These All-State Player certificates were issued to Topekan Harland Coffman for his performance during the state semi-pro baseball tournaments held in Wichita in 1947, 1954, and 1956. Each year, 16 players who competed in the state semi-pro tournament were honored by being named to the all-state team. Coffman was a member of the Topeka Decker Oilers, a perennial contender for the state semi-pro baseball title in the 1940s and 1950s. Harland's father 'Pooch' (also known as Al and Vern) was the long-time manager of the Decker Oilers. Other family members who played with the team were Harland's brother Burton, and his uncles Ed and Junior Coffman. Between 1948 and 1953, Harland Coffman pitched for several minor league teams. In the 158 minor league games for which his statistics are available, he achieved an overall record of 62-46, with an ERA of 3.19. The National Baseball Congress of America was also the National Semi-Pro Baseball Congress. Digital reproduction of the photograph was accomplished through a joint project sponsored by the Kansas Historical Society and the Shawnee County Baseball Hall of Fame.
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