Bio

Entering his sixth year as Commissioner, Dennis has focused his efforts on the expansion and facility development of the Prospect league. Under his helm, the Prospect League has expanded into Cape Girardeau (Mo.), Normal (Ill.), Peru (Ill.), Alton (Ill.), Johnstown (Pa.), Clinton (Iowa), and Burlington (Iowa) and was instrumental in relocating Hannibal, Mo. to O’Fallon (Mo.) in 2020. Jackson, Tenn. has also been added to the Prospect League lineup for 2023.

Bastien owned and operated several minor league teams from 1978 to 1995. Beginning as a General Manager with the Gastonia Cardinals in 1978, he later owned and operated several teams within the South Atlantic League, Carolina League, Appalachian League and Southern League. Prior to ownership and operating of the Winston-Salem Spirits, Charleston Wheelers, Huntington Cubs, Martinsville Phillies, Danville Braves and a roving Class-AA Southern League team in Wilmington (N.C.) and Nashville (Tenn.), he operated clubs in Gastonia (N.C.), Macon (Ga.), Spartanburg (S.C.).  

After returning to his hometown in Southern Illinois, he built Grassroots Baseball and Softball complex in Elkville, Ill. He was also the athletic director and baseball coach at Morthland College (West Frankfort, Ill.) and head baseball coach at Carbondale Community High School before becoming Prospect League Commissioner in December of 2016.