No doubt, every APBA League has something that is different or unique about it. Whether it’s how they play the game, its the geographical location or something special about how they take advantage of resources to make their league run smoothly.
But several things stand out about the Bump Proffitt Memorial APBA League, the first being they are based in my home state of Illinois. More importantly though, this league has been around for an incredible 50 years, according to manager Chris Proffitt. Not only that, its current membership is primarily made up from one family. Six of the seven managers are in the Proffitt family.
A quick look at the BPMAL:
League Name |
Bump Proffitt Memorial APBA League |
| Contact Person | Chris Proffitt |
| Sport | Baseball |
| # of teams | 7 |
| Year of inception | 1961 |
| Basic/Master/Computer/ Combination | Basic Game |
| Out of the box or with modifications? | with modifications |
| Geographic location | Illinois |
Chris writes:
This is only my third season in the league, but it has been going on for a long time in the Proffitt family. There have been some non-Proffitt’s in the league over the years but right now, 6 of the 7 players are Proffitt family members. We just finished our World Series last month. I had a 3-1 series lead and was winning 7-0 in game 5. I ended up losing the game and the series. In game 6, I was down 6-0, came back to go ahead 8-6, and was two outs away from victory in the ninth. My uncle got a three-run homer in the top of the ninth to take the lead.
This must certainly be a tight-knit family to be playing this game for so many years. I’m wondering how the seventh non-relative got in. When there’s a family get together does it just turn into a APBA fest to the dismay of the non-APBA fans in the family? So many questions!
Thanks to Chris for writing in.
If you want to brag about your league, we’re listening! Tell us all about the league you are in and we’ll post a profile about it. In the meantime, read about other leagues who have written in.
Thanks for the write-up! Also wanted to mention the league is named after my late uncle
John “Bump” Proffitt. No one loved apba more than him. So, when he passed away a
couple years ago, we named the league after him.
As for the answers to your two questions, the other member of the league is a close family
friend that met my uncle Bump in the military, I believe. As for the other question, yes. We
have many family gatherings and at some point, a couple of us will say “want to play a
set?” and we’ll head to the basement for a series. Others in the family will be upstairs
waiting for us to finish the series so we can start our Sunday poker game. This happens
pretty much every Sunday.
Very nice Chris! – from what I know:
John Keenan – the current non-Proffitt {not – non for Profit} grew up in the small town of Alexander along with the older Proffitt boys. APBA became a part of the small town life at some point in the early 60’s then Keenan and Bump Proffitt continued to play while they were based in the military together. Following their return, a league was formed including Keenan, Bump Proffitt, Dave Bergschneider, Vicki Keenan, Joe Proffitt, Bob Proffitt, Jerry Proffitt. As years passed other players came in and out of the league as it evolved. I recall playing mini – leagues at age 7-8 and involved other friends from Alexander. I kept my notebooks for 30+ years. I entered the league at Age 11 – 31 years ago for me. Ultimately, Jim Proffitt Sr returned from a career long disappearance to California and then the young Chris Proffitt returned from the West Coast to became a permanent fixture in the league. Soon to permanently include James Proffitt Jr as well. The majority of my childhood and all of my adult life has involved APBA. Through family tragedy – marriage – the birth of our children {I recall playing games with my kids in their high chair next to me at the table} – divorce {probably due to APBA – haha} – APBA has always been a fixture. From the anticipation of receipt of the new card set (discussed continually months in advance of) – to continual APBA discussion of current stats – driving spouses and other family member’s nuts, APBA has always been a fixture. From the thrill of victory to the agony of defeat – there is nothing like the roll of snake eyes or a 66-1 for your big-time players. Sometimes you can almost feel it – sense it – yet there is nothing like the agony of the same, but delivered by your opponent!
Bump played APBA until his end. He finished the season before anyone else as always – he was talking about the next season and commented if he made it long enough to play, but he didn’t make it. The last time I saw him – the night before he passed – we briefly talked baseball and he was watching highlights in the hospital room. He was all about APBA. Through our league our Sundays and our memories – I guess his legacy lives on. It’s a hell of a thing – to be terminally ill and he was still talking APBA.
BTW – I realize this is TMI and sounds like Field of Dreams.
not at all, Jeff. this is fascinating. The essence of it all is how APBA and baseball itself relates to each of our lives.
It’s a fantastic story and I’m glad to see you all keep it alive.
thanks for sharing it.