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Date: 4/4/2023
The adult recreational sports league Valley Wheel Baseball is preparing to throw out the first pitch for the start of its 18th season. Valley Wheel Baseball Commissioner James Nason shared that the league continues to enjoy active participation through its focus on fair competition and friendly camaraderie.
The league welcomes adults 28 and older to participate in their annual seasons. The six teams in the league, formed by 15-man rosters, play a 15-game schedule on Sundays from late April to mid-August. Each season begins with a practice period for participants, followed by a draft that aims to balance out the teams in a fair, competitive manner.
Valley Wheel Baseball features several of the trademark attributes of America’s pastime, including nine-inning games, officiating umpires and most of the common baseball rules and regulations.
In the past, Nason was a participant in recreational baseball leagues. He became inspired in 2006 to create Valley Wheel Baseball to provide a local opportunity for adults looking to get back out on the baseball diamond.
“I was playing in another league, but I wanted something closer to home,” said Nason.
The league started initially with four teams before growing to six teams in 2013. Over the years, Valley Wheel Baseball has developed a tight-knit rapport between its players. Nason shared that the league’s schedule, which has teams face off against each other three times, allows for everyone in the league to develop a bond with one another.
“We do have a lot of camaraderie … everyone gets to know each other,” said Nason.
Most years, the league is left with 15 to 20 vacancies that Nason works to fill before the season. For this season, Nason has not faced that same challenge. He said that participation for Valley Wheel Baseball is as active as ever, with more people looking to engage in outdoor activities after the end of COVID-19 restrictions.
“This year is an exception. … It feels like there is a lot more interest since the pandemic. People just want to get out of the house and do something,” said Nason.
Nason is even looking to add two reserve spots for teams to account for the extra demand. Even with the expanding league, the league remains focused on giving all participants a chance to shine on the ball field.
“We try to get everybody out on the field as much as possible,” said Nason.
In his discussions with players, Nason said participants enjoy the league’s focus on ensuring competitive balance.
“We focus on having parity, and that is what makes it exciting. … Players feel that they can make a difference on game day. They think, ‘If I can have a good game, I can help my team win,’” said Nason.
The experience for players is also rooted in a deep sense of nostalgia. While there are several recreational athletic leagues, Nason explained that Valley Wheel Baseball competitors enjoy getting the chance to bask in an authentic baseball experience.
“A lot of players have played softball; they are so excited to be playing baseball. There’s that type of feeling of getting back out there and doing something they haven’t done since they were a kid,” said Nason.
Valley Wheel Baseball plays their games throughout the area. Nason said games for this season are planned in Springfield, Wilbraham, Suffield, Agawam, East Longmeadow, Longmeadow, South Hadley and a few other communities. The scheduled games include a few ball games that are played under the lights.
“I try to do that so everybody plays on different fields. … It’s like playing on a different golf course. There is something to be said to say ‘Hey, I’ve played here a bunch of times and feel comfortable,’ but it is also to be on a new field and say ‘Wow, this is pretty different,’” said Nason.
Valley Wheel Baseball remains self-funded through player fees. A few open spots still remain ahead of the league’s first practice session on April 8. Games officially start on April 22 at Blunt Park in Springfield.
Readers can learn more about Valley Wheel Baseball at https://valleywheelbaseball.org/.