By Greg Halbleib
NORMAL – After nine years as a professional baseball organization, the Normal CornBelters are turning to one of the top summer collegiate leagues to continue play, and are doing so under new ownership.
The CornBelters announced Monday the team will join the Prospect League beginning with the 2019 season. The Belters were in the independent Frontier League since the team’s first season in 2010.
The team’s new owners are already involved with the Prospect League. Co-owner Rick DeStefane is the owner of the Hannibal Hoots and is joining forces with the owner of longtime baseball franchise Quincy Gems, Jimmie Louthan.
DeStefane said the Prospect League is considered the Number 3 summer collegiate league out of more than 30 such circuits in the country, with many players eventually entering Major League organizations. DeStefane said about 90 Prospect League players were drafted by Major League organizations over the past three years.
“That’s pretty good over a three-year period, about eight percent (of players drafted),” DeStefane said. “That’s the first thing. You get quality baseball.”
DeStefane pointed out the Prospect League has advanced well beyond the roots of its predecessor, the Central Illinois Collegiate League, with more of a professional feel found in minor and independent leagues.
“My stadium in Hannibal is a beautiful place to play with a wonderful environment,” DeStefane said. “This (Corn Crib) is the creme de la creme. This is first class and that’s exciting, too. If we do this right, we should be able to fill these seats and provide a wonderful experience for families for years to come.”
Prospect League Commissioner Dennis Bastien said the level of facilities as well as the image of the league is continuing to improve.
“They’re building a new $22 million ballpark in Lafayette (Indiana) at the conclusion of the 2020 season,” Bastien said. “We have ballparks that are historic, (such as in) Danville. We have ballparks that are absolutely remarkable for this level of play.”
Bastien was a co-founder of the Belters’ former league, the Frontier League. He called the Corn Crib “the Yankee Stadium of summer collegiate baseball.”
Steve Malliet, the team’s principal founder and general manager, will remain with the CornBelters according to DeStefane, who added that a head coach has been hired and will be announced later.
The Prospect League uses wood bats and plays a 60-game regular season with 30 home dates. Play begins in late May and continues through early August.
Greg Halbleib can be reached at [email protected].
