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The St. Louis MSBL was organized in July of 1993 as a not-for-profit corporation. Today we have over 50 teams including five divisions of over-18, over-25, over-35, over-45 & over 52+ years of age. We are affiliated with the National Men's Senior Baseball League which began in 1986 in Long Island with just four teams. Today it has grown to 325 leagues across the United States and over 44,000 member/players. These are not out-of-shape softball players. MSBL members are serious amateur athletes. They are men who enjoy baseball too much to just watch or play softball. Most players are men who have not competed on the diamond since high school or college, but are rediscovering their skills through the MSBL. They exhibit a special commitment to excellence - in their chosen sports, in their professions, and as contributors to the well being of their communities.
How
much does it cost to play?
Why
are the fees so high?
What
is included in the price?
How
can I get on a team?
Are
team sponsorships permitted?
What
fields do you play on?
When
are the games played?
How
long are the games?
Do
you ever play double-headers?
Can
I play on more than one team?
What
do you mean by "Over 18", "Over 25", "Over
35 ", "Over 45" and "Over 52" leagues?
Do
you have rules that are different from Major League rules?
How much does it cost to play?
Currently the league fees are $125/team/game. The teams pay a league fee of $2500 - $3000 for a 15-man roster depending on the number of games being played 15, 20, 22, 24, plus $30/each additional player, due by the first game. The fee includes 1 guaranteed playoff game. Each team, however, is free to decide how to break the cost down by player. Some elect to obtain sponsorship money, thereby reducing the cost to each player. Some hold team fund-raisers. Some carry large rosters, some don't. Some include uniforms with the payment, others charge extra for the uniforms. However, on an average, you can generally expect that the cost will run in the area of $5-$10 per game (for a 15-man roster, about $175 per player) The league fee covers fields, insurance, umpires, balls and membership in the national MSBL.
Actually, when you think about it, it's pretty inexpensive. The cost of the fields in the largest expense. Even still, the fact that you are playing a major league style game, complete with metal cleats, regulation major league diamonds, aluminum bats, top notch umpires, and an organization that is "100% committed to adult baseball in St. Louis", and affiliated with the very professional National MSBL orgainzation, you just can't beat the price.
What is included in the price?
Along with the regular season schedule (generally 20-24 games), we provide up to three (3) additional playoff games, eligibility to all MSBL sanctioned regional and national tournaments, and a $26/man subscription to the National MSBL "Hardball" magazine. The fees primarily cover the costs of the fields, umpires, insurance and baseballs.
You can simply send an email to us (email league office) listing your name, age, phone number, preferred email contact, preferred position, preferred division and past experience. You will then be added to an online player pool where managers in need of players can view your information and contact you directly.
Are Team Sponsorships permitted?
Absolutely. In fact, as an added incentive for merchants to sponsor teams in the St. Louis MSBL, we provide visibility through our Web Site in the "Team Sponsors" page for all team sponsors. Approximately a third of our teams have some form of sponsorship. Some provide uniform tops and hats, while others provide money for league fees, etc.
Check out our "Field Directory" page on this Web Site. We are continually looking for additional fields in order to upgrade from year-to-year.
For the most part, all weekend games are scheduled for either 10:00 am , 12:45 pm or 3:30 pm. Exceptions are made based on field availability. Also, night games generally start at 6:00 pm or 8:30 pm.
All games are 7 innings, with 2 hour and 15 minutes time limit from the official start of the game, with no new inning starting after 2 hours and 5 minutes. Games can end in a tie if time has expired, if not, you continue your innings until time runs out.
Do you ever play doubleheaders?
Generally not but rain make-ups could warrant this.
Can I play on more than 1 team?
Yes,
but you will have to pay for each team you play with. The only
restrictions are as follows: You cannot play for 2 teams in the same
age bracket league (i.e. you CAN play on an Over 25 team AND an Over
35 team, etc.). You must also designate one age division as your
PRIMARY division which the league will take into consideration when
scheduling games, however, at times, scheduling conflicts cannot be
avoided for multiple division players.
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What do you mean by "Over 18", "Over 25", "Over 35", "Over 45" and "Over 52" leagues?
In
order to maintain competitiveness, we offer four separate leagues,
the Over 18 for players age 18 by April 1, Over 25 for players age 25
by December 31st, Over 35 for players age 35 by December 31st.
Over 45 for players age 45 by December 31st and Over 52 for players
age 52 by December 31st.
Do you have rules that are different from major league rules?
Yes! As most of us have very busy schedules with work and family, our time is very precious. For this reason, we try to get as many players involved during the game as possible. We do this by employing offensive and defensive lineups that can be managed independently. This means that a manager could conceivably list 9 players on his defensive lineup, while batting nine different players offensively. This allows a team to place their best defensive and best offensive lineup on the field at the same time, allowing everyone to play, while improving the competitiveness of the team. Offensively, with the exception of the ability to bat as many players as you have on your roster, and that a manager can designate two "Non-runners (i.e. when either of these two players reach base, they are replaced with the last out in the batting order)", all major league rules apply. If you have at least ten players present, you must bat ten, but not more than ten (i.e. if you have 13).
Defensively,
the game is played with "free substitution". That means
that "position players (not pitchers)" can come in and out
of the defensive lineup as often as a manager wants. The offensive
and defensive lineups are used as referenced above. In the case of a
pitcher, he can be removed from the mound and returned once more
later in the game, but not in the same inning he was removed. Once he
is removed a second time, he is ineligible to pitch for the remainder
of the game. He can, however, play any other defensive position, and
can bat so long as he has not been dropped from the offensive lineup.
<link to complete St. Louis MSBL
rules & code of conduct>