Valley Wheel Baseball League, Adult over-30 recreational hardball

Home Plate

Valley Wheel
BASEBALL

Play Ball!
With the Valley Wheel Over-30 BASEBALL League........
Adult Recreational Over-30 League
Baseball Players Wanted!

            ATHLETICS WIN REGULAR SEASON

           Orioles 2011 Valley Wheel Champions

                                    Looking for Players 2012 Season

                                       CLICK HERE>>>>>

America's Pastime -- The Real Deal: 9 innings, fast pitching, hitting, stealing, rounding third.....................
scoring, full uniforms and umpires. Stay in shape and make new friends. 15 Sunday evening games from the
end of April until the end of August; except Holidays. Enjoy competition and camaraderie with a great bunch
of guys who enjoy the game as much as you do. All are welcome regardless of experience. Everybody plays
and everybody has fun. Be part of something special. Something that happens once a year and once in a
lifetime. Don't miss out.

If you're on the fence, want to know more or simply want to talk about the league......call Jim anytime at 413-433-4308.

We want to thank everyone who played in the league in 2011. We had a great sixth season to build on.
It was our best season yet! We had our second All-Star game, our third annual league banquet and third annual team sportsmanship awards.
What a great group of guys. And once again the caliber of the league improved as we had an outstanding group of rookies.

Our league charter and goals in order of importance are:
1. To provide an opportunity to as many baseball enthusiasts as possible to play the game they love.
Two NEW Expansion teams were formed in 2011! In 2012 every team has roster opening that need to be filled. If you know of someone interested
in playing or 2 or 3 guys who’d like to play together……here’s the chance with open roster spots. Get in on the experience and the camaraderie
and great adventure.

2. To have a league with teams of equal strength.
We hold open practice for rookie players so we have a chance to see everyone on the field.
These aren't tryouts but more so that we can draft teams of equal strength.
So that anyone can win on any given day.
We are all in anticipation of the 2012 season. There will be heavy competition this season. Every game will be important. Everyone has a shot at
the Pennant and Championship!

3. Do our best to allow friends, brothers, sons and fathers to play together.
We do not allow new “teams” into the league, we will allow two or three players to play to together and be drafted together.   Returning players who
would like to play with a friend, your best bet is to put yourself into the draft along with the new player(s) and be drafted together. We’ll do our best
to accommodate you.

The Valley Wheel Over-30 Baseball League is the most innovative, pre-eminent league in the
country, here's why:
Other leagues are formed by a manager forming a team and placing them into a league. The result of this
style league is very strong and very weak teams; teams that are 14-1 and others that are 1-14. This is no fun
for either team.

The Valley Wheel is formed by individuals coming together to form a league. One of our goals is to have
parity among teams. The game of baseball is more fun knowing you have a 50% chance of winning every
week. Even competition where you can do battle every week rather than a blow out.

We’ve used a modified draft each year with the great help and understanding of all Managers to work toward
this goal.

The draft will be held just before the start of the season so that all new players can participate in open
practices so that they can be evaluated by the Managers prior to the draft.

How do I get on a team?
Join us and have some fun, print out the registration forms and send them in with your league fee as soon as
possible as we accept new players on a first-come first-served basis. It's as simple as that!
Every year teams need players to fill roster openings.
Then we'll take the next 35 players first-come first-served and draft 30 to fill out team rosters.

The bottom line is don't hesitate, you have a great chance to get on a team...............................
if you get your registration in.
We work hard to get every interested player on the field.

Wondering if you can still play competitively?     Is this for you?
We have open practices scheduled in April for league rookies. The open practices give the team managers a chance
to look everyone over so that we can draft even teams. It gives you a chance to meet some of the guys and see if this
is right you. You may withdraw your registration at any time up until the draft on April 19 so you have nothing to lose,
come check it out. (Note: No one who has attended a practice has ever withdrawn their registration, you'll be
addicted.) You need to send in your registration forms and league fee to get on the field.
Once we have your registration you'll be put on the e-mail list for practices. New players can register at anytime up
until the draft. After the draft is held, league fees are non-refundable.

What is the competition like?
Players may compete in the league for as long as they feel competitive.
However, a minimum proficiency to play the game is expected so that the game remains fun and competitive for the
player, his teammates and the opposing team. It doesn’t matter what you have for playing experience, but you must
have playing ability.
If a player is a sure out, that isn’t fun for the player or his teammates. Players should be able to hit over the Mendoza
line. (.200).
If a player can’t reliably make fielding plays, that isn’t fun for the player or his teammates. Players need to be able to
hit, run, throw and field their positions.
We have players that played college baseball and some that have never played baseball, everyone else is somewhere
in between. Age is the great equalizer, there are no stars here. We are all trying to win, but enjoying the game is our
number one priority. The pitching similar to high school level. Some pitchers can throw in the 70's and low 80's. The
best pitchers can change speeds and location to keep the batters guessing.

Can I play with my friend?
We do not allow new “teams” into the league, we will allow two or three (max) players to play to together and be
drafted together.   Just let us know on your registration form. Returning players who would like to play with a friend,
your best bet is to put yourself into the draft along with the new player(s) and be drafted together. We'll do our best
to accomodate you.

When do we play?
We start with practice 3 to 4 times at the end of March and in April.
We play one game per week on Sunday evenings, except for Holiday weekends.
We’ll be playing a 15 game schedule from the end of April until mid August . Most game times will be 4:00 PM. (see
the 2012 Schedule)
Rainouts will be made up on a Wednesday or Thursday evening.
All teams make single elimination playoffs.

Where do we play? We're playing baseball around the valley....
We play in Springfield, Agawam, West Springfield, Holyoke and Easthampton MA. We would like to acknowledge those
cities and towns for their support in making this league a success.

How much does it cost, what do I need?
The league fee is $210, which covers pre-season practice, 15 regular season games and single elimination play-offs.
The league supplies ball fields, two board certified umpires, balls, catcher’s gear, bases, metal bats and helmets
which must be worn while batting, on the base paths and coaching the bases.

Add up a few rounds of golf, a few times skiing, the cost to play hockey or tennis, a night on the town or take in a
Major League game and you have to agree you'll get more than your monies worth in memories.

For new players the league fee includes a full uniform except pants. (jersey, cap, socks and belt.)
Pants: Must be gray with no stripe. Get your own or regulation pants can be purchase for $23 or heavy duty
reinforced pants with heavy elastic waistband for $33.
You must supply a glove and cleats. Both molded cleats and metal spikes are allowed.
You can use your own bat. Wood bats or -3 metal bats are allowed.

What if I'm not drafted?
If a player isn’t drafted his fee is refunded and he is placed on a waiting list.
Wait listed players are used during the season to fill in any roster openings that may arise.

Every year we take a number of players off the waiting list to join us in the first half of our season as we lose players
who may be out for the season due to injury or personal reasons. During the season we encourage prospective
players to take in a game and check out the action. If you like what you see and think you will fit in, send in a
registration form (no fee required) so we can get you on the waiting list and be able to contact you.

Learn more about the league on the About Us page and from the articles and league survey

2010 Season -- Final Standings

2009 Season -- Final Standings