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Battle Creek Shamrocks enjoying first taste of NABF World Series

bill broderick, battle creek enquirer
·4 min read

BATTLE CREEK - While it is going to be the last time for many of the teams in town to experience the World Series in Battle Creek, it is also the first time for one group and they are excited for the opportunity.

The Battle Creek Shamrocks have been yearning to be a part of the NABF World Series for several seasons, coming up short a couple of times after playing in the Battle Creek City Major League.

With the two slots given in 2023 for Battle Creek clubs for 109th annual NABF Charlie Blackburn Major Division World Series, the Shamrocks are getting their shot at a national championship as they began play Thursday in pool play.

The Shamrocks opened with two games on Thursday, losing two low-scoring contests. The Fort Wayne Jackers beat the Shamrocks in an afternoon contest at Bailey Park, 3-2. In the night game, the Lombard Orioles beat Battle Creek, 6-2.

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Shamrocks catcher Seth Clothier takes a swing during a series game against Fort Wayne at Bailey Park on Thursday, Aug. 3, 2023.
Shamrocks catcher Seth Clothier takes a swing during a series game against Fort Wayne at Bailey Park on Thursday, Aug. 3, 2023.

"A lot of our guys are from Battle Creek, so they grew up hearing stories of the Stan Musial and now the NABF," said Shamrocks manager Kevin Kemerling. "So for a few years now, they have always wanted to go out and win the city league and get a chance to play in the World Series. We didn't win the city league this year, but we are lucky enough that they took two teams from Battle Creek this year, so they get to experience this."

Starting in 2013, the NABF World Series has been held continuously in Battle Creek. After last year’s tournament, local officials committed to one more year and continued the tradition of an unlimited age division baseball national championship in town. Prior to the NABF, Battle Creek hosted the Stan Musial World Series for the same division of baseball for more than eight decades. Since Battle Creek first hosted a World Series in 1937, it has crowned a national champ for 71 of those 86 years.

For the Shamrock players, many of whom attending games at C.O. Brown Stadium over the years to watch World Series action, getting to be a part of it before it leaves town is a bonus.

"My mom was talking about it last night with me and how it has come full circle," said the Shamrocks Seth Clothier. "I use to come here and shag balls as a kid at this event and now I get to play in it. It's a really cool experience.

"You grow up hearing about the rich history of baseball in Battle Creek, it's nice we get a chance to be a part of it for its last year."

Shamrocks infielder Cam Reichel throws the ball during a series game against Fort Wayne at Bailey Park on Thursday, Aug. 3, 2023.
Shamrocks infielder Cam Reichel throws the ball during a series game against Fort Wayne at Bailey Park on Thursday, Aug. 3, 2023.

Kemerling played in the Stan Musial World Series and has been a voice to help his young team realize the importance of the tournament in the eyes of Battle Creek.

"I played for Ferrari's back in the day. Played in the Musial back then. So it's great to get back and help the team get here and represent Battle Creek once again in a world series," Kemerling said. "Battle Creek has always been known as a baseball town. It will be too bad when we don't have this tournament here. It will be hard to make the case of us being a baseball town any longer without it being here. I'll miss it."

Also in action in the early round were city champion Battle Creek Merchants, who lost in the opener to the defending champion Buffalo Diesel, 6-0, on Monday. The Merchants rebounded with a 6-1 win over the Canfield Buckeyes on Thursday.

Both the Merchants and Shamrocks were scheduled for two games each on Friday to end pool play.

It is the third year in a row being the host team in the NABF World Series for the Merchants, but the feeling is different this year.

"When I was coming into the ball park today, walking in, and several times during the course of that first game, I just looked around and said to myself, 'you know, this is it," McCulley said. "It's almost like they are going to tear this stadium down, that's how it feels to me.

"This is all bittersweet to be here. I just told the guys to enjoy it because it's the last one."

Bill Broderick can be reached at bbroderi@battlecreekenquirer.com. Follow him on Twitter:@billbroderick.

This article originally appeared on Battle Creek Enquirer: Battle Creek Shamrocks enjoying first taste of NABF World Series