Vincent Blaise

Career Overview

Vincent Blaise was one of the most dynamic defensive players of the early NBBA era. Competing from 1976 through 1994, he represented the Phoenix Firebirds and later the Phoenix Outlaws, bringing speed, range, and relentless energy to the field.

Introduced to beep baseball as a teenager in the early 1970s, Blaise quickly became hooked on the sport. In those early days, the game looked very different, with multiple buzzing bases arranged behind the batter and limited defensive movement. When rule changes arrived in 1975 that modernized the sport and introduced two buzzing bases and expanded defensive freedom, Blaise thrived. His love for running and covering ground made him a natural force in the field.

World Series Impact

Blaise appeared in 14 national tournaments and played in two championship games. He earned six World Series All-Star selections, highlighted by both offensive and defensive recognition.

• World Series All-Star, St. Paul, MN
• World Series All-Star, Lawrence, KS
• World Series All-Star, Phoenix, AZ
• Defensive All-Star, Austin, TX
• Defensive All-Star, Topeka, KS
• Defensive All-Star, Chicago, IL

In the inaugural 1976 World Series, Phoenix reached the championship game before falling to St. Paul in a shortened contest. Blaise’s defensive instincts and aggressive zone coverage helped define the evolving style of play in the sport’s formative years.

Influences and Growth

Blaise credited pitcher Buck Steinhauser for helping develop his batting and fielding technique. He also recognized Cora McKiernan for teaching him that sportsmanship and dedication mattered more than winning alone. Teammate Bill Gibney set an early example of toughness and commitment, reinforcing the team first mentality that defined Phoenix beep baseball.

He also expressed deep gratitude to the Telephone Pioneers and Lions Clubs for their support in developing equipment and helping teams travel and compete.

Legacy

For Blaise, beep baseball was more than competition. It was freedom, speed, and camaraderie. He embraced the evolution of the sport from its primitive beginnings to a structured national league and took pride in seeing it spread beyond the United States.

Vincent Blaise’s career reflects the passion, athleticism, and competitive spirit that helped shape the NBBA’s early identity.