Dans, Paints, Pistol Shrimp, and Thrillbillies Claim First Half Division Titles

The first half came to a close following Sunday's action and the Prospect League is proud to officially announce the 2024 First Half Division Champions.

The Danville Dans, Chillicothe Paints, Illinois Valley Pistol Shrimp, and Thrillville Thrillbillies have clinched each of their respective divisions' first half championship and will host the opening round of the Prospect League Playoffs on August 1st.

Eastern Conference

Central Division - Danville Dans
The Danville Dans claimed the Central Division first-half title with a 17-13 record. The Dans finished just ahead of the 15-13 second-place REX, who after an 8-game winning streak finished only one game back. The first-half title is the third straight for the Dans, who also won the Wabash River Division first-half the last two seasons. The Dans will host the Central Division Championship game on August 1st at Danville Stadium in Danville, Illinois.

Northeast Division - Chillicothe Paints
The Chillicothe Paints claimed the first-half Northeast Division title with a 19-10 record. The Paints ran away with the title as they finished four games ahead of the second-place Lafayette Aviators, 14-13. The first-half title is the third straight for the Paints and will mark the 12th time in 15 seasons the Paints will be in the playoffs. The Paints will host the Northeast Division Championship game on August 1st at VA Memorial Stadium in Chillicothe, Ohio.

Western Conference

Northwest Division - Illinois Valley Pistol Shrimp
The Illinois Valley Pistol Shrimp claimed the Northwest Division first-half title with a 17-9 record. The Pistol Shrimp overcame the 15-11 second-place Clinton LumberKings by two games at the end of their tight race. The Pistol Shrimp will appear in the playoffs for the third time in their five Prospect League seasons, but the first-half title is a first for the Pistol Shrimp. The Pistol Shrimp will host the Northwest Division Championship game on August 1st at Schweickert Stadium in Peru, Illinois.

South Division - Thrillville Thrillbillies
The Thrillville Thrillbillies claimed the South Division first-half title with a 21-6 record. The Thrillbillies finished four games ahead of the second-place Jackson Rockabillys, 17-10, and will enter the second half with the best overall record in the Prospect League. The first-half title is the first for the Thrillbillies but will mark the second-straight playoff appearance in two seasons. The Thrillbillies will host the South Division Championship game on August 1st at Mtn Dew Park in Marion, Illinois.

Second Half Information
Each Prospect League Division will reset its standings for a brand-new second half of the season starting July 1st. The four teams that clinched first-half division titles will not be eligible to win second-half titles. Each first-half champion will host their respected division's second-half first-place finisher or, if the first-half champion finishes in first in the second half, that division's second-half second-place team. The second half concludes following the final game on July 31st.

ABOUT THE PROSPECT LEAGUE
The Prospect League is a premier Midwestern wood-bat collegiate summer baseball league with 18 teams across Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Missouri, Ohio, Tennessee, and Pennsylvania. The League provides college players with a professional setting with excellent competition and high-quality facilities while delivering exciting baseball action and affordable all-ages entertainment to its communities. In 2023, the League achieved a new attendance record and led all collegiate summer baseball in growth. Known as the Central Illinois Collegiate League from 1963-2008, the Prospect League has more than 60 years of proud tradition as one of the original and most recognizable summer leagues. The League's rich history includes Hall of Famers, NCAA and World Series Champions, nearly 200 alumni in Major League Baseball, and more than 800 professional players. For more information visit www.prospectleague.com and follow on social media @prospectleague.

#BaseballIsBetter