John Showalter returns to the Dallas Spirits Baseball Club in his third season playing as the Spirits (35+) starting third baseman. Showalter added additional duties to his resume in 2017 managing the Spirits Open (18+) squad, where he also serves at the starting third baseman. John saw instant success as a manager, converting his DABA Dallas Thunder and re-branding to the Dallas Spirits with an open squad that went 21-3 and went on to capture the 2017 NTABL Open American League Championship. His run during the Fall campaign was nearly as successful, finishing 9-3 and falling just a run short in the NTABL Fall Ball Trinity League Championship game.
Showalter played high school baseball at a private prep school in Mississippi called Heritage Academy. He also played baseball in local adult leagues for several years before adult life and work put his game play on “pause.” He started playing again in Fall of 2015 following over a decade outside of the chalk. His impact in 2016 was immediate as he moved from second to third base defensively and found his natural position. Showalter was nearly error-free throughout his Summer and Fall season campaigns and proved to be a top defensive player for the Spirits (35+) team. He batted .367 in 2017, with 5 doubles and 9 runs scored for the Vets. He was tied for third on the Open (18+) squad with 23 hits, adding a homerun and a second place finish in the RBI category, with 20.
John kicked off the 2017 campaign with a memorable complete-game victory over the #1 seed during the MSBL Las Vegas Kickoff Classic. Showalter pitched 7 innings, with 8 strikeouts to lead the Spirits to the championship game.
He and his wife relocated to Denton, TX in 2017 where John owns a small online furniture business that provides him an opportunity and freedom to play the game he loves. He has a 13 year old son named, Jackson and has been married to his beautiful wife, Therese since March of 2014.
In addition to delivering fine furniture to the great people of the DFW metroplex, Showalter enjoys spending time with family and friends. He and his family love off-roading and camping adventures in the mountains any chance they can get. John is also a private pilot and a PADI Certified Open Water SCUBA Diver. After getting his name in the Spirits record books and as soon as his business allows for it, he and his wife plan to move to an area of Wyoming near Jackson Hole Valley.
John will continue to bring an outstanding bat and great defense to the Spirits infield, as well as an outrageously competitive and positive attitude for the game of baseball. He’ll continue to be an asset early and often in the 2017 campaign.
Nickname: “Show,” “Vegas,” “Meat Scissors”
Spirits (18+) Individual Stats