Dans Alum In World Series

TEXAS RANGERS INFIELD JOSH SMITH WILL BE JOINING HIS TEAMMATES IN THE 2023 WORLD SERIES. JOSH PLAYED FOR THE DANVILLE DANS IN 2016 AS A HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATE BEFORE HEADING TO LSU. HE WAS DRAFTED BY THE NEW YORK YANKEES IN THE 2ND ROUND OF THE 2019 MLB DRAFT AND MADE HIS MLB DEBUT WITH THE RANGERS ON MAY 30, 2022.

Good Luck Josh and the Rangers!


WHAT IS A DANVILLEDAN?

Dans win 1,000TH
REGULAR-SEASON GAME

A 9-5 victory over the REX team from Terre Haute on July 31 was the team's 1,000th regular-season victory. The Dans first win ever was on their opening night - a doubleheader sweep of the Lincoln Collegiates on June 11, 1988. The Dans all-time regular season record of 1,000-716-1. 

Congrats to all Dans players past and present that contributed to this historic night!

Coleman Gets 300th Win As Dans Manager

Danville Dans manager Eric Coleman recorded a milestone 300th victory as skipper of the Dans on Saturday, July 9, with a 12-4 win at the Alton River Dragons. Coleman has been manager of the Dans since the 2014 season, with an overall record of 300-216 for a .581 winning percentage. He has led the team to post-season action in seven of his nine seasons, including 2023 by virtue of the team winning the first-half title in the Wabash River Division.

Twice in the previous eight seasons the Dans have won 40 games, including last year when they were the regular season champions with a 40-17 record. He was named the league’s Manager of the Year in 2022. None of his teams have finished below .500.

Speed has been one of the hallmarks of Coleman’s style of play for Danville. His teams have led the Prospect League in stolen bases for six of the past eight seasons – included setting a league record in 2015, 2017 and 2018). His pitching staffs have also been leaders in strikeouts. They have been league leaders in strikeouts four of the previous eight seasons – setting records in 2016, 2017 and 2019. 

Summer baseball gives players a chance to build their skills and playing time. There have been 33 of Coleman’s Dans players that have either been drafted (29) or signed a professional contract, with five of them making it to the Majors: Ben Braymer (previously with the Nationals), Alfonso Rivas (now with the Padres), Bryan Baker (now with the Orioles), Josh Smith (now on the Rangers) and Ricky Karcher (with the Reds).  

Congrats to Coach Eric Coleman on 300 wins!

DANS LOOKING TO GIVE BACK TO COMMUNITY

Danville and Vermilion County fans enjoy coming to Danville Stadium and watching the Dans play baseball every summer. Once again the Dans will be giving groups the opportunity to earn money for their organization.

The DansShare program helps support area nonprofits, school groups and sports teams by having their organization work in the concession stand or sell 50-50 raffle tickets. The concession groups receive a donation for their work, as well as accepting tips from fans. Our fans also have the opportunity during the game to purchase 50-50 raffle tickets from one of the community groups, with the selling group receiving a portion of the proceeds.

Through the DansShare program more than $12,500 was given to area groups during the 2022 season!

Groups interested in selling 50-50 tickets please email danvilledansbaseball@gmail.com. Those interested in working the concession stand please contact concession manager LuAnn Grimm at lgrimm74@gmail.com.

The schedule will go "live" on Friday, April 21st, for groups to claim dates.

Just as Dans fans enjoy coming to the ballpark every summer, the Dans enjoy giving back to our community!