The Champion City Kings are a college summer baseball team located in Springfield, Ohio. The Kings are a member of the East Division of the wood bat Prospect League and have been a member since 2013. The Kings play at Carleton Davidson Stadium, which is also the home of the NCAA DIII Wittenberg University Tigers.

Champion City Kings
Information
LeagueProspect League (Eastern Conference – Northeast Division)
LocationSpringfield, Ohio
BallparkCarleton Davidson Stadium
Founded2009 (as the Slippery Rock Sliders)
League championships0
Division championships1 (2021)
ColorsRoyal Blue, Red, Black, White
ManagerStephen Larkin
General ManagerGinger Fulton
Websitehttp://www.championcitykings.com
The Champion City Kings host the Danville Dans at Carleton Davidson Stadium in Springfield, Ohio on June 18, 2015

The Kings are led by General Manager Ginger Fulton and Field Manager Gavin Murphy.

The franchise was previously located in Slippery Rock, PA and was known as the Sliders prior to relocating to Ohio in time for the 2014 season.[1][2] The Sliders were originally a member of the Frontier League,[3] but left the league after the 2007 season, its only year as a member.

The Kings play in the Prospect League's Eastern Conference – Northeast Division along with the Chillicothe Paints, Johnstown Mill Rats, and Lafayette Aviators.[4]

Seasons

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Season Manager Record Win % Division GB Post-season record Post-season win % Post-season result Notes
2007 Greg Jelks 29–66 .305 4th 26.0 0–0 .000 Did not qualify
2008 Ceased operations for one season
2009 Chase Rowe 22–31 .415 5th 7.5 0–0 .000 Did not qualify As the Slippery Rock Sliders
2010 Andy Chalot 21–33 .389 4th 17.0 0–0 .000 Did not qualify
2011 Andy Chalot/Jon Rodriguez 26–29 .473 3rd 2.5 0–1 .000 Lost East Division Championship (West Virginia) Made playoffs as 1st Half East Division champion
2012 Shawn Pynn 20–40 .333 5th 20.5 0–0 .000 Did not qualify
2013 Brett Neffendorf 28–32 .467 4th 10.0 0–0 .000 Did not qualify Final season in Slippery Rock
2014 Brett Neffendorf[5] 21–39 .350 5th 19.0 0–0 .000 Did not qualify
2015 Chris Perkovich[6] 24–35 .407 5th 13.5 0–0 .000 Did not qualify
2016 Rick White 27–33 .450 5th 7.5 0–0 .000 Did not qualify
2017 Mike Ruechel 29–29 .500 3rd 7.0 0–0 .000 Did not qualify
2018 Arthur Stenberg[7] 26–33 .441 5th 11.0 0–0 .000 Did not qualify
2019 John Jeanes 25–34 .424 5th 14.5 0–0 .000 Did not qualify
2020 Season cancelled (COVID-19 pandemic)
2021 Gavin Murphy 28–30 .483 2nd 7.0 1–1 .500 Won Ohio River Valley Division Championship (Chillicothe)
Lost Eastern Conference Championship (Lafayette)
Made playoffs with 2nd best 2nd half record
2022 Gavin Murphy 23–34 .404 3rd 13.5 0–0 .000 Did not qualify
2023 Gavin Murphy 29–29 .500 2nd 12.0 0–1 .000 Lost Ohio River Valley Division Championship (Chillicothe)
2024 Stephen Larkin 0–0 .000 0–0 .000
Totals 378–527 .418 1–3 .250

Roster

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Active roster Coaches/Other

Pitchers

  • -- John Culley
  • -- Bennett LaPalm
  • -- Joe Stone



 

Catchers

  • -- Nate Miller

Infielders

  • -- Braylen Blomquist
  • -- Johnny Costella
  • -- Drew Gaskins
  • -- Kolten Poorman
  • -- Preston Steele

Outfielders

  • -- Parker Falkenstein
  • -- Ray Hawkins
  • -- Ale Jones
 

Manager

Coaches

  • -- Jared Hatch (pitching)
  • -- Mark Lucas (assistant)

  Disabled list
‡ Inactive list
§ Suspended list

 updated February 19, 2024

References

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  1. ^ Reichard, Kevin (October 31, 2013). "Prospect League's Sliders move to Springfield, will play as Champion City Kings". Ballpark Digest. August Publications. Retrieved June 21, 2018.
  2. ^ Cohn, Bob (October 31, 2013). "Slippery Rock Sliders moving to Ohio". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Retrieved June 21, 2018.
  3. ^ Simonich, Milan (August 4, 2007). "Boys of summer -- The Sliders playing baseball on slippery ground". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Archived from the original on June 21, 2018. Retrieved June 21, 2018.
  4. ^ "2024 Prospect League Standings - Prospect League Baseball". www.prospectleague.com. Retrieved November 16, 2023.
  5. ^ "Kings Add Four Infielders". Champion City Kings. April 29, 2014. Archived from the original on June 21, 2018. Retrieved June 21, 2018.
  6. ^ "Chris Perkovich Named Manager". Champion City Kings. October 21, 2014. Archived from the original on June 21, 2018. Retrieved June 21, 2018.
  7. ^ "Champion City Kings coaching staff". Champion City Kings. Archived from the original on June 21, 2018. Retrieved June 21, 2018.