News

The Prospect League Board of Directors voted to admit the Dubois County Bombers of Huntingburg, Indiana, and the Full Count Rhythm of Hendersonville, Tennessee, to the Prospect League effective today. Both Dubois County and Full Count will field teams during the 2024 summer season.

“The Prospect League is thrilled to add two organizations the caliber of Dubois County and Full Count to its membership,” said Commissioner David Brauer. “Both have demonstrated success both on and off the field and are poised to be thriving members of the Prospect League. There is no doubt that adding these teams will further enhance this League’s reputation.”

The former Ohio Valley League teams will replace the West Virginia Miners (sold to Dubois County) and the Quincy Gems (sold to Full Count).

For Dubois County, the move marks a return to the Prospect League after having been a member from 2005-2012. The Bombers, members of the Ohio Valley League from 2013-2023 and 2021 OVL Champions, play at historic League Stadium in Huntingburg. Originally built in 1894. The stadium was featured in the movies “A League of Their Own” and “Soul of the Game.”

“For our organization and for our fans, this is a dream come true. This will allow our team on the field to compete against the very best of the best every night,” said Bombers Owner and President Justin Knepp. “The competition will be better, the stadiums are the best in summer baseball, and the national appeal and attention is higher,” added Bombers Co-Owner Ara Knepp. “The exposure this will create for our players and for Dubois County is surreal.”

The Rhythm, founded by Full Count Ministries in 2020, was a member of the Ohio Valley League for each of its three seasons. The 2022 and 2023 league champions, based just 18 miles from Nashville, partner with the City of Hendersonville Parks Department to host games at Drakes Creek Park.

“We’re very excited about joining the Prospect League. We really feel like we’re moving up from Triple-A to the big leagues,” said Full Count Head Coach and General Manager Josh Carman. “We want to bring a good product to the city of Hendersonville and our entire community. We’re going to work really hard to provide good, family fun every night at the ballpark.”

The Prospect League comes off a 2023 season that included record-breaking league attendance and the largest attendance gain in all of summer collegiate baseball. The Prospect League traces its origins to 1963 as the Central Illinois Collegiate League, one of the original summer college circuits. Hall of Famers Mike Schmidt and Kirby Puckett are among the most notable names from the league’s roots while more recent standouts include Ben Zobrist and consecutive MLB first-round draft picks Trey Sweeney (2021) and Noah Schultz (2022).

“We are excited to welcome the two new members to the Prospect League,” said League President Bill Davidson. “Both organizations have a track record of success in summer college baseball and provide an exceptional experience for both fans and players in their respective communities.”

About the Dubois County Bombers

The Dubois County Bombers are a summer collegiate baseball team in the nationally renowned Prospect League, a wooden bat league consisting of 18 teams across Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Missouri, Ohio, and Tennessee. Players are hand-recruited from colleges and universities from all over the United States and abroad. The Bombers play the highest quality of contemporary baseball in one of the most unique and “throwback” settings imaginable in historic League Stadium–a stadium that’s rich in both baseball history and Hollywood history. Dubois County Bombers games are a one-of-a-kind entertainment and fan experience for adults and kids alike. For more information visit dcbombers.com

About the Full Count Rhythm

The Full Count Rhythm are a summer collegiate wood-bat baseball team in the prestigious Prospect League. The Rhythm spent their first three seasons of existence in the Ohio Valley League winning 106 games, making three championship series appearances, and winning back-to-back league titles. The Rhythm were founded to engage players and the community of Hendersonville with the game of baseball and the gospel of Jesus Christ. For more information visit fullcountrhythm.com

About the Prospect League

The Prospect League is a premier Midwestern wood-bat collegiate summer baseball league with 18 teams across Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Missouri, Ohio, and Tennessee. The League provides college players a professional setting with excellent competition and high-quality facilities while delivering exciting baseball action and affordable all-ages entertainment to its communities. Known as the Central Illinois Collegiate League from 1963-2008, the Prospect League has a proud tradition as one of the original and most recognizable summer leagues. The League’s rich history includes Hall of Famers and NCAA Champions, nearly 200 alumni in Major League Baseball, and more than 800 professional players. For more information visit prospectleague.com.