Stop, don't buy that bat yet!  We want all of our players to know that for 2012 the MBL will be going to the BBCOR standard to be consistent with the NCAA and high schools.  There is also a possibility we go to wood/baum bats (we will decide that October 3, 2010).  Here are some links regarding BBCOR to read:

Baseball Express

Baseball Bat's Review Blog

Baseball Journal

Steve the Ump 

Baum Bat

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I have two potential sponsors for your MBL teams next year. 

First is a bar on the southside near the airport.  The owner is willing to sponsor a team or two for up to $1000 based on patronage, with a few hundred up front for uniforms, and contributions throughout the season for regular attendance.  If your team is looking for a nice regular watering hole near the airport, get in contact with me. 

Second is for all teams.  Wisquote Insurance Services, LLC, an independent insurance agency, will kick in 20% of any life insurance premium that your players or friends and family place with the (my) agency.  That's on top of the 20% Wisquote will kick into the MBL Field Fund for renovations at Zirkel Field.  For example, if five guys all buy life insurance at about $400 per year each, for a total of $2000 in premium, your team will receive $400 and the MBL Field Fund will receive $400.

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2010 marked a significant year for the Milwaukee Baseball League.  Now in our eighth season as an independent league after Milwaukee County ceased running adult baseball leagues, the MBL added a division for players age 25 and over and is working with Milwaukee County to resurface the infield at Zirkel Field in McCarty Park.  In general the league is healthy with a good group of volunteers managing it, has run a small surplus each year and maintains an emergency fund of several thousand dollars for unforseen events and issues.

Looking forward we see three divisions comprising the league on a long term basis: American Division, National Division and Veterans Division. 

For 2011 the league will accept expansion teams, however, we will only allow up to 12 teams total in the MBL American/National divisions, and up to 12 teams in the Veterans division, for a maximum total of 24 teams.  It is likely that we hold those limits long term unless more fields become available.  New teams must have at least one $500 sponsor by our first league manager's meeting in January 2011 to secure a place in the league for 2011.  Teams should also have a reliable 15 man roster with a few fill-in players to cover when family commitments, vacations, work or weddings interfere with baseball.

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Status Update

Press coverage: http://www.jsonline.com/sports/preps/90186367.html

The Milwaukee Baseball League is raising funds to level and resod the infield at Zirkel Field in McCarty Park, West Allis.  As of the end of July we had raised about $3600.  The cost of this project is about $12,000.

A new infield, to go with the dugouts that Briggs and Stratton has donated money to the County for and the scoreboard that the Milwaukee Brewer's Community Foundation has purchased would make Zirkel a premier diamond in the area supporting local leagues, high schools and tournament play.

The MBL will also hopefully acquire by donation a storage shed for field equipment.  We also are targeting ongoing fundraising so that we can add bullpens and batting tunnels that would be open to local players and kids all of the time. 

We have several advertisers for the outfield wall now and have room for 24 total.  The price is $1000 for two years on the outfield wall, with $300 per year renewals.  Signs will be 5 feet by 8 feet going forward as we have a deal with Fast Signs on Hy 100 and Bluemound.  Companies may supply their own signage at a slightly larger size if they wish.

Please contact us at baseballmilwaukee(at)gmail.com for contact Kirk Spano directly at 414-617-6669.

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Milwaukee Baseball League Championship

Southshore All-stars 4 PJ's Tigers 1

In a rematch of the 2009 championship game the results would be different this year.  Tony Landgraf avenged his 2010 championship game loss on the hill by allowing only one run by the PJ's Tigers in the 2010 championship.  Landgraf, who missed much of the season due to injury and family commitments, changed speeds and moved the ball around the plate to induce several important fly outs and ground balls that his mates fielded cleanly, rusulting in ten PJ's baserunners being stranded. 

PJ's only run came in the sixth when pinch hitter Adam Karis reached on a flare to left that wasn't fielded and scored on an Andy Monigal single.  PJ's challenged in almost every inning, but the All-stars defense made every other play to keep PJ's off the board.  Second baseman Bryan Mueller stood out by making several running catches of fly balls in shallow right, as well as cleanly handling three other balls.

Landgraf figured prominently in the All-star's scoring as well.  In the second inning, Landgraf walked with two outs.  He advanced to third on a Jason Mikula double and scored on a Mitch Monroe single.  In the top of the seventh, All-stars added two runs to put the pressure on PJ's for the bottom of the inning.  DJ Wojinowski singled and advanced on a walk by Bryan Mueller.  Both runners advanced on a wild pitch with Tony Landgraf at the plate.  Landgraf then hit a double to the right field gap to score both runs and create a sizable hurdle the Tigers could not overcome.  Landgraf then came out and set the Tigers down in order in the seventh to seal the championship.

Tony Landgraf was named Playoff MVP for his performance and Matt Mundt may have secured another Manager of the Year award.  Congratulations to both teams on great seasons.  PJ's Tigers continued their run of excellence for their sponsor PJ's Pub located on Lincoln Avenue.  Southshore All-stars won their first championship for sponsor Allstar Sportswear and third playoff championship as a franchise.

Please attend the MBL Awards Banquet on Sunday, October 3rd at JOJO's Pizza Pub at 113th and Bluemound for the Packers v Lions game, free appetizers, pizza, wings.

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American

PJ’s Tigers: 7  Town and Lake Realty Braves: 0

The tigers defeated the braves 7-0 in game 1 of a doubleheader. Andy Monigal was helped with some great defense as he went the distance to earn the win.

PJ’s Tigers: 7  Town and Lake Realty Braves: 5

The Tigers defeated the braves 7-5 in game 2 of a doubleheader. Justin Gelhausen pitched 6 innings earning the win and Monigal pitched the 7th to earn the save.

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