2021 First Pitch Program

APRIL 23, 2021

LEGACY SPONSOR

O G S!

E L U M

ROLL STABLE Welcome to the Fifth Annual First Pitch Event!

First Pitch provides an opportunity to celebrate Mules Baseball, both past and present.

Whether you are a fan, former player, family member or coach, you can be part of an event that honors the legacy and secures the future of our proud and storied program.

In March 2020, as our world was altered and the season abruptly ended, our UCM baseball team was ranked first nationally with their eyes set on the College World Series for the 19th time in program history. With many members of the 2020 team returning for the 2021 campaign, joined by a group of talented newcomers, this team has been on a mission to leave the disappointment of last year’s ending in the dust.

In 2017, the First Pitch Banquet was established to celebrate Mules Baseball, renew friendships, honor the successes of past members of the program and raise money for today’s team. The support we provide now and throughout the year is critical to sustaining national prominence and laying the foundation for future success.

This year we recognize three key past members of the Mules Baseball program: • Steve Luebbert (1973–1976) • Tom Myers (2008–2014) • Kevin Prenger (1979–1982) We ask that you continue to support and take pride in all that has been accomplished with Mules Baseball and the University of Central Missouri. Rekindle friendships, relive memories and understand that we are all an important part of this outstanding Mules Baseball tradition.

Your legacy is important.

We sincerely thank you for your support. Go Mules!

Respectfully, The 2021 Fifth Annual First Pitch Committee

MULES TRIVIA

One of the longest tenured rivalries in Division II baseball is between Central Missouri and Emporia State University, with games dating back to the 1900s.

Special thanks to Dave DeFrain for our Mules Trivia.

Paramount Cap Manufacturing Co. was started in 1929 by

brothers William and Simon Rubenstein. Within months of opening its doors, the Great Depression hit our nation. It is no accident that Paramount survived this devastating time. William and Simon worked hard and put their ingenuity to the test and built a strong dynasty now known as Paramount Apparel International.

Still privately held, led by the third generation of Rubensteins, Paramount Apparel's focus remains the same today as it was more than 90 years ago: solid relationships built on trust and producing quality merchandise at a fair price.

In an ever-changing industry where products vary and trends are short-lived, one thing remains constant: our commitment to our customers.

FIRST PITCH LINEUP Welcome to the Fifth Annual Mules Baseball First Pitch Banquet Dave Ezell, ’78 and ’79, First Pitch Committee Mason Green, Junior LHP Josh Schumacher, Senior OF Opening Remarks Rob Ruth, ’75, First Pitch Committee Roger J. Best, Ph.D., UCM President Lifetime Mules Achievement Award Introduction by Jim Crane, ’76 Honorees: Dave DeFrain, ’65, and Donna DeFrain, ’65, ’84, ’90 Diamond Club Induction Introduction by Bob Jackson, UCM Athletics Inductees: Tom Myers (2008–14), Steve Luebbert (1973–76), Kevin Prenger (1979–82) Keynote Speaker Introduction by Gary Abram, ’75 Speaker: Bob Kendrick, President of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum Mules Baseball — Past and Present Stu Rogers, ’82 and ’86, First Pitch Committee Kyle Crookes, Mules Baseball Head Coach Closing Remarks Alex Kent, ’11 and ’14, First Pitch Committee

MULES TRIVIA

The Mules’ 9 home runs in a 1994 game against Truman State is the most in MIAA history. The 2021 team tied that record against Missouri Southern on April 4th.

KEYNOTE SPEAKER BOB KENDRICK Negro League’s Centennial a Year to Remember

By Kathy Strickland

On Feb. 13, 2020, Bob Kendrick, president of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, addressed a crowd at the Paseo YMCA in the 18th and Vine District of Kansas City, Missouri. One hundred years ago on that date, star player Andrew “Rube” Foster convened in this building with seven other men who would become owners of the eight initial teams to comprise the Negro National League. All but one of the league’s founders were Black, representing the countless players who had been barred from joining the major leagues until Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier by signing with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947.

The old YMCA had seen better days when Kendrick began to renovate the building as the new Buck O’Neil Education and Research Center in honor of the late Kansas City Monarchs legend and Negro Leagues Baseball Museum (NLBM) founder. Kendrick laments that O’Neil was never inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame but says he “considered this his hall of fame.” The 40,000 square-foot research center was set to open in 2020 as a public-use facility featuring interactive technology, archival materials, educational exhibits, baseball-related STEM curriculum, conference rooms and office space.

As Kendrick addressed the crowd on that cold mid-February day, he had no way of knowing how drastically the centennial celebration he’d been planning would change just one month later when the coronavirus pandemic hit home.

“Resiliency is what the story of the Negro League is all about,” says Kendrick. “Trying to find a way when others believe that there is no way.”

Originally Kendrick had planned a June 27 event where players from all 30 Major League Baseball teams would salute the Negro League from 15 stadiums by tipping their caps. Instead, he created a virtual “Tipping Your Cap” campaign that rolled

out June 29 with four former presidents, celebrities, sports stars, mayors, current MLB players, Negro League players’ families and even former player Henry Aaron. The campaign went viral.

“In our sport, there’s nothing more honorable than a simple tip of cap,” Kendrick says. “It is the ultimate show of respect.”

For the 2021 First Pitch event, UCM Coach Kyle Crookes and the Mules Baseball team join in the salute and welcome Bob Kendrick as the keynote speaker.

In addition to serving as NLBM president, Kendrick is a 2014 Missouri Sports Hall of Fame inductee and recipient of numerous citizenship and service awards.

“His work and leadership as the president of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum reflect the values and principles that we aspire to achieve in our program,” Crookes says. “Through Mr. Kendrick, the museum does an incredible job of educating people on the impact of those whose lives bettered the game.”

Kendrick never tires of telling stories from the Negro League. An interesting fact he likes to share with university students is that more than 40% of the athletes who played in the Negro League had some college education — compared with about 5% of MLB players at the time. The Negro League players would typically train on the campuses of historically Black colleges instead of being recruited fresh out of high school. But what united and continues to unite all players regardless of skin color is love of the game.

Kendrick moved to Missouri from rural Georgia to attend Park University on a basketball scholarship. He says that for himself and many athletes in other sports — including Michael Jordan, Deion Sanders and Bo Jackson — their first love was baseball.

“No sport holds to its history like baseball,” Kendrick says. “It is that one sport where we constantly compare

the stars of the past with the stars of today. The Negro League is such a vital part of the history of our game.”

As a tribute to the impact the Negro League has made on the sports world as well as civil rights and the social advancement of the United States, Congress approved the minting of a commemorative coin honoring the Negro League’s centennial. The coin is expected to be released in 2022 and raise up to $12 million, with proceeds going to the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum. The museum also got a joint $1 million donation from Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association to help complete the Buck O’Neil Education and Research Center. And perhaps the most significant honor of all came Dec. 16, 2020, when the

Negro League was officially recognized as part of the major leagues, with records adjusted and all 3,400 players elevated to MLB status.

Kendrick believes the late, great Buck O’Neil would be proud of the way the centennial celebration turned out, especially in light of challenges presented by the pandemic.

“You can’t wallow in self-pity and be a steward of the story because it would be doing a disservice to those who call the Negro League home,” he says. “They never cried about the social injustices; they went out and did something about it. So we had to adopt that same spirit.”

James “Cool Papa” Bell

Josh Gibson

Bob Kendrick

MULES DIAMOND CLUB INDUCTEES The Mules Diamond Club was founded in 2017 at the inaugural First Pitch Banquet. This prestigious club celebrates the greats who have played for the University of Central Missouri while serving as an inspiration to current and future players. The Mules Diamond Club monument, a gift from the 1974 team, proudly displays the names of inductees at the James R. Crane Stadium at Robert N. Tompkins Field.

The 2021 inductees into the Mules Diamond Club are former Head Coach Tom Myers and former Mules student-athletes Steve Luebbert and Kevin Prenger.

Tom Myers (2008–14)

Steve Luebbert (1973–76)

Kevin Prenger (1979–82)

In seven seasons as head coach of Mules Baseball, Tom Myers led UCM to six NCAA appearances. He compiled a 311-91 (.774) record while winning four MIAA regular season, four MIAA Tournament and three NCAA Regional titles. Five times Coach Myers led the Mules to more than 40 wins in a season, and he is just one of two coaches with more than 300 career wins at UCM. Myers was named the 2010 South Central Region Coach of the Year and the 2011 MIAA Coach of the Year, after winning a record 37 conference games. He was inducted into the UCM Hall of Fame in 2018 and is the fifth member of Mules Baseball to be inducted into the MIAA Hall of Fame as part of the 2020 class.

One of the first great Central Missouri State University hitters, Steve Luebbert was also the first player in Mules history to be named MIAA Most Outstanding Freshman.

In his first year at CMSU he hit .341 in 19 games. Over the course of four years, Luebbert would go on to earn two All-MIAA First Team nods and two All-American awards. When Luebbert graduated following the 1976 season, he was the Mules alltime leader in RBI with 82. He also ranked high in career runs scored with a total of 68 and home runs with a total of 12. Luebbert set the Mules single-game record for RBI driving in eight runs in a game against Missouri Valley in 1974. He was the first Mule to lead the team in home runs outright in back-toback seasons.

Kevin Prenger was the first Mule to ever make the All-MIAA First Team for three years. He was also an All-American Honorable Mention in 1980. When Prenger graduated following the 1982 season, he was the Mules all-time leader with 100 runs scored and 114 RBI — and the first Mule ever to reach 100 career runs and 100 career RBI. In 400 career at bats, Prenger picked up 150 hits for a lifetime .375 batting average, which put him third all-time in Mules history. He slugged 18 home runs, hit 34 doubles and six triples. His 16 doubles in 1981 set a new CMSU single-season record and helped the Mules to an MIAA Championship.

MULES DIAMOND CLUB MEMBERS BOB TOMPKINS COACH

RUSTY NEWMAN PITCHER BOB TUTTLE SECOND BASE

NICK WEBBER RP

1968-71

1971-74

1973-76

STU ROGERS COACH

ERIC STUCKENSCHNEIDER OUTFIELD

BEN SLEMMER SS/2B BRAD HILL COACH

1993-94

1994

SHAWN CALLAHAN SS

2004-05

MARK CAREY PITCHER

2004-07

2005-08

CHRIS MATLOCK PITCHER

2008-09

2005-09

BROOKS MARTIN PITCHER

TOM MYERS COACH

2009-10 2010

2008-14

STEVE LUEBBERT 3B/DH 1973-76

1995-99

KEVIN PRENGER IB/OF

1995-03

MATT NORFLEET 1B/OF

2004

NICK DEBIASSE FIRST BASE 2010-11 1994 MULES BASEBALL TEAM

1995-98

RICH CLOVER PITCHER

STEVE SHARPE PITCHER

CHANCE TUTTLE OUTFIELD

1993-96

DAVE VAN HORN COACH

1988-90

1990-91; 1993-94

1992-95

RICK LADJEVICH THIRD BASE BRAD CREDE 1B/SS

2003-05

BRIAN MCBRYDE 2B/SS

1988-90

SITTICHOKE HUCKUNTOD SECOND BASE BOB POISAL PITCHER

2003-05

DARIN HENDRICKSON COACH

1984-90

LARRY HAWKS C/1B/RP

2002-04

DANNY POWERS PITCHER

1967-70

STEVE ECKINGER THIRD BASE JIM CRANE PITCHER

JOE STRADA OF/1B

1965-80

1979-82

1996-99

DAVID GOODWIN FIRST BASE CHRIS CURRY SECOND BASE

1997-98

1997-00

NATHAN LIPOWICZ OUTFIELD COREY CLINEFELTER PITCHER

1997-00 1997-01

JOSH REYNOLDS PITCHER 1998-00 SETH COLLINS OUTFIELD JASON HERZ PITCHER CRAIG RINGE 3B/SS

1998-01

1999-02

1999-02

P.J. MCGINNIS PITCHER

2001-02

ZACH NORMAN THIRD BASE

2001-03

THE MULES DIAMOND CLUB MONUMENT WAS GENEROUSLY DONATED BY THE 1974 TEAM. HOUSTON INVITATIONAL VS. CHICO STATE

SPONSORS Diamond Club | $2,500+ JIM & WHITNEY CRANE

STEVE & ANDREA LUEBBERT

STU & TEERA ROGERS

MARK & JENIFFER RUBENSTEIN

Grand Slam | $1,000

GARY ABRAM

DAVE & JANET EZELL

ED & EILEEN RATHBURN

DR. DAVID & JAN GLOVER

ROB & SUSIE RUTH

RON UMPHENOUR

Home Run | $500 JIM & GRETA VOSS

LUEBBERT FAMILY FOUNDATION

DAX & JANIE TAYLOR

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT The 2021 recipients of the Lifetime Mules Baseball Achievement Award are Mr. and Mrs. Dave and Donna DeFrain. Dave is a 1965 UCM graduate, and Donna is a three-time alumna from 1965, ’84 and ’90.

The couple’s passion for Mules Baseball began in the 1970s as Dave and Donna grew close to then-Head Coach Bob Tompkins, ‘62, ‘63, and his wife, Judy, ‘64. The Tompkins and DeFrains lived next to each other and competed in annual golf tournaments together. Dave eventually began to travel with Coach Tompkins to scout potential players and umpired a few practice games.

Dave and Donna still recall the time in Springfield, Illinois, in 1974 when pitcher Jim Crane struck out 18 to deliver the Mules’ first NCAA Division II College World Series win in program history. In the decades since, the DeFrains have traveled near and far for the Mules, enjoying World Series trips to Paterson Field and Riverside Park in Montgomery, Alabama; a 2008 trip to Sauget, Illinois; and three trips to Cary, North Carolina. They can still be found on “the hill” on cold days, listening to the Mules Baseball broadcast over the radio with Bob Jackson.

Dave and Donna DeFrain have long been a staple for UCM Athletics, spending time in the football press box working the scoreboard and spotting for the public address, working at the basketball scorer’s table and recognizing the 2014 Mules Basketball national championship when Donna was serving as mayor of Warrensburg.

Dave is a member of the UCM Athletics Hall of Fame as a 2013 inductee with the UCM Basketball Table Crew. The couple are annual guests at the UCM Athletics Auction, each of the First Pitch Banquets and other special events. Most recently, Dave’s tireless work culminated in an extensive website, “Veterans of Mules Baseball,” which has proved invaluable in recognizing the storied history of the baseball program across many generations.

Mules Baseball, UCM Athletics and the First Pitch committee thank the DeFrains for their immeasurable support and are proud to recognize them at the Fifth Annual First Pitch Banquet.

COACH’S CORNER To the Mules Baseball family, The fifth year of our annual First Pitch event brings us together in a unique time. With that, first and foremost, I want to thank you for being here to support and celebrate Mules Baseball and all the tradition that comes with it. This event brings together generations of UCM baseball alumni, supporters, family and friends.

Speaking of the challenges we have all experienced, having to leave Fort Hays State with the rest of our season cut short was a difficult blow dealt to the 2020 team, coaches and players alike.

However, since that day, the program has been able to remain active in helping our Mules work to become the best versions of themselves. We were proud to watch Jordan Fowler, Jonathan Sprinkle and Evan Reifert join the ranks of professional baseball. Although we are happy for them, we hate to see them go.

We drive on, though, and have the opportunity to spend more time with some players that we otherwise might have had to say goodbye to. Thanks to the diligence of our leadership (insert Jerry Hughes and Kathy Anderson back slap), we were able to carry on practicing and growing as a team, sharpening each of our skills as we moved toward the 2021 season. The practice sessions may have felt or looked different, but we were able to be together on the field doing what we love: competing.

This year we recognize three very special people in Steve Luebbert, Tommy Myers and Kevin Prenger. These three men have given so much to the program — on the field of play and off — leaving a major impact that is still being felt within the program today. We’re grateful to have them join us this year as we celebrate all that has been accomplished in this program and look forward to what is next.

Last, but most certainly not least, I would like to recognize and extend my gratitude to each person supporting the Fifth Annual First Pitch event, whether on campus or from a distance. You have made a contribution to this program that is incredibly valuable to us. The First Pitch Committee, the alumni who have returned, coaching staff, players and their parents, our administration . . . the list goes on. This event is a reflection of the passion that so many people feel for this program, and I feel humbled and grateful to be a part of it every day.

There are tremendous examples of what can happen to a fully realized Mules Baseball player in our team’s history — great people and great successes in life. Our players have a well-established path to follow with living examples supporting them. There is so much good to look forward to, and we are glad you’re with us for the ride.

Sincerely, Coach Kyle Crookes

TIP OF THE CAP Members of our Mules Baseball family tipped their caps in honor of the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Negro Leagues. Visit tippingyourcap.com to see former U.S. presidents, sports legends, actors, astronauts, philanthropists, comedians, musicians and others who have joined in the salute to those who, for so many years, were denied the opportunity to play in the major leagues.

We tip our caps to the student-athletes who excel in both sports and academics. At UCM we value the off-field accomplishments of our Mules, specifically those who have earned recognition as CoSIDA Academic All-Americans. Mules Baseball has seen players earn this honor 20 times in the team’s history: Mark Winsor, P Steve Frerking, 2B Mike Bowers, 3B Steve Frerking, 1B Bill Sanchez, DH Sittichoke Huckuntod, 2B Sittichoke Huckuntod, 2B Kris Ralston, P Eric Stuckenschneider, OF Bob Poisal, P Aaron Christensen, 3B Brayden Whitney, DH Corey Clinefelter, P Danny Powers, P Bret Schwartz, SS Matt Elliott, OF Collin Nevil, 1B Mason Janvrin, OF Collin Nevil, 1B Mason Janvrin, OF

Hon. Ment.

2nd Team 3rd Team Hon. Ment.

3rd Team 3rd Team 1st Team 1st Team 3rd Team 1st Team 2nd Team 1st Team 1st Team 1st Team 2nd Team 1st Team 2nd Team 2nd Team 1st Team 1st Team

1983 1984 1984 1985 1988 1989 1990 1993 1994 1995 1997 1998 2001 2005 2012 2017 2017 2018 2018 2019

Most recently, Mason Janvrin earned the distinction of CoSIDA Academic All-American, in addition to being named Academic All-American of the Year. Janvrin is only the second Mule to earn that honor, following Sittichoke Huckuntod.

Mason Janvrin

Sittichoke Huckuntod

MULES IN THE PROS In a year when so much of Mules Baseball’s “normal” was disrupted, one tradition carried on: Central Missouri Baseball players getting a shot at the next level. Jordan Fowler, Jonathan Sprinkle and Evan Reifert became the latest program alumni to sign a contract with a Major League Baseball organization, bringing the program total to 78 Mules who have signed a professional contract.

Fowler (Philadelphia Phillies), Sprinkle (Houston Astros) and Reifert (Milwaukee Brewers) represent the 12th, 13th and 14th Mules to sign a professional contract who were coached by Kyle Crookes.

Fowler was in his first year at Central Missouri after transferring from Division I program Ole Miss (University of Mississippi). The junior from Union City, Tennessee, appeared in six games throwing 31.1 innings. The lefty pitched to a 4-1 record and 2.01 ERA with 29 strikeouts and eight walks. Fowler held opposing hitters to a .196 batting average and did not allow a home run all season.

Sprinkle spent three seasons with the Mules and was an All-MIAA First Team relief pitcher in 2019. Sprinkle was also tabbed as an All-Region pitcher by three different publications following his season with a 4-2 record, 2.23 ERA and 10 saves. He set a new UCM single-season record, striking out 15 batters per nine innings. For his career, Sprinkle made 53 appearances and three starts and pitched to a 6-3 record with a 2.69 and 13 saves. He struck out 142 batters to just 28 walks in 87 innings. His 13 career saves are tied for eighth all-time at UCM, and with 14.7 strikeouts per nine innings, he set the career record by almost three punchouts.

Reifert came to the Mules before the start of the 2020 season after playing two years at North Iowa Area Community College. He entered four games in relief throwing 2.2 innings while allowing one hit and striking out four, pitching to a 3.37 ERA. In two out of his four appearances, Reifert struck out two batters in an inning of work.

MULES TRIVIA

Erik Webb set the new MIAA home run record on March 28, 2021, with his 53rd blast as a Mule.

The previous record of 52 had stood since 1984.

MULES BASEBALL HISTORY Mules Baseball is one of the top NCAA Division II programs in the country. The Mules won the National Championship in 1994 and 2003 and finished runner-up in 2001. They have won the NCAA Regional Championship 18 times, including a dynasty of six consecutive championships from 2000 to 2005.

Central Missouri has dominated in the MIAA, earning 39 total conference championships, 26 regular season titles and 13 tournament championships. They have won exactly half of the conference regular season championships in the past 50 years and 13 of the 19 MIAA Tournament championships.

The program has seen 24 First Team All-American players. In the 2004 Major League Baseball Draft, five Mules were selected in the first 11 rounds. To date, 78 former UCM players have either signed as free agents or been drafted by major league organizations and played in the minor leagues. A few of those include Morgan Burkhart with the Boston Red Sox, Josh Outman with the Oakland Athletics and Chris Matlock with the Texas Rangers.

THE STATS 2

1 13

NCAA Division II Championships NCAA Division II Runner-up

MIAA Tournament Championships

18 NCAA Division II Regional Championships 26 MIAA Regular Season Championships

CELEBRATING 150 YEARS OF EDUCATION FOR SERVICE

Learn more about the celebration at 150.ucmo.edu

®

CELEBRATING 100 YEARS OF THE NEGRO LEAGUES

Learn more about the celebration and donate at nlbm.com

Support Mules Baseball at www.ucmfoundation.org/give/baseball and learn more at www.ucmathletics.com/baseball.