2025 Season
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. Next week The Red Sox will try to go to 3 and 0, as they travel to visit the fusion on D2. The 1 and 1 Black Sox will host the Rockies on D5.
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. The Fusion will try to find their footing as they host the Red Sox on D2 next week, while the Rockies matchup against the Black Sox on D5.
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. Next week, the Monarchs will travel to meet the Cubs on D3, while the Clowns will be away to the Reds on D4.
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. Next week the Reds will host the Clowns on D4. The Cubs look for their first HABL win as they host the Cubs on D3.
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. The Red Sox will host the Black Sox next week on D2, and the Rockies will host the Fusion on D3.
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. The Fusion will try to get everyone on board for week 2 when they will visit the Rockies on D3. The Black Sox will visit the Red Sox on D2.
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. Next week, the Cubs will host the Reds on D4, and the Clowns will host the Monarchs on D5.
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. Next week the Reds will visit the Cubs on D4, while the Monarchs visit the Clowns on D5.
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
Season Summary
Download the season summary and future considerations from the league president below.
Noel Shines in Relief, Reds Claim First Title
October 10, 2024
Grand Park
ABOVE: With Henry Bryant in scoring position, batter Tony Iacobucci faces pitcher Donnie Noel.
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.
ABOVE: Catcher John Lucia applies the tag to runner Chris Carmack, preventing the Reds from adding to the tally late in the game.
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.
ABOVE: Shortstop Scott Yanney, catcher Scott Golden and pitcher Donnie Noel begin celebrating the 2024 Championship.
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
The 2024 HABL Champions - Reds
(Front Row, L to R) Scott Golden, Keith Baute, Don Pollard, Donnie Noel, Scott Stowers, Ryan Easterhaus