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America’s Largest Amateur League Shines in Baseball’s “Lost Season”

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America’s Largest Amateur League Shines in Baseball’s “Lost Season”

September 15
00:33 2020

2020 will forever be remembered as baseball’s lost season. The sport was shattered due to the COVID-19 pandemic virus outbreak. Baseball fans were out of luck this summer as they were entirely restricted from attending any professional or semi-pro live games. Watching on television or live stream wasn’t much better. Most of the MLB season was cancelled including the pre-season, the much anticipated Iowa Field of Dreams game, Puerto Rico series, London Series and All Star game. The shortened 60 game season was played in empty stadiums without fans. Some of the game’s stars even opted out of the season. And dozens of games of the shortened season were postponed due to players testing positive for COVID-19. To make matters worse the season was mired in a controversial political player movement which resulted in even more games being called off. But it wasn’t just the MLB that was hit hard by COVID-19. Minor League Baseball was cancelled for the first time ever. The NCAA college baseball season was cancelled. The Little League World Series and region tournaments were cancelled for the first time in its history. Independent professional leagues like the Frontier and Atlantic leagues suspended their seasons. Cooperstown, known as the home of baseball, was not spared either. The annual Hall of Fame Classic game, Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony (which expected to draw the biggest crowd ever this year) and Dream Park youth tournament were all called off. There was no baseball played at the iconic Doubleday field. And there was the closure of the Baseball Hall of Fame Museum for almost four months. A depressing set of unprecedented circumstances for baseball fans from all over.

But there was one bright spot in the world of baseball. A league that had housands of fans across the country watching in attendance on local baseball fields during hot, summer, lazy nights. MSBL (Men’s Senior Baseball League) is America’s largest amateur baseball league where former pro and MLB players are also known to play. The MSBL birthplace and headquarters is located in Long Island, NY. The nationwide league originated back in 1988. It holds annual fall and winter tournaments in MLB spring training stadiums FITTEAM Ballpark (home of the Houston Astros and Washington Nationals spring training), Roger Dean Stadium (home of the Miami Marlins and St. Louis Cardinals spring training) Tempe Diablo Stadium (home of the Los Angeles Angels spring training) and the historic Doubleday Field (Cooperstown, NY). The league has multiple age brackets from +18, +25, +35, +45 and +50 age groups.

MSBL kept the true pastoral baseball spirit alive in 2020. And for that we are thankful. Local games across small town, suburbia and big city America successfully avoided the effects of Covid-19 lock-downs and politics. Fans enthusiastically attending local parks watching competitive play at all levels. Cheering on players that were mostly like their husband, father, son, friend or relative. America’s pastime, represented by MSBL games played from coast to coast, was enjoyable to watch during an otherwise disappointing baseball season for many baseball lovers.

Fans can follow America’s largest amateur baseball league on mensbigleaguebaseball.com


Image: 48 year old Guy Saladino (L) and brother Gavin Saladino (R) discuss their upcoming at bats in the 35+ MSBL NY, Long Island league.

The birthplace and headquarters of MSBL (Credit: Rene Vega photography)

Media Contact
Company Name: Groupnex
Contact Person: Michael Smith
Email: Send Email
Phone: 917-577-9401
Address:88th street
City: Jamaica
State: NY
Country: United States
Website: https://mensbigleaguebaseball.com/

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