GSBL Q & A

 

How old do I have to be to play in the GSBL?

As long as you turn age 25 before December 31 of the current year you are eligible to play in the GSBL although there are (3) team exemptions made for players within the age of 18-24 provided they are not pitchers.

 

How long has the GSBL been in existence? 

The Granite State Baseball League has been in existence since 1992.

 

How many teams play in the GSBL?

The GSBL is currently comprised of 10 teams from the southern to central New Hampshire area. 

 

How do I join a team?  

There are several ways to join a team. The easiest way is to know a current player and, if you are good enough, tryout for their team. If you do not know any players in the league you can submit your information via the link titled "Free Agents” on the top menu bar of the www.GSBL.net home page. Submitting your information will send an email to all of the league managers who will contact you if they are interested in learning more about your abilities. Typically 10-20 players are added to teams each season through this method.

 

How often do you play and how long is the season?

Games are usually played on Sunday mornings with the occasional Saturday games (especially for playoff series) or weeknight makeup game. The season usually begins in mid-April and the playoffs usually commence in late August. Each team typically plays a 14 game regular season schedule including some double-headers.

 

How much does it cost to play?

The player fee varies from team to team. Typically it is between $150-$250 dollars per year, per player. This fee covers team costs like fields, umpires and uniforms and league expenses like insurance, website, etc. Some teams are able to obtain sponsors to help defray costs or by organizing fundraisers or obtaining sponsors, some pay as you play and others request payment up front. Each team is run independently and is a member of the GSBL.

 

What do the uniforms look like? 

Most teams have uniforms similar to major league baseball teams.

 

What do I need to play?

All you need is a glove, a pair of spikes/cleats, a good attitude, and the desire to play baseball. We are a wood bat league, so if you plan on hitting you will also need a bat.

 

How fast is the pitching?

Most pitchers in the league have fastballs between 60-75 MPH however there are some pitchers that can top out in the high-80's.

 

What positions are most in demand?

All positions are in demand however good pitchers and catchers are particularly hard to come by.

 

What if I want to submit an entire team? 

If you are interested in starting your own team or already have a team and you would like to join the GSBL please contact the league President or Vice President through the "Commish Office" link on the left side of the www.GSBL.net homepage.

 

What does it cost to manage a entire team? 

This cost can vary depending on sponsorship, team uniforms and field costs. Generally, somewhere between $2500-$3500. Umpires ($1,300) and League Fee ($800-900) are the fixed costs.  League Fee covers baseballs, league insurance, website and playoff umpires. Teams are responsible for the regular season umpires, field permits and team equipment/uniforms. 

 

What responsibilities does each manager have to the GSBL? 

Managers are responsible to have a representative at the league's monthly meetings, secure a field for their games, pay their league fee, enter stats/results on the website and, most importantly, havbe good sportmanship.

 

Where are GSBL games played?

Games are played on baseball diamonds in Southern to Central New Hampshire. Most games are played on High School or College fields.

 

What about playoffs?

Playoffs begin in August and typically consist of the top 8 teams playing in a bracket elimination tournament. Each round is a best 2 of 3 series. Players must play 40% of league regular season games to be eligible to participate in the playoffs. The playoff format can vary from year-toyear depending on the number of teams in the league.

 

How competitive is the league?

Most players in the GSBL have baseball experience ranging from high school to a stint in the Major Leagues and every level in-between. The competition is solid, but we all realize that we need to go to work the next day.

 

As a new manager, how do I secure uniforms for my team?

Managers are responsible to have  similar uniforms for their team. If need help in finding a vendor, ask another league managers. Some vendors used: Brine Sports in Concord, NH