HUDSON VALLEY
MEN'S ADULT BASEBALL LEAGUE
Welcome to the Hudson Valley Men's Baseball League (HVMSBL). The league was established in 1990 as the Hudson Valley Rookie League. In 1996, the HVMSBL spun off became what it is today. It is is affiliated with MSBL National, a national organization with 325 local affiliates, 3,200 teams and nearly 50,000 members who play organized amateur baseball in local leagues, regional and national tournaments. The league by far has the most player and manager friendly rules - though we have the highest quality baseball anywhere in and around. We as a league invoke the highest levels of both competition, comradery, transparancy, and integrity and accept nothing less.
The HVMSBL consists of two divisions. 35+ Division (allowing three players 30 or older) which plays predominantly weeknights and our 45+ Division (allowing three players 40 or older) which plays mostly Saturday mornings. We work with an affilate organization for those ball players not currently 30 or older (18+).
Geographically, we cover Putnam, Dutchess, Orange, Ulster, Rockland, Fairfield and Westchester Counties.
Our league has steadily grown over the years to our current 19 teams. We're proud to state we're the longest running men's league north of New York City. One of our main goals is to offer all players of all abilities a place for players to play ball. And when we do, we help, providing new teams with full catchers gear, helmets and a credit for jerseys...at OUR cost!
Fields - Games are played at only the BEST venues in the area including Dutchess Stadium where the Hudson Valley Renegades call home where our league typically plays approximately a dozen games annually. There is NO additional charge to play at the Stadium. Our regular league fields are solid, always prepped and ready to go and included in your dues.
Recruitment - The league is always seeking new teams and individuals players. Should you wish to enter a full-team or would like help identifying a team to play on, simply email the league here and we'll help identify teams that need players. Want to play with a friend, we'll make that happen! All skill levels welcome. Considering playing next year - here are some quick answers to your initial questions:
Costs - because we officially a not-for-profit league, we are able to offer the very best value to play baseball in the tri-state area! Your dues cover everything (other than uniforms, you glove and your bat)...they cover baseballs, umpires, field fees, website, scorebooks, social media presense and league sponsored night for players and managers!!! One price, no additional out of pocket expenses! And we give back more than any league around in form of championship checks for all division champions, trophies, and of course our year end blow-out party!
The guys that run the league are volunteers and don't make anything....we have taken on the leadership roles simply to promote better baseball. We'd rather spend money on the best fields, umpires, baseballs and marketing to ensure we bring baseball to all those that want to play! Dues will depend upon which age division you play and includes all the above plus insurance and national dues which affords you the opportunity to play in all of the MSBL tournaments....Clearwater/Tampa, Phoenix, San Juan PR, Orlando/Disney, Las Vegas, etc., mostly on professional minor league and spring training fields. Want to play in national or regional tournaments? Our League will help you get there offering stipends for teams to go to national tournaments and slightly smaller stipends to go to regional tournaments!
Governance - Our League is governed by an elected president and treasurer that report direct to league managers. An Advisory Board, comprised of a minimum one manager and one player representative from each division meet periodically to help administer the league, present ideas and rules changes, and provides checks and balances within the league. Advisory Board members serve one-year terms while League President and Treasurers serve two year terms. As we are a non-profit and volunteer organization, league officials are not compensated in any way!
Aluminum or Wood - we're purists, wood! Leave the aluminum at home.
Level of Ball - though we do have quite the arsenal of players that played baseball in college, D1, D2 and D3 and junior college ball (and a few that have touched low levels of professional ball), many of our players have only played on their high school or local leagues, while some never have. You may have some reformed softball players. Most of the pitchers throw from 60-85 mph (some more, some less), and while we may have a few hitting the mid-80's, oddly enough many in the league hit the straight stuff. Those that succeed, throw strikes and play fundamental ball. While some leagues tout how competitive they are, we've seen some shun their best teams quite simply because they're too good, we've welcomed other league's champions looking for great competition and fairness. We embrace good teams, key word 'team'! No one's getting blown away....if they were, they'd not be playing here. That said, if you're looking for phenomenal competition, you'll not find any better than the HVMSBL.
Tryouts - we will get everyone onto a team provided they contact the league early enough and there's the right match. Saying everyone though will be guaranteed to make a team, well that's just like saying, "we'll take your money, but you ain't playin'" If you make a team, you're going to play! Teams aren't expected to carry 20+ players. Teams are encouraged to have just as many as they need to field their teams and include subs for when players are on vacation or have to work.
While we are always looking to expand and grow teams, we'd much rather ensure teams have enough ball players. Missed the pre-season and in-season workouts? That's okay, the league will do our best to get you onto a team. Have a friend that wants to play with you? We'll make that happen!! We've never had a team fold because they couldn't field a team, in fact we've helped five new teams expand from our current ones through strategic marketing and partnerships. Our mission is to get guys onto the fields playing high-level ball!
Length of Season - number of games - the 35+ division typically plays an 18-game schedule plus playoffs, Our 45+ division plays a 16-18 game schedule plus playoffs!
Where in the Hudson Valley do we play? Though our core has been in Dutchess County, we have added teams based in Orange and Putnam Counties, Fairfield County in Connecticut (Danbury) and in 2020 are expanding significantly into Westchester County. Based upon where you reside, you may be looking at driving 10-45 minutes to the fields. Some teams have 'home fields', but most do not...that said, we get you playing closer to where you reside.
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