The focus of this category is on various forms of adult amateur baseball.
This category of baseball is made up of several leagues and associations that provide opportunities for adults to play baseball at various levels of competition outside of professional play. They offer a platform for players to stay active and enjoy the game even after they are too old for the youth and collegiate leagues. They also foster a sense of community and camaraderie.
Although there are probably others, some of the prominent organizations in this category of baseball include Town Team Baseball, the National Adult Baseball Association, the Men's Senior Baseball League, the National Baseball Congress, and the All-American Amateur Baseball Association.
Sometimes referred to as townball, Town Team Baseball is a variety of amateur baseball organizations in the United States. Teams represent a city, a town, or a commercial enterprise that sponsors the team. The history of town team baseball varies from state to state, with Minnesota being a notable example. Minnesota's first town baseball team is believed to have been Nininger's in 1857. The popularity of townball peaked in the 1940s and 1950s, with nearly eight hundred teams participating in the 1950 season. The Minnesota Baseball Association governs town team baseball in Minnesota. The Nebraska Baseball Association governs town team baseball in Nebraska. Town team baseball is most popular in the Midwestern United States, including Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.
The National Adult Baseball Association (NABA) is one of the fastest-growing adult baseball organizations in the United States. Headquartered in Denver, Colorado, NABA offers competitive and recreational baseball for players in at least 125 leagues across 40 states. The association is organized into age-specific divisions: Open Division (18 and over), 25 Wood, 35 Wood, 45 Wood, 50 Wood, and 60 Wood. NABA hosts several tournaments throughout the year.
The Men's Senior Baseball League (MSBL) is a national organization that offers competitive baseball for men aged 18 and older. MSBL has leagues and tournaments for players of varying skill levels, from recreational to highly competitive.
The National Baseball Congress (NBC) is one of the oldest and most prestigious amateur baseball organizations in the United States. Founded in 1935, NBC hosts the annual NBC World Series, which attracts teams from across the country and the world. Held in Wichita, Kansas, the NBC World Series features teams in various age divisions, including 18U, 19U, and Open Division.
The All-American Amateur Baseball Association (AAABA) is another prominent organization in the adult amateur baseball category. AAABA hosts the annual AAABA World Series, which brings together teams from different regions to compete. The association provides a platform for players to showcase their skills and compete at a high level while promoting good sportsmanship and fair play.
Most of these organizations have a structured organizational framework that includes a governing body, league commissioners, and local league officials. The governing body sets uniform rules and regulations, coordinates league schedules, and oversees the conduct of tournaments and championships. Leagues are often divided by age or skill level to ensure fair play.
These and any other adult amateur baseball organizations or leagues are appropriate topics for this category.
Recommended Resources
All American Amateur Baseball Association
The AAABA is a summer baseball league that has been a tradition in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, for over seven decades. The league hosts an annual tournament in August that features teams from various regions competing for the championship. Typically held from August 4 to August 9, the AAABA Tournament includes awards for MVP, Sportsmanship, and Batting Champion. Tournament rules, roster forms, and team listing reports are featured, franchises are listed, and photos are displayed.
https://aaabajohnstown.org/
Amateur Baseball Umpires' Association
The Amateur Baseball Umpires' Association (ABUA) is a sports organization for those people who provide order and keep the rules in baseball. You can also get help with learning the rules of amateur baseball here. The website also covers insurance issues that umpires can cover, as well as the benefits of membership, clinic testimonials, and online signups. The website also has information on camps and clinics to help umpires improve their skills. An online shopping area is included.
https://perfectspot.org/umpire/
Kansas Mens Baseball Association
KMBA was created in 2018 to be an affordable, competitive, and fun league for players of all skill levels. The league offers two different divisions: Semi-Pro and Men's League. The former offers competition comparable to that of minor league baseball or high college level play, while the latter is for those players of all skill levels, offering a fun yet competitive atmosphere. Schedules, teams, standings, statistics, schedules, contacts, and photos are included.
http://www.kmbla.com/
Minnesota Baseball Association
Formed in 1925, the Minnesota Baseball Association is the governing body for Townball in Minnesota. The MBA oversees various leagues and tournaments for different age groups and skill levels. The MBA organizes leagues such as Class A, Class B, and Class C, each catering to different levels of competition. State tournaments are hosted for each Class, with teams competing for the championship. Teams, leagues, tournaments, standings, and a calendar of events are featured.
https://minnesotabaseballassociation.org/
MSBL/MABL is a US-based organization for adults 18 and older. Consisting of the Men's Senior Baseball League (MSBL) and Men's Adult Baseball League (MABL), it was founded in the late 1960s, who later established the MSBL/MABL World Series and Fall Classic, the Desert Classic, the Las Vegas Kickoff Classic, and the Las Vegas Open. The MSBL/MABL generally conforms to standard baseball rules, and teams usually play on Sundays. Leagues, tournaments, and membership information are featured.
https://msblnational.com/
National Adult Baseball Association
The NABA is an adult, amateur baseball organization headquartered in Denver, Colorado. It offers competitive and recreational baseball for players in over 125 leagues in over 40 U.S. states. The NABA is organized into groups categorized by age. The largest division of play is the Open Division (18 and over), but there are also divisions for 25 Wood, 25 Aluminum, 35 Wood, 45 Wood, 45 Aluminum, 50 Wood, 55 Wood, and 60 Wood. Leagues, team rankings, and schedules are included.
https://www.dugout.org/
The National Baseball Congress World Series is an annual collegiate and semi-pro baseball tournament held in Wichita, Kansas. When the tournament began in 1935, participants were mostly town teams and industrial teams, with team rosters featuring aging former Minor and Major League ballplayers and those ineligible for Major League baseball. In the mid-1960s, team rosters transitioned to collegiate players. Sponsorships and schedules are acknowledged on the site.
https://nbcbaseball.com/
South Dakota Amateur Baseball Association
The SDABA is the governing body for amateur baseball in South Dakota. The Association oversees various leagues and tournaments for different age groups and skill levels. Leagues are organized into Class A and Class B, catering to different levels of competition. The SDABA hosts state tournaments for each Class, with teams competing for the championship. Member leagues and teams are featured, along with a calendar of games and events, various documents, and contacts.
https://www.sdamateurbaseball.com/
Wisconsin Baseball Association
Formed in 1948, the WBA promotes amateur baseball through its oversight of member leagues and teams, as well as its governance of an annual state championship tournament. Organized as a non-profit corporation, the WBA is made up of 56 amateur baseball teams from 6 respective leagues in the western and northern parts of Wisconsin. Its leagues include the Chippewa River Baseball League, Dairyland League, Independent League, Mississippi Valley League, St. Croix Valley League, and Upper 13 League.
https://wbabaseball.org/
