Vern Blasi

Vern Blasi was born in tiny St. Leo in 1927.  A catcher, Blasi played in the Wichita Victory League at age 16. 

Blasi signed a professional contract with the New York Yankees in 1944.  He served in the U.S. Navy and didn’t begin his professional career until 1946 when he played at AA Little Rock.  He played only one more season of minor league ball.

From 1947-60 he played in the Victory League for Coleman, Cessna and the John Weitzel Cowboys. From 1961-72 he sponsored the Blasi Oilers, who qualified for the NBC tournament in 1979-80.

Blasi died in Wichita in 2006 at the age of 79.