#SummerOfBaseball Series #3 – the Valley Baseball League @VBLBaseball
We continue our #SummerOfBaseball series with the Valley Baseball League.
The Valley Baseball League, with its slogan “Gateway to the Majors” was established in 1897 and is the oldest chartered amateur baseball league which is still operating in America. The league is funded in part by Major League Baseball and is a member of the National Alliance of College Summer Baseball and fields 12 teams in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia.
The VBL season plays a 40 game schedule which runs from June to August followed by an 8-team playoff for the Linweaver Cup.
According to the league’s website, the team has produced more than 1,100 professional players, had 46 current or former players selected in the 2015 MLB draft, and has had 30 alumni play in the Majors in 2015.
Notable players who have passed through Valley’s ranks include:
Jason Kipnis – current Cleveland Indians second baseman and former All-Star
Javier Lopez – current San Francisco Giants reliever and 13 year MLB veteran appearing in more than 700 games
Mike Lowell – 4x All-Star, Gold Glove, Silver Slugger – 1,619 career hits, 223 HR, 952 RBI, .279 career hitter
Corey Spangenberg – current San Diego Padre and former 1st round pick
Aubrey Huff – retired 13 year MLB veteran with 1,699 career hits, 242 HR, 904 RBI, .278 career hitter
Juan Pierre – played 14 MLB seasons, 2,217 career hits, 614 stolen bases, 1,075 runs scored, .295 career hitter
Steve Finley – 19 MLB seasons, 2x All-Star, 5 Gold Gloves, 2,548 hits, 304 HR, 1,167 RBI, .271 career hitter
Mo Vaughn – 12 MLB seasons, 1995 MVP, 3x All-Star, 328 HR, 1,064 RBI, .293 career hitter
David Eckstein – 10 MLB seasons, 2006 World Series MVP, 1,414 career hits, .280 career hitter
The league consists of twelve teams in two divisions:
North Division:
Aldie Senators
Charles Town Cannons
Front Royal Cardinals
Strasburg Express
Winchester Royals
Woodstock River Bandits
South Division:
Charlottesville TomSox
Covington Lumberjacks
Harrisonburg Turks
New Market Rebels
Staunton Braves
Waynesboro Generals
I’d like to thank the Valley League Commissioner for sending in an official Valley Baseball League ball!
Check out the league’s website http://www.valleyleaguebaseball.com/view/valleyleaguebaseball
Given them a follow in twitter – @VBLBaseball
If you’re in Virginia, go catch a game and root, root, root for the home team!
If your team or league would like to be represented in the #SummerOfBaseball, send me an email at metsfanontwitter@aol.com
Our #SummerOfBaseball lineup:
1. New York Mets – @Mets
2. Wisconsin Woodchucks – @ChucksBaseball
3. Valley Baseball League – @VBLBaseball
On Deck – St. Lucie Mets
Why Did My Dad Make Me a Mets Fan? 