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The Great South League is a collegiate summer baseball league which comprises teams located in the U.S. states of Georgia, Florida, Alabama, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Virginia. Teams consist of current college baseball players from the JUCO, NAIA, and NCAA levels who wish to further their skills by practicing and playing during the summer off-season.
History of the Great South League
In the fall of 2005, the Georgia Collegiate League was founded by the Georgia Dugout Club in order to promote wood-bat summer league baseball within the state of Georgia. After two successful seasons of playing ball, the GCL formally adopted the new name, the Great South League, and expanded to include 12 teams in the states of Georgia, Florida, and Alabama for the 2008 season. Currently, the GSL has four divisions with 24 teams spread across the Southeast. The GSL seeks to allow college baseball players of all intercollegiate levels continue their development and improve their style of play. Bill Park Jr (aka Liam Parke) has served as the Leagues President since 2007 becoming Commissioner in 2010 upon the retirement of founding Commissioner, Harvey Cochran.
Past, present, and future teams of the GSL
Current teams of the GSL
At Large Division
| Team Name | Location | Joined GSL | Home field |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Styx | Chattanooga, TN | 2010 | Engel Stadium |
North Division
| Team Name | Location | Joined GSL | Home Field |
|---|---|---|---|
| Catawba Valley Stars | Hickory, North Carolina | 2009 | L.P. Frans Stadium (Hickory Crawdads) / Lenoir Rhyne College Field |
| Carolina Hurricanes | Charlotte, North Carolina | 2009 | TBA |
| Central Virginia | Lynchburg, Virginia | 2009 | TBA |
| Fuquay-Varina Twins | Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina | 2009 | Harnett Central High School Field |
| Kernersville Bulldogs | Kernersville, North Carolina | 2009 | Glenn High School Field |
| West Virginia Wild | Bluefield, West Virginia | 2010 | Bluefield State College |
| Roanoke Rails | Roanoke, Virginia | 2009 | TBA |
East Division
| Team Name | Location | Joined GSL | Home Field |
|---|---|---|---|
| Athens Pirates | Athens, Georgia | 2006 | Cedar Shoals High School |
| Augusta Nationals | Augusta, Georgia | 2008 | Jaguar Field (Augusta State University) |
| Ty Cobb Reds | Franklin Springs, Georgia | 2010 | Emmanuel College Field |
| GSA Macon Giants | Macon, Georgia | 2006 | Luther Williams Field |
| AWBIL Raiders | Atlanta, Georgia | 2010 | Mundy's Mill High School |
| AWBIL Royals | Atlanta, Georgia | 2009, 2010 | Mundy's Mill High School |
- A Inaugural season delayed to 2010.
- B Played as a single team prior to 2009 season.
West Division
| Team Name | Location | Joined GSL | Home Field |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cobb Premier Stars | Mableton, Georgia | 2009 | Pebblebrook High School |
| East Alabama Big Train | Oxford, Alabama | 2008 | Oxford High School Field |
| Newnan Barves | Newnan, Georgia | 2009 | Joe Pope Field (Newnan High School), Hawks Field (The Heritage School) |
| Columbus Wood Bats | Columbus, Georgia | 2009 | Charles F. Ragsdale Field (Columbus State University) |
| Georgia Stars | Lagrange, Georgia | 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010 | La Grange College |
Defunct and former teams
| Team Name | Location | Seasons | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Columbus Chain | Columbus, Georgia | 2008 | Scheduled to compete in the South Division, never played a game due to management team. |
| Conyers Miracle | Conyers, Georgia | 2006–2008 | |
| Georgia Stars | LaGrange, Georgia | 2006–2008 | Charter Member |
| Mentium Athletics | Conyers, Georgia | 2008 | |
| Windward Academy | Alpharetta, Georgia | 2006–2009 | |
| Thomasville Bombers | 2006–2009 | ||
| Florida Legends | 2008–2009 | ||
| World of Baseball Angels | 2009 | ||
| NCF Baseball Stars | 2009 | ||
| St Augustine Saints | 2008, 2009 |
Future teams
In a series of press releases, the Great South League announced it would again expand in the 2011 season, to 30 teams in a seven state area. Likewise, the 2010 season will feature three divisions, each with 5-6 teams plus an "At Large" division. The North Division will consist of seven members joining from the Carolina-Virginia League. Meanwhile, the East and West Divisions will consist of both new teams and current members. A new team, the Tennessee Styx, will be in the "At Large" Division. The GSL has announced expansion plans for 2011 with two new Divisions, Northwest including teams from Tennessee: Knoxville, Athens, Cleveland, and Chattanooga TN and a Metro Atlanta Division consisting of 6 teams.
Championship history
| Season | Champion | Record | Pitcher of Year | Player of the Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Georgia Stars | 35-1 | Joey Merrifield (Georgia Stars) | Josh Reddick (Savannah Chain) |
| 2007 | Athens Pirates | 29-11 | ||
| 2008 | North Florida Legends | 22-6-1 | ||
| 2009 | Thomasville Bombers | 18-16-1 | ||
| 2010 | Newnan Braves | 20-14 |
2008 final standings
North Division
| Team | Record |
|---|---|
| Athens | 18-13 |
| Windward Academy | 16-13 |
| Augusta | 16-17 |
| Mentium | 11-21 |
| Conyers | 12-23 |
| Georgia Sports Academy | 4-17 |
South Division
| Team | Record |
|---|---|
| North Florida | 22-6-1 |
| East Alabama | 19-8 |
| Georgia | 12-9 |
| Thomasville | 16-16-1 |
| St. Augustine | 9-12 |
References
- Great South League. 11 Dec. 2008. http://www.greatsouthleague.com/index.php
- "GSL Expanding Into Virginia And North Carolina". Great South League. 11 Dec. 2008. http://www.greatsouthleague.com/article/88.php
- "Championship History". Great South League. 6 Aug. 2008. http://www.greatsouthleague.com/f/Championship_History.php