FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Why not open this league to all adults? Why have the minimum age at 28 years?

In a June 2007 article, the Greenville News quoted us humorously yet somewhat correctly stating that we were a "mature baseball league". While it may have been inferred that we were a bunch of "old guys", it's context reflects the maturity and character of our play. This league is for men who know they're long past ever making the Major Leagues and only play as hard as they are willing and able to, while still get to work on Monday morning.

Baseball is - in it's purest sense - just a game, and we play it for fun. Most of us at 30, 40, 50, or 60 can still hit home runs (occasionally), turn double plays (occasionally) and strike out the best of them (sometimes). We just need a place to play. No, we probably we can't compete against the young guns anymore, but we can still enjoy playing the game. It's one of the goals for the GAP Baseball League to provide this opportunity.

Now there's a place for those of us older gents who have the game in our blood, but need to compete at a more mature level. A place where there's no high pressure games and no standings. We just want to get out onto the field like when we were kids playing ball in the open lot down the street.

So, the line had to be drawn somewhere. That line is 28 years of age.

Why not let any age pitch in all innings? Why must they be 35 years of age to pitch during the first six innings?

This 35+ pitching rule provides some balance; it makes our 35+ players be an integral part of the league and allows them to play a strategic role in the make-up of their team. A good 35+ pitcher is a valuable asset! They also keep the pitching velocity down, as most of us over 35 can't pitch faster than 60-70 mph, which allows plenty of opportunities to hit, if you can!

Why allow 28+ players pitch after the 6th inning?

This is a "closing strategy". It allows teams to put in "young guns" to try to close games and provide late-game hitting challenges. It's something we tried last season that we all seem to like. So we'll keep it.

I love your Father-Son rule and am looking forward to being on the same field as my son. However, my son is under 18 years of age. He's very talented (no really!) and he could definitely "hold his own" in this league. Can he play with me on a team?

Unfortunately, no. No one under 18 may play, or even be in the dugout during a game due to insurance and liability reasons. Please be patient and honor this rule. We look forward to both of you playing when he turns 18.

Why doesn't the league play games on Saturday afternoons?

Well, the league is not totally against playing on Saturdays. Most kids games play on Saturdays and their fathers are usually with them (and should be). Also, the fields are much harder to get because of the reason above. We feel that it's best not to compete against a father's time with his family, nor compete against the kid's games in attaining the baseball fields.

That said, most kids games are finished sometime Saturday afternoons. So, in the near future, we may play on Saturday evenings, possibly a 7:30pm game. Also, there may be a rare possiblity of playing make-up games on Saturdays for rescheduled games due to inclement whether.

Why does the league have play-offs if there are no standings? And how does the league figure which teams play each other and which are home/away teams in the play-offs?

Play-offs are an American tradition - and we're not one to break a great tradition. There's also a finality to the season when it ends with single elimination play-offs. There are no set methods of choosing play-off match-ups or deciding who's home and who's away. We'll just call this decision a perk the Commissioner has.

If I cannot make it to the game, can a friend (a non-registered player) take my place for the game?

Unfortunately, no. First, all registered players are required to sign a liability waiver to play, so walk-ons are not permitted. Second, registered players from other teams can take your place if your Manager finds his team short on a given weekend. This should be fairly rare since we normally have 13-14 players per team, but it does happen once in a while. So, please save your friend from getting his hopes up unnecessarily. At the same time, friends don't let friend play alone! Have him join us next season!

How can I become a team manager in this league?

We prefer our managers to play at least one season before volunteering for these important positions. So if you get passed up on your first season, that's normal. Some managers will take a break sometimes too, so manager positions are often available.

What's the difference between this league and the MSBL and NABA leagues?

The MSBL and NABA leagues can be looked at as "more serious" leagues, where the GAP Baseball League is a "for-fun" league. Some men do feel that unless the game is played at the ultra-competitive level, for the sole purpose of winning, it's not much fun. This is understandable and is more common for younger, more competitive players. And this need is certainly met by the MSBL/NABA - both do a great job in providing a higher-competitive level of play. Anyone who believes they can play at that level are encouraged to look them up!

In contrast, the GAP Baseball League is a league for those who just want an opportunity to play again because it's fun just being out there again - win or lose. And by enforcing a no-standings rule, rotating batting order, fair playing time on the field, GAP players don't take the game's score, or even each play as serious as a competitive league. This takes the edge off and allows the players to enjoy themselves, their teamates and their opponents more. In fact, one of the nice features of this league is the consistent uplifting and encouraging all players do for teammates and opponents.

What are the League's future plans?

While there are no definite plans, it is our general goal to grow the league to as many teams as God and Upstate will permit. This will obviously take time as we've found that the best method of advertising is through word of mouth, and we're not in a hurry. If it's God's will and part of His plans, it will happen anyway, and as with everything, it will be for His Glory.

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	Frequently Asked Questions Why not open this league to all adults? Why have the minimum age at 28 years? In a June 2007 article, the Greenville News quoted us humorously yet somewhat correctly stating that we were a "mature baseball league". While it may have been inferred that we were a bunch of "old guys", it's context reflects the maturity and character of our play. This league is for men who know they're long past ever making the Major Leagues and only play as hard as they are willing and able to, while still get to work on Monday morning. Baseball is - in it's purest sense - just a game, and we play it for fun. Most of us at 30, 40, 50, or 60 can still hit home runs (occasionally), turn double plays (occasionally) and strike out the best of them (sometimes). We just need a place to play. No, we probably we can't compete against the young guns anymore, but we can still enjoy playing the game. It's one of the goals for the GAP Baseball League to provide this opportunity. Now there's a place for those of us older gents who have the game in our blood, but need to compete at a more mature level. A place where there's no high pressure games and no standings. We just want to get out onto the field like when we were kids playing ball in the open lot down the street. So, the line had to be drawn somewhere. That line is 28 years of age. Why not let any age pitch in all innings? Why must they be 35 years of age to pitch during the first six innings? This 35+ pitching rule provides some balance; it makes our 35+ players be an integral part of the league and allows them to play a strategic role in the make-up of their team. A good 35+ pitcher is a valuable asset! They also keep the pitching velocity down, as most of us over 35 can't pitch faster than 60-70 mph, which allows plenty of opportunities to hit, if you can! Why allow 28+ players pitch after the 6th inning? This is a "closing strategy". It allows teams to put in "young guns" to try to close games and provide late-game hitting challenges. It's something we tried last season that we all seem to like. So we'll keep it. I love your Father-Son rule and am looking forward to being on the same field as my son. However, my son is under 18 years of age. He's very talented (no really!) and he could definitely "hold his own" in this league. Can he play with me on a team? Unfortunately, no. No one under 18 may play, or even be in the dugout during a game due to insurance and liability reasons. Please be patient and honor this rule. We look forward to both of you playing when he turns 18. Why doesn't the league play games on Saturday afternoons? Well, the league is not totally against playing on Saturdays. Most kids games play on Saturdays and their fathers are usually with them (and should be). Also, the fields are much harder to get because of the reason above. We feel that it's best not to compete against a father's time with his family, nor compete against the kid's games in attaining the baseball fields. That said, most kids games are finished sometime Saturday afternoons. So, in the near future, we may play on Saturday evenings, possibly a 7:30pm game. Also, there may be a rare possiblity of playing make-up games on Saturdays for rescheduled games due to inclement whether. Why does the league have play-offs if there are no standings? And how does the league figure which teams play each other and which are home/away teams in the play-offs? Play-offs are an American tradition - and we're not one to break a great tradition. There's also a finality to the season when it ends with single elimination play-offs. There are no set methods of choosing play-off match-ups or deciding who's home and who's away. We'll just call this decision a perk the Commissioner has. If I cannot make it to the game, can a friend (a non-registered player) take my place for the game? Unfortunately, no. First, all registered players are required to sign a liability waiver to play, so walk-ons are not permitted. Second, registered players from other teams can take your place if your Manager finds his team short on a given weekend. This should be fairly rare since we normally have 13-14 players per team, but it does happen once in a while. So, please save your friend from getting his hopes up unnecessarily. At the same time, friends don't let friend play alone! Have him join us next season! How can I become a team manager in this league? We prefer our managers to play at least one season before volunteering for these important positions. So if you get passed up on your first season, that's normal. Some managers will take a break sometimes too, so manager positions are often available. What's the difference between this league and the MSBL and NABA leagues? The MSBL and NABA leagues can be looked at as "more serious" leagues, where the GAP Baseball League is a "for-fun" league. Some men do feel that unless the game is played at the ultra-competitive level, for the sole purpose of winning, it's not much fun. This is understandable and is more common for younger, more competitive players. And this need is certainly met by the MSBL/NABA - both do a great job in providing a higher-competitive level of play. Anyone who believes they can play at that level are encouraged to look them up! In contrast, the GAP Baseball League is a league for those who just want an opportunity to play again because it's fun just being out there again - win or lose. And by enforcing a no-standings rule, rotating batting order, fair playing time on the field, GAP players don't take the game's score, or even each play as serious as a competitive league. This takes the edge off and allows the players to enjoy themselves, their teamates and their opponents more. In fact, one of the nice features of this league is the consistent uplifting and encouraging all players do for teammates and opponents. What are the League's future plans? While there are no definite plans, it is our general goal to grow the league to as many teams as God and Upstate will permit. This will obviously take time as we've found that the best method of advertising is through word of mouth, and we're not in a hurry. If it's God's will and part of His plans, it will happen anyway, and as with everything, it will be for His Glory.