British Baseball Federation

The British Baseball Federation (BBF) is the national governing body of baseball within the United Kingdom, founded in by|1987.

BBF is a federated member of both the Confederation of European Baseball and the International Baseball Federation. BBF is the joint owner (with the British Softball Federation) of BaseballSoftballUK (BSUK), a sports development agency.

The voting members of BBF are the affiliated baseball clubs (senior and youth), life members and the umpires, scorers and coaches associations. The BBF holds an annual general meeting each spring at which the voting members elect an executive board of 11 officials to oversee the body and the sport. All participants (players, coaches, managers, umpires, scorers, etc) with affiliated clubs and the associations are members of the BBF.

Youth Baseball : There are organised leagues at 10 - 13 (Bronco) and 14 to 16 (Pony) age ranges. Additionally, British Baseball supports the Play Ball programme run by BaseballSoftballUK which introduces children from 8 to 12 to bat & ball games, usually through school or a local Play Ball scheme. There are also GB national teams for youth players (Juveniles under 13s, Cadets under 16s, and Juniors under 19s), as well as an off-season British Baseball Academy for youth players and coaches.

Adult Baseball : There are a number of leagues and divisions, split by ability and geographical location. These range from the highly competitive to the recreational. [ [http://www.britishbaseball.org/baseballresults.php British Baseball Federation Leagues] ] .

As at 24 November 2007 there were 42 clubs, with 81 league teams, as members of the BBF. [ [http://www.britishbaseball.org/gen_insert.php?from_level3=Articles&db_story=1945 British Baseball Federation Members' List] ] . There are also a number of non-league clubs and teams affiliated to British Baseball.

British Baseball also oversees the national team of Great Britain.

BBF Board

The BBF board was elected at AGM held 8 March 2008. The board is comprised as follows:

President Rob Rance

Secretary John Walmsley

Treasurer Daniel Lally

Development James Pearce

National Teams Liam Carroll

Umpires Darrin Muller

Coaches Vacant

League Commissioners (4):

Northern Senior Matthew Norburn

Northern Youth Jonathon Pearson

Southern Senior Cody Cain

Southern Youth Keith Sherman

League Structure

Affiliated clubs may enter as many teams as they wish to play in the BBF baseball leagues. There is a senior bracket for adults, and two youth brackets (10 to 13 and 14 to 16).

The season runs from April to September each year and ends in the national championships (often referred to as Final 4s). Championships are held at each of the various senior divisions. Championships are also held for the two youth age brackets.

ee also

*Baseball
*Baseball in the United Kingdom

References

External links

* [http://www.britishbaseball.org British Baseball Federation]
* [http://www.baseballsoftballuk.com BaseballSoftball"UK" - the dual sports' development agency]
* [http://www.gbbaseball.com Great Britain National Baseball Team]
* [http://www.bbfbaseball.com BBF Baseball] Unofficial website for the Northern and Scottish leagues
* [http://www.baseballeurope.com CEB Confederation of European Baseball]
* [http://www.ibaf.tv IBAF International Baseball Federation]