Sunbelt Baseball League
The Sunbelt Baseball League (SBL) is a non-profit collegiate summer baseball league with teams located in metropolitan Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America. The SBL is a member of the National Alliance of College Summer Baseball, which is partially funded by Major League Baseball.[3] Games are played with wooden bats and showcase some of the top talent in the nation while providing family entertainment to the community. The season starts in early June and runs through the end of July/early August, with playoffs determining the league champion. The mission of the Sunbelt Baseball League is to provide a first-class collegiate summer program dedicated to helping young college athletes achieve their dreams of playing at the professional level.
Sport | Baseball |
---|---|
Founded | 2005[1] |
Administrator | Becky Kelly Bobby Bennett |
Commissioner | Todd Pratt |
Motto | Georgia's Premier Collegiate Summer Baseball League |
No. of teams | 8[2] |
Country | United States |
Headquarters | Lawrenceville, Georgia |
Most recent champion(s) | Brookhaven Bucks (2019) |
Most titles | Atlanta Crackers (4) |
Sponsor(s) | Major League Baseball, Rawlings, Peach State Roofing, Kapp Koncepts, Northside Hospital, OTW Bat Company and Wilson Action Photography |
Official website | SunbeltLeague.com |
Current league teams[4]
Team | Head coach | Location | Home field | Established |
---|---|---|---|---|
Alpharetta Aviators | Brandon Boggs | Alpharetta, GA | Veterans Field (American Legion Post 201) | 2010 |
Atlanta Crackers | Kevin Meistickle | Norcross, GA | Norcross High School | 2009 (1983[5]) |
Brookhaven Bucks | Corey Patterson | Brookhaven, GA | Oglethorpe University | 2011 |
Columbus Chatt-a-Hoots[6] | Steve Smith | Columbus, GA | Golden Park | 2021 |
Gainesville Braves | Micah Owings | Gainesville, GA | Ivey-Watson Field at Lanier Point Park | 2009 |
Gwinnett Astros | Nick Hogan | Suwanee, GA | Peachtree Ridge High School | 2016 |
Marietta Patriots | Paul Fletcher | Marietta, GA | Marietta High School | 2014 |
Waleska Wild Things | TBA | Waleska, GA | Reinhardt University | 2021 |
Past champions and runners-up
Year | Champion | Runner-up |
---|---|---|
2019[7] | Brookhaven Bucks | Norcross Astros |
2018[8] | Brookhaven Bucks | Marietta Patriots |
2017[9] | Sunbelt Patriots | Atlanta Crackers |
2016[10] | Atlanta Crackers | Carrollton Clippers |
2015[11] | Atlanta Crackers | Phenix City Crawdads |
2014[12] | Atlanta Crackers | Phenix City Crawdads |
2013[13] | Atlanta Crackers | 6-4-3 DP Cougars |
2012[14] | Douglasville Bulls | Windward Braves |
2011[15] | Berkeley Lake Tides | Douglasville Bulls |
2010[16] | Berkeley Lake Tides | Douglasville Bulls |
2009 | Rockdale A's | Atlanta Crackers |
2008 | ||
2007 | ||
2006 | Rockdale A's | |
2005 | Atlanta Astros |
Former League Teams
- Gwinnett Tides (2014-2019) became Gainesville Braves
- Norcross Astros (2016-2019) became Gwinnett Astros
- Phenix City Crawdads (2014-2017)
- Carrollton Clippers (2016-2017)
- Alpharetta Braves (2015-2017) became Alpharetta Aviators
- Sunbelt Patriots (2017) became Marietta Patriots
- Marietta Patriots (2016) became Sunbelt Patriots
- Douglasville Bulls (2009-2015) became Carrollton Clippers
- East Cobb Patriots (2014-2015) became Marietta Patriots
- Home Plate Chukars (2010-2014) became Peachtree City Chukars (2015)
- Windward Braves (2010-2014) became Alpharetta Braves
- Berkley Lake Tides (2009-2013) became Gwinnett Tides
- 6-4-3 DP Cougars (2011-2013)
- OTC Bearcats (2012-2013)
- Rockdale Roadrunners (2011)
- South Atlanta Bearcats (2011)
- Rockdale A's (2005-2010)
- Signature Park Grizzlies (2010)
- South Atlanta Phillies (2010)
- Atlanta Astros (2005-2010)
- Fulton Grizzlies (2009)
- Alpharetta Phillies (2009)
- Johns Creek Wood Ducks (2005-2009)
Sunbelt Baseball League alumni in Major League Baseball
Player | MLB team(s) | MLB debut | SBL team (year) |
---|---|---|---|
Nate Lowe | Tampa Bay Rays | April 29, 2019 | East Cobb Patriots (2014) |
Touki Toussaint | Atlanta Braves | August 13, 2018 | Brookhaven Bucks (2014) |
Alan Busenitz | Minnesota Twins | June 17, 2017 | Berkeley Lake Tides (2011) |
Drew Steckenrider | Miami Marlins | May 24, 2017 | Windward Braves |
Tyler Austin | New York Yankees, Minnesota Twins, San Francisco Giants | August 13, 2016 | Rockdale A's (2010) |
Buck Farmer | Detroit Tigers | August 13, 2014 | Rockdale A's (2009) |
David Hale[17] | Atlanta Braves, Colorado Rockies, New York Yankees | September 13, 2013 | |
Tyler Flowers | Chicago White Sox, Atlanta Braves | September 3, 2009 | Rockdale A's (2005) |
References
- "Sunbelt wooden-bat league grows in metro area". Retrieved December 3, 2014.
- "Sunbelt Baseball League Teams". Retrieved January 8, 2018.
- "National Alliance of College Summer Baseball". Retrieved September 2, 2014.
- "Sunbelt Baseball League Teams". Retrieved May 16, 2019.
- "The Atlanta Crackers: A Storied History of Excellence on and Off the Field". Retrieved May 22, 2018.
- "Columbus Reveals Name and Manager". Retrieved December 2, 2020.
- "Bucks Repeat as Sunbelt Champions; Edmond, Brace Named Co-MVPs | Sunbelt Baseball League". sunbeltbaseball.pointstreaksites.com. Retrieved 2019-10-22.
- "Brookhaven Bucks win first Sunbelt league title". Retrieved May 16, 2019.
- "Patriots Dominate Crackers in 13-5 Win to Claim the Sunbelt League Championship". Retrieved January 8, 2018.
- "Crackers Win Championship in 13-1 Rout of Clippers". Retrieved January 8, 2018.
- "Crawdads swept by Crackers in Sunbelt Championship series". Retrieved July 30, 2015.
- "Crackers win second consecutive Sunbelt title". Retrieved December 3, 2014.
- "Atlanta Crackers win the Sunbelt League Championship". Retrieved December 3, 2014.
- "Coach Todd Pratt". Retrieved December 3, 2014.
- "Bulls Fall Short in Championship". Retrieved December 3, 2014.
- "Marshall helps Berkeley Lake to title". Retrieved December 3, 2014.
- "Sunbelt League has 12 in MLB draft". Retrieved April 25, 2018.