2007 NBC World Series Hall of Fame Inductees

Five new members were inducted into the National Baseball Congress World Series Hall of Fame as it's 2007 class. Amongst them are owners Robert and Melinda Rich, former player Andy Teter, longtime scout Herb Hess, and administrator Arnold Ashley. A brief biography of each inductee follows --

Robert E. Rich, Jr.

Robert Rich, Jr.'s involvement with the National Baseball Congress World Series dates back to 1986, when Bob was President of Rich Products Corporation. That year the Rich family partnered with Joe Ryan of the American Association to manage the NBC World Series.

In 1988, the Rich family assumed sole ownership of the tournament, in addition to the professional Double-A franchise that calls Lawrence-Dumont Stadium home.

Bob has served as Chairman of the NBC World Series for the last 20 years and has overseen the continued growth of this now 73-year-old event. Over 40 teams from across the United States travel to Wichita each summer to compete for the Summer Collegiate National Championship.

In addition to the NBC World Series, Bob also owns the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons in Buffalo, New York, the Double-A Wichita Wranglers and Single-A Jamestown Jammers in Jamestown, New York.

Throughout his career, Bob has received many distinguished awards for both his business and baseball endeavors. In 1996, he was inducted into the National Frozen Food Association's Industry Hall of Fame, and in 1999 was named Chairman of the Grocery Manufacturers Association. Rich was named the Buffalo-Niagara Frontier Sales and Marketing Executive of the Year in 1984, to share the distinction with his father, who also received the honor.

Only two years after arriving on the Triple-A baseball scene, Bob was named the 1986 American Association Executive of the Year. He also won the award in 1988 and 1991. Today, Bob is active on numerous corporate boards and organizations including Students

Melinda R. Rich

Melinda R. Rich begins her 21st season with Rich Baseball in 2007. As president of the Rich Entertainment Group, she oversees Rich Baseball Operations, which includes the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons, the Double-A Wichita Wranglers in Wichita, Kansas and Single-A Jamestown Jammers in Jamestown, New York.

Mindy has also served as the Executive Vice President for the National Baseball Congress World Series for the last 20 years, overseeing the continued growth and prosperity the tournament has experienced during that time.

R.E.G. encompasses B.R. Guest, Ltd., which is responsible for concession operations in Buffalo, Wichita, and Jamestown through FanFare Concessions; restaurant/catering/event operations through Rich Renaissance Niagara, Pettibones Grille, The Glen Iris Inn at Letchworth State Park and Palm Beach National Golf & Country Club. R.E.G. also includes the Travel Team, Inc.

In addition to her entertainment responsibilities, Mindy also is Vice Chairman at Rich Products Corporation. In 1999, Mindy was inducted into the Buffalo Baseball Hall of Fame. In March 2004, Mindy was also inducted into the Western New York Women's Hall of Fame. She received the Pathfinder's Award in 1997 and the Erie Country Sheriff's Foundation Community Service Award in 1996. In 1992, Mindy was given the Rita Webb Smith Citizen Drug Fighter of the Year Award from New York State Governor Cuomo's Anti-Drug Abuse Council; Business First's "Forty Under 40" Award to young leaders in the community; and was named the American Jewish Committee's Institute of Human Relations' Woman of the Year. At the baseball winter meetings in 1988, Mindy received the Rawlings' Minor League Female Executive of the Year Award. She also was named one of the Buffalo News' Citizens of the Year in 1988.

In 1986, Mindy and her husband, Bob, founded Western New York United Against Drug and Alcohol Abuse, a non-profit organization dedicated to fighting substance abuse and educating children throughout Western New York.

She is also very involved in fundraising activities geared toward finding a cure for cystic fibrosis. Mindy and Bob Rich founded and co-chair the annual Greater Niagara BassEye Celebrity Challenge with James Bokor Sr., of Buffalo-based Robert-James Sales. In 2005, the 4th catch-and-release fishing tournament was held on the beautiful waters of Lake Erie. In 2004, the tournament raised $125,000 for cystic fibrosis research.

Mindy currently is on the board of directors for Rich Products Corporation, M&T Bank, Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company, The Culinary Institute of America Board of Trustees and the Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation.

Arnold Ashley

With a lifelong commitment to baseball, Arnold Ashley is currently serving in his 31st year with the National Baseball Congress. He was the North Carolina State Tournament Director for ten years and has been the North Carolina NBC Commissioner since 1977.

As the words of the famous movie suggest, "If you build it, they will come." Believing this vision, Arnold Ashley was instrumental in the building of the Optimist Park in Roxboro, NC in the early seventies, the site where the NBC North Carolina State Tournament is still currently played. In 1993, Arnold Ashley was recognized with the Raymond "Hap" Dumont Award for his contributions to NBC Baseball.

Arnold has worked diligently to maintain the tradition of the NBC and to afford the players of North Carolina the chance to play in the best amateur tournament in the nation, the NBC World Series. In each of his years, he has traveled with the North Carolina State Champion to the World Series and as the tournament approaches, Mr. Ashley plans to make his 31st trip to Wichita to support both his team and the National Baseball Congress.

Herb Hess

Herb Hess has scouted the National Baseball Congress World Series for the past 45 years for three different Major League Teams. He has scouted ten tournaments for the Pittsburgh Pirates, 14 for the Cincinnati Reds, and 22 for the Cleveland Indians.

For his dedication to the tournament and ability to recognize potential big league talent, Herb has been named the NBC World Series Scout of the Year on three occasions (1998, 2004 and 2005).

Over the years, Herb has assisted in all levels of baseball, helping to stage clinics in the area that drew nearly 5,000 kids over the years. Herb played semi-pro baseball in Texas and Arkansas as a young man, before joining the Navy for World War II. After he returned from serving our country, Herb played and coached locally in the Victory League, eventually settling in Wichita for good.

In 2002, Herb Hess was inducted into the Kansas Baseball Hall of Fame. Herb Hess continues his scouting duties for the Indians and will no doubt be in attendance for the 2007 NBC World Series.

Andy Teter

Andy Teter played or managed in 18 National Baseball Congress World Series Tournaments. He was a member of two National Champions, having played for the 1954 and 1955 Boeing teams.

Over the years, Andy also played for Cessna, Service Auto Glass, the Weller Indians, Instant Auto Glass, and Bob Moore Oldsmobile in the NBC World Series.

Professionally, Teter played four years in the Boston Red Sox Organization. He played in the Ohio State, Piedmont, and Sooner State leagues. During his time in the Sooner State league, he played at Paul's Valley for Manager Red Phillips, who coincidentally was the manager of many of the great Boeing NBC teams in the 1950's.