Middle School Baseball League 2024
To see past Middle School League champions, click here.
This season will be the 25th Middle School League (MSL) and our 6th season in the new facilities at the Brook Run Park.
Important aspects for the Middle School season:
- Facilities. In addition to the Brook Run Park Baseball Fields, we will use Field 5 at Morgan Falls Park (aka Sandy Springs Youth Sports) for practices and games. Games are also played at the large field at NYO, at Medlock Park, and at various school fields including Pace Academy, Sutton Middle School, Blessed Trinity, Wesleyan School, St. Pius X Catholic High School, Westminster, Lovett, and others.
- Divisional Play. We will schedule games according to skill level. We expect to have 4-5 divisions of play, as we have had for most years. We will again play a few interleague games with Middle School League teams from Druid Hills. The A bracket is our highest level of play and plays 60x90. All other division play 54x80.
- Practices. DSB and SSYS will make fields available for practices prior to and during the season. Schools that have the space typically practice at their own facilities.
- Playing Rules. We use NFHS/GHSA rules except in a couple of areas. Some of the rules that differ include: field size, bat sizes (depending on division), 10 players in the batting order, free defensive substitution, and a 2-hour time limit. Please consult the DSB Playing Rules for complete playing rules. We will have a MANDATORY coaches meeting prior to the season to review league rules.
- Player Eligibility. This is not a travel league in which the teams are free to recruit any player they choose. Player eligibility rules are:
- Public Schools. Players must attend the school or live in the boundaries of the high school to which it feeds.
- Private Schools. Players must attend the school or if they are 8th graders must have an application on file with the school.
- Private Schools as Part of a Church. If the school is part of a church (e.g. St. Jude), children of registered members of the church are also eligible for the team.
- Free Agents. Any player who tries out for their school team and does not make the team is eligible for any other team.
- Schedule. Each team plays 12 games followed by playoffs where teams are divided into brackets. Game times are 5:00 PM and 7:30 PM on weekdays, throughout the day on Saturday, and during the afternoon on Sunday. Games are limited to no new inning starting after 2 hours. No games are played during a school’s spring break.
- DSB Park Team(s). DSB will form one or more teams from players who do not make their school teams or who attend schools that do not participate in the league. These teams will be coached by DSB volunteers. All players who tryout for a DSB Park Team will be assigned to a team. We are requesting that all teams finish selection of their teams by January 31, 2024, so that players who do not make a school team can sign up for the DSB Park Team(s).
- Awards. T-Shirts are awarded to the top 2-3 teams in each tournament bracket.
- Expression of Interest (Mandatory). We expect to have even more teams than last year. If you are interested entering a team in the league, please send an e-mail to John Crawford at [email protected].