Team members - After a slow early season beginning, Collins went on an eight-game winning streak that placed them in the final four of the state tournament. Many of these team members were also on the spring of 1955 team that was also in the state tournament. Two consecutive years appearance in the state tournament is the school all-time record. This is also very likely the last appearance of Collins in state baseball tournament. Starting nine:John Vasey (56) (p-2b); Jerry Nichol (56) (c) ; Larry Laird (56) (1b); Gordon Smith (58) (2b-p); Bill Ballard (56) (3b); Jim Dodd (56) (ss) (after Dodd's accident injury, David Fitzgerald (57) (ss); Pat Fitzgerald (58) (lf); Ben Clark (57) (cf); Norlyn Smith (57) (rf); Bob Rice (56) (utility of). Other team members: Jerry Dodd (59) (of); Darwin Luing (58) (of); Jerry Huffman (57) (of); Lawrence Horn (59) (of); Elliott Partridge (57) (of); Rex Morrison (56) (of); George Keagle (56) (of). Coach - Larry Thompson. Senior team members: John Vasey (p), Jerry Nichol (c), Larry Laird (1b), Bill Ballard (3b), Jim Dodd (ss), Bob Rice (of), all key members of this team.
(Insert 2005: Composite Baseball Seasons Summary - Fall 1952 through spring - 1956:
Fall - 52 Won 3, lost 5 (Sectional Tournament - lost 2nd game)
Spring - 53 Won 11, lost 2 (Sectional Tournament champions, District - lost 1st game)
Fall - 53 Won 5, lost 1 (Sectional Tournament champions, District - lost 1st game)
Spring - 54 Won 8, lost 3 (Sectional Tournament champions, District - lost 2nd game)
Fall - 54 Won 8, lost 2 (Sectional and District Tournament champions,
Sub-state - Lost in finals)
Spring - 55 Won 11, lost 4 (Sectional, District, and Sub-state Tournament champions,
State Tournament - lost 1st game in the last inning)
Fall - 55 Won 8, lost 2 (Sectional and District Tournament champions,
Sub-state - Lost 1st game)
Spring - 56 Won 12, lost 6 (Sectional, District, and Sub-state Tournament champions,
State Tournament - lost 2nd game)
Summary of 4 years (8 seasons): Played 91 games. Won 66, lost 25 = 73% games won. The first team to be in State Tournament since 1926 baseball team. Also the only team to be in state tournament two consecutive years (1924 team was State Champions. See Spring 1924 pages for further information on the State Championship team.)