Lafayette Drillers Flashback: Dave Stabelfeldt

The Lafayette Drillers, a Double-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants, called Lafayette, Louisiana their home for two years, from 1975-1976.

The Drillers, who played their home games at Clark Field, were co-champions of the Texas League in 1975 with the Midland Cubs, finishing 72-57, before going 58-76 in 1976, the last year of affiliated professional baseball in Lafayette.

A number of outstanding players, who eventually made it into Major League Baseball ranks played at Clark Field in 1975 & 1976, including five former Lafayette Driller players.

All summer long, we’re taking a look back at some of the former players for the Drillers.

Today, Dave Stabelfeldt:

Stabelfeldt was a Catcher for the Drillers during the 1976 season.

Born in Reseda, California, Stabelfeldt attended Cleveland High School, before playing college baseball at Pierce College.

After signing with the San Francisco Giants' organization as an undrafted free agent in 1973, at the age of 20, Stabelfeldt made minor league stops in Decatur, Illinois and Fresno, California, before joining the Drillers in 1976 at the age of 23.

The 6-foot-2, 180-pound Stabelfeldt also played in Phoenix, Arizona in 1976, which was the AAA level, the highest level of professional baseball he appeared in.

With Lafayette, Stabelfeldt hit a .283, along with one home run, and nine runs batted in.

In 92 at-bats, Stabelfeldt, a right-handed hitter, collected 26 hits, including five doubles, and one triple, along with four walks and 17 strikeouts.

Defensively, Stabelfeldt played in 23 games, all as a catcher, committing two errors.

Stabelfeldt went on to play more year of professional baseball, making a stop in Jersey City, New Jersey, before his career ended after the 1977 season.

Following his playing career, Stabelfeldt became an assistant coach at the college level.

Stabelfeldt compiled a .253 career batting average, along with 31 home runs, 82 RBI’s, and two stolen bases in 381 minor league games, covering five seasons.