LANCASTER, PA — Right-hander Nile Ball has inked a contract with the Lancaster Barnstormers for the 2024 season, as announced this week by manager Ross Peeples. This marks the first player signing for the team this year.
Lancaster’s Nile Ball, who will celebrate his 27th birthday on March 1, has been a key player since he first donned the ‘Stormers uniform midway through the 2021 season. Despite the challenges of the highest scoring season in Atlantic League history, Ball forged a path with a 3-6 record and a 4.63 ERA.
Since that time, Ball has been an integral part of the team’s back-to-back Atlantic League championships, contributing 11 wins in 2022 and an additional seven during the 2023 campaign. His overall record as a Barnstormer currently stands at a commendable 21-17.
Among Ball’s notable achievements is a near no-hitter into the sixth inning at Lexington on June 28, 2022, followed by eight shutout innings at Staten Island just five days later. In 2023, he recorded four consecutive wins early in the second half, a feat that played a significant role in catapulting the Barnstormers into their early lead en route to the second-half North title.
Prior to his tenure with the Barnstormers, the Decatur, Georgia native pitched for Sioux City and Gary in the American Association in 2019. Interestingly, he was working in commercial real estate when the Barnstormers signed him in July 2021.
With eyes on the record books, if Ball secures 12 wins in the 2024 season, he would tie left-hander Nate Reed for the most regular season wins in franchise history at 33. Currently, he ranks fifth in career innings as a Barnstormer with 350.
“Nile has pitched well and eaten up a lot of innings for us,” said Peeples. “Hopefully, he continues to grow and be a dependable starter for us again.”
The Barnstormers are set to begin their quest to become the first team in ALPB history to win three titles in a row, starting April 25, at Long Island. The 19th home opener at Clipper Magazine Stadium is scheduled for 6:45 pm on Tuesday, April 30 against the newly formed Hagerstown Flying Boxcars. This signing adds to the anticipation, promising another exciting season for local sports fans.
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