| Hannibal Hoots | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Information | |
| League | Prospect League |
| Location | Hannibal, Missouri |
| Ballpark | Clemens Field |
| Founded | 2018 |
| Ownership | Rick DeStefane[1] |
| Manager | Clayton Hicks |
| General Manager | Matt Stembridge |
| Media | Hannibal Courier-Post |
| Website | HannibalHoots.com |
The Hannibal Hoots were a collegiate summer league baseball team in the United States Prospect League. The team played two seasons in the league, but only one of those seasons saw them use Hannibal as its home; flooding along the Mississippi River caused Bear Creek, which flows into the river and runs alongside the Hoots' home stadium, to flood the stadium. As a result, the Hoots played their 2019 home schedule in nearby Quincy, Illinois at the home stadium of the Quincy Gems. The Hoots formed in late 2017[2] and were an expansion franchise for the 2018 season. The Hoots and other collegiate summer leagues and teams exist to give top college players professional-like experience without affecting NCAA eligibility.
Hannibal's previous team in the Prospect League, the Hannibal Cavemen, suspended operations after the 2016 season, leaving the city without a team for the 2017 season.[3] Rick DeStefane, a co-owner of the Cavemen, would become the sole owner of the Hoots.[4] The two franchises are considered by the Prospect League to have been independent of one another.
The Hoots were a member of the West Division of the Prospect League along with the Cape Catfish, DuPage Pistol Shrimp, Normal CornBelters, Quincy Gems and Springfield Sliders.[5]
- ^ Hanley, Danny (October 17, 2017). "Parks Department Working on Hannibal Field". Hannibal Courier-Post. Retrieved June 4, 2018 – via Prospect Collegiate Baseball LLC.
- ^ "Hannibal Unveils Team Name & Branding". Prospect Collegiate Baseball LLC. November 8, 2017. Retrieved June 4, 2018.
- ^ Adam, David (January 6, 2017). "Cavemen 'suspending operations' for 2017 season". Herald-Whig. Archived from the original on January 7, 2017. Retrieved June 4, 2018.
- ^ Graeler, Kevin (November 10, 2017). "Hannibal Hoots encounter unexpected social media obstacle". Hannibal Courier-Post. Retrieved June 4, 2018.
- ^ "NEW FOR 2019: DuPage Pistol Shrimp". Prospect Collegiate Baseball LLC. December 10, 2018. Archived from the original on December 11, 2018. Retrieved December 10, 2018.