Hey Fellow Ballplayers!
I really can't believe we are heading into our 17th season of great hardball action. It seems like just yesterday that we held our first tryout out at East HS. We hoped for enough guys to fill out 6 teams...we had enough for 14! Many of our players have been with us from the start and we all have stories about our return to the game of our youth to share...and some aren't even embellished!... although last I heard, Phillies Manager Ed Renica's dramatic game-tying Home Run at Doubleday Field many seasons ago is now up to 454 feet!
By the time the upstate NY weather breaks in mid-May, our 20+ teams will be ready to take the field. Divided into two age levels (18+ and 28+), our 300+ players range from hot-shot college players to Father-Son combos enjoying the game together. Opening Day is always a highlight, along with the All-Star Game and Sandlot Day at Fisher.
We play a 16-18 game season in addition to the playoffs and many tournaments around the country. Most of our games are on Sundays with an occasional Saturday or weeknight game. We use some of the finest fields in the area and we strive to work with local programs and schools to help them maintain their fields in the best possible manner.
Above all, we pride ourselves on combining positive sportsmanship and great competitive rivalries on the field with our friendships and camaraderie off the field...In other words, we'd rather see a well-played, enjoyable 6 to 5 game than a 14 to 1 blowout! Check back as the season progresses to see how we're doing. I will look forward to seeing everybody on the diamond in 2010!
Rochester NABA League President
HOW OLD DO I HAVE TO BE? - You have to have turned 18 before you can play in the 18+ NABA league. Players who are 27 but turn 28 during the current year are eligible to play in the 28+ league but are still able to play in either or both leagues.
HOW OLD IS TOO OLD? - You are never too old, you're only as old as you feel! You may compete at this level for as long as you feel competitive. We have several “young” Grandfathers playing in the league and they're as competitive as ever!
WHEN DO WE PLAY? - We play almost every weekend between May and mid-August for the 18+ league and all the way into late September for the 28+ guys, with time off for holidays like Mother's Day, Memorial Day, July 4th and Labor Day. Our 18+ teams play mostly on Sunday and they play a shorter season to account for the players home from college. The 28+ league does play a few games on Saturdays and weeknights but a great majority of their games are on Sundays as well. After the regular season ends, playoffs begin. There are different game times on Weekends: 11 AM starts for the 18+ teams and 10 AM and 1 PM for 28+. Weeknight games begin at 5:45-ish. While we try to avoid doubleheaders in the 28+ league, there may be few a year depending on the weather, etc.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST? - The league fees are determined each year on a per team basis. Currently, the fees per player range between $150 to $200 a player for the season, depending on sponsorship money, roster size, etc. This covers everything from our personalized Rawlings R-100 baseballs, field donations and fees to League T-Shirts, umpires, National NABA membership, Trophies, insurance coverage and much more. Player fees can increase based on your team's need for uniforms and equipment but please know that we work hard to keep fees down...or look at this way, add up a few rounds of gold at Ravenwood or a Season Ski Pass and hopefully you'll agree that playing in the NABA is a relative bargain!
WHAT DO THE UNIFORMS LOOK LIKE? - Depends on the team! Some teams wear simple three-button t-shirt jerseys and some wear official MLB jerseys. This question is left up to the teams, but all of out players are in uniform while on the field, and look like professional baseball players. Some players have been known to be solicited for autographs! We do stress that all teams look the part and while an official Yankees uni would be nice, it's also great to see our local NABA teams carving our their own identities.
WHAT DO I NEED TO PLAY? - All you need is a glove, a pair of spikes, a good attitude, and the desire to play the great game of baseball. Metal spikes are allowed, but you do not have to wear them. We play with wooden bats. We do provide a few league wood bats to each team but most players choose to pick up their own. Catching gear and helmets are usually provided by the teams. If you already have your own gear, then you are ready to play now! Don't blame us though when the bug bites and you end up buying all new gear...or like me, have a 50 year old glove re-conditioned to game-ready shape!
HOW FAST IS THE PITCHING? - Not as fast as you (or the pitchers) think! In the 18+ you can see various speeds some ranging into the upper 80's. You may hear about some guy throwing 90's but if this happens it will not last long because he will either be signed or blow it out. Frankly, the most effective pitchers in both age levels are the guys throwing strikes, changing speeds and keeping batters off balance...just like when you played back in the 'day!
HOW COMPETITIVE IS THE LEAGUE? - Most players have some baseball experience, ranging from little league to a stint at the professional level. You can bet your Mickey Mantle rookie card that every team will be trying to win, but enjoying the game of baseball is our number one goal. As far as the league is concerned, we are always looking at ways to keep the competition as balanced as possible as it's always more fun to play in a one-run nail-biter than some blowout!
WHAT POSITIONS ARE MOST IN DEMAND? - All positions are in demand. Good pitchers are like gold in the league (one definition of a good pitcher: more strikes than balls) and have the highest demand. Catchers probably come next, especially when those rain-induced double headers roll around. So what if you are not the latest Battery anchor? No big deal as guys in decent shape that can play a little ball usually find a roster spot if they have a good attitude.
HOW DO I GET ON A TEAM? - First, make sure we have your free-agent form so have your name and e-mail address on file. Each year any number of teams will need ballplayers and we really work hard to get every interested player a shot to play. If interest dictates, we've even been known to hold an open workout or two for interested guys. Don't worry, the workouts just give the team managers a chance to look everyone over and try to match your skills with their needs as well as give you a chance to meet some of the guys and decide if this is for you. During the actual season, I encourage players to visit the ball field during a game and check out the action. If you like what you see and think you will fit in, make contact with the managers present as they usually know who needs what.
WHERE DO YOU PLAY? - We use mostly high school, college and municipal fields around the Monroe County area...and we are always on the lookout for new fields. We pride ourselves on the money we donate to local programs in exchange for use of their fields so let us know if you have any ideas.
HOW ARE NABA RULES DIFFERENT? Games are regulation 9 innings with a 3 hour time limit (double-header games are 7 innings and a 2 ½ hour time limit each). Playing by primarily Major League rules, the NABA has a few exceptions which are designed to prevent injury and give players more playing time. For example, there is a " no collision" rule, a no fake tag rule, a courtesy runner rule, and an 8 person start rule. There is free substitution on defense and a starter re-entry rule for the batting order. Baseball uniforms are required – no blue jeans, cut-offs, shorts, nor sweats are allowed for league play. Everyone must wear baseball shoes, socks, and pants; and caps and shirts must match with numbers on the back of the shirts. While the belts, pants, socks and sleeves do not necessarily have to match, teams are encouraged to vote to have matching uniforms as it adds to the image of our leagues. Wood, aluminum, graphite, and ceramic bats are used and metal spikes are allowed. You cannot, however, sharpen them and there are no Ty Cobb type sliding tactics allowed – everyone has to go to work the next day! In addition, the NABA has NO ALCOHOL, NO DRUGS, and NO TOBACCO PRODUCTS rules as practically every facility where we play has those same rules.
