East Chicago Conquistadors

The East Chicago Conquistadors of East Chicago, Indiana were the city's only professional baseball team, and they lasted one summer, 1995, in a four-club independent league that played entirely within Indiana. The name was chosen in hopes of appealing to East Chicago's large Mexican-American population. Home was E.J. Block Athletic Field, a 3,500-seat park that opened in 1942 and had never housed a professional club.

The Conquistadors finished last at 23-35, 10.5 games behind pennant winner Lafayette, and allowed the most runs in the league. They were also last at the gate, drawing 5,444, or about 188 a date in a park built for 3,500.

Two Conquistadors made the All-Star team: first baseman Larry Hisle Jr., whose .375 average was second in the league, and outfielder Darrio Green (.330, 24 steals). Bruce Newman drove in a team-high 43 runs, and Doug Smyly went 4-1 with a 2.63 ERA in six starts. The manager was Ron D'Auteuil, who was playing second base for Anderson a year later.