Wichita Independent Baseball League Moving Forward With Fall Season
⚾ WIBL UPDATE ⚾
Following our league update last night, we received a number of questions regarding the upcoming season and our current ballpark arrangements. We want to clear up any misunderstanding: the Wichita Independent Baseball League is moving forward, and we will be playing baseball this fall. The schedule was temporarily removed while we finalize several details ahead of Saturday’s annual organizational meeting, including ballpark locations and the possible addition of another team. The upcoming season itself is not in jeopardy. The schedule will have minor changes.
Regarding our ballpark situation, our initial discussions with the City of Wichita concerning Robert Thurman Field included rental terms that we believed were workable for the league. When the written agreement was received, however, the rental rate and additional requirements were substantially higher than what had originally been discussed, making the facility financially impractical for the limited 12–14 games we anticipated playing there.
Fortunately, Robert Thurman Field was only one of many options available to the WIBL. League teams have been working with and/or discussing availability at approximately a dozen baseball facilities throughout Wichita and the surrounding communities, and our clubs have already secured their home fields.
While negotiations regarding Thurman Field did not work out as we had hoped, this will have no effect on whether the WIBL plays baseball this fall. Those games will simply be moved to other available facilities.
Following Saturday’s organizational meeting, we expect to have a much clearer picture of our final team lineup, home fields and revised schedule. We appreciate everyone’s interest and support, and we’re looking forward to getting the inaugural WIBL season underway.
WIBL Schedule and Ballpark Update
League Finalizing Venues and Possible New Team Before Opening Day
⚾ WIBL LEAGUE UPDATE ⚾
August 8, 2026 - Some of you may have noticed that the Wichita Independent Baseball League has temporarily removed its Fall 2026 schedule from both Facebook and the league website.
The WIBL will hold its annual organizational meeting this Saturday. League representatives will review several important matters, including the possible addition of another member club and the remaining ballpark arrangements for the upcoming season.
One of the facilities the WIBL had been working to secure was Robert Thurman Field in Wichita. Although our initial discussions were encouraging, the final agreement presented to the league contained pricing and operating requirements that differed significantly from what had originally been discussed. With Opening Day approaching quickly, the league decided it was best to continue finalizing other available ballpark options rather than publish a schedule that might require several additional revisions.
The good news is that several surrounding communities and member clubs have stepped forward to help. The Wichita Linemen and Wichita Woodpeckers have secured access to the Mulvane ballpark, while the Wichita Aeros have secured three home dates in Rose Hill. Additional arrangements are still being completed for other member clubs.
Rather than create confusion by repeatedly changing the public schedule, the WIBL will release one updated and finalized schedule after Saturday’s organizational meeting and the remaining facility details have been confirmed.
We appreciate the discussions held with City of Wichita officials and remain open to future opportunities that are workable for everyone involved. Our priority is providing safe, affordable, and dependable facilities for our players, clubs, and fans.
Thank you for your patience and continued support of the Wichita Independent Baseball League. We are excited about the progress being made and look forward to sharing more news following Saturday’s meeting.
Robert Thurman Field - Wichita, Kansas
