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SJMSBL News - 2013

San José - 2013 Father/Son MSBL World Series Champions

October 28, 2013
2013 World Series Father/Son Championship Team Photo

The San José Father/Son team took the American Division Championship at the 2013 MSBL World Series in Arizona.

Read more about their championship run.

You can also read Jeff McGaw's excellent article about the San José Father/Son World Series Championship on msblnational.com.

Mets Sweep Reds For Nicewonger Title

October 5, 2013
2013 Nicewonger Champion Mets Team Photo

The Mets completed their sweep of the Reds to take the 2013 Nicewonger Division Championship.

Read more about the 2013 Mets championship season.

Orioles Four-peat, Win Ettare Title

September 30, 2013
2013 Ettare Champion Orioles Team Photo

The #1 seed Orioles and #6 seed Phillies squared off for the 2013 Ettare Division Championship. The Orioles emerged from the winners bracket needing only one win to claim the title while the Phillies came out of the losers bracket needing to beat the Orioles twice.

With their backs against the wall, the Phillies took control of the morning game in the second inning scoring 7 runs on the way to an 11-5 win forcing a second game to determine who would be crowned Champion.

The afternoon game started out in similar fashion, but in reverse, with the O?s jumping out to an early 4-0 lead. In the fourth inning the Phillies, powered by three home runs, rallied to take an 8-4 lead and force the O?s to play catch-up the rest of the way. The Phillies just couldn't hold on, though. Trailing 9-5 in the 7th inning the O?s put together a 9-run inning and eventually won the game 16-13 to win their fourth straight division title.

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Read more about the 2013 Orioles championship season.

Mets, Tigers, Orioles - Three Champions Crowned

September 25, 2013

Nicewonger

The Mets, having won Game One of their best-of-three Championship series on Sept. 15, completed their sweep to the title on Sept. 22 beating the Reds 8-4 to take the 2013 Nicewonger Division Title.

Dunn

The Tigers, up 1-0 in their series, lost Game Two to the Giants in the morning game but came back to win a thrilling Game 3 5-4 behind the arm of Craig Jones. The 2013 Dunn title is the Tiger's 2nd SJMBL title, their first being in 1997.

Ettare

The #1 seed Orioles and #6 seed Phillies squared off for the 2013 Ettare Division Championship. The Orioles emerged from the winners bracket needing only one win to claim the title while the Phillies came out of the losers bracket needing to beat the Orioles twice. The Phillies won Game One 11-5, but the Orioles rebounded to take Game Two, and the Ettare Division Title, 16-13.

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Championship Sunday

September 17, 2013

The 2014 SJMSBL season will draw to a close this Sunday with all three divisions conducting championship games.

Willow Glen will be the site of the Dunn Division finals between the #1 seed Tigers and #3 seed Giants (defending champs). Tigers are up one game to none having scored an epic walk off last Sunday. Entering the 9th tied at 5 each, the Giants scored three runs only to see the Tigers plate four in the bottom of the ninth.

The Giants are looking for their 15th division title (most in league history) while the Tigers are but one win away from their 2nd championship with their only crown coming in 1997.

The Ettare division finals will be at Challenger with the #6 Phillies needing to beat the #1 seed Orioles twice to take the championship. Last Sunday the Phillies led 9-1 in the sixth only to see the defending Champion Orioles fight back to tie the game at 11 and force extras. Orioles prevailed 13-11 on a walk off homer in the 10th.

The Phillies are the first expansion team to ever reach a division finals so they have already achieved a great deal of success in their initial campaign.

The Orioles are playing in their fifth consecutive championship game and seeking their 4th straight championship but only 2nd Ettare division title.

It will be the #2 seed Mets vs the #1 seed Reds at Oak Grove - with the Mets having swiped game one by a tally of 9 to 6 last weekend. The powerhouse Reds posted an impressive league best 18-2 regular season record and will be ready for anything the Mets throw at them.

Both the Mets (2010, 2011) and Reds (2008, 2004) are seeking to win their 3rd division championship.

Good Luck to all six teams in the finals!

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SEPTEMBER BASEBALL - GO BIG OR GO HOME!

September 3, 2013

The final month of the season has arrived and league playoffs feature doubleheaders at six fields on September 8.

In the Dunn Division four teams play elimination games at 10 am with the Angels vs Indians and Brewers vs Astros in "do or die" contests.

The two surviving morning winners face tough "must win" afternoon tests against the undefeated and rested Giants and Tigers.

Nicewonger Division features the same set-up with four teams facing elimination in 10 am games - Marlins vs Royals and Colt .45s vs Twins.

The winners will have the same "do or die" afternoon challenge as they take on the unbeaten Mets and Reds on their "home" fields.

In the Ettare Division, six teams are still alive in the championship hunt.

Four unbeaten teams square off in morning games - Padres vs Orioles and Phillies vs Pirates. The two losing teams will face each other in an afternoon "must win" game. Penthouse to outhouse in six hours.

The other afternoon elimination game features the Battle of the Sox. It's White Sox vs the Red Sox fighting for sock drawer supremacy with the winner staying alive to play next weekend.

18 teams will take the field on Sunday with high hopes of a championship game appearance. The number of survivors may be as few as eight teams when the games are over this week.

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September 8 Playoff Matchups and Fields Set

September 3, 2013

The September 8 playoff matchups and fields are set and available on the 2013 SJMSBL Playoffs page.

Game times are 10:00 AM for Game One and 1:30 PM for Game Two, except at Evergreen Valley where the Game Two start time is 2:00 PM due to one of the teams having to travel from Challenger.

September 8 Playoff Matchups Set, Fields TBA

August 25, 2013

The September 8 playoff matchups are set though fields are still to be finalized. The matchups are available on the 2013 SJMSBL Playoffs page.

Game times are 10:00 AM for Game One and 1:30 PM for Game Two.

August 25 Playoff Schedule Set

August 20, 2013

The schedule for the first week of playoffs is available on the 2013 SJMSBL Playoffs page.

Game times are 10:00 AM for Game One and 2:00 PM for Game Two.

2013 PLAYOFFS START NEXT WEEK! EVERY GAME COUNTS THIS SUNDAY!

August 15, 2013

The second season in the San José MSBL gets underway on August 25. The top six teams in the Dunn and Nicewonger divisions plus the top eight teams in the Ettare division will get to play at least two more games of baseball.

Read the full article…

Check out the 2013 SJMSBL Playoffs page to preview the playoff schedule.

Nicewonger All-Star Classic Photos Posted

August 15, 2013

85 photos from the 2013 Nicewonger All-Star Classic have been posted. Check them out on the Photos tab of the 2013 Nicewonger All-Star Classic coverage.

National Routs American In Lopsided All-Star Classic

August 7, 2013

The National All-Stars scored early and scored often enroute to a 16-4 win over the American All-Stars in the 3rd Annual Nicewonger All-Star Classic at San José Municipal Stadium.

Read all about the 2013 Nicewonger All-Star Classic.

Boesch, Cordero Named All-Star Managers

July 17, 2013

Mike Boesch (Giants) and Angelo Cordero (Orioles) have been selected as the managers for the 2013 Nicewonger All-Star Classic. Boesch will manage the National League team and Cordero will run the American League squad.

Boesch joined the SJMSBL in 1998 and managed the Rangers from 2000 to 2003. The Rangers merged with the Giants in 2004 with Boesch taking over the Giants top post. Boesch has managed the Giants to division championships in 2008, 2009, and 2012. The Giants are currently tied for the lead in the Dunn division.

Cordero entered the league in the middle of the 2003 season playing with the Tigers. At the 2004 league draft he joined the Orioles, an expansion team formed from undrafted players, and they went 0-20 in their first season. Cordero became the Orioles manager in 2005 and slowly rebuilt that winless team into a champion, winning three consecutive division titles in 2010, 2011, and 2012. The Orioles currently are atop the Ettare division.

3rd Annual Nicewonger All-Star Classic August 7

July 7, 2013

Details for the 3rd Annual Dave Nicewonger All-Star Classic have been set.

Game time will be 7:15 PM on August 7 at San José Municipal Stadium.

The two teams (National League, American League) will be represented by the following:

National League (13 teams)
Colt .45s, Marlins, Mets, Nationals, Reds, SJ Giants (from Nicewonger Division)
Astros, Brewers, Giants (from Dunn Division)
Braves, Padres, Phillies, Pirates (from Ettare Division)

American League (13 teams)
Royals, Twins (from Nicewonger Division)
A's, Angels, Blue Jays, Indians, Tigers (from Dunn Division)
Mariners, Orioles, Rays, Red Sox, White Sox, Yankees (from Ettare Division)

American League Team Nicknames - 3B Dugout
National League Team Nicknames - 1B Dugout
Infield from 6:30-6:45 pm American League
Infield from 6:45-7:00 pm National League
Player Introductions 7:00-7:10 pm

Each league team will select two (2) POSITION players to participate in the game.
The Board of Directors will select the pitchers for both teams.

Admission is FREE.
City of San José charges for parking in Stadium Lot (free parking on street).
Concession stand will be open.
No outside food, coolers, beverages allowed in stadium (City ordinance).
San José PD will be on site.

June Schedule Changes!

May 30, 2013

June 2

The June 2 games scheduled for Los Gatos are being moved to Wilcox. The Giants and Tigers will play the 10:00 AM game and the Astros and A's will play the 1:30 PM game.

June 9

The June 9 Tigers-A's doubleheader is being moved from Wilcox to Ohlone.

Complete 2013 Schedule Released.

May 5, 2013

The 2013 season Schedule is now posted with league play on 13 excellent fields.

This is the best field line-up in the 26 year history of the league thanks to the efforts of many of the league's managers who worked for months to get these sites.

The league is still negotiating for use at one final site that is listed as TBD on the Schedule page. Either De Anza, Ohlone or Soquel will be the final field for 2013.

Here are the SJMSBL field heroes for 2013:

Field Field 
AptosMike Barnes (Mets)ChallengerJosé Mendoza (Yankees)
Evergreen ValleyPaul Woo (Braves)GavilanRob Sanchez (Indians)
LelandMark Sarpa (Giants)Los GatosMike Denevi (Giants)
Oak GroveFrank Walsh (White Sox)Piedmont HillsJeff Jovel (Pirates)
ProspectJoe Rondone (Padres)SobratoBobby Straight (Indians)
Willow GlenDave Meier (Brewers)WilcoxPete Passantino (Tigers)

Click on your team name in the Team Number Assignments to quickly highlight your games for the season.

Week 2 Schedule Released.

May 1, 2013

The schedule for week 2 has been posted on the Schedule page.

Bring Your Cameras! We Need Photos For The Website!

April 26, 2013

Photo of the Week and Photo of the Year are back for 2013. Take a look at the Photo Contest Rules.

Thanks in advance for all your photo submissions this year.

Opening Day Schedule Out, Remainder Delayed To May 3.

April 24, 2013

The Opening Day schedule is now posted on the Schedule page and the rest of the 2013 schedule is expected to be released on Friday, May 3.

The league is still waiting for final approval at two sites, De Anza and Leland. Baseball coaches at both sites have given their approval. Decisions should be made by the school's administration by the end of this week at both locations.

Contingency plans have been made and the league will secure dates at Ohlone and/or Soquel if necessary.

New fields for 2013 are Evergreen Valley, Leland, Piedmont Hills, Sobrato and Wilcox. Games will be played at three of these sites on Opening Day.

Establishing new relationships with head coaches, school administrations and district offices is a challenging and complex process. It has taken months to get these new fields.

The fields line-up for 2013 is arguably the best mix of sites in the 26 year history of the league.

The league would like to thank the Paul Woo/Braves (Evergreen Valley), Mark Sarpa/Giants (Leland), Jeff Jovel/Pirates (Piedmont Hills), Bobby Straight/Indians (Sobrato), and Pete Passantino/Tigers (Wilcox) for their efforts in forging the relationships with these new schools that led to league field use in 2013.

Thanks also goes out to Michael Barnes/Mets (Aptos), José Mendoza/Yankees (Challenger), Kyle Madej/Twins (De Anza), Rob Sanchez/Indians (Gavilan), Mike Denevi/Giants (Los Gatos), Frank Walsh/White Sox (Oak Grove), and Joe Rondone/Padres (Prospect) for their efforts in obtaining field use at these returning sites.

Your patience in waiting for the schedule will be rewarded every time you step on the field this season!

Opening Day Managers Meeting.

April 16, 2013

The Opening Day Managers Meeting for the 2013 season has been scheduled for 7:00 PM on Wednesday, April 24th at Blue Chip Sports Bar (Maps and Directions).

Submit your 2013 Roster and Waivers. The balance of Team Fees is also due.

Managers will be able to pick up 2013 Schedules, Baseballs, Scorebooks, and Keys.

2013 Schedule To Be Released on April 24.

April 16, 2013

The 2013 schedule will be posted on the website next Wednesday, April 24.

The league has negotiated the use of at least five NEW fields for 2013 - all of these fields upgrade the overall quality of league fields and will provide the best playing experience in the 26 year history of the league!

New sites are Evergreen Valley, Leland, Piedmont Hills, Sobrato, and Wilcox.

The delay in releasing the schedule is due to ongoing negotiations with several school districts over use dates and cost of facility rentals.

Deals with Leland and Willow Glen were completed today (4/16). Wilcox was finalized on Sunday (4/14). Piedmont Hills was done on Monday (4/15).

As of this moment, the league is still waiting on several "official" final approvals including Aptos, De Anza, and Evergreen Valley.

At Aptos, an insurance issue between the school district and our liability carrier has taken weeks to finalize. De Anza's administration has changed use policies and fee rates and we are on "standby" as the head coach attempts to negotiate details of the use agreement on our behalf. Evergreen Valley's head coach has agreed to our use but we are waiting on final administration approval that should occur sometime this week.

Should De Anza's situation fall through we are submitting a use proposal to Ohlone so we have an excellent back-up field as a safety net.

If the Aptos insurance situation can not be resolved the league is prepared to get use at Soquel for the three teams based over the hill.

Rather than settle for the same old fields the league decided to invest the time and energy in obtaining better fields this season. Establishing new relationships with head coaches, school administrations, and district offices is a challenging and complex process. It has taken months to get these new fields.

The league would like to thank the Paul Woo/Braves (Evergreen Valley), Mark Sarpa/Giants (Leland), Jeff Jovel/Pirates (Piedmont Hills), Bobby Straight/Indians (Sobrato), and Pete Passantino/Tigers (Wilcox) for their efforts in forging the relationships with these new schools that led to league field use in 2013.

Thanks also goes out to Michael Barnes/Mets (Aptos), José Mendoza/Yankees (Challenger), Kyle Madej/Twins (De Anza), Rob Sanchez/Indians (Gavilan), Mike Denevi/Giants (Los Gatos), Frank Walsh/White Sox (Oak Grove), and Joe Rondone/Padres (Prospect) for their efforts in obtaining field use at these returning sites.

Your patience in waiting for the schedule will be rewarded every time you step on the field this season!

2nd Player Workout and Draft Sunday, April 7th.

February 11, 2013

The second 2013 Workout and Draft is scheduled for 10:30 AM on Sunday, April 7th at Los Gatos High School (map here). Warm-ups and registration begin at 10:00 AM.

More information can be found here.

Welcome The South Bay Phillies To The SJMSBL.

January 20, 2013

The SJMSBL would like to welcome a new team to the League for 2013, the South Bay Phillies.

The Phillies will be managed by Patrick Battiste. Patrick has been kind enough to write a paragraph to introduce the Phillies.

"The inaugural season of the South Bay Phillies is comprised of several players that came from other teams within the SJMSBL and some players from other adult leagues. I have enjoyed playing the last two years with the San José Rays. I was given the opportunity to get back into playing baseball after nearly 20 years and have been truly appreciative. Last year I often thought that I wanted to go in another direction as far as how I envisioned our team performance and chemistry so this off-season I decided that I would attempt to put a team together. I also have a few years experience in coaching High School Varsity Baseball. I ran the idea across some of my friends and quickly received buy-in. I ran an add on the website Sportsvite.com and received a lot of hits there. As a team we decided that we woud like to play in the Ettare division. I felt that defensively this would probably be a more competitive division since metal bats are still allowed. This division also has some very strong teams, Orioles, White Sox, Knights, etc. I love a challenge! We have a good mix of key players this year. To name a few, we have Bryce Shepard coming over from the Rays. Bryce is a solid 3rd baseman, but he's lights out as a starting pitcher and hits for average and power. We also have shortstop Gilbert Ramirez from the Rays who also has a very strong bat. Rounding out our starting rotation we have Rafael Ibarra a sharp LHP. The South Bay Phillies are extremely excited about being a new team in the SJMSBL and look forward to providing some new competition in the league."

NHL Settlement Forces Managers Meeting Move To Jan. 23.

January 12, 2013

The NHL lockout settlement is causing the first Managers Meeting to be rescheduled. The Sharks home opener is scheduled for the 24th, thus making the Blue Chip Sports Bar unavailable.

The first Managers Meeting will now be at 6:30 PM on Wednesday, January 23rd at Blue Chip Sports Bar (Maps and Directions).

Team deposit of $250 is due at the meeting - make check payable to SJMSBL.

Limit of two representatives per team at the meeting.

Plan Your Vacations. Tentative 2013 Schedule Dates Posted.

January 12, 2013

You can start planning your vacations now. A tentative schedule of 2013 playing dates is available on the 2013 Schedule page.

Player Waivers Can Now Be Submitted Online.

January 10, 2013

There's no reason to print and fill out a player waiver any longer. Now 2013 Player Participation Waivers can be submitted online.

Click the Player Waiver link at the top of the page.

Player Workout and Draft Sunday, February 10th.

January 5, 2013

The 2013 Workout and Draft is scheduled for 10:30 AM on Sunday, February 10th at Los Gatos High School (map here). Warm-ups and registration begin at 10:00 AM.

More information can be found here.

First 2013 Managers Meeting January 24.

January 5, 2013

The first Managers Meeting for the 2013 season has been scheduled for 6:30 PM on Thursday, January 24 at Blue Chip Sports Bar (Maps and Directions).

Team deposit of $250 is due at the meeting - make check payable to SJMSBL.

Limit of two representatives per team at the meeting.