The Chillicothe Paints were one of the eight original franchises to begin Frontier League play in 1993. Two teams, the West Virginia Coal Sox and the Tri-State Tomahawks did not complete the season as the league struggled with stability.[3] In 1994, the Paints featured Brian Tollberg who went 7–4, 2.48 ERA, and was then signed by the Milwaukee Brewers organization. Tollberg would become the first Frontier League alumnus to make the majors when he started for the San Diego Padres on June 7, 2000, pitching 7 innings in a 3-1 Padres victory.[6][7]
The league solidified and the Paints found their footing by 1996 when Chillicothe dominated the league with a 48-26 (.649) record, advancing to the Frontier League championship, losing to the Springfield Capitals 3–0 in the best of five series.[8] This was the first of six championship series appearances for the Paints during the Frontier League era, none of which resulted in a championship. The 1996 Paints were led by a trio of power bats in Scott Pinoni (.384 BA, 11 HR, 65 RBI), Jackie Jempsen (.340 BA, 13 HR, 57 RBI) and Mitch House (.305 BA, 18 HR, 53 RBI).[9]
Manager Roger Hanners had the team in the championship series again in both 1998 and 1999, dropping the 1998 series to Springfield 2-1[10][11] and the 1999 title series to the London Werewolves 2–0 in a best of three.[12] The Paints were led at this time by the stellar hitting of Gator McBride, a former Atlanta Braves farmhand, who came to Chillicothe and would finish his Frontier League career with a .423 BA, .758 slugging percentage, 27 homers, and 111 RBI. The Boston Red Sox took notice of his resurrected career and signed him after 39 games of the 1999 season.[13][14] His career was cut short by injuries sustained in an automobile accident in February 2000, forcing him into retirement.[15][16][17]
The Paints returned to the Frontier League championship in 2001 with a division-winning 51-31 (.607) record, but were upset by the Richmond Roosters 2–0 in the series.[18] Rick Blanc (13-1, 3.24 ERA), Matt McKay (.345 BA, 1 HR, 48 RBI), Darin Kinsolving (.327 BA, 10 HR, 62 RBI) and Joe Colameco (.325 BA, 10 HR, 60 RBI) paced the balanced Chillicothe squad.[19]
Former major-leaguer Glenn Wilson took over as manager in 2005[20] and took the Paints to back-to-back championship appearances, dropping the 2005 series 3–2 to the Kalamazoo Kings[21][22] and the 2006 series 3–0 to the Evansville Otters.[23] John Martinez (16-4, 3.11 ERA), Jose Rodriguez (.380 BA, 5 HR, 36 RBI), and John Ramistella (.317 BA, 20 HR, 73 RBI) led the 2005 Paints,[24] while Kurt Hartfelder (10-5, 16.7 ERA) and Travis Garcia (.289 BA, 11 HR, 66 RBI) led the 2006 team.[25] VA Memorial Stadium had grass from 1993 to 2005, but the ballpark installed FieldTurf in 2006, the first baseball field in the United States to have a 100% FieldTurf playing surface, including base, mound and home plate areas.[26][27]
Paints outfielder in front of the VA Memorial Stadium scoreboard in 2006
The Frontier League had changed from predominately rural and smaller towns into a suburban league over the years, and the Paints faced financial and attendance challenges as a result.[28][29] Following the 2008 season, the ownership announced that they would leave the Frontier League, becoming an amateur collegiate summer baseball team. The Paints were the longest tenured franchise in the Frontier League in 2008 and the last remaining original Frontier League team in the league.[30][31][32]
The Paints are represented in the Frontier League Hall of Fame by owner Dr. Chris Hanners, 1B Scott Pinoni, infielder Mitch House, OF Willie Edwards, pitcher Bobby Chandler, OF Gator McBride, and 3B Travis Garcia.[33]
Prospect League era
Since 2009, the Chillicothe Paints have competed in the Prospect League, an amateur collegiate summer league. In 2010, the Paints won their first Prospect League championship against the Danville Dans on an 11th inning walk off home run by Ian Nielsen.[34] The 2010 Paints were led by OF Jeff Holm (.359 BA, 11 HR, 60 RBI), pitcher Blake Mascarello (7-1, 2.86 ERA) and closer Kyle Lindquist (4-1, 10 saves, 2.86 ERA).[35]
The Paints celebrated their 25th season in 2017. As part of the festivities, the Paints retired longtime coach Marty Dunn's number 25 in a pregame ceremony that included former players and staff throughout the first 24 seasons of Paints baseball. That season, the Paints averaged 1,959 fans per game, setting a franchise record in both average attendance and total attendance. The 58,755 total attendance marked a new Prospect League record. The Paints ranked in the top 10 of all summer collegiate teams nationwide in per-game attendance in 2017.[36][37]
After missing the playoffs in 2016 and 2017, Chillicothe made a return to the playoffs in 2018, losing to the Kokomo Jackrabbits two games to one in the East Division Championship Series. It was the first playoff appearance for manager Brian Bigam since he took over the reins in 2016. Jack Raines was named the Prospect League's Galen Woods Fireman of the Year (Reliever of the Year).[38]
The Paints began the 2019 season 2–7, but went 41-14 the rest of the campaign (including 3–1 in the playoffs) and defeated the Danville Dans in a one-game East Division Championship Game and then, after losing game one of the Prospect League Championship Series at home to the league's newest team, the Cape Catfish, the Paints won games two and three in Cape Girardeau, Mo., to capture the franchise's second league title. Trailing 2–1 in the middle of the game, Trey Smith hit a grand slam to put Chillicothe in the lead 5–2, the eventual final score.[39][40] Closer Nate Haugh was named the Prospect League's Galen Woods Fireman of the Year (Reliever of the Year) and the team was paced by C Cole Andrews (.320 BA, 11 HR, 61 RBI) and pitcher Austin Calopietro (6-1, 2.47 ERA).[41] For the first time in team history, the Paints averaged at least 2,000 fans per game (2,037) and totaled 57,040 for the season, leading the league and ranking 15th nationally in both categories among similar type teams nationwide.[42][43]
Retired numbers
20 - OF Gator McBride (All-Star and hit leader)
22 - P Brian Tollberg (first Frontier League player to make it to the MLB with the San Diego Padres)
24 - SS Travis O. Garcia (2007 FL Most Valuable Player)
25 - Bench Coach Martin Dunn (Paints' Bench Coach from 1993 to 2015)
27 - 3B Mitch House (3-time All-Star)
29 - OF Steve Martin (died during the 2006 season)[44][45]
30 - DH/1B Scott Pinoni (1999 Most Valuable Player; 3-time All-Star)
50 - Manager Roger Hanners (1993 FL Manager of the Year, managed Paints 1993–2000)
Won Ohio River Valley Division Championship (Johnstown) Won Eastern Conference Championship (Illinois Valley) Won Prospect League Championship (Alton)
Jackson White
2023†
1st
41
17
.707
Won Ohio River Valley Division Championship (Champion City) Won Eastern Conference Championship (Springfield) Won Prospect League Championship (Quincy)
The Kalamazoo Kings were a professional baseball team based in Kalamazoo, Michigan, in the United States between 2001-2010. The Kings were a member of the independent Frontier League. The Kings played their home games at Homer Stryker Field. A previous Frontier League team named the Kalamazoo Kodiaks had existed in Kalamazoo from 1996-1998, playing in the same stadium, before relocating to London, Ontario and being renamed the London Werewolves.
The Richmond Roosters were a professional baseball team based in Richmond, Indiana from 1995 to 2005. The Roosters played in the independent Frontier League, which at that time had no affiliation with Major League Baseball.
The Rockford Aviators were a professional baseball team based in Rockford, Illinois that played in the independent Frontier League. Rockford previously had a team in the Frontier League called the RiverHawks (2002-2009). There was no Rockford team in the Frontier League in 2010 as the team played in the independent Northern League. A separate RiverHawks franchise then returned to the Frontier League in 2011 and changed the team name to the Aviators in 2013. The RiverHawks began play at Marinelli Field. In 2006, Rockford moved to RiverHawks Stadium, now known as Rivets Stadium, located in Loves Park, Illinois.
The Traverse City Beach Bums were a professional baseball team based in the Traverse City, Michigan suburb of Blair Township from 2006-2018. The Beach Bums played in the independent Frontier League.
Donald Neil Johnston was an American basketball player and coach. A center, Johnston played in the National Basketball Association (NBA) from 1951 to 1959. He was a member of the Philadelphia Warriors for his entire career. Known for his hook shot, Johnston was a six-time NBA All-Star; he led the NBA in scoring three times and led the league in rebounding once. He won an NBA championship with the Warriors in 1956. After his playing career ended due to a knee injury, Johnston coached in the NBA, in other professional basketball leagues, and at the collegiate level. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as a player in 1990.
V.A. Memorial Stadium is a baseball stadium located on the grounds of the Veterans Administration Hospital campus off of OH-104, three miles north of Chillicothe, Ohio. It is officially designated as building 244. The stadium is the home field of the Chillicothe Paints, a collegiate wooden bat baseball team in the Prospect League. Though primarily used for baseball, V.A. Memorial Stadium has been used for softball, soccer, and other non-sporting events.
The Springfield Lucky Horseshoes are a collegiate summer league baseball team of the Prospect League. They play at Robin Roberts Stadium at Lanphier Park and are based in the city of Springfield, Illinois. The team was established in November 2007 as the Springfield Sliders and were an expansion franchise for the 2008 season. The Lucky Horseshoes and other collegiate summer leagues and teams exist to give top college players professional-like experience without affecting NCAA eligibility.
Michael Christopher Cervenak is an American former professional baseball third baseman, who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Philadelphia Phillies in 2008.
Below are the rosters of the minor league affiliates of the Cincinnati Reds, and short biographies on some of the top prospects in the organization:
The Prospect League is a collegiate summer baseball league comprising teams of college players from North America and beyond. All players in the league must have NCAA eligibility remaining in order to participate. So as to maintain their college eligibility, players are not paid. Beginning in 2012, the league added four games to the season, making a total of 60 games per team.
The Danville Dans are a collegiate summer league baseball team located in Danville, Illinois. The team plays in the Prospect League, which their former league, the NCAA-sanctioned Central Illinois Collegiate League, was absorbed into after the 2008 season.
The Butler BlueSox are a collegiate summer baseball team based in Butler, Pennsylvania, in the United States. They are a member of the Tri-State Collegiate League and were formerly a member of the East Division of the summer collegiate Prospect League.
Phillip S. Ervin is an American professional baseball outfielder for the New Jersey Jackals of the Frontier League. Prior to playing professionally, Ervin attended Samford University, where he played college baseball for the Bulldogs. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Cincinnati Reds and Seattle Mariners.
Nicholas Peter Senzel is an American professional baseball outfielder and third baseman for the Washington Nationals of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Cincinnati Reds. Prior to playing professionally, Senzel attended the University of Tennessee, where he played college baseball for the Volunteers. The Reds selected him with the second overall selection in the 2016 MLB draft and he made his major league debut in 2019.
Keegan Lee Akin is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Baltimore Orioles of Major League Baseball (MLB). He made his MLB debut in 2020.
Brenden Patrick Spillane is an American professional baseball first baseman and outfielder for the Windy City ThunderBolts of the Frontier League.
Jonathan Joseph India is an American professional baseball infielder for the Cincinnati Reds of Major League Baseball (MLB).
The Traverse City Pit Spitters are a baseball team in the Northwoods League, a collegiate summer baseball league, and began play in the 2019 season. Based out of Traverse City, Michigan, the Pit Spitters play their home games at Turtle Creek Stadium in nearby Blair Township. The team began play at Turtle Creek Stadium in 2019 after the park's former tenant, the Traverse City Beach Bums of the Frontier League, ceased operations at the end of the 2018 season.
Judson Edward Fabian is an American professional baseball outfielder in the Baltimore Orioles organization.
The Johnstown Mill Rats are a collegiate summer baseball team based in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. They are a member of the East Conference of the summer collegiate Prospect League. The Mill Rats were founded in 2020 and began play at Point Stadium in 2021.
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