The Basin League was an independent collegiate minor league, that operated from 1953 to 1973, featuring teams primarily from South Dakota and one from Nebraska. The league name reflected the number of teams situated along the

Missouri River Basin The Missouri River Valley outlines the journey of the Missouri River from its headwaters where the Madison, Jefferson and Gallatin Rivers flow together in Montana to its confluence with the Mississippi River in the State of Missouri. At long th ...

. The league roster structure evolved from having some professional players to totally being amateur. The Basin League was a pioneer of what is known today as

collegiate summer baseball Collegiate summer baseball leagues are amateur baseball leagues in the United States and Canada featuring players who have attended at least one year of college and have at least one year of athletic eligibility remaining. Generally, they operat ...

. Over 100 future major league players played in the Basin League, among them

Baseball Hall of Fame The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum is a history museum and hall of fame in Cooperstown, New York, operated by private interests. It serves as the central point of the history of baseball in the United States and displays baseball-r ...

members Bob Gibson, Jim Palmer and Don Sutton.

History

The Basin League was established in 1953 with a roster of South Dakota franchises and one nearby Nebraska team. Teams in Chamberlain (Chamberlain Chiefs),

Mitchell Mitchell may refer to: People *Mitchell (surname) *Mitchell (given name) Places Australia * Mitchell, Australian Capital Territory, a light-industrial estate * Mitchell, New South Wales, a suburb of Bathurst * Mitchell, Northern Territo ...

(

Mitchell Kernels The Mitchell Kernels were a minor league baseball team based in Mitchell, South Dakota. The Kernels played as members of the South Dakota League (1920), Dakota League (1921–1922), South Dakota League (1923), Nebraska State League (1936–1937) ...

Pierre Pierre is a masculine given name. It is a French form of the name Peter. Pierre originally meant "rock" or "stone" in French (derived from the Greek word πέτρος (''petros'') meaning "stone, rock", via Latin "petra"). It is a translation ...

(Pierre Cowboys), Winner (Winner Pheasants), as well as Valentine, Nebraska (Valentine Hearts) were the charter franchises. The league's moniker reflected the number of franchise cities situated along the

. The Pierre Cowboys played in all 21 seasons of the league's existence. As the Basin League began play in 1953, team rosters were a mix of professional players and amateurs (upper high school and collegiate players). The Basin League later became exclusively amateur, evolving into what is known today as

. In 1954, the league expanded, as

Huron Huron may refer to: People * Wyandot people (or Wendat), indigenous to North America * Wyandot language, spoken by them * Huron-Wendat Nation, a Huron-Wendat First Nation with a community in Wendake, Quebec * Nottawaseppi Huron Band of Potawatomi ...

(Huron Elks), Watertown (Watertown Lake Sox) and Yankton (Yankton Terrys) entered the league as expansion franchises. In 1955, the League ran an advertisement in The Sporting News seeking players. In the April 6, 1955 edition of "The

Sporting News The ''Sporting News'' is a website and former magazine publication owned by Sporting News Holdings, which is a U.S.-based sports media company formed in December 2020 by a private investor consortium. It was originally established in 1886 as a pr ...

": "Class A Players Wanted - For fast semipro Basin League. Capable of playing Class A ball. Write 712 Capital, Yankton, S.D." In 1958, the league split the season into two halves, with each half winner meeting for the league championship. The Basin League returned to full season play in 1959. As the league grew the late 1950s, a few Basin League teams were assigned a "'parent" major league club and received equipment and support. The Rapid City Chiefs were assigned to the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Sturgis Titans were assigned to the Boston Red Sox and the Pierre Cowboys were assigned to the Cleveland Indians. While a positive for those franchises, it created an imbalance in support for the other league teams without a sponsoring parent club. To support their Basin League teams, new stadiums were built in Rapid City and Sturgis, when both teams joined the league as expansion teams in 1957 and 1961 respectively. The Basin League roster structure changed in 1960. Teams were limited to three professional players per team. In 1961, the number of professionals per team was reduced from three to two. Then, in 1962, none were allowed. Professionals were allowed to manage. But by 1964, professional managers were also excluded. Amateur umpires were used by the league from 1953 to 1960. From 1962 through 1967, the Basin League received regular national coverage in the weekly publication "The Sporting News." The Sporting News covered the Basin League, as they did with lower minor professional leagues. In 1966, the Basin League amateur talent pool was damaged when the NCAA ruled that NCAA college seniors could no longer play in the league. To keep their amateur status, most Basin League players received approximately $200-$500 for the summer season, with the pay received for working 'odd jobs' in the local communities. Players often worked for the city recreation departments maintaining public facilities and baseball fields. The Basin League ceased operations after the 1973 season. The growth of youth baseball had created conflicts for fans. The NCAA had put restrictions on the league, while at the same time, major league teams were reexamining player development resources. The four league teams remaining in the final 1973 season were the Chamberlain Mallards, Pierre Cowboys, Rapid City Chiefs and Sturgis Titans. In its duration, the league was supported and promoted through the Black Hills Sports Inc. Presidents of the organization were Al Steinmetz from 1955 to 1960, followed by Cal Ackerman in 1961, Bill Baumgartner in 1962, Milo Brekhus in 1963 and Neil Simpson in 1964. Floyd Fitzgerald 1965 to 1973. R.M. 'Bus' Walseth of Pierre, served as league commissioner. For a time, the Basin League was touted as the best summer college league in the country. Comparable leagues included the

Cape Cod League The Cape Cod Baseball League (CCBL or Cape League) is a collegiate summer baseball wooden bat league located on Cape Cod in the U.S. state of Massachusetts. One of the nation's premier collegiate summer leagues, the league boasts over one thousan ...

and the

Alaska Baseball League The Alaska Baseball League (ABL) is an amateur collegiate summer baseball league. Players in the league must have attended one year of college and must have one year of NCAA eligibility remaining. The Midnight Sun Game, held at Growden Memorial ...

League Franchises/Titles

Basin League ballparks

* Chamberlain Chiefs/Mallards (1953–1956, 1968–1973). Greig Field. The ballpark is still in use today. * Huron Elks (1954–1962). Memorial Ballpark Stadium. The ballpark also hosted the Huron Cubs and

Huron Phillies The Huron Phillies was a primary name of a minor league baseball teams based Huron, South Dakota between 1920 and 1970. Huron teams last played in the Northern League from 1965 to 1970. Previous Huron minor league teams played as members of the D ...

minor league teams. *

(1953–1960). Kernel Park. Kernel Park was located adjacent to Joe Quintal Field, which is still in use today as home to Mitchell High School teams. * Mobridge Lakers (1966-1972). Mobridge Field. The field is still in use and known as the American Legion Memorial Park. * Pierre Cowboys, (1953–1973). Hyde Stadium. Hyde Stadium is still in use and is located near the state capitol and governor's mansion. * Rapid City Chiefs (1957–1973). Sioux Park Stadium. Sioux Park Stadium was built specifically for the Chiefs in 1957 and is still in use after being renamed Fitzgerald Stadium. *

Sioux Falls Packers The Sioux or Oceti Sakowin (; Dakota language, Dakota: Help:IPA, /otʃʰeːtʰi ʃakoːwĩ/) are groups of Native Americans in the United States, Native American tribes and First Nations in Canada, First Nations peoples in North America. The ...

(1964–1965).

Sioux Falls Stadium Sioux Falls Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. It originally opened in 1941 and was renovated in 2000. It is primarily used for baseball and is the home field of the unaffiliated Sioux Falls Canaries baseball team of ...

. Sioux Falls Stadium was built in 1941 and was nicknamed "The Birdcage." The ballpark is still in use and has been remodeled as home to the Sioux Falls Canaries. * Sturgis Titans (1961–1973). Strong Field. Built in 1951, Titan Field was renamed Strong Field in 1967 after the contractor who led the movement to build the facility. It is still in use today for the Sturgis Titans high school teams and American Legion teams. * Watertown Lake Sox (1954–1962).

Watertown Stadium Watertown Stadium is a stadium in Watertown, South Dakota. It was primarily used for baseball and American football and was the home of minor-league professional baseball including, most recently (c. 1970), the Watertown Expos of the Northern ...

. Watertown Stadium later became the home of the minor league Watertown Expos and is still in use today. * Winner Pheasants (1953–1957). Leahy Bowl. The Leahy Bowl was named for Winner native Frank Leahy, legendary football coach at

Notre Dame University The University of Notre Dame du Lac, known simply as Notre Dame ( ) or ND, is a private Catholic research university in Notre Dame, Indiana, outside the city of South Bend. French priest Edward Sorin founded the school in 1842. The main campus ...

. The baseball field is still in use today. * Yankton Terrys (1954–1959). Riverside Field. The Ballpark is still in use today as home to the Mount Marty College baseball team. It has been renamed Bob Tereshinski Stadium at Riverside Field after former MMC baseball coach Bob Tereshinski. * Valentine Hearts (1953–1967). Veterans Memorial Field. Veterans Memorial Field is still in use today as home to

American Legion The American Legion, commonly known as the Legion, is a non-profit organization of U.S. war War is an intense armed conflict between states, governments, societies, or paramilitary groups such as mercenaries, insurgents, and militi ...

baseball.

Notable Basin League alumni

Baseball Hall of Fame The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum is a history museum and hall of fame in Cooperstown, New York, operated by private interests. It serves as the central point of the history of baseball in the United States and displays baseball-r ...
alumni

* Bob Gibson, Chamberlain Chiefs (1956–1957) Inducted, 1981 * Pat Gillick, Valentine Hearts (1956–1957) Inducted, 2011 * Jim Palmer, Winner Pheasants (1963) Inducted, 1990 * Don Sutton, Sioux Falls Packers (1964) Inducted, 1998

Major League/notable alumni

Key:** Denotes MLB All-Star *PIERRE COWBOYS (32): Craig Anderson,

Gary Beare Gary Ray Beare (born August 22, 1952) is a former Major League Baseball Major League Baseball (MLB) is a professional baseball organization and the oldest major professional sports league in the world. MLB is composed of 30 total teams, divi ...

, Steve Boros, Tom Brown, Mike Caldwell,

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, ** Johnny Edwards, **

Sammy Ellis Samuel Joseph Ellis (February 11, 1941 – May 13, 2016) was an American professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Cincinnati Reds, California Angels, and Chicago White Sox. Ellis was an MLB All-Star in 1965 ...

Matt Galante Matthew Joseph Galante (born March 22, 1944) is a former minor League baseball infielder and Major League coach and acting manager. Playing career The , Galante attended St. John's University. While at St. John's in 1964, he played colle ...

, Carroll Hardy,

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(Baltimore Orioles Hall of Fame),

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, Bill Haywood,

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, Bill Scripture,

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, ** Kent Tekulve, Del Unser,

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, Woody Woodward, ** Geoff Zahn. * RAPID CITY CHIEFS (29): Gary Adams, **

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(1968 AL Rookie of the Year), Dave Baldwin, Tom Belcher,

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, Randy Brown,

Lou Camilli Louis Steven Camilli (born September 24, 1946) is a former Major League Baseball infielder who played for four seasons for the Cleveland Indians. A switch hitter who threw right-handed, Camilli was listed as tall and . Camilli played college b ...

, **

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, Rich Hacker, Gary Holman, ** Frank Howard (Washington Nationals Ring of Honor), Jim Johnson,

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, Steve Renko, Kal Segrist, Charlie Shoemaker,

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(MGR), Danny Thompson,

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. * STURGIS TITANS (27):

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, Frank Baker,

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, Dave Campbell,

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, Jim French,

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, Dick Joyce, Stu Locklin,

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, Jim Miles,

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Willie Norwood William Ray Norwood Sr. (born November 30, 1955) is an American gospel singer. He is the father and voice coach of R&B singers Brandy and Ray J. Career 1975–1992: Early career Willie Norwood's career in the music industry began at Jackson ...

Mike Proly Michael James Proly (born December 15, 1950) is an American former Major League Baseball pitcher who played from 1976 to 1983 for the St. Louis Cardinals, Chicago White Sox, Philadelphia Phillies, and Chicago Cubs. Mike attended Chaminade High ...

, ** Dan Quisenberry (Kansas City Royals Hall of Fame ), Bob Reed, Glenn Redmon,

Dick Selma Richard Jay Selma (November 4, 1943 – August 29, 2001) was a professional baseball player who played pitcher in the Major Leagues from 1965 to 1974. He played for the New York Mets, Chicago Cubs, San Diego Padres, Philadelphia Phillies, Californ ...

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, Tommy Smith,

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(1968 NL Rookie of the Year),

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, Jimy Williams (1999 AL Manager of the Year). * WINNER PHEASANTS (18):

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, Jim Burton, Pete Craig,

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Purnal Goldy Purnal William Goldy (November 28, 1937 – September 21, 2009) was an American professional baseball outfielder. Goldy was a right fielder in Major League Baseball who played for portions of the and seasons for the Detroit Tigers. Listed at ta ...

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, Don Lee,

Mickey Livingston Thompson Orville "Mickey" Livingston (November 15, 1914 – April 3, 1983) was an American professional baseball catcher. He played ten seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) between and for the Washington Senators, Philadelphia Phillies, Chi ...

(MGR), ** Jim Lonborg (1967 AL

Cy Young Award The Cy Young Award is given annually to the best pitchers in Major League Baseball (MLB), one each for the American League (AL) and National League (NL). The award was first introduced in 1956 by Baseball Commissioner Ford Frick in honor of Hall ...

Winner),

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, Carl Morton (1970 NL Rookie of the Year), **

Mickey Owen Arnold Malcolm "Mickey" Owen (April 4, 1916 – July 13, 2005) was an American professional baseball player, coach and scout. He played as a catcher for 13 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) between and for the St. Louis Cardinals, Brookly ...

(MGR), John Noriega,

Tony Ordeñana Antonio Ordeñana Rodríguez 'Or-deh-nyahna''(October 30, 1918 – September 29, 1988), nicknamed "Mosquito", was a Major League Baseball shortstop who appeared in one game for the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1943. The 5'9", 158 lb. rookie was a nativ ...

, **Jim Palmer, Merv Rettenmund,

Ted Schreiber Theodore Henry Schreiber (July 11, 1938 – September 8, 2022) was an American professional baseball player. He played part of one season () in Major League Baseball — largely as a third baseman — with the New York Mets, batting .160 with no ...

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. * WATERTOWN LAKE SOX (13):

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, ** Dick Howser (MGR- 1985 World Champion KC Royals), Chuck Lindstrom, Ron Perranoski, ** Dick Radatz,

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(First pick, 1955 NBA draft),

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, Duffy Dyer, Pat Gillick,

Lou Marone Louis Stephen Marone (December 3, 1945 – November 27, 2015) was an American professional baseball player, a left-handed relief pitcher who appeared in 30 Major League Baseball games as a member of the 1969–1970 Pittsburgh Pirates. He was the c ...

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, Scott Reid, Dave Robinson, **

Paul Splittorff Paul William Splittorff Jr. (; October 8, 1946 – May 25, 2011) was an American professional baseball player and television sports commentator. He played his entire career in Major League Baseball as a left-handed pitcher for the Kansas City Roya ...

(Kansas City Royals Hall of Fame ), Ken Suarez,

Bill Zepp William Clinton Zepp (born July 22, 1946), is an American former professional baseball player. A right-handed pitcher, he attended the University of Michigan and later played professional baseball for four years from 1968 to 1971, including stints ...

. * MITCHELL KERNELS (9):

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, Doug Clemens, **

Eddie Fisher Edwin Jack Fisher (August 10, 1928 – September 22, 2010) was an American singer and actor. He was one of the most popular artists during the 1950s, selling millions of records and hosting his own TV show, ''The Eddie Fisher Show''. Actress Eli ...

, Dick Green, ** Dave Giusti,** Randy Gumpert, Dean Look, ** Jim O'Toole (Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame), ** Don Schwall. * CHAMBERLAIN CHIEFS/MALLARDS (7):

Bob Apodaca Robert John Apodaca (; born January 31, 1950) is a former American Major League Baseball pitcher, and an assistant to Colorado Rockies General manager Jeff Bridich. Since 2013, he has worked with pitchers in the Rockies' lower-level minor leag ...

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, **Bob Gibson, Tom Harmon, Jim Lentine,

John Littlefield John Andrew Littlefield (born January 5, 1954) is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He pitched two seasons in the major leagues, for the St. Louis Cardinals and for the San Diego Padres. He appeared in 94 games, all as a reliever In ...

(MGR),

Mickey O'Neil George Michael Jakob O'Neil (April 12, 1900 in St. Louis, Missouri – April 8, 1964), was a professional baseball player who played catcher from 1919 to 1927. O'Neil was coaching third base for the Brooklyn Robins when Babe Herman "doubled int ...

, ** John Stearns. * HURON ELKS (7):

Jerry Adair Kenneth Jerry Adair (December 17, 1936 – May 31, 1987) was an American Major League Baseball second baseman, shortstop and third baseman with the Baltimore Orioles, Chicago White Sox, Boston Red Sox and the Kansas City Royals between 1958 and ...

, Jack Brittin,

Fritz Fisher Frederick Brown "Fritz" Fisher (born November 28, 1941) is an American former professional baseball player. A left-handed pitcher who attended the University of Michigan (where he compiled a 21–9 record, including a 9–1 mark in his senior year ...

, Mike Joyce, Frank Kreutzer, Gary Wagner,

Johnny Watson Johnny is an English language personal name. It is usually an affectionate diminutive of the masculine given name John (given name), John, but from the 16th century it has sometimes been a given name in its own right for males and, less commonly ...

. * YANKTON TERRYS (6):

Ed Hobaugh Edward Russell Hobaugh (born June 27, 1934) is a retired American Major League Baseball player. The right-handed pitcher appeared in 61 big league games pitched between 1961 and 1963 for the Washington Senators. Born in Kittanning, Pennsylvani ...

, Rex Johnston, Bobby Klaus, Bill Lajoie,

Marv Olson Marvin Clement Olson 'Sparky''(May 28, 1907 – February 5, 1998) was a second baseman in Major League Baseball who played from through for the Boston Red Sox. Listed at , 160 lb., Olson batted and threw right-handed. A native of Gayvill ...

, (MGR), Norm Stewart ( College Basketball Hall of Fame). * MOBRIDGE LAKERS (4): Derek Bryant, Ron Cash,

Gene Hiser Gene Taylor Hiser (born December 11, 1948 in Baltimore, Maryland) is an American former professional baseball outfielder who played five seasons for the Chicago Cubs from through . He was drafted in the 1st round (19th pick) of the 1970 amateu ...

, Del Youngblood (MGR). * SIOUX FALLS PACKERS (4):

Al Schmelz Alan George Schmelz (born November 12, 1943) is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who played for the New York Mets in 1967. Early life Prior to playing professionally, Schmelz attended Arizona State University. Major league career Schmelz m ...

, **Don Sutton,

Jon Warden Jon Warden (born October 1, 1946) is an American baseball player originally from Columbus, Ohio. A left-handed pitcher, he was selected by the Detroit Tigers in the fourth round of the 1966 amateur draft. In the 1968 season, he played 28 games ...

, **

Clyde Wright Clyde Wright (born February 20, 1941), nicknamed "Skeeter", is an American former professional baseball player. A left-handed pitcher, he played all or part of ten seasons in Major League Baseball for the California Angels (1966–73), Milwauk ...

. * HURON ELKS (3):

Phil Haugstad Philip Donald Haugstad (February 23, 1924 – October 21, 1998) was a pitcher in Major League Baseball. He was born in Black River Falls, Wisconsin. Haugstad pitched from 1947 to 1952 with the Brooklyn Dodgers and Cincinnati Reds. External link ...

, Bobby Klaus,

Dave Thies David Robert Thies (born March 21, 1937) is an American former professional baseball pitcher who appeared in nine Major League Baseball (MLB) games for the Kansas City Athletics. Born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, he threw and batted right-handed a ...

References

{{Professional Baseball Summer baseball leagues College baseball leagues in the United States Baseball leagues in South Dakota Baseball leagues in Nebraska Defunct independent baseball leagues in the United States Sports leagues established in 1953 Sports leagues disestablished in 1973 Defunct minor baseball leagues in the United States