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Fall 2011 Season starts September25 and runs through January

The South Florida Baseball League (SFBL) operates under the umbrella of Florida Hardball, Inc., one of the premier adult baseball organizations in the great state of Florida.  The SFBL covers the geographic area of southeast Florida, operating in Dade, Monroe, Broward and Palm Beach counties.

The South Florida Baseball League is proud to announce that opening day for the upcoming Fall 2011 Season is set for September 25, 2011.  This will be our 19th year and 39th consecutive season of operation!  

The SFBL caters to adult men of all ages who crave baseball, offering competition in three age brackets - 18 and over, 25 and over, and 30 and over.  This Fall 2011 Season, we anticipate fielding 26 or more teams with around 400 active players.  The SFBL has been affiliated with the Men's Senior Baseball League (MSBL), the national organization for adult baseball, for the past 19 years.

Considered by many to be one of the top adult amateur hardball organizations in the country, the SFBL provides high quality regional baseball competition in South Florida.

This document seeks to provide you with answers to the most frequently asked questions about the League. 

Schedule:  The SFBL operates two regular seasons per year, Spring and Fall.  Additionally, the SFBL operates two statewide tournaments each year.  The tournaments, the Miami Open, held on Memorial Day Weekend, and the Florida Cup, held during the Labor Day Weekend, feature some of the fiercest adult baseball action in the South Florida.  With visiting teams from New York, Orlando, Jacksonville, Fort Myers, Tampa and Palm Beach, to name a few, the tournaments always prove to be dynamite.  Consequently, the SFBL provides year-round baseball in the fabulous Florida sunshine.

All games are played on Sundays, with some exceptions to accommodate rainouts.  The Spring Season and Fall Season both consist of identical 12 regular season games as well as a series of postseason games, which consists of semi-finals and a championship for each age bracket.  To help bring in new players into the SFBL the League will either employ an advertising campaign and conduct formal tryouts in Dade and Broward/Palm Beach counties or use a marketing campaign and assign all new talent through the SFBL Player Pool. 

Fees:  Membership fees are $220 per player and may be paid in cash, by check or via credit cards.  We accept all major credit cards (MasterCard, Visa, AMEX and Discover).  Fees cover all expenses related to playing baseball, plus a few extras:

League fees do not cover uniform costs, which can range between $20 and $75, depending on the team you join.

Age Divisions:  The SFBL consists of three age brackets: Premier 18+ and Wood Bat Open, Senior 25+ and Masters 30+.  Players over the age of 25 may compete in the 18+ division; however, unless previously approved by the league office, younger players may not play up (unless they are turning 25 or 30, respectively this calendar year).

Fields & Officials:  The League utilizes only top quality baseball fields, including the Barry University, Homestead Baseball Complex, Miami Dade College, Flamingo Park (South Beach), Broward Community College, Florida Memorial College, Lynn University in Boca Raton and the Sunset Park in Plantation to name a few.  Teams can expect to play some of their games in neighboring counties.  The SFBL is proud to be officiated by the South Florida College Baseball Umpires Association.  The SFBL publishes and enforces the Florida Hardball League Rules, which differ slightly from major league rules in the interest of safety and sportsmanship.

Competition:  Over the last 38 seasons, through the use of a live draft as well as player pool assignments for new players, the League has established reasonable parity among existing teams.  Skill levels routinely range from ex-Minor leaguers to former softball players and players who haven’t played since high school.  However, the League is very competitive.  Indeed, it’s a real challenge to win it all in the South Florida Baseball League!

Records Books:  The SFBL is proud to feature its unique 38 season history, complete with Individual and Team Record Books, as documented by season player and team stats kept by the league office since inception in 1992.  Visit the SFBL history pages and Record Books for a blast in the past!! 

Managers and Existing Teams:  Virtually all managers in the League also play the game.  The SFBL is always looking for qualified individuals to manage new expansion teams.  Existing teams (partial or complete) are also welcomed and encouraged.  The “buddy” system is fully supported, encouraging friends and family members to play on the same squad.  Some of the teams in the League are fully or partially sponsored.  Team sponsors receive a variety of minor benefits with their affiliation with the SFBL (complete sponsorship promotional package available upon request).

Playing Environment:  The SFBL promotes a wholesome, family environment, having earned its reputation for providing a fun, yet disciplined and competitive baseball environment for its players and fans.  League rules are extremely rigid regarding player conduct and behavior while on the field.  Foul language and unsportsmanlike conduct are not tolerated.

Extras:  Over the years the League Office has implemented a number of “value-added” services designed to enhance each player’s baseball experience.  More than a decade ago the South Florida Baseball League expanded its use of the internet and proudly uses it as its central point of communication.  Everything from games schedules, maps and scores and standings to individual player statistics can be found on our website.  The Baseball Buzz, our weekly on-line newsletter, features current SFBL news and events.  Also included is the weekly Coaches Poll as well as Player of the Week announcements.  Other services include the Scouting Report, batting and pitching stats on opponents, sponsorships to regional and national tournaments, buying arrangements with local and national uniform suppliers, and the publishing of all scores each week in the Miami Herald Sports and the Sun Sentinel Sports sections.  Other activities such as the statewide and national baseball tournaments serve to complete the baseball experience.

Championship Trophies:  At the end of each season, the managers of the champion team of each division will receive a team championship trophy.  Each year, the SFBL hosts an awards banquet, complete with live entertainment, to celebrate the accomplishments of our championship teams.  All players of the league are welcome and encouraged to attend.

For further information feel free to contact the League Office at 305-496-2962 or visit us at www.sfbl.com.  See you on the field!

Mickey Filippucci

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