British Baseball Federation
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The British Baseball Federation (BBF) is the national governing body of baseball within the United Kingdom, founded in 1987.
BBF is a federated member of both the Confederation of European Baseball and the International Baseball Federation. BBF is the joint owner (with the British Softball Federation) of BaseballSoftballUK (BSUK), a sports development agency.
The voting members of BBF are the affiliated baseball clubs (senior and youth), life members and the umpires, scorers and coaches associations. The BBF holds an annual general meeting each spring at which the voting members elect an executive board of 11 officials to oversee the body and the sport. All participants (players, coaches, managers, umpires, scorers, etc) with affiliated clubs and the associations are members of the BBF.
Youth Baseball : There are organised leagues at 10 - 13 (Bronco) and 14 to 16 (Pony) age ranges. Additionally, British Baseball supports the Play Ball programme run by BaseballSoftballUK which introduces children from 8 to 12 to bat & ball games, usually through school or a local Play Ball scheme. There are also GB national teams for youth players (Juveniles under 13s, Cadets under 16s, and Juniors under 19s), as well as an off-season British Baseball Academy for youth players and coaches.
Adult Baseball : There are a number of leagues and divisions, split by ability and geographical location. These range from the highly competitive to the recreational. [1].
As at 24 November 2007 there were 42 clubs, with 81 league teams, as members of the BBF.[2]. There are also a number of non-league clubs and teams affiliated to British Baseball.
British Baseball also oversees the national team of Great Britain.
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[edit] BBF Board
The BBF board was elected at AGM held 8 March 2008. The board is comprised as follows:
President Rob Rance
Secretary John Walmsley
Treasurer Daniel Lally
Development James Pearce
National Teams Laim Carroll
Umpires Darrin Muller
Coaches Vacant
League Commissioners (4):
Northern Senior Matthew Norburn
Northern Youth Jonathon Pearson
Southern Senior Cody Cain
Southern Youth Keith Sherman
[edit] League Structure
Affiliated clubs may enter as many teams as they wish to play in the BBF baseball leagues. There is a senior bracket for adults, and two youth brackets (10 to 13 and 14 to 16).
The season runs from April to September each year and ends in the national championships (often referred to as Final 4s). Championships are held at each of the various senior divisions. Championships are also held for the two youth age brackets.