Catching for the losing side - the side that gave up 33 runs in seemingly odd ways - was sometimes backstop Jeff Barns.
"I went to our other catcher," Barnes told The Associated Press later of his shock, "and said, 'Mike, is it me?'"
Barns played multiple positions for Midland that year, six in all. He even pitched. He played those positions in his fourth season as a pro. He went on to play in eight seasons. He never got to play a position in the majors.
Barns' career began in 1987, taken by the Angels in the 15th round of the draft out of the University of South Carolina.
He started with the Angels at single-A Quad City. He got into 64 games and hit .258. He moved to single-A Palm Springs for 1988. He hit a two-run home run in June, one of two he hit on the year. He ended with a .242 average.
Barns made AA Midland in 1989. He hit .296 in 70 games. He then returned there for 1990.
In 1991, he got a brief look at AAA Edmonton, seven games, and 10 games back at Midland. He then moved to the Indians and AA Canton-Akron.
Barns played 1992 and 1993 with the Athletics at high-A Modesto. He then finished out his career with 22 final games in 1994, played with the Angels at Midland.
Barns has since settled in Texas. He serves in 2017 as a coach for the 18U Bullpen Bulls in Cypress.
Originally published Sept. 17, 2017
- Daily Iowan, Associated Press, April 30, 1990: Wild game for Texas Leaguers underscores incredible hitting
More: The 1990 Midland Angels
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