2025 Season

Clowns And Rockies Both Win 3rd Straight

August 26, 2025

Grand Park

As the 2025 HABL season hits the homestretch, two teams have emerged as favorites in their respective divisions, both winning their third straight game Tuesday, as divisional play concluded in the 12-game regular season schedule.

Clowns 11, Reds 1

The winner of the Clowns/Reds matchup on D2 Tuesday, would have the inside track in the race for the Eastern Division crown. With just four games remaining going into the contest, the winner would hold a one-game lead with three to play at the games’ conclusion. Andy Coxe led an 18-hit attack, with three hits and 4 RBIs, as the league’s most productive offense clubbed their way to an 11-1 victory over the defending HABL champs. A five run, seven-hit 4th inning was the difference. Guy Vreeman earned the win, pitching five innings of 2-hit ball, allowing just one run. Jeff Pittard had 4 hits, while Tom Nickol, Todd Stull and Craig Cairns each had multiple hits. The Reds lone run was driven in by Bryan Eyer. The Clowns go to 6-3, a game up on the Reds, who drop to 5-4. The Clowns will hold the tie-breaker with the Reds, winning both of their head to head matchups this season. Next week, the Clowns will visit the Red Sox on D3, while the Reds visit the Black Sox on D2.

Monarchs 9, Cubs 2

On D4, the Monarchs ended a two-game slide, as they bested the Cubs 9-2. Steve Powell tripled in the first, then scored on a Chad Saalfrank sacrifice fly to open the scoring. The Monarchs amassed 13 hits on the night, with Jeremy Hoeppner, Jeff Johnson, Powell, Jody Donladson, and Jerry Shipman each getting a pair of hits. Johnnie Farari drove in both runs for the Cubs with a two-run home run. The Monarchs improve to 4-5, while the Cubs fall to 2-7. Next week, the Monarchs will host the Fusion on D4, while the Cubs host the Rockies on D5.

Rockies 7, Black Sox 6

On D3, two original HABL franchises got together for their 25th time since the league’s inaugural season in 2018. The Rockies held a 14-10 all-time series lead entering the game, winning five in a row. The Black Sox got on the board with two in the first, with Chris Schmidt highlighting the inning with a two-out RBI single to right field. The Rockies wrestled the lead right back, scoring four in the bottom of the first, on hits by Rob Hausladen, Mike Aslin, Joe Durle, and then the big blow by Joe Kowala, a two-run double to left field. The lead was cut to 4-3 in the top of the second, but the Rockies got that run back in the home half of the frame, taking a 5-3 lead after two innings of play. The Sox got two in the third to tie the game at five on a sac fly by Tim Berry and RBI single by Kent Welch, before the Rockies got two in the 4th. After a Henry Bryant base hit, Randy Kinnett double and Mike Scheidt RBI single, the Rockies found themselves with a 7-5 lead. The sox pushed one across in the seventh, but Kowala completed four innings of work allowing just one run in relief, securing a 7-6 Rockies win.

The victory is the third straight for the Rockies who hold the league’s best record at 7-2. The Black Sox drop to 4-5. Hausladen had three hits for the R’s, including a triple and two runs batted in. Joe Durle had three hits and an RBI, Kowala was 2-4 with 2 RBIs. The Sox were led by Greg Scarpone’s 3-for-5 effort, with a triple. Brent Steele was 3-for-5 with pair of doubles. Schmidt and Welch each added a pair of hits on the Sox 15-hit night. Next week, the Rockies will visit the Cubs on D5, while the Black Sox will be home to the Reds on D2.

Red Sox 4, Fusion 3

On D4, the Red Sox scored two in the bottom of the ninth to walk off with a 4-3 win over the Fusion. In a true pitchers duel, Kent Works threw five scoreless innings for the Fusion, while Rex Basey threw five for the Red Sox, followed by Tom Peck for the final four innings, holding the potent Fusion lineup to three runs. It is the second straight 9th inning win for the Sox, who improve to 6-3. The Fusion fall to 2-7. Next Tuesday, the Red Sox will host the Clowns on D3, as the Fusion visit the Monarchs on D3.

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Rockies Go To 6-2, Clowns/Reds Tied Atop East

August 19, 2025

Grand Park

Tuesday’s games at Grand Park were the 8th of the 12 game HABL regular season. The division races continue to be close.

Rockies 18, Fusion 11

On D3, the Rockies and Fusion went on a scoring spree, resulting in n 18-11 Rockies win, their 6th in 7 games since losing the season opener. They sit atop the Western Division at 6 and 2, a game up on the second place Red Sox. The fusion fall to 2 and 6, still trying to find the consistency that had them right in the mix of things in last year’s playoffs. John McElwee went 4 for 5 in the loss, Corey Heniser 4-6 and Neal Ziliak had aa pair of hits and 2 RBIS.

Red Sox 6, Black Sox 4

The Red Sox ended a 3 game losing streak, outlasting the Black Sox 6-4 on D2. Mike Pepples and Rex Basey were very effective, limiting the Black Sox to 4 runs on 12 hits. Brian Kelley pitched 5 terrific shutout innings for the Black Sox, allowing just 4 hits in the process. Tim Berry gave the Black Sox a 2-0 lead in the 4th on a two run single. The lead was extended to 3-0 in the 5th. The Red Sox tied in the 6th, getting 4 straight hits from Tom peck, Pepples, Basey and Jay Galbreath. The score stayed there until the ninth, when the Red Sox pushed 3 cross, with the big hit coming from Gary Knowles. Duane Fillmore doubled to start the home half of the 6th, and came around to score cutting the lead to 6-4, as the Black Sox loaded the bases with two out, but Tom Peck came in to face one batter to get the final out and the save. The Red Sox improve to 5 and 3 a game back of the Rockies in the West. The Black Sox drop to 4 and 4, 2 games back.

Clowns 15, Monarchs 5

On D5, the Clowns continued with their run scoring proficiency, scoring ten in the first inning, on their way to 15-5 win over the Monarchs. The Clowns have scored 95 runs in 8 games this season, tops in the league by 25 runs (Rockies 70). Guy Vreeman pitched 5 innings allowing just one run, as the Clowns hammered out 18 hits, led by Todd Stull’s 3 for 4 effort. Randy Schuller drove in 2, going 2 for 5 on the night. The Monarchs got multiple hits by Jerry Shipman, Steve Powell, Jeremy Hoeppner, and Geoff Woodman. The Clowns improve to 5 and 3, tied for the East lead with the Reds.

Reds 8, Cubs 0

The Reds blanked the Cubs for the second time this season, winning 8-0 Tuesday, improving to 5 and 3 on the 2025 campaign. The win keeps them in a first place tie in the Eastern Division with the Clowns. The Clowns won their first matchup in week 3 by a 10-8 final. The Cubs drop to 2 and 6.

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Divisional Play Highlights Start of Second Half of Season

August 12, 2025

Grand Park

Tuesday marked the beginning of the second half of the 8th Season for Hoosier Adult Baseball. Lightning in the area delayed the start for close to 30 minutes, and games were shortened to 7 innings. Week 7 saw a return to divisional play for the next 3 games, with teams fighting it out for the East and West division titles and playoff seeding.

Rockies 6, Red Sox 2

On D4, the Rockies and Red Sox took the field, with the winner assured of sole possession of first place in the Western Division. The Red Sox won the first meeting between the two clubs 5-2, but this one would go to the Rockies by a 6-2 final. Jeff Kinder was excellent again earning the win, striking out 8 in 5 innings, as the Rockies win their 5th in six tries, improving to 5-2 on the season. The win gives the Rockies the best record in the HABL through seven games, and a one game lead in the West. Dave Koone was 2-for-2 with double, and Tony Iacobucci 2-for-3. Mike Pepples was very good for the Sox in his five innings of work. The lefty held the Rockies to two runs (one earned) on four hits. The Rockies broke the 2-1 game open in the bottom of the 6th scoring four to make it 6-1. Bill Broecker was 2-for-4 in the loss. The Red Sox have dropped three straight after a 4-0 start, but have been in every game.

Black Sox 8, Fusion 4

On D5, Kent Welch delivered a bases clearing, three-run triple in the bottom of the third inning to give the Black Sox an 8-0 lead. The Fusion made it close in the top of the 4th, getting hits from James Harter, Neal Amburgey, Ryan Schowe (2 RBIS), and Kent Works (2-3, 2 RBIS) to cut the Sox lead to 8-4, but that is as close as it got. Brent Steele pitched four innings, and Brian Kelley the final three, as the Sox win their second straight, improving to 4-3 on the season. Welch had 2 hits on the night, Duane Fillmore was 2-for-3 with 2 RBIS, and Chris Schmidt added a pair of hits and a run batted in.

Clowns 14, Cubs 4

In Eastern Division action, the Clowns managed a 14-4 win over the Cubs on D3. At 4-3, the Clowns are tied for the East Lead with the Reds. They have scored a whopping 80 runs in seven games, 15 better than the second highest run producing team in the league (Black Sox with 65).

Reds 6, Monarchs 3

On D2, the Reds and Monarchs battled in a tight contest that saw the Reds emerge with a 6-3 win. Mike Shadoan kept the M’s off balance to earn the win. Scott Metzinger pitched well for the Monarchs, as the right-hander kept things close over his five innings of work. The Reds improve to 4-3, now in a tie for the east lead with the Clowns. The Monarchs, at 3-4, are a game back of both clubs.

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Races Tighten as Division Leaders Fall

August 5, 2025

Grand Park

Black Sox 13, Clowns 10

The 2025 Hoosier Adult Baseball season reached the midway point after Tuesday’s action. Every one of the 8 teams is still very much alive in the race for the Division crowns. The East leading Clowns hosted the Black Sox on D3, in a slugfest that saw a total of 41 hits between the two teams. The Clowns took the early advantage, scoring two in the bottom of the first, adding one in the second, and three in the fourth to secure a 6–1 lead.

Jeff Bertsch pitched very well, limiting the Sox to two runs through his five innings of work. The Sox pieced together seven hits in the top of the sixth to take a 7-6 lead, with Greg Scarpone, Chris Schmidt and Tim Berry delivering key hits in the inning. The Clowns tied it at seven in the bottom of the inning, with Criag Carns singling home Allen Tunstall who had tripled. The Sox came up with seven hits again in the seventh, sending six more across the plate to nab a 13-7 lead. The Clowns scored three in the bottom of the ninth to draw closer, but that is where it ended.

Brian Kelley pitched the final five innings for the win. Duane Fillmore went 4-for-5 scoring twice, Scarpone 3-for-5 scoring twice, Schmidt drove in three and Brent Steele drove in a pair with three doubles on the night. The Sox improve to 3-3, one back of the Red Sox and Rockies in the Western Division.

The Clowns were led offensively by Todd Stull’s four hits, and Guy Vreeman who drove in four runs. Jeff Pittard, Bruce Russell and Andy Coxe collected multiple hits. The Clowns fall to 3-3, into a three-way tie for first place in the Eastern Division with the Monarchs and Reds.

Fusion 4, Cubs 3

The Fusion and Cubs had their first ever meeting on D2, and it was decided in the last at bat. With the score tied at three in the bottom of the ninth, James Harter singled home Andre Simoneau with the game winner, sending the Fusion to their second straight win after dropping the first four games of the season. Kent Works pitched five scoreless innings for the winners. The Fusion improve to 2-4, two games back of the Red Sox and Rockies in the West race. The Cubs fall to 2-4, but only one game back of the Clowns, Monarchs and Reds in the East.

Reds 8, Rockies 3

Mike Shadoan went five innings allowing three runs, striking out three, and Jeff Johnson pitched the final four in shutout fashion to hold the Rockies to three runs on the night in an 8-3 win. Scott Golden played a terrific game defensively, as the Reds got back to the .500 mark on the season at 3-3. Shadoan was 3-for-4 at the plate, with Johnson and Mak Knowles each going 2-for-4 on the evening. Rob Yeary was 2-for-3 in the win. This game was a rematch of the 2024 HABL championship, which also went the Reds way. The Reds end their 3-game losing streak, while halting the Rockies win streak at four. John Lucia went 3-for-3 for the Rockies, with Joe Kowala and Mike Aslin providing a pair of hits each.

Monarchs 16, Red Sox 10

On D4, the Monarchs matched up with the Red Sox, in a high scoring contest that the Monarchs took for their second straight win. Rod Decker drove in four runs on five hits to lead the 21-hit attack. Rookie Jeremy Hoeppner had 5 RBI’s on a 3-for-6 night. The Monarchs draw even on the season at 3-3, into a first place tie in the Eastern Division. The Red Sox suffer their second straight loss, and are now 4-2 on the campaign, tied atop the West with the Rockies.

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Walk off Wins for Rockies and Monarchs; Red Sox First Loss, Fusion First Win

July 29, 2025

Grand Park

Cubs 7, Red Sox 2

Week 5 of the Hoosier Adult Baseball 2025 season highlighted how competitive the eight teams are expected to be. Through their first four games in the HABL, the expansion Red Sox were unbeaten. Tuesday night they faced off with their fellow expansion Cubs squad and, for the first time in their tenure in the league, left the field without a win. Marc Rueffer and Brett Denneman combined to slow the Red Sox offense, which has been methodically good thus far. The two were helped by a stellar defensive effort from the Cubs, led by some terrific play from shortstop Miguel Cordero. The errorless Cubs worked around 0 Red Sox hits in the victory. An 11-hit attack for the Cubs was helped by a rough night defensively for the Sox, whose calling card has been clean baseball so far this season. Bill Broecker was 3-for-4, while Greg Lyon and Rex Basey each had a pair of hits in the loss. The Cubs are now 2-3, in a 3-way tie for second place in the East division, just a game back of the 3-2 Clowns. The Red Sox drop to 4-1, and are now tied with the Rockies for first place in the Western Division.

Rockies 5, Clowns 4

Those Rockies waited until their final at-bat to emerge with win over the Clowns Tuesday on D2. Trailing by aa 4-2 count entering the bottom of the ninth, the Rockies got run producing hits from Dave Koone, Tony Iacobucci, and a walk-off single from Joe Durle to take a 5-4 win over the C’s. Jeff Kinder got the win, pitching the final five innings, allowing 4 hits, 2 runs (none of them earned), striking out six with no walks. Iacobucci led the Rockies offense with 4 hits in 5 at-bats. Durle, Koone, Mike Poore and Henry Bryant all had multiple hits as a part of the 16-hit attack. The Clowns offense was led by Scott Herron’s 2 RBIs, while Jeff Pittard went 3-for-4. Craig Carns had 2 hits in 4 at-bats. The Rockies improve to 4-1, pulling into a first-place tie with the Red Sox in the Western Division. Despite the loss, the Clowns remain a game ahead of three teams in the East race at 3-2.

Fusion 12, Reds 5

It took longer than expected for sure, but the Fusion won their first game Tuesday in convincing fashion, toppling the defending champion reds 12-5 on D3. Curt Bennett stayed hot, with 3 hits in 4 at-bats, including a 3-run home run. The Fusion played clean baseball with no errors on the night. Kent Works battled through a hip injury to pitch five innings, and Chris Kania pitched the final three, allowing just one run in the process. Corey Heniser went 4-for-4 in the victory. The Reds drop to 2-3, a game back of the Clowns in the East Race.

Monarchs 5, Black Sox 4

On D4, the Black Sox got an 8th inning RBI Single from Duane Fillmore to tie the game at 4, but Jerry Shipman’s one-out RBI single in the bottom of the 9th propelled the Monarchs to a 5-4 win over the Black Sox. Scott Metzinger was the winner, pitching four innings, allowing 3 hits and 2 runs (none of them earned), striking out three. Steve Powell also pitched quite effectively, going four scoreless innings striking out five. Chad Saalfrank was 3-for-4 for with 2 RBIs for the M’s, Geoff Woodman scored twice, Terry Carson had a pair of hits, and Shipman was 2-for-4 in all. Brent Steele and Brian Kelley continued their fine work on the mound for the Sox, Steele allowing one unearned run in two innings, while Kelley pitched five innings allowing 3 runs on 6 hits with 5 K’s. The Sox were paced by Kelley’s 2 hits in 4 at-bats with an RBI. Tim Berry was 2-for-4, with Fillmore 2-for-4 as well. Both teams are now 2-3.

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Red Sox, Rockies, Clowns Stay Hot

July 22, 2025

Grand Park

The 2025 HABL campaign is a third of the way through the regular season schedule. The newly minted Red Sox have yet to lose in 4 tries. The Rockies and Clowns re surging as well, both winners in 3 of 4 games.

Red Sox 4, Reds 0

The expansion Red Sox continued their winning ways Tuesday as they shutout the defending champion Reds 4-0 on D3. The win maintains a one-game lead over the Rockies in the Western Division. The Red Sox completed the 2-0 sweep of the first time through divisional play, defeating the Rockies, Black Sox and Fusion, and now add the East’s Reds to the list of victories in their unbeaten start.

Rockies 15, Monarchs 1

Over on D2, the Rockies won their third straight as they defeated their long-time rival Monarchs by a 15-1 count. Replete with several new players, the Monarchs are still finding their footing here in 2025. The Rockies stay a game back of the Red Sox in the West race at 3-1, while the Monarchs drop to an unfamiliar 1-3.

Clowns 16, Fusion 11

The Fusion got three hits, including a double and a triple from Curt Bennett, but left Tuesday’s matchup with the Clowns still in search of their first win of the 2025 season. The Clowns collected 13 hits, including a triple by Allen Tunstall, that staked the C’s to a 2-run lead in the third. The Fusion battled back to go up 8-6 in the 4th behind a Bill Gutrich 2-run double, Bennett’s triple, and James Harter’s RBI single. The Clowns biggest inning was the bottom of the 6th, as they scored five runs to take an 11-8 lead and never looked back. The Clowns have won 3 of 4, and lead the East division by a game over the Reds. The Fusion drip to 0-4, four back of the Red Sox in the West.

Black Sox 12, Cubs 11 F/10

The Black Sox outlasted a resilient Cubs team over on D5. The Sox scored six in the first, none of them earned. Tim Berry and Steve Bousamra collected RBI hits in the inning. Sox starter Brent Steele retired the first six batters he faced, and didn’t allow a hit until the 4th inning. He left the game with an 11-2 lead, pitching five innings, allowing two runs, one of them earned, on three hits. But the game was far from over. Keith Baute’s single led off the Cubs home half of the 6th, in which they scored five runs as their bats finally came alive, notching three hits in the inning. They added three more in the 7th, and one in the 8th to come all the way back from nine down to tie the game at 11.

Both teams were scoreless in the 9th. Bousamra led off the 10th with a walk, and then with two outs, scored on a single up the middle by Greg Scarpone to give the Sox a 12-11 lead. The Cubs threatened in the tenth, getting the tying run to second, and the winning run on first, but the Sox held on for an ugly, but exciting 12-11 win. Steele had three hits in the game, Berry two and David Benson two for the Sox who improve to 2-2 on the year. Kent Welch added an RBI single. Shawn Conaway was 2-for-3 with a triple and 2 RBIS, Phil Colvin had two hits, as did Chris Baue and Steve Hicks for the Cubs.

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Cubs Notch 1st Win; Red Sox 3-for-3

July 15, 2025

Grand Park

Week 3 of the 2025 HABL season highlighted expansion teams, as the Cubs and Red Sox, both new to the league in 2025, secured wins Tuesday at Grand Park. After the first three weeks saw a divisional round robin, teams will play interdivision matchups for the next three weeks.

Cubs 10, Monarchs 7

On D3, the Cubs received five quality innings from Pitcher Brett Denneman on their way to a 10-7 win over the Monarchs. Shawn Conaway had the big blow at the plate for the Cubs, extending the lead late clearing the bases with an extra base hit. The win is their first in the HABL, and to comes against the team that has been the standard bearer for excellence in the league’s 8-year history. Both teams exit week 3 with a 1 and 2 mark.

Red Sox 7, Fusion 4

On D2, the Red Sox emerged from week 3 as the only remaining unbeaten team at 3 and 0. It took tight game and a 3-run victory over the Fusion to secure their unblemished mark in three tries. Kent Works threw four scoreless innings for the Fusion, while Corey Heniser and Neal Amburgey each went 3-for-4 with a double..

Clowns 10, Reds 8

D4 saw the unbeaten Reds, coming in at 2-0 host the 1-1 Clowns.

The Clowns used 20 hits behind Todd Stull’s 3 for 4, 3 RBI effort. Guy Vreeman started allowing 4 runs, 3 earned, on 7 hits over 4 innings of work. He also went 3 for 4 at the plate. Darren George pitched three innings of shutout ball for the save. The game saw a most interesting final half inning. In the bottom of the 9th, with the Clowns holding onto a 10-8 lead, George induced a groundout to Allen Tunstall at shortstop for the first out. Don Pollard then drilled a sharp ground ball down the third base line, Stull made a diving stab, then from his seat, threw the ball to George on the mound, who fired to first for a rare 5-1-3 out. Down to their final out, Ryan Easterhaus stepped in, representing the Reds final hope. Easterhaus slapped a hard ground ball to third, where Stull once again fielded it cleanly, made the relay throw to George, who turned and threw to first to end the game. The home plate umpire put the rarity into perspective stating, “That is the first time and second time I have ever seen that.” Andy Coxe had 3 hits, Scott Herron, Bruce Russell, Tom Nickol and Scott Mullis added two hits each. Mike Elkin, Donnie Noel, Jeff Johnson and Mike Shadoan all had two hits for the Reds in the loss. Both teams exit the game with 2-1 marks, tied for first place in the Eastern Division race.

Rockies 6, Black Sox 5

D5 hosted a tremendous ballgame that saw great pitching, timely hitting, and only two defensive miscues. A battle between left-handers started with the Black Sox Brian Kelley getting through three batters with just four pitches in the top of the first. Rockies counterpart Jeff Kinder was not to be outdone, as he got through the first without a threat as well. The Rockies got on the board first in the third, after a John Lucia single set the table for a two out 2-run double from Rockies slugger Joe Kowala, to take a two nothing lead. Kinder followed with a double of his own to stake the Rockies to a 3-0 advantage. The Black Sox pushed across run in the bottom of the inning. Greg Scarpone doubled, and came across on Kelley’s two out RBI single. That was the only run Kinder would allow, pitching 5 innings, allowing 5 hits, walking no one, striking out seven, including the final 6 he faced. Kelley was excellent in his own right, pitching 4 innings, allowing 5 hits, one walk, and 3 runs, none of them earned. The Sox tied it in the 6th, after a lead-off walk, Scarpone doubled, Kelley singled plating a run, followed by Kent Lindeman’s RBI single and the game was knotted at 3. They had a chance to add more, but Rockies third baseman Mike Poore turned hard hit ground ball into a 5-3 double play to end the threat.

Brent Steele was second up on the mound for the Sox. He retired the first nine batters he faced before the middle of the order once again came through for the Rockies in the 8th. Randy Kinnett set the table with a lead-off single, but Steele was able to retire the next two hitters with no damage. Second hitter Mike Aslin then dropped in a two out RBI single to center to give the Rockies 4-3 lead. Kowala was next, singling Aslin home, and came around to score as well on Kinder’s second RBI double of the game to make it 6-3. The Sox came right back in their half of the 8th. After the first two batters walked, Scarpone singled home a run to make it 6-4, and added another on a wild pitch to make it 6-5. The Sox had the tying run aboard in the bottom of the 9th, but John Simpson closed it out for the Rockies to complete a very well-played, exciting 6-5 contest. The Rockies improve to 2-1, while the Sox drop to 1-2.

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Reds & Red Sox Remain Unbeaten

July 8, 2025

Grand Park

Red Sox 13, Black Sox 6

On D2, the Red Sox, newcomers to the HABL, sought to take their second win in as many tries, as they hosted the Black Sox. The home team posted two in the first and 4 in the second, taking advantage of some sloppy Black Sox defense, to jump out to a 6-0 lead. The Black Sox cut the lead in half at 6 to 3 in the third, behind a 2 run double from Brian Kelley, but that was all starter Rex Basey would surrender. The lefthander pitched 5 frames for the win. He also excelled at the plate, going two for 4 with a triple and 2 runs batted in. Dan Turner delivered the game’s biggest blow, a three run double into the left field corner in the home half of the 4th to give the Red Sox a comfortable cushion at 11-3. Steve Bousamra, Duane Fillmore , Brent Steele and Todd Larkey each had two hits to contribute to the Black Sox 17 hits in the contest, but the Red Sox defense came through with a pair of rally stifling double plays at opportune times.

Rockies 15, Fusion 0

On D3, the Rockies got multiple hits from Dave Koone, Mike Poore, Joe Durle, Jeff Kinder, and Randy Kinnett, as they got past the Fusion by a 15-0 count. Kinder allowed just one hit in 5 innings to get the win. The Rockies improve to 1 and 1 on the year. Neal Amburgey had 2 hits in 3 at bats for the Fusion who drop to 0 and 2 on the young season.

Monarchs 11, Clowns 10

Since their expansion season of 2021, the Clowns have had a number of meaningful and exciting games against their eastern division rival Monarchs. Tuesday added a chapter to the rivalry, as the Monarchs put together a seven run 8th inning, only to see the Clowns roar back from 8 runs down, to put the tying run at second in the bottom of the ninth inning, before going down by an 11-10 final. Chad Saalfrank had 4 hits for the M’s, Jeremy Hoeppner added 3 RBIs. Scott Metzinger pitched 2 innings to get the win. The Monarchs played clean game defensively, committing no errors on the night. Metzinger was joined in multiple hits at the plate by Terry Carson, Geoff Woodman, Will Klein, and Jerry Shipman. The Clowns attack was paced by Craig Carns 3 RBIS, while Randy Schuller, Andy Coxe, and Jeff Pittard each had 3 hits. Darren George, Allen Tunstall and Tom Nickol each had a pair of hits in the loss. Both teams are 1 and 1.

Reds 4, Cubs 0

On D4, the Reds met the Cubs for the first time, and they saw a team getting to know itself put together a better performance than in the season opener. Putting a team together and getting them to gel is something that takes time. It appears the Cubs took a step towards that goal Tuesday, losing a close one to the defending champions 4-0. The Reds turned a pair of double plays, and did not commit an error enroute to the shutout win. Mike Shadoan pitched 5 innings for the win, combining with Jeff Johnson and Donnie Noel’s 2 innings each in the shutout.

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HABL Opens Eighth Season

July 1, 2025

Grand Park

Cubs, Red Sox Make Debut

The 8th season for the Hoosier Adult Baseball League began Tuesday at Grand Park. The league welcomed Several new faces across the league, and two new teams to join the previous 6. The 8 teams are divided into 2 divisions. The East is headlined by the defending champion Reds, the 4-time champion Monarchs, the Clowns, and the expansion Cubs. The Western Division is comprised of the defending West champ and 2-time HABL champion Rockies, Fusion, Black Sox, and the expansion Red Sox.

Red Sox 5 Rockies 2

The Red Sox, led by Manager Keith Marsh, joined the Western Division, squaring off against the defending West champion Rockies on D4. They come into the league with years of experience playing together. Their cohesion showed Tuesday as they won a hard fought and well-played game against the 2-time champion Rockies 5-2. Tom Peck got the Sox started nicely, pitching 5 stellar innings, scattering 8 hits, walking none, allowing just one earned run. Rex Basey pitched the final 4 frames, allowing 3 hits, striking out 6 with no walks, and allowed just one run as well. Dan Turner led Red Sox attack, going 3 for 3 with a triple, a walk, an RBI, and 2 runs scored. Basey contributed at the plate too, with a 2 for 3, 1 RBI night. Mike Pepples went 2 for 4 with 2 RBI's in his HABL return after a 6 year hiatus. Jay Galbreath went 2 for 4 with 1 double and 1 RBI.

The Sox defense was nearly flawless, with only one error on the night. For the Rockies, John Lucia was 2-3 with 2 RBI. Jeff Schmitt was 2-3 with a double, triple and 2 runs scored. Starter Jeff Kinder was excellent going 5 innings, giving up just one 1 earned run.

Black Sox 17 Fusion 5

On D5, the Fusion and Black Sox met in a rematch of a 3rd round playoff game from a season ago which the Fusion took handily 15-3. The Sox finished last season at 4 and 11, while the Fusion finished slightly better at 4-9 and 1. The Fusion were shorthanded for this one, missing a number of key contributors. Dune Fillmore was the offensive star for the Black Sox, going 4 for 5 with pair of doubles and whopping 7 RBIS. Brian Kelley pitched the middle 4 innings for the Sox, allowing no runs on one hit, striking out 4 to earn the win. He also went three for 5 at the plate. Greg Scarpone, and Rookie David Benson collected a pair of hits each. Rookie Todd Larkey went 3 for 5, and Kent Welch reached base 4 times. Fusion manager Ryan Schowe had a pair of hits, and James Harter had a 2 run triple in the losing effort.

Clowns 16 Cubs 5

The Eastern Division newcomer has several familiar HBL faces. Manager John Wetter is an HABL veteran, who stepped up to the plate to tackle to challenge of forming a new team from the ground up. HABL regulars Marc Rueffer, Miguel Cordero, and Keith Baute joined Wetter to establish core group of players. The rest are new faces who will need some time to meld. Over on D3 Tuesday night, the Cubbies hosted the Clowns, a team who regularly finishes near the top of their division year in and year out. Managed by Chris Kenyon, the Clowns come off of a second place finish in the east a year ago, but a disappointing playoff exit earlier than their 3 seed would suggest. With one of the most potent lineups in the league, the Clowns averaged 8 runs per game a year ago, second only to the Rockies in that category. They would score 16 in the season opener led by Bruce Russel’s 4 for 4 effort. Darren George started the game for the Clowns. The hurler allowed four hits and three runs (none of them earned) over four and one-third innings, striking out two and walking two. George was also part of a collection of Clowns who had multiple hits in the game along with Scott Herron, Herron, Randy Schuller, Allen Tunstall, and Jeff Pittard. Shawn Conaway went 2-for-3 at the plate for the Cubs. Miguel Cordero and Steve Kirkpatrick each drove in one run in the loss.

Reds 12 Monarchs 2

D2 saw the Reds open defense of their title against their long-time nemesis in the Monarchs. The Reds, who were 5-6 and during the regular season in 2024, put together a run of 4 straight wins in the playoffs, coming from the 4 seed to win their first HBL title last season. The Monarchs were regular season champs in the East a year ago going 8-2 and 2, earning the top overall seed, but bowed out in the losers bracket final to the Rockies in the playoffs. ON this night, the Reds had it all go their way winning by a 12-2 count. Steve Powell went 2 for 4 for the M’s, driving in both of the team’s runs in the loss.

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HABL Announces Expansion Plans for 2025

December 11, 2024

I recently promised an update regarding plans for next year, and Hoosier Adult Baseball is excited to announce that we have added a 7th team for the 2025 season. The Red Sox will be joining us for our 8th season of competition.

I was contacted in late October by the Red Sox leadership, who were exploring options for next year. After numerous talks, both the Red Sox and the HABL board agreed that they would be a great fit for our league. The Red Sox embrace what we are trying to do, and the HABL is happy to welcome them aboard. They will be a great fit from a personal and competitive standpoint. Our goal is to provide a fun place to play ball, and keep a good competitive balance for all teams. The Red Sox fit every criteria we value.

The league will be working to add an 8th team this off-season, as we plan for 2025. This is an opportunity for us to grow, and add two new teams in total. If you know of anyone seeking to join us, this is a great time to spread the word. We will do our very best to identify a coach for the 8th team, and supply that team with what it needs to step in and compete right away. We also want to be sure we fortify existing rosters where needed. I have had a number of you mention others who may be interested in playing, so please pass along my information. I am always happy to discuss baseball with you, so please feel free to contact me with questions or ideas for ways to make our collective baseball experience better. I can be reached at 317-506-3346.

We will continue to keep you updated as we progress through the off-season.

Thank you all, and enjoy the Holidays!
John Dearth, HABL President

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Season Summary

Download the season summary and future considerations from the league president below.

2024 HABL President Letter.

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Noel Shines in Relief, Reds Claim First Title

October 10, 2024

Grand Park

The 2024 HABL double elimination championship tournament took 10 games to decide it all, and that chase came to a tipping point on Thursday, as the Reds hosted the Rockies in the championship game on D3. In the field of six teams, the Reds swept their way through the winners bracket coming from the 4th seed. They defeated the 5-seeded Fusion, the top-seeded Monarchs, and the second-seeded Rockies along the way to the championship game. Entering Thursday without a loss, they had two cracks at the title given the double elimination format. The Rockies were on short rest, earning their way into Thursday’s contest by virtue of a win Tuesday over the Monarchs in the losers bracket final. The Rockies would need two wins over the Reds to secure their 3rd HABL title. The Rockies rolled past the Black Sox in their first game, but lost to the Reds last Tuesday October 1 in a true pitcher’s duel, with the Reds escaping with a 1-0 win.

Mike Shadoan, who has pitched brilliantly in the Reds' three wins in the post-season, took the mound for the home team, and was greeted with an aggressive Rockies approach. Lead-off hitter Tony Iacobucci started things with a well hit ball to left field, but Don Pollard came in the make a diving catch for the game’s first out. That play proved to be big, as Mike Aslin drove a double into right center in the next at bat. He would come around to score, but Shadoan quelled the rally, holding the Rockies to 1. The Reds answered right back in the bottom of the first. Lefty Jeff Schmitt, who has pitched extremely well throughout the tournament as well, started for the Rockies. Rob Yeary singled and scored in the home half of the first, as the Rockies committed two uncharacteristic errors, and the game was tied at 1 after one complete inning.

Shadoan gave up a pair of singles in the second, but managed to work his way through the inning unscathed, keeping the Rockies off the board. The Reds assumed their first lead in the bottom of the inning. Singles by Pollard and Chris Carmack highlighted a two-run second, as the Reds took a 3-1 advantage.

The Rockies broke through again in the third. Iacobucci reached on a single to start the inning, Aslin reached on an error, and Joe Durle walked to load the bases with no-one out. That set the stage for Joe Kowalow, who delivered a bases clearing double to left to give the Rockies a 4-3 lead. The Reds defense stepped up to stifle the rally, as they turned a terrific 5-3-5 double play to keep the damage at three runs. Mike Poore drove a hard hit grounder to Yeary at third, who threw to first for the first out, and the runner took off for third on the throw. Carmack delivered a perfect strike back across the diamond to Yeary, cutting down the attempted advance for the second out. The Reds went quietly in the third, as Schmitt, still yet to allow an earned run, gave up a pair of hits, but induced a 4-6-3 double play to silence the threat.

In the top of the fourth, Schmitt led off with a triple that sliced into the left field corner. He would score on a single up the middle by Henry Bryant, and the Rockies lead crept to 5-3. The 4th would prove to be a decisive inning as the Reds came to the plate trailing by two. Jeff Johson singled to start the inning. Then clean-up hitter Scott Yanney put together the at bat of the game. Schmitt got ahead 0-and-2 in the count, but Yanney managed to foul off some tough pitches, and worked the count to 3-2. Johnson had advanced to second on a wild pitch. After eight straight off-speed pitches, Yanney finally got a fastball he could work with, sending a drive into right-center. Rob Hausladen made a great attempt at a diving catch, but couldn’t hold on. Yeary, who was running for Johnson, came into score on the RBI double, cutting the lead to 5-4.

Yanney was 2-for-4 in the contest. Shadoan followed with a single to left scoring Yanney to knot the score at five apiece. Mike Elkin reached on a hit by pitch and the Reds had two on with no-one out. After a fly out to left, Pollard had his second single of the game, loading them for Carmack. The left hander delivered again, with a 2-run single, giving the Reds a 7-5 lead.

Shadoan pitched a 1-2-3 fifth, exiting the game with the lead. In his five innings, he allowed five runs, only three of them earned, on eight hits, striking out three. Schmitt shut down the Reds in the 5th as well, striking out two of his five for the game. He allowed 11 hits, seven runs in five innings, but only four were earned.

The Reds then turned the ball over to Donnie Noel. Like Shadoan, Noel has pitched brilliantly in the HABL playoffs, and Thursday he was at his best again. He breezed through the sixth and seventh innings.

Kowalow came on in relief for the Rockies, and was excellent in his own right. The righty struck out two in the sixth, but the Reds were able to tack on a run in the seventh.

Noel led off the inning with a walk, and then Carmack, who supplied a big part of the Reds offense on this night, did it again, lining a triple to left center to score Noel. Brian Eyre looped a single to center, that looked like it could be caught, causing Carmack to tag at third. A charging Durle couldn’t reach it in time, but grabbed it on one hop, and fired home to cut down Carmack at the plate, saving a run, and the Reds led 8-5 lead after seven innings. Carmack had three hits in three at bats on the night, driving in four. Noel struck out two in a quick eighth, Kowalow did the same, and the stage was set for the final inning.

Working in his fourth inning, Noel took the mound with a chance to lock down the reds first HABL Championship in their third final appearance (lost in 2021 and 2023 finals to the Monarchs). Schmitt gave the Rockies some hope, leading off with a single. He was erased for the first out on a fielders choice 6-4. Dave Koone then singled to give the Rockies two on with one out. Noel then got a fly out to center for the second out, putting the Reds on the precipice of the 2024 title. Aslin battled at the plate, and connected solidly, but it went right to Yeary at third, who fittingly stepped on the bag to record the force play for the final out.

The 8-5 final cements the Reds perfect post-season (4-0) and their first Hoosier Adult Baseball Title. Noel went four innings for the save, allowing no runs on just two hits, striking out three. Shadoan gets the win, completing the tournament at 4-0. Kowalow pitched three innings, allowing just one run, striking out five, surrendering four hits.

The Reds end the season with a 9-6-1 mark, playing their best baseball of the season at the right time. The Rockies finish at 9-5-2, and runners up for the second time (2020 to the Monarchs), to go along with their two titles (2018, 2022).

The HABL board would like to thank all participants in 2024 for their efforts to make it another great season. All members of the Reds, Rockies, Monarchs, Fusion, Clowns and Black Sox displayed great sportsmanship and we on the board thank you all for being the best part of the HABL. A letter from the President will follow in the coming days. -John Dearth, HABL President

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The 2024 HABL Champions - Reds