By Don Lowe
When former Major League Baseball pitcher Brian Flynn of Owasso, Oklahoma, purchased the Joplin Outlaws program, a couple things made it appealing.
“The decision was rooted in my desire to get involved in the front office side of baseball, while working with a team close to home.
“When the opportunity in Joplin presented itself, it felt like a natural fit,” he says. “After several conversations with key stakeholders and reflecting on the potential impact the team could have on players and fans, I knew it was time to step into this leadership role.”
Brian, who was selected by the Detroit Tigers in the 7th Round of the 2011 MLB Draft and spent time with the Miami Marlins and Kansas City Royals, says, “The goal is to build an organization that not only competes at a high level but becomes a point of pride for the Four-State Region.”
Having just officially taken on this new role as owner and president Jan. 1, 2025, and now less than two months until his team takes the diamond to get the season started, Brian says, “I believe in the direction of the newly formed Mid-America League the Joplin Outlaws joined prior to the 2024 season.
“This league presents a great opportunity for growth in the region and offers exciting new markets where our team will compete. The league outlook, along with the top-of-the-line facility we have at Joe Becker Stadium made leading the Outlaws organization an opportunity I couldn’t pass up.”
Past experiences helped prepare him for this undertaking and he says, “My background in professional baseball, business leadership and community engagement provided me with a well-rounded skillset to guide the Outlaws.
“I’ve made numerous contacts with players, coaches and executives throughout my career and look forward to using those connections to build the Outlaws into a first-class organization. I’ve also been president of my hometown chamber of commerce and understand the importance of plugging into the local community and building a brand that encourages support.
“These experiences have prepared me to make informed decisions and create an environment where players and fans can thrive.”
As the Outlaws begin putting their on-field product together, finding a manager is key and Brian says, “Many factors go into selecting the right fit. You want a leader who can coach the guys effectively and help them develop while ensuring they have fun playing in the loose atmosphere of collegiate summer ball.
“Summer coaches need to understand players might be working on something specific with their individual universities and staff. Sometimes our coach’s role is to simply monitor and help them achieve those objectives. It’s a unique job and requires someone who can adapt well to our shorter 10-week season.”
When it comes to the roster, he says, “Players are chosen through a combination of scouting and recommendations. Our staff maintains close relationships with collegiate programs and regional baseball networks to identify top talent. We look to get the best possible athletes with high character that will make for a fun summer for the entire roster.
“We prioritize players with strong fundamentals, a competitive mindset and a commitment to continual improvement. The college summer ball schedule is like the minor leagues where the team is playing nearly every night. We’re looking for guys interested in seeing what that next level is like and willing to push themselves.
“In addition to athletic ability, we value players who demonstrate leadership, coachability and positive attitudes. Our goal is to build a balanced roster with players who can contribute immediately while developing future talent as well.”
There are a couple other key considerations with the roster and Brian says, “Our team consists primarily of collegiate players from across the country, ranging from freshmen with high potential to upperclassmen with advanced skillsets. We may include a few recently graduated players with professional aspirations. This blend of experience ensures player development and a competitive on-field product.
“We’re committed to highlighting local talent and giving players from Southwest Missouri an opportunity to compete at a high level. Specific local players will be announced as the roster is finalized but we actively scout the region to identify standout athletes, and Joplin fans can expect to see many local faces this season.”
In describing the Outlaws style, he says, “I think we’ll play fundamental baseball. Our coaching staff will decide our exact type of baseball but on my end, I’m working to build a well-balanced roster with power in the middle of the order and speed and on-base ability rounding out the order.
“I’m also excited to get our pitchers in town and begin doing whatever we can to help their development. We’ll look to attack hitters and limit walks as much as possible.
“The primary concern is having a deep, well-rounded roster that can withstand the demands of a competitive season. Pitching is the biggest need in college summer baseball and we’re working hard to make sure there’s plenty of depth on the mound to keep our arms fresh.
“We also want to have a deep enough roster to give our position players rest when needed due to the demanding schedule. Keeping our roster healthy is the highest priority as we get them reps before their fall semesters.”
Brian recognizes the benefit of playing in a home ballpark and he says, “It’s fun to watch baseball in a packed stadium. There aren’t too many better experiences than listening to the buzz of the crowd and the crack of the bat while eating a hot dog.
“We want to provide a family-friendly experience that brings people together and fosters community pride. Fans energize our players and enable them to play free and loose and have a blast doing it. The experience spreads to other players and colleges and helps us recruit players to Joplin. The relationship between the fans and hometown team cannot be overstated.”
He is ready for this adventure that’s just beginning for him and says, “I believe the foundation is in place to build the Outlaws into one of the premier summer organizations in the country.
“Joplin’s support at Joe Becker Stadium, diehard Outlaws fans that have been with the team for years and families in the area looking for quality entertainment are just a few reasons I believe we’ll be successful for years to come.”
See more. photos in the April 2025 print and digital editions
Joplin Outlaws/Owner & President Brian Flynn Fast Facts
Meet Brian Flynn: Prior to his Major League Baseball career, Flynn attended Owasso (Oklahoma) High School. As a senior in high school, Flynn went 9-1 with a 0.79 earned run average and was named The Oklahoman’s all-state player of the year. Flynn played collegiately at Wichita State University. Flynn’s MLB debut was Sept. 4, 2013, with the Miami Marlins and his final appearance in the big leagues was July 26, 2019, with the Kansas City Royals.
Home Field: Joe Becker Stadium, 300 S. High Ave., Joplin, Missouri
Roster: Includes up to 40 players from NCAA Division I, II and III, NAIA, community college and junior college players, along with select individuals who may have exhausted their college eligibility but want to maintain their amateur playing status.
Mid-America League: Joplin Outlaws, Abilene (Texas) Flying Bison, Fort Smith (Arkansas) Marshals, Piney Woods (White Oak, Texas) TimberHogs, Sherman (Texas) Shadowcats and Texarkana (Texas) Rhinos
Let’s Play Ball: Regular season begins Thursday, May 22, when the Outlaws host Fort Smith Marshals at 7:05 p.m. to begin a four-game weekend series that continues through Sunday night.
Website: https://joplinoutlaws.com/