What women's baseball teams, leagues and orgs are out there?

[NotAboutEgo]

Someone mentioned not seeing women's baseball teams, leagues, and orgs being posted here, so let's start a thread for doing that. One can find oodles of links by doing web searches as well.

[NotAboutEgo]

Just a few links... :atthepc

http://www.nawbl.com/

http://cogbl.com/forum.htm

http://www.uswb.org/

http://www.awbf.org/

http://eteamz.active.com/detroitdanger/links/

http://www.baseballglory.com/

http://eteamz.active.com/hallfame/index.cfm?

http://bubbler.net/GirlsPlayBaseball/Girls/

http://dmoz.org/Sports/Baseball/Women/

http://bubbler.net/GirlsPlayBaseball/Women/

http://www.wibba.com/

http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/usa_baseball/index.jsp

http://www.swbl.org/

http://www.hkbaseball.org/womenbaseball/main.htm

[Brian McKenna]

Any in Maryland?

[NotAboutEgo]

Yep. I can post links for those. The biggest area for women's baseball in the U.S. right now (has been for a while) is the East Coast. There are several leagues and teams there, including in Maryland.


http://www.scorebook.com/womensbaseball East Coast Women's Baseball

http://ewbc.home.att.net/ Eastern Women's Baseball Conference

http://www.nywomensbaseball.com/ NY Women's Baseball

http://www.phillywomensbaseball.com/ Philly Women's Baseball

http://www.womeninbaseball.com/ Rhode Island Women's Baseball

http://www.nawbl.com/ North American Women's Baseball

http://www.slaterettes.com/ Pawtucket Slaterettes


I know some of these leagues aren't specific to Maryland, but they are close. I don't know if there's a league that is just in Maryland, but I know there are teams from the area that are in some of the leagues I posted.

[Brian McKenna]

Thanks for the sites.

I hope one day women's baseball can find a niche with a wide base of fans and not just family and friends. It seems though that leagues come and go and really only play a handful of games.

Baseball is the most skilled sport in existence. Athletes spend years apprenticing and play hundreds of games in the minors to make the show. As it stands, the time and effort is poured into softball. Baseball has an uphill battle.

Good luck to those who enjoy playing baseball but my eight-year-old daughter will have to play softball because that's the only thing available.

[5LilPlayers]

Any in Ohio?? I'm desperately looking for leagues/teams for adults and little girls...I've tried searching, but either I'm not doing it right or my computer hates me. Personally, I go with "my computer hates me"...mainly because this old dinosaur is still on dial-up and it's almost 11 years old. LOL

[JeepingBaseball]

sadly and to the best of my knowledge, NY women's baseball no longer exists... and i never got a reason why either. It's where i started :(

[JeepingBaseball]

nevermind....

i saw the rooster for the east coast baseball, i know half of them LOL... i think they either merged or just expanded it and dropped ny womens baseball.

[NotAboutEgo]

5LilPlayers, what area of Illinois do you live in? There is a women's baseball team/program in Chicago proper. Amy Schneider runs it, and she's a really good friend of mine. The team is called the Chicago Gems. Amy is working on building a Chicago league.

www.chicagogems.com

That's sort of too bad about the NY league but at least they have expanded the East Coast league instead of folding completely. I played against the NY team and other New Englad teams in Ft. Myers at the women's national championships, and boy, do they kick booty!!! The teams there are very strong and impressive. The NY team was so skillful, and they were very gracious. I love playing teams like that, even if you get kicked, because you appreciate their talent and skills, and you are in awe of them the whole time. It also teaches you a lot about what to do to make your team stronger and it inspires you. It pushes you to play even better.

[NotAboutEgo]

Bkmckenna, there was a girls' baseball league that started in the Maryland area back in 2003 (I think it was 2003). Anyway, it started out very strong with 3-4 teams. I am trying to track it down to see if it still is out there. Haven't found a web site but left a message for the women's league that got the girls' league going. Will post info when I get it. I believe the league was in Olney County and possibly in Montgomery County.

[JeepingBaseball]

That's sort of too bad about the NY league but at least they have expanded the East Coast league instead of folding completely. I played against the NY team and other New Englad teams in Ft. Myers at the women's national championships, and boy, do they kick booty!!! The teams there are very strong and impressive. The NY team was so skillful, and they were very gracious. I love playing teams like that, even if you get kicked, because you appreciate their talent and skills, and you are in awe of them the whole time. It also teaches you a lot about what to do to make your team stronger and it inspires you. It pushes you to play even better.

If a couple of the same women i know were on the NY team, I have no doubt in the world they were strong. I traveled with 5 of them as we represented NY at the 24 Hour Game in Tuscon. If it was at all possible, we would have kept going and going... there is just no stopping them. One particular women, the catcher... I dont think I've seen a stronger player mentally and physically, and a hell of a team spirit! You strike out and she's right there to encourage you in the most uplifting way.

Now that I'm finally healed from shoulder surgrey I was hoping to join them this year as a warm up to next year, but they disappeared. Thanks for finding them for me :) Gotta go see what they are up to :)

By the way... any Georgia leagues in the Atlanta area?

[NotAboutEgo]

That's awesome about the NY catcher. I love those kinds of players! We have a first baseman who pulled both hammies in a game and was crying from the pain and STILL played the rest of the game. Gotta love the die-hards. I wanted to go to the 24-Hour game but couldn't. Hope they do another one again sometime. I heard it was a lot of fun and cool to see baseball around the clock. What more could you want?

Where do you live? There are no leagues in Georgia. It's too bad more people don't get involved and start women's teams and leagues. There are so many good areas that are perfect for women's baseball. Just takes someone to start it!

[JeepingBaseball]

That's awesome about the NY catcher. I love those kinds of players! We have a first baseman who pulled both hammies in a game and was crying from the pain and STILL played the rest of the game. Gotta love the die-hards. I wanted to go to the 24-Hour game but couldn't. Hope they do another one again sometime. I heard it was a lot of fun and cool to see baseball around the clock. What more could you want?

Where do you live? There are no leagues in Georgia. It's too bad more people don't get involved and start women's teams and leagues. There are so many good areas that are perfect for women's baseball. Just takes someone to start it!

I live on Long Island, NY right now, but schelduled to relocate to the north metro Atlanta area by the end of the year. I would love to start a league down there as I already know a handful who want to play. I just got to find the right people, the right time, and all that to make it work. Was thinking about contacting Jim Glennie over at American Women's Baseball Federation (AWBF) for some suggestions. But thats a huge undertaking.

As far as another 24 Hour Game... that would be awesome. I believe Rob, who made the 24 Hour Game happen has since relocated to Melbourne, Australia... I think. Pretty sure of it. I do recall talks of another game but I never heard anything come of it.

[NotAboutEgo]

It would be great to have a league start in Atlanta! Yes, it is a huge undertaking, but if you can find people to help, it can work. I want to start a league in Detroit but need help. There are a few others who are trying to start one as well. I also want to start a youth girls' league. That can happen with parents of players helping. I just need to think about the right approach... contacting many cities to see which ones are willing to help. That would be easier if a city league would help establish a girls' baseball division. I've talked to some cities before, but it hasn't happened yet. I need to get out there again. I also want to help John Kovach with spreading women's collegiate baseball. I have a contact at Ferris State University in Big Rapids, MI, so I will contact him and get him in touch with Kovach. That would be HUGE to have a women's collegiate league!

Glennie is who I first talked with when I started the Detroit Danger. He gave me good info to get started. Then you learn a lot on your own by doing and experiencing.

The last time I saw Rob was in Ft. Myers in 2004 at the women's national championship. He probably is in Australia, because his girlfriend is from there. I know he was there for a while, so he probably stayed. I played for a team he helped coach in a women's tourney in Denver back in 2003.

I'm looking to go to some more women's tournies since I haven't been for a while.

[JeepingBaseball]

It would be great to have a league start in Atlanta! Yes, it is a huge undertaking, but if you can find people to help, it can work. I want to start a league in Detroit but need help. There are a few others who are trying to start one as well. I also want to start a youth girls' league. That can happen with parents of players helping. I just need to think about the right approach... contacting many cities to see which ones are willing to help. That would be easier if a city league would help establish a girls' baseball division. I've talked to some cities before, but it hasn't happened yet. I need to get out there again. I also want to help John Kovach with spreading women's collegiate baseball. I have a contact at Ferris State University in Big Rapids, MI, so I will contact him and get him in touch with Kovach. That would be HUGE to have a women's collegiate league!

Glennie is who I first talked with when I started the Detroit Danger. He gave me good info to get started. Then you learn a lot on your own by doing and experiencing.

The last time I saw Rob was in Ft. Myers in 2004 at the women's national championship. He probably is in Australia, because his girlfriend is from there. I know he was there for a while, so he probably stayed. I played for a team he helped coach in a women's tourney in Denver back in 2003.

I'm looking to go to some more women's tournies since I haven't been for a while.

it makes perfect sense to start a league in Atlanta. You got all the teams in south florida... then you got all the teams in virginia. Right there in the middle. I think Atlanta would be a friendly welcoming city and it's amazing no one started on there yet. I even suggested to Rob back in 2003 to host the next 24 hour game there, and again for charity. I hate to call Glennie now and talk about Atlanta before I move there. God forbid something comes up and I dont move.. then, ya know, thats gonna suck and no one will take me seriously when I do get down there. But I've been thinking about it for a while now and I'm itching to test the waters. However, my obligations to stay in NY till the end of the year is firmly intacted.

And yes, Kellie is from Melbourne. And a hell of a pitcher. Last time I spoke to Rob he told me the story how he proposed to Kellie and it was the best baseball story ever LOL I dont know if they got married yet or not.

I should have gone to Ft. Myers last year. One of my best friends lives right there. Maybe this year.

[5LilPlayers]

No, no....not Illinois....I'm in Ohio. Toledo, to be exact. Hate this city, but what can ya do? LOL

[NotAboutEgo]

it makes perfect sense to start a league in Atlanta. You got all the teams in south florida... then you got all the teams in virginia. Right there in the middle. I think Atlanta would be a friendly welcoming city and it's amazing no one started on there yet. I even suggested to Rob back in 2003 to host the next 24 hour game there, and again for charity. I hate to call Glennie now and talk about Atlanta before I move there. God forbid something comes up and I dont move.. then, ya know, thats gonna suck and no one will take me seriously when I do get down there. But I've been thinking about it for a while now and I'm itching to test the waters. However, my obligations to stay in NY till the end of the year is firmly intacted.

And yes, Kellie is from Melbourne. And a hell of a pitcher. Last time I spoke to Rob he told me the story how he proposed to Kellie and it was the best baseball story ever LOL I dont know if they got married yet or not.

I should have gone to Ft. Myers last year. One of my best friends lives right there. Maybe this year.

It makes sense to wait and see if you will move to Atlanta before trying to start a team and/or league there. Don't want to jump the gun too soon! But, if you do, please let me know and I can also help with info and advice. Been doing it since 1998, so I have learned a lot.

Of course, not every geographical area is the same. Techniques for recruiting that have worked in Detroit have not worked in other areas and vice versa, so it just depends. It does help to get advice and info from others, then you can try different things and see what works.

One thing I have learned is to use whatever tools you have available to you. For example, if you have a sales person on your team or in your league, perhaps they can be in charge of fundraising and getting sponsorships and that type of thing. If you have a lawyer around, get legal advice on whatever from them and have them help in whatever way they can, etc. Also, get help from others even if they aren't on a team/in your league, if they are open to and wanting to offer their help and expertise. I think you get the point.

Yes, Kellie Menzie is a very solid player all around... very athletic, fast on her feet, very smart baseball player, competitive, high level, etc. She scored the winning run for the Chicago Storm in the 2003 Women's National Baseball Championship in Ft. Myers. I watched the game with some teammates, and that was by far the best-played baseball game I have ever been to... hands down (including pro games). It was very exciting to watch.

I absolutely love watching, as much as playing in, women's baseball games to see the terrific talent that is out there. It's great to see the level of play evolve and grow and become more competitive over the years.