Former Memphis Redbirds president Dave Chase has been named commissioner of the Prospect League, a summer loop for college baseball prospects. The league is headquartered in Ohio, but Chase will retain his residence in Memphis. This will continue a career in baseball for Chase that began as assistant general manager for the Double-A Savannah Braves in 1978.
In a statement Monday, Prospect League president Bryan Wickline said, “Dave brings years of experience to the league; we are fortunate to have attracted him. The offseason has shown tremendous growth for the league with new franchises in Nashville, Terre Haute, Beckley, and DeKalb. With today’s announcement, we have completed an ambitious offseason.”
In the same statement, Chase said, “Throughout my career, the game has always been number one. I’m eager to get started as we work to make the 15-member Prospect League one of the premier college summer leagues.” The Prospect League season runs from June 3 to August 7.
Chase left the Redbirds after the 2009 championship season, a casualty of AutoZone Park’s management turnover in which Blues City Baseball was replaced by Global Spectrum, out of Philadelphia.
