April 27th, 2023. .hYmwpY{display:block;}/*!sc*/ .evwvnJ p{margin-top:0;}/*!sc*/ I was a better basketball player than I ever was a baseball player, Groat told the Charlotte News & Observer in 2018. .mHQYb header.mlb-header[data-is-club] .header__nav-top .header__nav-top__tagline img,.mHQYb header.mlb-header[data-is-microsite] .header__nav-top .header__nav-top__tagline img{height:56px;max-width:512px;line-height:56px;}/*!sc*/ .mHQYb header.mlb-header .mlb-header__login-menu{border-color:#057AFF;}/*!sc*/ The Central League was a minor league baseball league that operated sporadically from 1903-1917, 1920-1922, 1926, 1928-1930, 1934, and 1948-1951. .ggWmAj .sticky-header__header{grid-column:1 / span 8;}/*!sc*/ .mHQYb header.mlb-header.mlb-header--side-nav-closed .header__nav-top__nav-container .header__subnav{display:none;pointer-events:none;}/*!sc*/ The City of Fort Wayne made the highly controversial move to relocate its baseball franchise to a new $30 million ballpark Downtown, renaming them the TinCaps. Hamilton, Ontario. .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__subnav__item:hover{background-color:#057AFF;color:#ffffff;}/*!sc*/ [type="checkbox"],[type="radio"]{box-sizing:border-box;padding:0;}/*!sc*/ .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top__button .header__nav-top__nav-item__text{display:none;}/*!sc*/ Groat, who passed away on April 27 at age 92, enjoyed a 14-year playing career, mainly with the Pirates and Cardinals. @media (max-width:1023px){.mHQYb header.mlb-header.mlb-header--side-nav-open .header__nav-side__nav-items{font-size:14px;}}/*!sc*/ @media screen and (min-width:1024px){.mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-side__nav-item--inner:hover a,.mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-side__nav-item--inner:hover span{color:#ffffff;}.mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-side__nav-item--inner:hover .p-icon *{fill:#ffffff;}}/*!sc*/ .hUHmCp > article .ad-top-right-container,.hUHmCp > article .ad-bottom-right-container{position:relative;margin-bottom:64px;min-height:250px;}/*!sc*/ @media (max-width:1023px){.mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top__nav-items--quick--show-revenue .header__nav-top__nav-item{margin-top:-12px;}.mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top__nav-items--quick--show-revenue .header__nav-top__nav-item__link{padding:0;}}/*!sc*/ South Bend Cubs vs. Fort Wayne TinCaps is happening on Tuesday, June 20, 2023 at 07:05PM EDT at Four Winds Field at Coveleski Stadium. data-styled.g161[id="newsletterOptinstyle__Submit-sc-d7sh2p-6"]{content:"huJzbO,"}/*!sc*/ In 1926, the league merged mid-season with the Michigan State League and played under that name for the remainder of the season. .mHQYb .p-search__list--multiple-type .p-search-item--team:first-of-type:before,.mHQYb .p-search__list--multiple-type .p-search-item--team + .p-search-item--player:before{color:#737373;font-size:12px;position:absolute;left:10px;top:10px;padding-top:12px;}/*!sc*/ .XOHMa{bottom:0;left:0;position:absolute;right:0;top:0;}/*!sc*/ For Horizon League doubleheaders, the first game will be a 7 inning game with the second game being a 9 inning game. Monday - Thursday: 8AM - 5PM Friday: 8AM - 3PM. Fort Wayne FC is invested in the Fort Wayne community and strives to make a positive impact through the game of soccer. @media (min-width:1024px){.mHQYb header.mlb-header.mlb-header--side-nav-closed .header__nav-top__nav-container .header__subnav{opacity:0;display:none;left:-9999px;position:absolute;margin:0px;-webkit-transition:opacity 100ms ease 100ms;transition:opacity 100ms ease 100ms;pointer-events:initial;border-top:solid 4px #002867;border-radius:0 0 6px 6px;box-shadow:0px 0px 14px 0px rgba(0,0,0,0.25);}.mHQYb header.mlb-header.mlb-header--side-nav-closed .header__nav-top__nav-container .header__subnav__content{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-box-pack:start;-webkit-justify-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-pack:start;justify-content:flex-start;}.mHQYb header.mlb-header.mlb-header--side-nav-closed .header__nav-top__nav-container .header__subnav__item,.mHQYb header.mlb-header.mlb-header--side-nav-closed .header__nav-top__nav-container .header__subnav__group-title{padding:11px 8px;white-space:nowrap;}.mHQYb header.mlb-header.mlb-header--side-nav-closed .header__nav-top__nav-container .header__subnav__item:not(.header__subnav--teams__team),.mHQYb header.mlb-header.mlb-header--side-nav-closed .header__nav-top__nav-container .header__subnav__group-title{display:block;}.mHQYb header.mlb-header.mlb-header--side-nav-closed .header__nav-top__nav-container .header__subnav__group{-webkit-flex:1 1 auto;-ms-flex:1 1 auto;flex:1 1 auto;}.mHQYb header.mlb-header.mlb-header--side-nav-closed .header__nav-top__nav-container .header__subnav__group-title{background-color:#ffffff;}.mHQYb header.mlb-header.mlb-header--side-nav-closed .header__nav-top__nav-container .header__nav-top__nav-item{position:relative;}.mHQYb header.mlb-header.mlb-header--side-nav-closed .header__nav-top__nav-container .header__nav-top__nav-item:hover .header__nav-top__nav-item__text,.mHQYb header.mlb-header.mlb-header--side-nav-closed .header__nav-top__nav-container .header__nav-top__nav-item[aria-expanded='true'] .header__nav-top__nav-item__text{opacity:1;}.mHQYb header.mlb-header.mlb-header--side-nav-closed .header__nav-top__nav-container .header__nav-top__nav-item--parent[aria-expanded='true']{border-bottom:none;}.mHQYb header.mlb-header.mlb-header--side-nav-closed .header__nav-top__nav-container .header__nav-top__nav-item--parent[aria-expanded='true']::after{opacity:1;}.mHQYb header.mlb-header.mlb-header--side-nav-closed .header__nav-top__nav-container .header__nav-top__nav-item--parent[aria-expanded='true'] .header__subnav{display:block;opacity:1;top:52px;left:0px;}.mHQYb header.mlb-header.mlb-header--side-nav-closed .header__nav-top__nav-container .header__nav-top__nav-item--parent[aria-expanded='true'] .header__subnav--pin-to-right{right:0;left:auto;}}/*!sc*/ . .mHQYb .p-search-item__team-logo{margin-right:15px;max-height:25px;width:25px;}/*!sc*/ You have selected an away game. .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top__nav-item__link .icon__nav-item{margin-right:5px;width:10px;height:15px;-webkit-flex-shrink:0;-ms-flex-negative:0;flex-shrink:0;}/*!sc*/ Box Score Video. .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top__nav-item--spotlight .header__nav-top__nav-item__text{color:#ffffff;}/*!sc*/ (); : Steve Zacher, President and Managing Broker for The Zacher Company, Mike Nutter, President of TinCaps Baseball. [type="search"]{-webkit-appearance:textfield;outline-offset:-2px;}/*!sc*/ #react-header{width:100%;}/*!sc*/ Contact. .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top__nav-item--mobile-quick-nav{display:inline;}/*!sc*/ *{box-sizing:border-box;}/*!sc*/ South Bend Cubs vs. Fort Wayne TinCaps is happening on Tuesday, June 20, 2023 at 07:05PM EDT at Four Winds Field at Coveleski Stadium. .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top__nav-container__primary{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;width:100%;padding:0px;}/*!sc*/ .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top__nav-item--spotlight:hover{background-color:lighten;}/*!sc*/ @font-face{font-family:'proxima-nova';src:url('https://www.mlbstatic.com/mlb.com/fonts/proxima-nova-bold-italic.woff2') format('woff2'), url('https://www.mlbstatic.com/mlb.com/fonts/proxima-nova-bold-italic.woff') format('woff');font-weight:700;font-style:italic;}/*!sc*/ What Mr. Groat did possess was a superb glove at shortstop and unflappable reliability at the plate, a line-drive hitter who could spray the ball anywhere in the field. 2022: Played in 30 games with 14 starts (nine at designated hitter, three at third base and two at first base) . He did the math: his two-year stint would be over in time for spring training with the Pirates in 1955. Groat lacked great speed for a middle infielder but another Hall of Famer and Pirates executive, Pie Traynor, observed, Hes fast on his feet, has a good arm and splendid coordination from playing basketball.. Copyright Issue Media Group. .mHQYb .mlb-header__login-menu{background:#ffffff;border-top:solid 4px #002867;box-shadow:0 2px 4px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.2);box-shadow:6px 6px 15px -3px rgba(0,0,0,0.25);left:-99em;opacity:0;padding:10px;position:absolute;right:0;-webkit-transition:opacity 1ms ease 1ms;transition:opacity 1ms ease 1ms;width:160px;z-index:99992;}/*!sc*/ Fort Wayne Blues win game 1 5-2 over the Portland Rockets I'm the first game of a DH at Carrington Field In game 2 the Blues 1 Rockets 0 @media (min-width:768px){.mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top__logo img{min-height:40px;max-height:40px;}}/*!sc*/ His season was cut short after 26 games. Click here to check out the schedule of college and high school teams playing at Parkview Field! .mHQYb body.side-nav-open{position:fixed;overflow:hidden;overscroll-behavior:none;touch-action:none;}/*!sc*/ .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top__nav-container{-webkit-order:99;-ms-flex-order:99;order:99;display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-flex:99 1 100%;-ms-flex:99 1 100%;flex:99 1 100%;width:100%;}/*!sc*/ He became part of a growing nucleus of young talent that would lift the Pirates from National League bottom-feeders to the top of the baseball world. Minor League Baseball trademarks and copyrights are the property of Minor League Baseball. Cardinals manager Johnny Keane believed Groats veteran leadership was just what his young players needed, and that proved to be the case.\n\nGroat had his best offensive year ever in 1963, hitting .319 and leading the league with 43 doubles to go with a career-best .827 OPS. .mHQYb .mlb-header__login-menu__link{display:block;padding:10px;color:#081c3b;background-color:#f7f7f7;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}/*!sc*/ data-styled.g157[id="newsletterOptinstyle__Title-sc-d7sh2p-2"]{content:"ihHuHi,"}/*!sc*/ "He's the player the Pirates can least afford to lose," Hall of Famer Warren Spahn said in Roy Terrell's cover story on Groat in Sports Illustrated in 1960. .dLQAwR{-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;margin-right:8px;min-height:48px;margin-bottom:8px;padding-right:8px;}/*!sc*/ Groat had his best offensive year ever in 1963, hitting .319 and leading the league with 43 doubles to go with a career-best .827 OPS. Purdue University Fort Wayne Athletics. Royals, Manistee (Mich.) Saints.Pool C: Buffalo (N.Y.) Diesel, Beecher (Ill.) Muskies, Mahoning Valley (Ohio) Buckeyes, Sox Baseball (N.J.).Pool D: Berea (Ohio) Blue Sox, Chicago (Ill.) Clout, Addison (Ill.) Braves, Team Deb (N.Y.).Pool Play Aug. 3-5; Quarterfinals and Semifinals Aug. 6; Championship Aug. 7. .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__subnav{border-top:solid 4px #057AFF;}/*!sc*/ The Korean War was still going on and Groat was drafted into the Army. Stat Leaders. - Purdue Fort Wayne baseball student-athletes are spending the summer across the United States playing in college summer leagues. .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-side__main-nav{background-color:#081c3b;width:145px;-ms-overflow-style:none;}/*!sc*/ window.appId = '' Spring has arrived in Fort Wayne. .HQoYx{border:0;padding:0;text-align:center;}/*!sc*/ @media (min-width:768px){.epHHrr{max-width:500px;}}/*!sc*/ Fort Wayne FC is a soccer club based in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and a member of the United Soccer League (USL) League Two and competes in the Central Conference - Valley Division. Required fields are marked *. Career Opportunities. Basketball was the sport that I loved, but it was baseball where I knew I would make a living.. .huJzbO{margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;}/*!sc*/ .drUhS path{fill:#000000;}/*!sc*/ Chicago Bulls star Michael Jordan played in an exhibition game in 1994 for the White Sox. .blUWSx .share-button__link--message{position:absolute;display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-box-pack:center;-webkit-justify-content:center;-ms-flex-pack:center;justify-content:center;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;height:100%;left:-105px;bottom:2px;padding:0 5px;border-radius:5px;background:#041E42;color:#ffffff;font-family:"proxima-nova","open Sans","Helvetica","Arial",sans-serif;font-size:12px;}/*!sc*/ But there was no doubting what he accomplished in both sports; it just came down to which would end up being his livelihood. The last time the 'Dons played Georgia State was 2008. Request an Interpreter. .hHLkAw input::-moz-placeholder{color:#aaaaaa;}/*!sc*/ That was a first for any teams infield. Instagram. @media (min-width:768px){.mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__subnav__content{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;}.mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__subnav__group:not(:first-child){margin-left:16px;}.mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__subnav__group.cols{-webkit-column-count:2;column-count:2;-webkit-column-gap:8px;column-gap:8px;}.mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__subnav__item,.mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__subnav__group-title{width:100%;}}/*!sc*/ Basketball, however, was where the 5-foot-11 Mr. Groat was getting headlines, developing a deadly pull-up jump shot and using his quick moves to drive to the hoop. @media (min-width:1024px){.mHQYb .mlb-header__login-menu{right:32px;top:calc(56px - 4px);}.mHQYb .mlb-header[data-is-club] .mlb-header__login-menu{top:calc(112px - 4px);}}/*!sc*/ data-styled.g101[id="styles__SearchWidgetButton-sc-1vorjk3-1"]{content:"cwEpxl,"}/*!sc*/ He set an NCAA season scoring record of 831 points the 1950-1951 season, his junior year, and had an average of 23 points a game over his college playing days. He played in eight All-Star Games, encompassing five seasons, and was the 1960 National League Most Valuable Player. The entire Cardinals infield of Groat, third baseman Ken Boyer, second baseman Julian Javier and first baseman Bill White made the NL All-Star team. He was able to play both sports there and caught the attention of Rickey, who had just moved over from Brooklyn to take over the struggling Pittsburgh franchise. The series is the start of four . .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-side__nav-item--parent[aria-expanded='true'] .header__nav-side__nav-item--inner a,.mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-side__nav-item--parent[aria-expanded='true'] .header__nav-side__nav-item--inner span{color:#ffffff;}/*!sc*/ .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top__nav-item--spotlight{background-color:#333333;}/*!sc*/ .sczZi{border-bottom:1px solid #dddddd;border-top:1px solid #dddddd;font-size:1rem;margin:32px 16px;padding:32px 0;}/*!sc*/ overall 10 - 34.227. conf 6-14.300. streak. The entire Cardinals infield of Groat, third baseman Ken Boyer, second baseman Julian Javier and first baseman Bill White made the NL All-Star team. Right-handers Vern Law, Bob Friend and Roy Face were the major building blocks to the pitching staff. .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-side__nav-item:last-child{border:none;}/*!sc*/ .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__subnav__content,.mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__subnav--teams{padding:8px;}/*!sc*/ Mr. Mr. Groat called it the daylight play, as in finding some space between the runner and the bag. Mr. Groat had more natural talent for basketball, but picked baseball because the money was better. In 1960, Mr. Groat won the National League most valuable player award as the Pirates took their first World Series victory in 35 years. @media (min-width:768px){.mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top__tagline{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-box-pack:start;-webkit-justify-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-pack:start;justify-content:flex-start;}}/*!sc*/ .mHQYb .p-search__list:focus{outline:0;}/*!sc*/ h1{font-size:2em;margin:0.67em 0;}/*!sc*/ .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-side__nav-item--parent[aria-expanded='true'] .header__nav-side__nav-item--inner .p-icon *{fill:#ffffff;}/*!sc*/ That was a first for any teams infield.\n\nThe Cardinals finished second that season, and Hall of Fame outfielder Stan Musial announced his retirement after it was over. .kKeedG:hover{border-bottom:none;color:#0048AB;}/*!sc*/ Groat had been drafted by the Fort Wayne Pistons with the third overall pick in the 1952 NBA Draft. TinCaps games are a popular family-friendly activity. .hspSPq:hover svg path{fill:#ffffff;}/*!sc*/ Black Sox, Fort Wayne (Ind.) .mHQYb .p-search-item a{bottom:0;position:absolute;width:100%;}/*!sc*/ data-styled.g144[id="Styles__StickyHeaderContainer-sc-1wye7kw-0"]{content:"ggWmAj,"}/*!sc*/ .epHHrr iframe{max-width:100%;}/*!sc*/ .jDETbc{font-family:"proxima-nova","open Sans","Helvetica","Arial",sans-serif;font-size:40px;color:#222222;margin:0;}/*!sc*/ His 11.9 points per game was the second-highest on the team. small{font-size:80%;}/*!sc*/ .hHLkAw input::-webkit-search-decoration,.hHLkAw input::-webkit-search-cancel-button,.hHLkAw input::-webkit-search-results-button,.hHLkAw input::-webkit-search-results-decoration{display:none;}/*!sc*/ .mHQYb .p-search{display:block;position:relative;color:#333333;width:inherit;}/*!sc*/ data-styled.g142[id="Share-sc-1t9fdg-0"]{content:"koKsQt,"}/*!sc*/ Now, you have the opportunity to get great Purdue Fort Wayne Mastodons Baseball tour dates tickets, as well as Ray Fisher Stadium hot events tickets as well as Credit Union 1 Arena, Beeghly Center and Alexander Field sold out tickets, and you can check also for Indianapolis, West Lafayette and Tulsa hard to find events tickets.You . .mHQYb .p-search__list--multiple-type .p-search-item--team + .p-search-item--player:before{border-top:1px solid #ddd;content:'Players';left:10px;right:10px;}/*!sc*/ Beat the pandemic blues with uplifting, cross-cultural music by Fort Wayne's KelsiCote. Despite his professed love for basketball, Groat chose baseball after a significant pay raise from Rickey. .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top .header__nav-top__button-menu--icon span:nth-child(4){top:16px;}/*!sc*/ There was no tournament in 2020. He averaged 11.9 points over 26 games. .cwEpxl:hover{background-color:transparent;}/*!sc*/ details{display:block;}/*!sc*/ All Home Away. .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-side__nav-item--parent[aria-expanded='true']{background-color:#057AFF;}/*!sc*/ FORT WAYNE, Ind. His 11.9 points per game was the second-highest on the team.\n\nHis season was cut short after 26 games. Mr. Groat spun around, took a throw from pitcher Roger Craig and tagged out Mantle to end the inning. Rickey said if Groat accepted the offer, he would immediately go into the Pirates' starting lineup. In February 1953, with the NBA season still underway, Mr. Groat opted to enlist in the Army rather than wait to be drafted. Groat also spent 40 years as a color analyst on University of Pittsburgh basketball games before stepping down after the 2018-19 season. The first home game in the 2023 season is on April 11. .ggWmAj .sticky-header__share button{font-weight:600;}/*!sc*/ .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top [class$='__nav-item__text']{color:#ffffff;}/*!sc*/ Menu. Groat led the National League in hitting with a .325 batting average despite missing much of September with a broken left wrist after being hit by Braves pitcher Lou Burdette. If you have trouble accessing this page because of a disability, please email Human Resources and Office of Institutional Equity at accessibility@pfw.edu.