When we were kids we'd knock on our friends doors and asked them to meet us at the ball field to play a pick-up game of baseball. We'd play as long as it was light enough, and go home for dinner. The next day, we'd do it all again. We don't remember the score, or even specific plays. We do remember how great it was having that much fun playing ball. That feeling, those times, those memories - is what this league is about.
To re-capture those kind of moments again is our goal. The purity of baseball has never been about winning or crushing another team, or going for a state or regional championship. It's much, much simpler than that - it's about thowing, catching, pitching and hitting. It's about spending three hours a week on the field in the sun, chewing bubble gum or sunflower seeds with a bunch of great guys!
PURPOSE STATEMENT: The purpose of the Great American Pastime Baseball League is to provide men over the age of 28 a place to play the game they love, in a competitive yet not ultra competetive environment, in an effort to just enjoy the game - again - or for the first time.
MISSION STATEMENT: The Great American Pastime Baseball League exists solely to provide a place for to play ball in a challenging yet uplifting environment. The GAP Baseball League encourages everyone to play hard, while constantly praising and encouraging their teammates and opponents.
As of this writing, (middle of 2008 Fall Season) our oldest player is 68 years old, our youngest is 19. The average age is 40 years and 6 months. Our median age is 39. And we're all proof that you're never too old to enjoy yourselves. Most compare the GAP League to a recreational league. Unlike most highly competitive men's leagues, we don't have a goal of traveling out of state to play in a major tournament at the end of the season. Though a few players may be asked to play in exhibition games against other local league teams (on a rotating basis) these games are "friendlies" played on a for-fun basis only. We do have end-of-season playoffs, and the award is intentionally small to keep teams from being too competitive. We have playoffs mainly because it's an American tradition and it adds a sense of finality to the season. So, the Great American Pastime Baseball League is all about your enjoyment, regardless of your baseball experience or how many MSBL/MABL tournament championships you've been a part of in the past. If you feel that highly competitive baseball something you prefer, there are great leagues around; I encourage you to find one, and I'll help you if you contact me. In contrast, the GAP League is all about stepping back in time when we played the game with our neighborhood friends and where all players received fair playing time - and we kept doing it every weekend because it was, well... just fun! We remember them as some of the best times of our lives and we're starting to recapture them here. So, if this sounds like a good time, join us. Get the glove and bat from the attic, dust them off and join us for overhand for-fun baseball! -- Jack Dolan - Commissioner |
If you have any questions, feel free to email jack@gapbaseball.com.
Phone: 1877.GO.GAPBL or 1877.424.2725