2009 Bomber Season Tickets On Sale
Upcoming Games and Promotions
The Bombers would like to thank their fans for a great 2008 season!!
Bombers Sign Local Talent
The Bombers have signed Dubois County natives Derek Katter and Brett Merkley for the 2009 summer. Katter, a graduate of Jasper High School will man the outfield. Merkley, who spent his high school days at Forest Park, joins the Bombers as a right-handed pitcher. For more information, vist the news tab at the top of the page for the release.
About the Bombers
The Prospect League
The Dubois County Bombers are a part of the brand new, 11-team Prospect League. The Prospect League formed in 2009 after the existing Central Illinois Collegiate League joined with five new teams to create a bigger league with markets in five states.
The goal of the Prospect League is to be the elite wooden bat summer baseball league in the United States. Teams from the Prospect League recruit talented collegiate players from across the country to come play for their team from June to August. This opportunity allows players with professional potential to gain experience with wood bats as opposed to the metal bats that most use in collegiate baseball.
From 1963 to 2008, the Central Illinois Collegiate League placed 175 players in the major leagues with more sure to come. Notable alumni include Kirby Puckett, Mike Schmidt, Jon Papelbon, Ryan Howard, Jeff Brantley, Gary Gaetti, Joe Girardi, Art Howe, Dan Quisenberry, and other household names.
Bomber History
Bomber owners John Bigness and Chris Barney moved operations from Alton, Illinois to Dubois County before the 2005 season. The opportunity to play in historic League Stadium, site of filming for the movie "A League Of Their Own" was simply too good to pass on.
The 2005 season brought a talented group of players to Dubois County. Ryan Basham and Mike Murray set the standards for future Bombers to be measured by batting .409 and .377 respectively. Javier Martinez of Fordham University brought his 94 mph fastball to Dubois County and was joined by talented hurlers such as Kyle Jones, Cory Lewis, Brant Combs, Brent Wendholt, Cory Julian, Cole Uebelhor, and more. Nick Smith, Kyle Smith, Cory Bunner, and Kasey Wahl helped power the Bombers to a 29-19 record with great offensive seasons. Basham, Murray, Nick Smith, Kyle Smith, Bunner, Jones, and Lewis were selected to the league's all-star game. Martinez, Jeff Cunningham, and Brock Bond went on to be selected in the MLB draft. All three are still playing minor league baseball.
2006 was another successful year for the Bombers. Fan favorite Bradley Goldsmith played his first season for the team and finished with a .321 batting average, 10 doubles, and 23 stolen bases. Josh Irvin pounded 16 doubles and batted .309. 2006 also marked the first season for Wes Fink in Dubois County. The 2006 piching staff was anchored by Brett Reilley who finished near the top of the CICL in every statistical category. Steve Cishek nursed an injury during the 2006 summer but showed flashes of the 96 mph fastball that made pro scouts drool. Cishek was selected in the 5th round of the 2007 MLB Draft. Chris Vaculik pitched outstanding in the closer's role and Brandon Cooney was dominant at times with a heavy, mid 90s fastball. Local products Cole Uebelhor and Brent Wendholt pitched well for the Bombers in 2006 as the team finished with a 23-21 record.
The most magical Bomber season to date was the 2007 campaign. Manager Brian Smiley took over the team in June and a loaded roster helped the Bombers capture the regular season and CICL Tournament Championships. Goldsmith, Fink, Rich Gorman, Derek Melton, Casey Martin, and Chris Affinito combined to form a potent offense. Vince Doster use his world-class speed to run down nearly every ball hit his direction and also stole 25 bases. Dallas Sims and Marc Harmon rebounded nicely from arm troubles to have outstanding summers on the mound. Dylan Cupples was dominant in the closer's role and Michael Manus, Travis Lamar, and Andrew Scheid were outstanding out of the bullpen. Matt Nichols joined the team in late July and allowed only two runs in 17.1 innings of work to help secure a championship. The highest-profile member of the '07 squad was Notre Dame hurler Dan Kapala. Kapala, a New York Yankees draft choice, compiled a 1.91 ERA in 37.2 innings of work before signing with the Yankees in late July. Goldsmith, Fink, Gorman, Melton, Martin, Affinito, Sims, Cupples, and Kapala were selected to the 2007 CICL/KIT League All-Star Game.
The 2008 version of the Bombers grew tremendously from beginning to end. A much younger team than in years past, the team showed flashes of brilliance but failed to bring all aspects of the game together, finishing the year at 17-29. Manager Brian Smiley returned to Dubois County for his second year with the team and continued his stellar job at the helm. Cal-Berkeley standout Rich Gorman returned for his second season with the Bombers and batted .367 with 11 doubles before injuring his left arm. Fink returned for his third season with the Bombers and finished near the top of the CICL with a .292 average nine doubles, two homers, and 26 RBI. Jared Baehl tied for the team lead with two homers with Sam Konnoff sported an outstanding .409 on-base percentage. The Bomber pitching staff proved to be a bright spot, finishing the summer with a 3.72 ERA. Chad Edwards led the Bomber staff with a 3-1 record and 2.83 ERA in 54 innings of work. Lefty Michael Bugary followed closely with a 3.55 ERA and 51 strikeouts in 45 innings. Jarrett Casey, Justin Higdon, and Shawn Marquardt also turned in fine seasons as Bomber starting pitchers. Relievers Corey Maines and Joe Ochs both finished the season with ERAs under 2.00 while closer Chase Joiner racked up six saves.
The Dubois County Bombers are a part of the brand new, 11-team Prospect League. The Prospect League formed in 2009 after the existing Central Illinois Collegiate League joined with five new teams to create a bigger league with markets in five states.
The goal of the Prospect League is to be the elite wooden bat summer baseball league in the United States. Teams from the Prospect League recruit talented collegiate players from across the country to come play for their team from June to August. This opportunity allows players with professional potential to gain experience with wood bats as opposed to the metal bats that most use in collegiate baseball.
From 1963 to 2008, the Central Illinois Collegiate League placed 175 players in the major leagues with more sure to come. Notable alumni include Kirby Puckett, Mike Schmidt, Jon Papelbon, Ryan Howard, Jeff Brantley, Gary Gaetti, Joe Girardi, Art Howe, Dan Quisenberry, and other household names.
Bomber History
Bomber owners John Bigness and Chris Barney moved operations from Alton, Illinois to Dubois County before the 2005 season. The opportunity to play in historic League Stadium, site of filming for the movie "A League Of Their Own" was simply too good to pass on.
The 2005 season brought a talented group of players to Dubois County. Ryan Basham and Mike Murray set the standards for future Bombers to be measured by batting .409 and .377 respectively. Javier Martinez of Fordham University brought his 94 mph fastball to Dubois County and was joined by talented hurlers such as Kyle Jones, Cory Lewis, Brant Combs, Brent Wendholt, Cory Julian, Cole Uebelhor, and more. Nick Smith, Kyle Smith, Cory Bunner, and Kasey Wahl helped power the Bombers to a 29-19 record with great offensive seasons. Basham, Murray, Nick Smith, Kyle Smith, Bunner, Jones, and Lewis were selected to the league's all-star game. Martinez, Jeff Cunningham, and Brock Bond went on to be selected in the MLB draft. All three are still playing minor league baseball.
2006 was another successful year for the Bombers. Fan favorite Bradley Goldsmith played his first season for the team and finished with a .321 batting average, 10 doubles, and 23 stolen bases. Josh Irvin pounded 16 doubles and batted .309. 2006 also marked the first season for Wes Fink in Dubois County. The 2006 piching staff was anchored by Brett Reilley who finished near the top of the CICL in every statistical category. Steve Cishek nursed an injury during the 2006 summer but showed flashes of the 96 mph fastball that made pro scouts drool. Cishek was selected in the 5th round of the 2007 MLB Draft. Chris Vaculik pitched outstanding in the closer's role and Brandon Cooney was dominant at times with a heavy, mid 90s fastball. Local products Cole Uebelhor and Brent Wendholt pitched well for the Bombers in 2006 as the team finished with a 23-21 record.
The most magical Bomber season to date was the 2007 campaign. Manager Brian Smiley took over the team in June and a loaded roster helped the Bombers capture the regular season and CICL Tournament Championships. Goldsmith, Fink, Rich Gorman, Derek Melton, Casey Martin, and Chris Affinito combined to form a potent offense. Vince Doster use his world-class speed to run down nearly every ball hit his direction and also stole 25 bases. Dallas Sims and Marc Harmon rebounded nicely from arm troubles to have outstanding summers on the mound. Dylan Cupples was dominant in the closer's role and Michael Manus, Travis Lamar, and Andrew Scheid were outstanding out of the bullpen. Matt Nichols joined the team in late July and allowed only two runs in 17.1 innings of work to help secure a championship. The highest-profile member of the '07 squad was Notre Dame hurler Dan Kapala. Kapala, a New York Yankees draft choice, compiled a 1.91 ERA in 37.2 innings of work before signing with the Yankees in late July. Goldsmith, Fink, Gorman, Melton, Martin, Affinito, Sims, Cupples, and Kapala were selected to the 2007 CICL/KIT League All-Star Game.
The 2008 version of the Bombers grew tremendously from beginning to end. A much younger team than in years past, the team showed flashes of brilliance but failed to bring all aspects of the game together, finishing the year at 17-29. Manager Brian Smiley returned to Dubois County for his second year with the team and continued his stellar job at the helm. Cal-Berkeley standout Rich Gorman returned for his second season with the Bombers and batted .367 with 11 doubles before injuring his left arm. Fink returned for his third season with the Bombers and finished near the top of the CICL with a .292 average nine doubles, two homers, and 26 RBI. Jared Baehl tied for the team lead with two homers with Sam Konnoff sported an outstanding .409 on-base percentage. The Bomber pitching staff proved to be a bright spot, finishing the summer with a 3.72 ERA. Chad Edwards led the Bomber staff with a 3-1 record and 2.83 ERA in 54 innings of work. Lefty Michael Bugary followed closely with a 3.55 ERA and 51 strikeouts in 45 innings. Jarrett Casey, Justin Higdon, and Shawn Marquardt also turned in fine seasons as Bomber starting pitchers. Relievers Corey Maines and Joe Ochs both finished the season with ERAs under 2.00 while closer Chase Joiner racked up six saves.
