By Dewey Terrill
Junction City Post
For years the Junction City Brigade dominated the Mid Plains League with multiple summer collegiate baseball championships. But in 2025 they moved to the much stronger Jayhawk League and still finished in second place. Brigade General Manager Cecil Aska said, "We were able to compete."
With six returning players the 2026 season looks promising. The new head coach is Nicholas ( Nick ) George, who served as an assistant in 2025. He'll be joined by another returning assistant, Tyler Ross.The Brigade will field a team based on speed, which worked well last season
A 36 game regular season schedule, which will include 20 home games, has been unveiled. The season will begin May 29 in Augusta, Kansas against the Kansas Cannons.The home opener will be against the Cannons on May 30.
This will be the 13th season for the Brigade.
During the annual Brigade banquet Thursday night a number of different topics were touched on.
--Rathert Field is 89 years old this year. For the 90th birthday in 2027 Aska wants to celebrate the history of the field.
--Jim Clark Chevrolet has been a sponsor of the Brigade for all 13 seasons.
--Raquel Cinco serves as the Host Family Coordinator for players.
--The team spends more than $3,100 per year on baseballs.
--Head Coach Nicholas George is a native of Canada and also coaches at Fort Hays State University.
--A total of 5,414 fans attended games at Rathert Field in 2025, an average of 250 per game.
--Four percent of Brigade fans travel from more than 40 miles away.
--One goal in 2026 is to get more businesses and oranizations to have their special nights at the ballpark. If you atend a game expect to find more variety of food available. Beer is a staple at Rathert Field.
-Cecil Aska wants to provide a family friendly carnival type atmosphere at the ballpark.
