National Baseball Congress

The National Baseball Congress Foundation is a nonprofit dedicated to perpetuate, grow, and popularize the NBC World Series as the premier summer showcase for the best baseball players in the world. We strive to provide our participants an opportunity to compete against the best, establish and sustain strong partnerships, and provide an entertaining and memorable event for all generations of fans. Brief History The National Baseball Congress World Series was first played in 1935. However, the idea came about a few years prior when Wichita sporting goods salesman, Raymond “Hap” Dumont, formed the idea of creating a National Baseball Congress State Tournament. The idea was conceived after watching a Sunday baseball game between circus clowns and local firemen. Dumont formulated the idea that if the City of Wichita would build a new stadium, he would host a national semi-pro tournament, hoping to draw teams from coast to coast. The city built the stadium on the west bank just south of the old park and named it after Wichita pioneer Robert Lawrence. Satchel Paige was considered the greatest pitcher of that era and in 1935, Dumont offered him an impressive sum of $1,000 to bring his touring team from Bismarck, N.D., to compete in the first NBC World Series. Paige’s pitching prowess proved to be true as he struck out 60 batters and won four games–a record that still stands today. Thousands of young prospects and ex-major leaguers have played in the tournament, which is still held in the stadium “Hap” helped build. In the first few decades, most of the teams were either barnstorming semi-pro clubs or town teams sponsored by local factories. The typical star was an ex-professional, and many of the players had also played major league ball. As a result of Dumont’s success over the last 84 years, the NBC has helped produce over 800 professional players. The tournament has become a widespread tradition within the city of Wichita, gaining popularity across the country.