D3, the Black Sox won their second straight after an 0-4-1 start, scoring 6 runs in a decisive 8th inning, taking a 13-3 lead. The Rockies put up 5 in the bottom of the 8th, but that is where it ended, 13-8 the final. Brian Kelley came on in relief of an injured Brent Steele after two batters, pitching 5 innings, allowing just 1 unearned run to get the win. Kent Welch went 4 for 4 for the Sox, driving in 2 and scoring 2. Todd Larkey delivered a 2 run triple to extend the lead to 9-3 in the Sox big inning. Joe Durle pitched 5 terrific innings for the Rockies who were without lefty ace Jeff Kinder. Durle allowed 3 runs on 5 hits, keeping the Rockies right there through his 5 innings of work. Durle was 2-2 at the plate with 2 runs scored. Eric Decker, Mike Scheidt and Brent Christiansen had two hits apiece for the Rockies.

Cubs 9, Fusion 3

On D5, the Cubs notched their second win of the season behind strong starting pitching from Marc Rueffer and 4 RBIs from Johnnie Firari to beat the Fusion 9-3. Firari doubled and homered and pitched in relief. Shawn Conaway, Keith Baute and Sam Testa contributed with a pair of hits each. The Fusion were led by Miguel Cordero and James Harter who both tripled. In an incredible sidenote from the game, Rueffer recorded his version of an imMARCulate inning by recording a put out and two assists for 3 outs on 3 pitches in one inning. The Cubs improve to 2-5 and will host the Red Sox Tuesday on D3.

Reds 4, Red Sox 3

On D2, a battle for first place in the East pitted the Reds visiting the Red Sox, with the two teams tied for first entering play. Mike Shadoan and Donnie Noel each allowed just one earned run on the mound, while Shadoan, Rob Yeary, Jeff Johnson, and Mike Elkin had two hits each for the 3-1-3 Reds. The Red Sox had everyone hit, led by 2 knocks by Rex Basey, Alan Snedeker and Chris Stormer, but fell short by a 4-3 final. The 2-time defending champs now hold a one game lead over the Red Sox who sit at 3-3-1.

---

Monarchs League’s Best at Halfway Point

August 4, 2026

Grand Park

The 2026 HABL 12 game regular season schedule hit it’s midway point Tuesday, with teams back in action in regular fashion after a two-game set last week.

Monarchs 9, Red Sox 1

On D4, the Monarchs saw their season mark go to 5-1, best in the league, with a 9-1 win over the Red Sox. Steve Powell continued his excellent season on the mound, going 4 innings allowing no runs on 3 hits. Scott Metzinger went 5, allowing just one run.

Clowns 7, Reds 3

On D5, Allen Tunstall had 5 hits to lead an 18-hit attack as the Clowns bested the Reds 7-3. The Clowns even their season mark at 3 and 3 while the Reds fall to 2-1-3.

Black Sox 6, Fusion 4

On D2, the Black Sox overcame tremendous pitching by Kent Works and Steve Hicks to notch their first win of the 2026 campaign. Brent Steele was outstanding, going 5 innings allowing one run on 2 hits. Works threw 5 innings allowing 3 runs on 3 hits, but none earned.

Rockies 6, Cubs 5

On D3, the Rockies evened their season mark at 3-3, with a 6-5 win over the Cubs. The Cubs drop to 1-5.

---

Monarchs Return to the Top

July 30, 2026

Grand Park

A busy week of baseball for the HABL concluded Thursday, as the eight teams finished the busiest week of the season, playing their second game in three nights.

Monarchs 13, Fusion 0

On D2, the Monarchs and Fusion battled for the Western Division lead. The Monarchs reeled off 13 runs on 15 hits, three coming from both Jody Donaldson and Steve Powell, and a pair from Scott Metzinger and Geoff Woodman. Powell earned the win pitching five innings of scoreless baseball. The Monarchs improved to 4-1, the top record in the league, while the Fusion lose their first game of the season, and now sit a half game back of the M’s at 3-1-1.

Reds 14, Rockies 4

On D4, the Reds have come back from three ties to begin the season, with a bit of a vengeance. Tuesday they dispatched the Monarchs 9-5, and on Thursday they took care of a depleted Rockies team 14-4. They improve to 2-0-3 and are tied for the East lead with the Red Sox. The Rockies drop to 2-3.

Red Sox 9, Black Sox 4

On D3, the Red Sox and Black Sox were locked in a 4-all tie until the bottom of the 6th inning that saw the Red Sox have their first six runners reach base, on their way to a 5-run outburst, and ultimately an 9-4 win. The Red Sox had a balanced 12-hit attack, paced by a pair of hits from both Jay Galbreath and Eric Shaw. Ari Fleischer picked up a 2-out RBI single. Shaw saved a run in the 5th with a diving stop in the hole at shortstop. Tom Peck pitched five solid innings, Rex Basey the final two. Kent Lindeman had three hits for the Black Sox. The Red Sox sit at 3-1-1 tied for the Eastern lead with the Reds.

Clowns 11, Cubs 1

On D5, the Clowns came back from Tuesday's heartbreaking loss to the Red Sox in the final at bat, to post 11 runs against the Cubs. Guy Vreeman and Tom Nickol kept the Cubs off-balance, holding them to one run on the night. The Clowns improve to 2-3, while the Cubs fall to 1-4.

---

Fusion Remain Unbeaten

July 28, 2026

Grand Park

July 28th was the first of two games on the week for the HABL, with more action coming Thursday the 30th.

Fusion 4, Rockies 3

On D6, the Fusion trailed the home Rockies 2-0 after five innings of play, as Jeff Kinder pitched five scoreless for the Rockies. The Fusion broke through with two runs in the top of the 6th. The Rockies answered with one in the bottom of the inning but Fusion added two more in the seventh to secure the 4-3 victory. Phil Colvin had a key hit to give the Fusion a 3-2 lead. The win puts them at 3-0-1 on the season, atop the Western Division by a half game over the Monarchs.

Red Sox 2, Clowns 1

On D2, the Red Sox came off the deck to score two in the top of the 7th and held on for a 2-1 win over the Clowns. Mike Pepples and Rex Basey had back-to-back doubles to tie it, followed by the go-ahead RBI on a single by Jay Galbreath to provide the game winner. The Red Sox sit at 2-1-1 tied with the Reds for the East lead, while the Clowns drop to 1-3, two and a half back of the Fusion. Pepples and Basey combined on the hill also, with Pepples going five allowing just one run. Guy Vreeman started for the Clowns, shutting out the Red Sox in five innings of work.

Reds 9, Monarchs 5

On D3, the Reds finally ended their 3-game streak of finishing in a tie. A 9-5 win against the previously unbeaten Monarchs broke the rare streak. Now sitting at an odd 1-0-3, the Reds are tied with the Red Sox atop the Eastern Division.

Cubs 8, Black Sox 7

On D5, the Cubs scored four in the first and four in the 6th, to escape with an 8-7 win over the Black Sox. Jamey Warren, Johnny Firari and Steve Kirkpatrick all had multiple hits for the Cubs, with Warren starting both scoring frames with base hits. Kirkpatrick played a sensational game at shortstop, making several impactful plays, including a diving stab of a would be game trying line drive in the 6th off of the bat of Kent Lindeman. Marc Rueffer pitched two scoreless innings for the win, as the Cubs notch their first win and sit at 1-3. Greg Scarpone and Chris Schmidt had 3 hits each for the Sox, who drop to 0-3-1. Sam Testa had a pair of hits including a triple for the Cubs.

---

HABL at the Quarter Pole

July 14, 2026

Grand Park

After three weeks of the 2026 HABL regular season, two teams remain unbeaten, one has three ties and two remain winless.

Black Sox 5, Reds 5

On D4, the defending champion Reds were trying to remain unbeaten but also find their first win of the '26 campaign. After tying in each of the first two games, they started fast in the first, loading the bases with no one out, but the Black Sox were able to get a double play to limit the damage to two runs. The Sox came back with a run in the first to close it to 2-1. The Reds scored in the 3rd and the 4th to make it 4-1, before the Black Sox put up three of their own in the bottom of the 4th to tie it at 4.

The Sox grabbed their first lead of the game at 5-4 in the 6th and held that lead until the 8th when the Reds pushed across a run to knot it at 5. The Sox had a chance to take the lead in the bottom of the inning, with runners at second and third and no one out, Kent Lindeman lifted a pop fly to shallow left that Don Pollard ran down to make a diving catch, doubling off the runner at third. Mike Shadoan retired the next hitter to send it to the 9th even at 5.

Both teams went scoreless in the 9th and 10th and unbelievably, the Reds tie for the third time in three games.

Scott Golden was 2-2 with 3 walks and 2 runs scored for the Reds. Ryan Easterhaus tripled and singled and drove in a run. Shadoan came on the 4th to work the Reds out of a 2-on/no-out jam, pitching five innings allowing just one run. Greg Scarpone had 3 hits in 4 at bats for the Sox.

Monarchs 4, Cubs 0

On D6, the Monarchs blanked the Cubs 4-0 in a well-pitched game on both sides. Neither team was able to score through seven innings, with starters Steve Powell for the M’s and Marc Rueffer for the Cubs both going five scoreless. The Monarchs broke through in the 8th with three, then added a run in the 9th to win it 4-0. Scott Metzinger pitched four scoreless in relief for the Monarchs. The Cubs scattered 11 hits but couldn’t push one across. Jamey Warren, Johnnie Firari, Steve Kirkpatrick, Sam Testa and Rudy Hernandez each had two hits in the loss.

Fusion 7, Clowns 5

On D8, the Fusion stayed unbeaten as well, defeating the Clowns 7-5. The Clowns led 3-1 after 5, before the Fusion scored four in the top of the 6th to take a 5-3 advantage. The Clowns tied it at 5 in the 8th, but the Fusion came back with 2 in the 9th on a double by Chris Kania. Kania had 2 hits, along with James Harter and Neal Ziliak who both posted a pair of singles.

Rockies 9, Red Sox 6

On D5, the Rockies grabbed back the Eastern Division lead, defeating the Red Sox 9-6. Jeff Kinder pitched 5 innings allowing 2 runs to get the win.

---

Monarchs and Red Sox Grab Divisional Leads

July 7, 2026

Grand Park

Monarchs 8, Black Sox 7

On D5, the Monarchs scored runs in the second, 4th and 5th to take a 3-0 lead against the visiting Black Sox, before the Sox posted 3 runs in the 5th to tie the game at 4. The Monarchs grabbed the lead back in the 6th at 4-3 before the Sox tied it again in the 7th. The Monarchs came back with 2 in the seventh to make it 6-4, but the Black Sox managed 3 in the 8th to go up 7-6. But the Monarchs grabbed the lead back with 2 in the 8th to go up 8-7 and that was the final. Steve Powell was terrific, pitching 4 and 2 thirds innings, allowing no runs on 3 hits. Brent Steele started for the Sox, allowing an unearned run in 3 innings. Joel Seitz had 3 hits for the M’s, while Jeremy Heoppner added 2 including a double. Greg Scarpone had a p[air of hits for the Sox with a double, and Ben Kruzynski drive in two with a 1 for 2 night at the plate. Tim Berry collected an RBI single in the loss. Ray Moistner was 1 for 2 with a walk and 2 runs scored.

Red Sox 11, Cubs 6

Over on D4, the Red Sox Got strong pitching from Mike Pepples, Tom Peck and Rex Basey, and they pulled away from the Cubs for an 11-6 win. The game was tied at 4 after 5, but the Sox put up 3 in the 6th and 4 more in the 8th. Peck contributed at the plate with a 2 run inside the park home run. Shawn Conaway pitched 5 solid innings for the Cubs, while Steve Kirkpatrick collected 3 hits in 4 at bats at the plate, driving in 2. Jamey Warren and Marc Rueffer each had two hits in the loss.

Clowns 16, Rockies 6

On D2, the Clowns bounced back after a rough opening week against the Monarchs with a 16-6 win over the Rockies. Allen Tunstall led a 19-hit attack for the Clowns, going 4 for 5 on the night. Craig Carns drove in 4 runs. A close game early fell towards the C’s after exploding for 9 in the seventh inning. Starter Guy Vreeman surrendered just 2 runs in five innings. The Rockies had 13 hits of their own, behind a 3-4 night for Jeff Kinder, and 2 hits from John Simpson.

Fusion 9, Reds 9 F/10

HABL regular season rules stipulate a maximum of 10 innings in a game. The Reds have managed to do that twice already, just 2 games into the 2026 campaign. Tuesday on D3, they battled the Fusion to a 9 all tie, one week after tying the Red Sox 5-5. Through 5, the game was tied at 3 all, before the Reds broke through with a 6-run 6th. The Fusion answered with 4 in the bottom of the frame, then a 2 run single by Neal Amburgey in the bottom of the 9th tied the game at 9 all and that is where it ended after a scoreless tenth. Jeff Johson, Mike Shadoan and Donnie Noel pitched for the Reds, while Steve Hicks and Kent Works went 5 each for the Fusion. James Harter was 3 for 5 for the Fusion with a pair driven in.

---

HABL Season 9 Heats Up

June 30, 2026

Grand Park

Hoosier Adult Baseball opened its ninth season on Tuesday at Grand Park. Temperatures touched 90 degrees at game time, but a summer breeze made things tolerable for the eight teams as the night progressed.

Red Sox 5, Reds 5 F/10

On D2, the 2-time defending champion Reds hosted the Red Sox, as division matchups populated the week one schedule across the board.

It took ten innings to play to a 5-all tie, as the Red Sox totaled 13 hits on the night, scoring in the 7th, 8th and 9th to force the tie. The Reds mustered their 5 runs on 8 hits, and had leads of 1-0, 3-1, and 5-4 in the contest. In a feelgood success story, Red Sox lefty Mike Pepples returned from a broken bone in his pitching arm sustained in last year’s playoffs to allow just one run in three innings of work.

Rockies 14, Black Sox 4

On D3, the other two Eastern division teams squared off, as the Black Sox hosted the Rockies. The visitors jumped on top early behind a 2-run single by John Simpson. They added one in the second, four in the 3rd, and three in the 4th to take a 10-0 lead. On the mound, Jeff Kinder was in mind-season form, retiring the first six batters he faced, getting through three innings without allowing a hit, before Greg Scarpone’s single started a 4-run, 1-out rally for the Sox in the bottom of the 4th inning. Kent Lindeman walked with the bases full, Kent Welch singled home a run, and Todd Larkey drove in two with a double as the Sox showed signs of life, cutting the lead to 10-4. But that is as close as they would get. The Rockies added one in the 5th, one in the 8th and two in the 9th for the final tally. Koawala went 5-for-5 with 3 singles and 2 doubles. Simpson had 2 hits. Randy Kinnett added 3 hits including a triple. Newcomer Eric Decker made his HABL debut pitching 2 innings of scoreless ball, without allowing a hit. Scarpone was 2-for-4 for the Sox. Lindeman was 1-for-3 with a double a walk and an RBI. Chris Schmidt went 2-for-3. Rookie Ben Kruszyinski notched his first HABL hit in the loss.

Monarchs 8, Clowns 3

D4 saw last year’s runner up Clowns at the 4-time champion Monarchs. For the M’s Chad Saalfrank started his second HABL season with an RBI single in the first, on his way to a 4-for-4 evening at the plate, staking the Monarchs to a 1-0 lead. Rod Decker’s single in the third highlighted a run scoring inning taking the early lead to 2-zip. On the mound, the familiar combination of Steve Powell and Scott Metzinger was back. Powell starting, going four innings, allowing no runs on just two hits, with 4 strikeouts. Metzinger went the final five, surrendering 3 runs (2 earned) on 2 hits, with 5 strikeouts and 3 walks. The Monarchs banged out 16 hits, with Geoffrey Woodman collected three hits in three at bats. Craig Carns and Dan Dodd each collected two hits for the Clowns. Todd Stull and Dodd each drove in one run.

Fusion 12, Cubs 7

On D5, the Fusion and Cubs matched up, and it was a tight ballgame most of the way. The Cubs climbed back from a 5-2 deficit in the top of the 8th to tie the game at five, but the Fusion scored seven in the bottom of the inning, taking a 12-5 lead. James Harter started things with a 2-run triple, and was followed by six straight Fusion hits. The Cubs got two of them back in the 9th to make it 12-7 and that was the final. Left-handers Kent Works and Steve Hicks worked 8 of the 9 innings in the win. Chris Kania, Ryan Venturi and Neal Ziliac all doubled. Rookies Steven Kim and Rudy Hernandez shined bright for the Cubs, with Kim going 2-for-4 and Hernandez 3-for-3.