This portion of our web guide focuses on collegiate summer baseball leagues, which are amateur baseball leagues featuring players who have attended at least one year of college and have at least one year of athletic eligibility remaining.
However, these rules may differ slightly from one league to another.
Collegiate summer baseball is an essential component of the baseball development pipeline. As Major League Baseball (MLB) scouts heavily scout collegiate summer baseball teams, they have a high level of play and provide a bridge between college baseball programs and professional leagues.
Collegiate summer baseball allows college-level players to compete during the summer months, offering continuous play, skill development, and exposure to MLB scouts.
These leagues typically consist of teams made up of players from various colleges and universities. They complement the institutional programs by providing additional playing time and competitive opportunities. During the academic year, players are engaged in their respective college baseball programs, which include regular-season games, conference tournaments, and potentially the NCAA College World Series. College seasons tend to be short, however. When the college playing season ends, collegiate summer leagues begin, allowing players to remain active and further enhance their skills. The relationship is symbiotic.
While collegiate summer baseball programs are generally not affiliated with MiLB or MLB teams, they play a crucial role in player development and scouting. Many players who compete in collegiate summer leagues are draft-eligible and use this platform to showcase their abilities to MLB scouts, who frequently attend summer league games to evaluate potential draftees.
To find a collegiate summer team, players often work with their college coaches and general managers of prospective teams. After completing their spring collegiate season with their NCAA, NAIA, NJCAA, CCAA, and NWAC teams, they report to summer leagues. Some players arrive late due to their college team's postseason play, which sometimes runs into early June. In some cases, players are drafted during the collegiate summer season. These draftees can remain with their collegiate summer team until they sign a professional contract.
While collegiate summer baseball leagues are independent of the NCAA, they are governed by their own rules and regulations. Organizations that oversee many of these leagues include the National Alliance of College Summer Baseball (NACSB), the National Amateur Baseball Federation (NABF), and the National Baseball Congress (NBC).
Besides those leagues represented by the NACSB, NABF, and NBC, several other collegiate summer baseball leagues are unaffiliated.
The Appalachian League is a summer collegiate baseball league operating in the Appalachian regions of Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, and North Carolina. While classified as a collegiate summer baseball league, it is part of Major League Baseball and USA Baseball's Prospect Development Pipeline. Between 1911 and 2020, the Appalachian League operated as part of MiLB, and several of its teams were low-level affiliates of MLB franchises. It operated as a Class D league during four stints through 1962, and was then classified as a Rookie Advanced league from 1963 to 2020. In 2021, it became an amateur, collegiate summer baseball league for rising freshmen and sophomores.
The MLB Draft League comprises six teams that were formerly members of Minor League Baseball (MiLB) before the 2021 reorganization. They utilize a hybrid split-season format in which they operate as a collegiate summer baseball league in the first half of the season, playing their remaining games with paid professional players who have exhausted their amateur eligibility. However, despite its affiliation with MLB and summer collegiate baseball play, the MLB Draft League is classified as an independent league.
Collegiate summer baseball leagues vary significantly in their level and quality of play, attendance, and ability to attract MLB scouts. The Alaska Baseball League and the Cape Cod Baseball League are premier college summer leagues.
Online resources representing collegiate summer baseball associations, federations, leagues, or teams are appropriate for this category.
Recommended Resources
The Appalachian League is a summer collegiate baseball league that is part of Major League Baseball's Prospect Development Pipeline. Based in the Appalachian regions of the United States, the league provides a platform for amateur baseball players to develop their skills and gain exposure to MLB scouts. The league consists of several teams, separated into East and West divisions, and its regular season runs from late June to early August, with playoffs following the season.
https://www.appyleague.com/
Beach Collegiate Baseball League
Based in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, BCBL is a wood bat summer league that provides a competitive environment for college players from Division I, II, II, junior colleges, and NAIA schools, as well as international players. Founded in 2012, the league consists of 10-12 teams, including the Bluefish, Cyclones, Dolphins, Generals, Lagoon, Seagulls, Stars, Surf, Waves, and Whales. Its season typically runs from late May to early August, with a 22-game schedule and single-elimination playoffs.
https://beachcollegiatebaseball.com/
Cal Ripken Sr. Collegiate Baseball
CRSCBL is a collegiate summer baseball league operating in the Washington, D.C., and Baltimore, Maryland, metropolitan areas. It is a member of the National Alliance of College Summer Baseball and originated from the Babe Ruth League. The league offers continued play for players who have aged out of the youth leagues. League officers and contacts, teams, standings, stat leaders, schedules, alumni, awards, and previous champions are highlighted, along with its Hall of Fame.
http://www.calripkenleague.org/
CCL is a summer collegiate baseball league based in North Carolina. The league focuses on enhancing player skills and abilities so they return to their schools improved and well-rested for the upcoming season. Each team in the CCL plays around 45-60 games, including an all-star game and a tournament, with games primarily scheduled on weekends and Wednesdays, allowing ample time for training. Teams, rosters, schedules, photographs, and player application forms are available.
https://carolinacollegiateleague.com/
Established in 2018, CCL is a wood bat summer baseball league based in the Pacific Northwest. The league provides a competitive platform for NWAC, NAIA, and NCAA baseball players, as well as high school prospects. Located at Wheeler Field in Centralia, Washington, the league consists of six teams, including the CCL Showcase Team, which plays an additional 25+ game schedule against independent collegiate teams and members of the West Coast League, while the regular season includes 24 games.
https://www.cascadecollegiateleague.com/
Coastal Collegiate Summer Baseball
Founded by Chris Lein, a former MLB professional scout, and MiLB player and coach, the CCBL is a wood bat league based in Jacksonville, Florida. The league was formed in 2020 and features teams of college-eligible players and seniors, emphasizing high-quality play and community involvement, with players and coaches participating in local youth camps and events. The CCBL season typically runs from late June to early August, with games held at various local venues.
https://www.ccbljax.com/
Florida Collegiate Summer League
Founded in 2003, the FCSL is a six-team wood-bat collegiate summer baseball league in the Central Florida region of the Southeastern United States. The FCSL is one of twelve leagues in the National Alliance of College Summer Baseball. Game schedules, scoreboards, ticket information, fields, internships, staff, and host family programs are highlighted, along with sponsors and sponsorship opportunities, teams, stats, and a history of the league, league champions, and records.
http://floridaleague.com/
Greater Northeast Collegiate Baseball
The GNCBL is a summer collegiate baseball league operating in Northern New England. It features college players from various institutions competing in a competitive and developmental environment. The league consists of multiple teams, each representing a college or university from the region, playing a summer schedule, typically from June to August. Games are held at various ballparks throughout Maine, including Croker Memorial Field in Falmouth and Old Orchard Beach. Schedules are posted.
https://www.gncbl.com/
KCCBL is a wood bat league based in Kansas City, Missouri, providing a platform for college players and committed high school seniors to showcase their skills and gain exposure to scouts. The league accepts players aged 18-22, hosting several teams, which are featured here. The season generally runs from late May to early August, with games held at various local venues. Teams have access to indoor facilities throughout the summer, allowing for continued training and development.
https://kccollegiatebaseballleague.com/
Based in La Crosse, Wisconsin, the La Crosse Loggers are a collegiate summer baseball league playing in the Northwoods League, in which they are one of 26 teams. Founded in 2003, the team plays its home games at Copeland Park. The team's website offers ticket options and sales. Other resources include team rosters, schedules, statistics, contacts, and an introduction to its community programs. Games can be viewed online, and a shopping page offers branded fan apparel.
https://northwoodsleague.com/la-crosse-loggers/
Metropolitan Collegiate Baseball League
The MCBL is a summer collegiate baseball league based in New Jersey. The league provides a competitive platform for college players to showcase their skills, stay fit, and gain exposure to professional scouts. Past seasons, from 2014 onward, are archived, along with the current season, and a profile of the league is provided. League sponsors are acknowledged, and internship opportunities are posted on the website. Registration schedules and details are included.
http://metropolitanbaseball.com/
The Mid-America League is a new summer collegiate baseball league focused on providing an option to underserved markets in the south-central region of the United States. The MAL features six teams: the Abilene Flying Bison, Fort Smith Marshals, Joplin Outlaws, Piney Woods TimberHogs, Sherman Shadow Cats, and Texarkana Rhinos. The league focuses on players from NCAA Division I, II, and II, NAIA, community colleges, junior colleges, and select players who have exhausted their college eligibility.
https://midamericaleague.com/
Mile High Collegiate Baseball League
The MHCBL is a summer baseball league based in Denver, Colorado. The league provides collegiate players with the opportunity to continue playing and improving their skills during the summer months and has an emphasis on high-level competition, scheduled games, and positive environments for players. The MHCBL staff are introduced, along with its sponsors, sponsorship opportunities, notable alumni profiles, schedules, and a prospective player form that may be submitted online.
https://mhcbl.com/
Mink Collegiate Baseball League
Consisting of nine teams from Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska, and Kansas, MCBL was formed in 2009 and is affiliated with the National Baseball Congress. The league provides a venue for college players to develop their skills in an environment of increased competition. Its season typically runs during the summer, with the championship series taking place at the end of the season. Its all-league team and player awards are announced at the end of each season. Teams and schedules are posted.
https://minkleaguebaseball.com/
The Northwoods League is a collegiate summer baseball wooden bat league. All players in the league must have NCAA eligibility remaining to participate. The league is amateur, and players are unpaid, so they maintain their college eligibility. Graduated senior pitchers are also eligible to play in the league. Teams play 72 games from Memorial Day to the 2nd Saturday in August, with playoffs beginning the week after. Member teams, stats, standings, and ticket options are presented.
https://northwoodsleague.com/
The O'Fallon Hoots are a collegiate summer league baseball team in the United States Prospect League. Formed in 2017, the Hoots were an expansion franchise for the 2018 season. The Hoots and other collegiate summer leagues and teams exist to give top college players a professional-like experience without affecting NCAA eligibility. Team rosters, schedules, game programs, special events, ticket sales, and sponsorship information are provided, with a profile of Carshield Field.
https://ofallonhoots.com/
Pacific Coast Collegiate League
The PCCL is a summer baseball league that provides collegiate players with the opportunity to continue playing and improving their skills during the summer months. The league offers a 24-game schedule over a 6-week season, running from mid-June to late July, featuring teams from various regions, including Southern California, Northern California, Hawaii, Houston, and Denver. Players can sign up individually to be placed on teams. Registration forms may be submitted online.
https://www.pccleague.com/
The Rockford Rivets are a summer collegiate baseball team in the Northwoods League, whose teams are all based in Illinois. The team was founded in 2015 when the Frontier League's Rockford Aviators folded. Rockford Baseball Properties purchased the stadium and fielded a team, which became the Rivets. Ticket information, schedules, team rosters, stats, and an introduction to the stadium are featured on the team website. An online shopping site offers branded apparel and fan merchandise.
https://northwoodsleague.com/rockford-rivets/
Rocky Mountain Collegiate Baseball League
Based in Highlands Ranch, Colorado, and established in 1999, RMBL is a collegiate wood bat league affiliated with the National Baseball Congress. Currently, the league consists of 10 teams from the front range of Colorado. Teams are listed on the site. Teams provide their own uniforms and equipment, while the league provides baseballs for all events. The league does not maintain standings, and teams are not required to report scores, although player statistics are reported.
https://rockymountainbaseballleague.com/
Founded in 2022, the Seguin River Monsters are a collegiate summer baseball team based in Seguin, Texas. The team is a member of the Texas Collegiate League (TCL), playing home games at Smokey Joe Williams Field in Seguin. Front office contacts are presented, and an introduction to the stadium is included. Other resources include an overview of the TCL, season schedules, team rosters, and online ticket sales. Sponsorships and an online store offering branded apparel are included.
https://www.seguinrivermonsters.com/
South Florida Collegiate Baseball League
Spanning from West Palm Beach to Miami, the South Florida Collegiate Baseball League is a premier wood-bat summer league for collegiate players from across the nation. The league features fourteen teams split between its North and South divisions. The regular season consists of a 38-game schedule, with teams competing to secure a playoff spot and, ultimately, the League Championship. League teams frequently appear on Collegiate Summer Baseball's national rankings.
http://sfcbl.pointstreaksites.com/view/sfcbl/
The Southwest Chicago Inter-League Association (SWILA) is a baseball league that provides competitive play for high school and collegiate players in the southwest Chicago suburbs. The league is divided into several divisions, including the Colt League, Palomino League, and Collegiate League. The summer season typically runs from late May to mid-July, followed by playoffs. Teams play nine home and nine away games, and the league hosts All-Star games for each division.
https://swilabaseball.com/
The Vermont Lake Monsters, a collegiate summer baseball team playing its home games at Centennial Field in Burlington, Vermont, are a member of Minor League Baseball, in the New York-Penn League, until 2020. Founded in 1994 as the Vermont Expos, they were members of the MiLB after the 2020 season. With the MLB reorganizing the MiLB after the 2020 season, Vermont was not selected to continue in the MiLB; instead, the team joined the Futures Collegiate Baseball League in 2021.
https://vermontlakemonsters.com/
Founded in 2006 by Marshall Murray, a local businessman, the Walnut Creek Crawdads are a collegiate summer baseball team based in Walnut Creek, California. Playing in the California Collegiate League (CCL), they play their home games at Monte Vista High School Baseball Field in Danville, California. Often referred to as the Dads, the team features a mix of talented pitchers, catchers, infielders, and outfielders from various colleges. The team hosts youth camps and events.
https://walnutcreekcrawdads.org/
