1956 held at Sacramento, California.
Champion – Raybestos Cardinals, Stratford, Connecticut
Runner Up – Clearwater Bombers, Clearwater, Florida
John Hunter of the Bombers out dueled John Spring of Raybestos 2-1 in the winners bracket final, Raybestos then had to defeat the Aurora Sealmasters and MVP Pitcher Harvey Sterkal, which they did, winning 1-0 and got another shot at Hunter and the Bombers in the Final. Hunter dashed that dream winning his 4th game of the tournament by a 14-9 score. Eddie King came in for relief help. King also pitched an earlier game in the tournament and tossed a no-hitter for the Bombers. There were 44 total HR hit in this tournament compared to 1955 when there were 8 hit.
Nolan Whitlock, Clearwater Bombers (Hit 2 HR in 14-8 championship game)
Clearwater Bombers – John Hunter (4-0, 28 IP, 45 K) and Eddie King (1-0, no hitter)
Raybestos Cardinals – John Spring (3-1) and Howie Wieland (2-1)
Weldon Haney, Lake Jackson Gators (2-0)
Billy Wojie, Raybestos Cardinals (6-17, .353, 10 RBI – set record for RBI)
- MVP – Harvey Sterkel, Aurora Sealmasters (5-1, 5 shutouts, including 2 one-hitters, 97 K, 51 IP)
- Batting Leader – Bobby Forbes, Clearwater Bombers (8-17, 5 RBI, 6 Runs) – .471
- Home Run Leader – Lazarra, Baltimore (6-12, .500, 2 RBI, 2 Runs) – 2
- Home Run Leader – Ed Tickey, Stratford (5-16, .313, 2 RBI, 6 Runs) – 2
- Home Run Leader – Nolan Whitlock, Clearwater (5-16, .313, 6 RBI, 5 Runs) – 2
- Home Run Leader – Don Ropp, Aurora (8-25, .320, 4 RBI, 6 Runs) – 2
- Home Run Leader – John Spring, Stratford (5-19, .263, 5 RBI, 7 Runs, also 3-1 pitching) – 2
- Home Run Leader – Richie Surhoff, Levittown (3-12, .250, 3 RBI, 2 Runs, also 2-1 Pitching) – 2
- Home Run Leader – Neilson, Seattle – 2
- Home Run Leader – Jacobs, Baltimore – 2
- Home Run Leader – McLeod, Stratord – 2
- Home Run Leader – VanArthos, Levittown – 2
1956 ALL AMERICANS
P – Harvey Sterkel, Sealmasters
P – John Spring, Raybestos Cardinals
P – John Hunter, Clearwater Bombers
C – Ed Riddell, Clearwater Bombers
1B – George Adam, Raybestos Cardinals
2B – Bill Manary, News-Leader
3B – Don Ropp, Sealmasters
SS – Nolan Whitlock, Clearwater Bombers
OF – Bob Sprentall, Clearwater Bombers
OF – Pete Van Arthos, Meenan Oilers
OF – Bobby Forbes, Clearwater Bombers
UTIL – Dick Surhoff, Meenan Oilers
Honorable Mention: P – Sam Hemphill, White Coffee Pot, P – Weldon Haney, Lake Jackson Gators, C – Leroy Hess, Sealmasters, C – Ed Tickey, Raybestos Cardinals, 1B – Joe Lewis, Clearwater Bombers, 2B – Don Dwyer, Sealmasters, 3B – Gordy Neilson, Federal Old Line, 3B – Stan Priebe, Coca-Cola All-Stars, SS – Jack McLeod, Raybestos Cardinals, SS – Pat Campagna, Meenan Oilers, OF – Booker Thomas, Fisher Brothers Tomato Kings, OF – Joe Lazzara, White Coffee Pot, OF – Raymond (Ned) Wickersham, Sealmasters.
FINAL STANDINGS
1. Clearwater Bombers, Clearwater, FL (5-0) (Southern)
2. Raybestos Cardinals, Stratford, CT (5-2) (Defending Champ)
3. Stephens-Adamson Sealmasters, Aurora, IL (6-2) (West Central)
4. News-Leader Parrots, Springfield, MO (3-2) (Western)
5t. Federal Old Line Insurance, Seattle, WA (4-2) (Northwestern)
5t. Meenan Oilers, Levittown, NY (2-2) (Mid-Atlantic)
7t. Texas Gators, Lake Jackson, TX (3-2) (Texas)
7t. Atlantic Submarine Fleet, Norfolk, VA (2-2) (US-Navy East)
9t. Fisher’s Tomato Kings, Montreal, Quebec (2-2) (East Canada)
9t. Lincoln Heat Treatment, Detroit, MI (2-2) (East Central)
9t. Miramar Jets, San Diego, CA (2-2) (US-Navy Western)
9t. Anderson Furniture, San Diego, CA (1-2) (South Pacific Coast)
13t. Merchants, Redwood City, CA (1-2) (North Pacific Coast)
13t. Coca Cola All-Stars, Sacramento, CA (2-2) (Host)
13t. White Coffee Pot, Baltimore, MD (2-2) (Central Atlantic)
13t. American Bank, Baton Rouge, LA (1-2) (Southwestern)
17t. Madero Tamaulejas, Tampico (1-2) (Mexico)
17t. New Bar, St. Paul, MN (0-2) (Northern)
17t. Sewart AFB, Smyrna, TN (0-2) (US-Air Force)
17t. Lawson Plumbers, Salt Lake City, UT (0-2) (Cactus)
17t. Arvada Merchants, Denver, CO (0-2) (Rocky Mountain)
17t. Mexico City College (0-2) (Mexico City Metro)
17t. Columbus Auto Body, New Haven, CT (0-2) (North Atlantic)
NOTES: West Canada did not attend a representative. No information any rep from the US Army.
