Son and a team mate headed to the Valley League this summer. Would like to hear what some of you think about the league, competition, and how you believe the Valley compares to other College leagues.
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Great league! IMO, it is the 2nd best wood bat summer league to the Cape.
nice league but no way 2nd to cape, Coastal Plains, NECBL would be third and then maybe Valley would fall in, having said that it is a very nice competative league
Son going to New Market. How do they stack up with the rest of the league.
very competative
Actually, the Cape is a clear number 1, and after that, depending upon which article you read or who is talking, the VBL is probably in a group of several, including Coastal Plains, Northwoods, Alaska, and others, all considered to be somewhere around that "number 2 slot". VBL is to a small extent financially subsidized by MLB, and I believe only a few leagues receive such payments. The MLB hasn't increased it's payment to the summer leagues in many years.
New Market is a wonderful program, well-supported, playing in an old time scenic park occasionally written up by newspapers and magazines. Most team rosters turn over about 85% or so yearly so team strength varies from year to year, but New Market is a well-run franchise. They also have the best fried onions in the Valley and serve them, on just about everything.
New Market is a wonderful program, well-supported, playing in an old time scenic park occasionally written up by newspapers and magazines. Most team rosters turn over about 85% or so yearly so team strength varies from year to year, but New Market is a well-run franchise. They also have the best fried onions in the Valley and serve them, on just about everything.
Flamethrower,
you know what they say about opinions...
you know what they say about opinions...
My oldest son played in the Valley League when he was at Virginia Tech. It was a great league. I have no idea if it is second, third or fourth best, but I figure it doesn't matter as long as it provides a competitive chance to play and improve, which it does many, many times over. And what a great setting.
redbird5,
Iam not sure what they say about opinion but check baseball america, see what their opinion is
Iam not sure what they say about opinion but check baseball america, see what their opinion is
It's the Cape then everyone else - none of the leagues listed are markedly better than any other of the also-rans as far as talent goes - it comes down to facilities and logistics.
One advantage the Valley League has is that the travel is not as brutal as the CPL or Northwoods.
It's a nice league with solid support and it can be a great experience for sure.
One advantage the Valley League has is that the travel is not as brutal as the CPL or Northwoods.
It's a nice league with solid support and it can be a great experience for sure.
My son had a wonderful experience playing two seasons for Front Royal. He played at "The Bud" which has been replaced by a new stadium. Even the ownership has changed since he played.
It worked out for us as he completed four years of college eligibiliy and went on to three seasons with the Washington Nationals.
It worked out for us as he completed four years of college eligibiliy and went on to three seasons with the Washington Nationals.
If nothing else, these leagues give the players the experience of playing everyday baseball. The schedules are actually pretty brutal. If you follow the CPL, which many area guys have been with, their days are filled with long bus rides and usually not the most luxurious living conditions while on the road.
It gives them a great understanding of what the next level can be like.
With that being said, almost every player will tell you that it was one of the best times of their life. Baseball everyday, with other guys the same age, guys from all different colleges and they all have a common goal. Getting to the next level.
When you go to these games, you can actually see these players having fun.
It gives them a great understanding of what the next level can be like.
With that being said, almost every player will tell you that it was one of the best times of their life. Baseball everyday, with other guys the same age, guys from all different colleges and they all have a common goal. Getting to the next level.
When you go to these games, you can actually see these players having fun.
williekc,
Some sources of info for you on the Valley League and New Market.
First, there is a great blog site about the Valley League:
http://www.allthingsvalleyleague.typepad.com/
Second, there is a book coming out about New Market's 2009 season. It's called Safe at Home: A Season in the Valley. A freelance writer, Austin Gisriel, spent the summer with the team and is writing about it. Don't know the publisher, but I think the book is coming out next month. I assume the New Market website will announce the release and how to get the book.
Finally, Austin has a blog that often discusses the Rebels -- especially during the season: http://www.baseballlifeandotherstuff.typepad.com/ Am sure the blog will also announce the release of the book.
Some sources of info for you on the Valley League and New Market.
First, there is a great blog site about the Valley League:
http://www.allthingsvalleyleague.typepad.com/
Second, there is a book coming out about New Market's 2009 season. It's called Safe at Home: A Season in the Valley. A freelance writer, Austin Gisriel, spent the summer with the team and is writing about it. Don't know the publisher, but I think the book is coming out next month. I assume the New Market website will announce the release and how to get the book.
Finally, Austin has a blog that often discusses the Rebels -- especially during the season: http://www.baseballlifeandotherstuff.typepad.com/ Am sure the blog will also announce the release of the book.
Thanks, Anybody have Sons that are planning on playing in the Valley this summer. Please list...
quote:Originally posted by hokieone:
Actually, the Cape is a clear number 1, and after that, depending upon which article you read or who is talking, the VBL is probably in a group of several, including Coastal Plains, Northwoods, Alaska, and others, all considered to be somewhere around that "number 2 slot". VBL is to a small extent financially subsidized by MLB, and I believe only a few leagues receive such payments. The MLB hasn't increased it's payment to the summer leagues in many years.
New Market is a wonderful program, well-supported, playing in an old time scenic park occasionally written up by newspapers and magazines. Most team rosters turn over about 85% or so yearly so team strength varies from year to year, but New Market is a well-run franchise. They also have the best fried onions in the Valley and serve them, on just about everything.
I agree with "hokieone", with the expansion and now I understand a team will not be fielding a team, this league was very strong for competition in the 80's and 90's but with the birth of other leagues as "hokieone" stated, I am not sure where the VBL would fall under those rankings. Top 5 sure, #2 league, just don't know.
Just an opinion, but having had a son who played in both the Valley and Coastal Plain within the last 5 years, our experience and observances would rate the Coastal Plain as a better wood bat league as far as competition is concerned. Granted the travel in the Coastal Plain leaves a little bit to be desired, and some of the facilities were a little archaic, but the competition was very good. During those years in particular I would have to say that the Coastal Plain was stronger.
My son played in both the Coastal Plains and the Valley and he enjoyed both experiences. My estimate was that there were more freshman D1 players and upper level D3 players in the Valley League. The CPL had a higher concentration of upper classmen D1 players and D2 players as that league seems losely affiliated with the Peach Belt. I would estimate that the CPL is the tougher league but not by a significant amount. About 1/3 of the CPL is drafted each year and my guess is that about 15-25% of the VBL is drafted each year.
Here is the thing about rankings that I think is sometimes overlooked. Lets assume for argument that the Cape is #1, the VBL is #5, and the CPL is ranked #10. Does that mean the players in the Cape are ten times better than those in the CPL? Five times better than those in the VBL? Would the VBL players be twice that of a CPL player assuming they were so ranked? Would a hitter who had a batting average of .250 in the Cape have a .750 or higher average in the VBL? There were several Cape players who transferred into the CPL last year who did not see their averages rise as these rankings might suggest.
All these leagues are very competitive and it is an honor to play in them. The rankings will not help you get a base hit or conversely prevent you from succeeding. They will all allow a young man to develop his skills for college and beyond if they so desire. The VBL and the CPL all have impressive alumni playing in the big leagues.
Here is the thing about rankings that I think is sometimes overlooked. Lets assume for argument that the Cape is #1, the VBL is #5, and the CPL is ranked #10. Does that mean the players in the Cape are ten times better than those in the CPL? Five times better than those in the VBL? Would the VBL players be twice that of a CPL player assuming they were so ranked? Would a hitter who had a batting average of .250 in the Cape have a .750 or higher average in the VBL? There were several Cape players who transferred into the CPL last year who did not see their averages rise as these rankings might suggest.
All these leagues are very competitive and it is an honor to play in them. The rankings will not help you get a base hit or conversely prevent you from succeeding. They will all allow a young man to develop his skills for college and beyond if they so desire. The VBL and the CPL all have impressive alumni playing in the big leagues.
VBL has had Fauquier drop out and there's talk that Waynesboro could be a strong possibility after I spoke with a stock holder of the Winchester Royals.
Not sure who VBL can be #2 summer collegiate league if they are loosing teams? Looks like the economy is hitting them as well.
Not sure who VBL can be #2 summer collegiate league if they are loosing teams? Looks like the economy is hitting them as well.
Good deal "Hokieone" and congrats to Strasburg Nation, this organization will be very successful both on and off the field.
quote:Valley League team moving to Strasburg
By Jeremy Stafford -- jstafford@nvdaily.com
STRASBURG -- No longer will the Strasburg area have to deal with a summer lull in sports action.
Valley Baseball League owners voted on Monday to grant ownership of the Fauquier Gators franchise to a nonprofit organization based in town called Strasburg Community Baseball Inc.
The Gators franchise, which lacked the personnel to continue to man a Fauquier-based team, will be moved to Strasburg and will begin play in June of 2011.
Jay Neal, one of seven members of Strasburg Community Baseball Inc.'s board of directors, said that a "benefactor was willing to donate money" so the organization could purchase the team. According to Neal, the team was bought "at a great price."
Butch Barnes, also a board member, will coach the Strasburg team, which Neal said will wear the purple of Strasburg High School, but does not yet have a mascot.
"I don't think the town of Strasburg overemphasizes sports, because we have tons of stuff that goes on," Neal said. "But I think people take pride in their community and they follow their sports teams and they support them."
Strasburg lands VBL franchise for 2011 season
By Jeremy Stafford - jstafford@nvdaily.com
STRASBURG -- The Valley Baseball League announced Tuesday, when it released its 2010 schedule, that team owners have approved the purchase of the floundering Fauquier Gators franchise by Strasburg Community Baseball Inc.
The Strasburg-based group, a nonprofit organization comprising a six-member board of directors, with room available for a seventh member, will move the Fauquier team to Strasburg.
The Strasburg team, which as of yet is without a mascot, will begin play in June 2011 as part of the town's 250-year anniversary celebration; the 12-team league will field only 11 teams this summer.
Jay Neal, a member of Strasburg Community Baseball Inc., said the Fauquier team has not yet been purchased, but that an agreement should be reached within a week.
"It was a wonderful opportunity to pick up a team, and there are a bunch of us who have been interested in doing that for years," said Neal, a graduate of Strasburg High School. "And it's the worst time in the world, economically ... but you can't always pick when your opportunities [come] up.
"But Strasburg is a wonderful place for a team."
The rest of the board members are Richard Wilson, Frank Conner Jr., Mike Whittle, Jan Bane and Butch Barnes.
Barnes will coach the Strasburg team, which will play at First Bank Park in Strasburg.
Neal said that, being a nonprofit group, any money that Strasburg Community Baseball Inc. brings in from the team will be donated to the Strasburg High School baseball and softball programs, as well as the Strasburg Little League baseball and softball teams.
In keeping with the tradition of Strasburg High School, Neal explained, the Strasburg team will wear purple.
VBL treasurer Jim Phillips said the Fauquier team recently folded because it lacked the personnel to remain active.
The purchase agreement for the team stands at a light sum of $5,000, money that was donated to Strasburg Community Baseball Inc. by Homewood of the Shenandoah Valley.
"Since they got here, they've been extremely interested in getting involved in community affairs," Neal said.
For Phillips, the prospect of having a Valley League team in Strasburg, when there's already area teams in Woodstock, Winchester, Front Royal and New Market, will hardly be a detriment to the league.
"They got a lot of baseball-minded people," Phillips said of Strasburg, "and, of course, with the history of Strasburg and sports, it's going to be a very good franchise for the league."
By Jeremy Stafford - jstafford@nvdaily.com
STRASBURG -- The Valley Baseball League announced Tuesday, when it released its 2010 schedule, that team owners have approved the purchase of the floundering Fauquier Gators franchise by Strasburg Community Baseball Inc.
The Strasburg-based group, a nonprofit organization comprising a six-member board of directors, with room available for a seventh member, will move the Fauquier team to Strasburg.
The Strasburg team, which as of yet is without a mascot, will begin play in June 2011 as part of the town's 250-year anniversary celebration; the 12-team league will field only 11 teams this summer.
Jay Neal, a member of Strasburg Community Baseball Inc., said the Fauquier team has not yet been purchased, but that an agreement should be reached within a week.
"It was a wonderful opportunity to pick up a team, and there are a bunch of us who have been interested in doing that for years," said Neal, a graduate of Strasburg High School. "And it's the worst time in the world, economically ... but you can't always pick when your opportunities [come] up.
"But Strasburg is a wonderful place for a team."
The rest of the board members are Richard Wilson, Frank Conner Jr., Mike Whittle, Jan Bane and Butch Barnes.
Barnes will coach the Strasburg team, which will play at First Bank Park in Strasburg.
Neal said that, being a nonprofit group, any money that Strasburg Community Baseball Inc. brings in from the team will be donated to the Strasburg High School baseball and softball programs, as well as the Strasburg Little League baseball and softball teams.
In keeping with the tradition of Strasburg High School, Neal explained, the Strasburg team will wear purple.
VBL treasurer Jim Phillips said the Fauquier team recently folded because it lacked the personnel to remain active.
The purchase agreement for the team stands at a light sum of $5,000, money that was donated to Strasburg Community Baseball Inc. by Homewood of the Shenandoah Valley.
"Since they got here, they've been extremely interested in getting involved in community affairs," Neal said.
For Phillips, the prospect of having a Valley League team in Strasburg, when there's already area teams in Woodstock, Winchester, Front Royal and New Market, will hardly be a detriment to the league.
"They got a lot of baseball-minded people," Phillips said of Strasburg, "and, of course, with the history of Strasburg and sports, it's going to be a very good franchise for the league."