Ron Brown
Career Overview
Ron Brown began his beep baseball career in 1980 and built a reputation as one of the most powerful hitters of his era. Known for his distinctive tomahawk swing, Ron became a feared offensive presence at both the local and national levels.
He competed for the North Central Indiana Express in Marion, the Indianapolis Eagles, and later the Indy Thunder. His playing career spanned multiple decades, with active competition from 1980 to 1991, again from 2001 to 2012, and a final World Series appearance in 2016.
World Series Impact
Ron’s signature World Series performance came in 1990 at Chicago, where he earned Offensive All-Star honors with a remarkable .794 batting average. That year, he helped lead the Indianapolis Eagles to the NBBA Championship over the host Chicago Bluffs. He finished just behind tournament MVP David Smolka, who hit .795.
From available statistical records beginning in 2001, Ron compiled:
60 games
258 at-bats
105 runs
59 strikeouts
.407 career batting average
While early statistics from the 1980s and 1990s are incomplete, his later numbers provide only a glimpse of the production he was known for during his prime years.
Regional and Tournament Success
Ron continued to demonstrate offensive consistency well into the 2000s. He earned All-Tournament recognition at the Indianapolis and Bolingbrook regional tournaments eight times between 2003 and 2011.
His ability to drive the ball and produce runs remained a key asset for the Indianapolis Thunder throughout his later playing years.
Early Years and Local Dominance
Although records from his earliest seasons are limited, Ron was widely regarded as one of the top local players in Indianapolis during the early 1980s. He competed for teams such as the Marion, Indiana Express and the Indy Rebels, earning opportunities to advance to national competition during a highly competitive local era.
Those who saw him play during those years recall a hitter capable of changing a game with one swing.
Coaching Legacy
Since 2012, Ron has transitioned primarily into coaching, serving as head coach and batting coordinator for the Indy Thunder. Under his leadership, the Thunder captured four consecutive NBBA Championships from 2016 through 2019.
His influence has extended beyond his own playing accomplishments. As a coach and mentor, Ron has helped shape the next generation of hitters and leaders within the league.
Batting & Fielding Statistics
| Year | Team | Pos | G | Def G | AB | R | HR | K | PO | DP | TP | Short | Middle | Deep | Bat Avg | PO/Def G | Awards |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Indy Thunder | player | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | - | - | - | 1.000 | 0.00 | - |
| 2014 | Indy Thunder | player | 2 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | - | - | - | - | .000 | 0.00 | - |
| 2012 | Indy Thunder | player | 3 | 3 | 15 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | - | - | - | - | .333 | 0.00 | - |
| 2011 | Indy Thunder | player | 8 | 8 | 27 | 5 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 0 | - | - | - | - | .185 | 0.00 | - |
| 2010 | Indy Thunder | player | 8 | 8 | 34 | 11 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | - | - | - | - | .324 | 0.00 | - |
| 2009 | Indy Thunder | player | 6 | 6 | 28 | 14 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | - | - | - | - | .500 | 0.00 | - |
| 2008 | Indy Thunder | player | 5 | 5 | 25 | 15 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | - | - | - | .600 | 0.00 | - |
| 2007 | Indy Thunder | player | 6 | 6 | 22 | 5 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 0 | - | - | - | - | .227 | 0.00 | - |
| 2006 | Indy Thunder | player | 7 | 7 | 40 | 23 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 0 | - | - | - | - | .575 | 0.00 | - |
| 2004 | Indy Thunder | player | 4 | 4 | 16 | 6 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0 | - | - | - | - | .375 | 0.00 | - |
| 2002 | Indy Thunder | player | 3 | 3 | 14 | 7 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | - | - | - | - | .500 | 0.00 | - |
| 2001 | Indy Thunder | player | 5 | 5 | 19 | 4 | 0 | 9 | 2 | 0 | - | - | - | - | .211 | 0.40 | - |
| 1991 | Indianapolis Eagles | player | 2 | 2 | 12 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | - | - | - | - | .750 | 0.00 | - |
| CAREER | 60 | 60 | 258 | 105 | 0 | 59 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .407 | 0.03 |