Beatrice was not able to stay with the top clubs in 1936. They wound up in fourth place 15.5 games out of first.

Beatrice cemented their reputation as a baseball town in 1936. While much bigger towns like Lincoln were unable to support either a Western League or Nebraska State League team, Beatrice supported their entry into the NSL. From the support of local companies to the fan support during the year, Beatrice was considered to be one of the best baseball towns in the midwest. As an example, after loosing almost all of their games on a long road trip in June the team returned to Beatrice for a home stand. With the heat of 1936, the expected high for the first game of the series was 103 degrees. More than 1,200 fans showed up to support the Blues.

Image courtesy Dan Bretta

While there will always be an interesting discussion when the topic of which town is the best baseball town in Nebraska. Beatrice would have to be in the running. Others (IMHO) would be Norfolk, Wakefield, South Omaha, Wahoo and McCook.

Roster:
Bert Haas led the league in hits with 178, total bases (298) and doubles (33). He averaged .361 and was named to the All Star Team. He was bought by Brooklyn in July but allowed to complete the season in Beatrice. He played in 17 games for Brooklyn in 1937 and hit .400. He was a WWII veteran. He played in the majors through the 1951 season.

Raymond Duvall averaged .268 while playing 97 games at second.

Derrell Genzlinger was a regular at third. He averaged .271 in 106 games.

Abe Swick played in 48 games.

Ed Cissell averaged .215 in 15 games.

Sam Munitz averaged .355 in 101 games.

George Bradley struck out 112 times to lead the league.

Herbert Hedley played in 99 total games for Beatrice and Lincoln. He averaged .300 in 99 games.

Geo Moncier averaged .257 in 67 games.

Putting on the mask behind the plate was Richard Cassell He averaged .324 in 110 games.

R. Brookhaus was the manager of the Blues in 1936. He broke his hand on June 9th and was out of action until August 12th. He played in 38 games and averaged .281.

Pitchers:
Vern Voegler was 15-9 in 31 games with 192 k's.

Hugh Morse was 12-6 with 135 k's.

Joe Rundus led the league with 213 k's and had an 11-14 record.

Vern, Hugh and Joe were all bought by Brooklyn at the end of the year.

Darral Merideth was 12-10 in 34 games. He hit a grand slam home run on August 12th to win the game against Norfolk.

Milton Christiansen was 2-5 in 18 games.

Maurice Newlin pitched both ends of a double header in September. He lost both ends 5-1 and 3-2.

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