Sports fans across the U.S. can tune in to watch 2017 Kansas Stars on ESPN2
WICHITA, Kan. July 26, 2017 – A National Baseball Congress (NBC) World Series game featuring the Kansas Stars, a team comprised of former major league players, can be seen in homes across the nation next week. The game will be aired live on Monday, July 31, at 7 p.m. CST and can be viewed live on ESPN2, and will also be available via the WatchESPN app.
Visit Wichita and the National Baseball Congress have teamed up to produce and air the game so that people across the nation can share in the excitement of this iconic Wichita event, which is in its 83rd year.
"This tournament has been a part of lasting memories for more than eight decades, and the addition of the Kansas Stars has made it even more memorable, so to be able to air it on national television and make it accessible for thousands of fans to see for a second year – this time on ESPN2 – is very exciting,” said Susie Santo, president & CEO of Visit Wichita.
For the second time in tournament history, the Kansas Stars will be taking the field. Chipper Jones, Adam LaRoche, Nate Robertson and more will be competing in the tournament. The Kansas Stars are scheduled to play on Wednesday, July 29, and Monday, July 31. They could play more games if they advance out of pool play.
"It’s thrilling to host these former MLB stars in the NBC World Series and to know that sports fans across the nation will be able to watch them play live from Lawrence-Dumont Stadium," said Kevin Jenks, tournament director. "Many got their start here at this stadium so to see them come back and play in the tournament is exciting. They, like every other team here, though, have to compete to get to that final game and fans can't wait to see them take the field this year."
Should the Kansas Stars take the national trophy, they will donate the prize money to charity.
Where games will be held
Lawrence-Dumont Stadium, a staple along the Arkansas River in downtown Wichita, Kansas, is named after Hap and Charles S. Lawrence, Wichita’s mayor when the stadium was built, and still hosts the NBC World Series. It is also home to the Wichita Wingnuts baseball team of the American Association of Independent Baseball.
NBC tournament schedule and tickets
The tournament began Saturday, July 22, at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium in downtown Wichita and runs
through the championships on Sunday, Aug. 6. Thirty teams of mostly college-age and amateur players
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from across the country to compete, along with the former MLB stars this year, for a national championship.
Tickets for the NBC World Series are on sale now but going fast; most pool play games featuring The Kansas Stars are standing room only. To see what's available and purchase tickets, visit https://nbcbaseball.com/buy-tickets/.
Kansas Stars roster
Players include Heath Bell, John Buck, David Delucci, Justin Germano, Jonny Gomes, Brian Gordon, Jeremy Guthrie, Roy Halladay, Koyie Hill, Tim Hudson, Brandon Inge, Chipper Jones, Ryan Kohlmeier, Ryan Langerhans, Adam LaRoche, Andy LaRoche, Jeff LaRoche, Jason Marquis, Tom Martin, Joe Nathan, Roy Oswalt, Jake Peavy, Brad Penny, Nate Robertson, Willie Robertson, Kenny Rogers, Ben Sheets, Brett Tomko, Dan Uggla and Jack Wilson.
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About NBC
The National Baseball Congress (NBC) World Series is the premier showcase for college-age, amateur players since 1935. The NBC World Series is the third-largest event and the oldest continuous sporting event in Wichita. This non-profit 501c(3) foundation operates under the supervision of a 13-member volunteer board of directors. To learn more, visit www.nbcbaseball.com.
About Visit Wichita
Visit Wichita markets the greater Wichita area as a major convention and tourism destination, thereby enhancing the economic development of the city, county, region and state. Visit Wichita is led by president and CEO Susie Santo, and in 2016 travel and tourism contributed more than $1 billion in economic impact to the greater Wichita area.
Contact for interviews with NBC staff members: Jessica Sawatski, Public Relations Manager at Visit Wichita, jsawatski@visitwichita.com; and Cynthia Wentworth, VP of Marketing at Visit Wichita, cwentworth@visitwichita.com.