| Classification | Collegiate |
|---|---|
| Sport | Baseball |
| Founded | 1923 |
| President | R.W. "Porky" Bowman, Jr. |
| Commissioner | R.W. "Porky" Bowman, Jr. |
| Motto | "Gateway to the majors" |
| No. of teams | 12 |
| Country |  United States |
| Most recent champion(s) | Harrisonburg Turks (2023) |
| Official website | Valley Baseball League |
The Valley Baseball League is an NCAA and MLB-sanctioned collegiate summer baseball league in the Shenandoah Valley region of Virginia.
The league was started in 1923 and sanctioned by the NCAA in 1961. It has been a wooden bat league since 1993. It is one of the twelve leagues in the National Alliance of College Summer Baseball. The VBL is funded in part by a grant from Major League Baseball. The Valley League has produced well over 1,000 professional baseball players, including a record 79 former players drafted in the 2008 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft.
In 2007, the Valley Baseball League expanded to include one new team with the addition of the Fauquier Gators. Another team was planned to be added in Lexington, Virginia but difficulties with the lighting system delayed the team's addition to the league. The VBL announced in July 2008 that the Rockbridge Rapids would start play in the 2009 season, but the team folded a couple years later. In 2011 the Strasburg Express entered the league and in 2015 the Charlottesville Tom Sox entered the league.
The league canceled the 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Culpeper Cavaliers joined as the league's 12th team in 2023.
Current teams
| Team | City | Stadium | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charlottesville Tom Sox | Charlottesville | CHO Airport Field | 1,200 |
| Covington Lumberjacks | Covington | Casey Field | 2,000 |
| Culpeper Cavaliers | Culpeper | Culpeper County High School | |
| Front Royal Cardinals | Front Royal | Bing Crosby Stadium | 1,500 |
| Harrisonburg Turks | Harrisonburg | Eagle Field at Veterans Memorial Park | 1,200 |
| New Market Rebels | New Market | Rebel Park | 550 |
| Purcellville Cannons | Purcellville | Fireman's Field | 2,000 |
| Staunton Braves | Staunton | John Moxie Stadium | |
| Strasburg Express | Strasburg | First Bank Park | |
| Winchester Royals | Winchester | Bridgeforth Field | 1,200 |
| Woodstock River Bandits | Woodstock | Central High School Field | 796 |
| Waynesboro Generals | Waynesboro | Kate Collins Field at Union Home Mortgage Park | 350 |
Former teams
| Team | City | Years Active |
|---|---|---|
| Aldie Senators | Aldie | 2013-2015 |
| Charles Town Cannons | Charles Town, WV | 2013-2015 |
| Charlottesville Hornets | Charlottesville | 1967-1974 |
| Elkton Blue Sox | Elkton | 1954-1957 |
| Fauquier Gators | Warrenton | 2007-2009 |
| Haymarket Battle Cats | Haymarket | 2005 |
| Haymarket Senators | Haymarket | 2006-2012 |
| Loudoun Rangers | Middleburg | 2004 |
| Luray Colonials | Luray | 1963-1969 |
| Luray Wranglers | Luray | 2001-2012 |
| Madison Blue Jays | Madison | 1969-1988 |
| Rockbridge Rapids | Lexington | 2009-2013 |
| Shenandoah Indians | Shenandoah | 1958-1975 |
Season structure
The regular season consists of 44 games played beginning the first week of June and continuing until late July. Through the 2019 season, teams played all inter-division opponents 3 times and intra-division opponents 5 or 6 times. Beginning in 2021, teams no longer travel to every other ballpark in a single season: rather, all inter-division meetings were scheduled as a single, 7-inning weekend doubleheader. This format was continued in 2022 but with the home teams reversed.
In 2023, the league eliminated divisions and moved to a scheduling model where each team played each other four times for an expanded 44-game schedule, an addition of two games from the previous 42.
In 2024, the league again adopted a new scheduling model where teams play games within their respective divisions for the entirety of the season. The league also reverted to a 40-game season with a change of playoff formatting.
Playoff format
Playoffs begin immediately following the regular season and continue into early August. In all series, the higher seeded team hosts games 1 and 3. No off-days are taken except for rain-outs and while waiting on other series' to finish.
- First Round
- #1 vs. #8 (Best 2 of 3 games)
- #2 vs. #7 (Best 2 of 3 games)
- #3 vs. #6 (Best 2 of 3 games)
- #4 vs. #5 (Best 2 of 3 games)
- Semifinals
- #1/#8 vs. #4/#5 (Best 2 of 3 games)
- #2/#7 vs. #3/#6 (Best 2 of 3 games)
- Championship
- Matchup of semifinal series winners (Best 2 of 3 games)
VBL champions
| Year | VBL Champion | Runner-up | Series |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Charlottesville Tom Sox | Purcellville Cannons | 2-1 |
| 2023 | Harrisonburg Turks | Charlottesville Tom Sox | 2-0 |
| 2022 | Charlottesville Tom Sox | Woodstock River Bandits | 2-0 |
| 2021 | Strasburg Express | Waynesboro Generals | 2-0 |
| 2020 | None | None | N/A |
| 2019 | Charlottesville Tom Sox | Strasburg Express | 2-0 |
| 2018 | New Market Rebels | Charlottesville Tom Sox | 2-0 |
| 2017 | Charlottesville Tom Sox | Strasburg Express | 2-1 |
| 2016 | Strasburg Express | Waynesboro Generals | 2-0 |
| 2015 | Strasburg Express | Staunton Braves | 2-1 |
| 2014 | Waynesboro Generals | Charles Town Cannons | 2-1 |
| 2013 | Waynesboro Generals | Strasburg Express | 2-1 |
| 2012 | Harrisonburg Turks | Winchester Royals | 3-1 |
| 2011 | Covington Lumberjacks | Rockbridge Rapids | 2-1 |
| 2010 | Luray Wranglers | Front Royal Cardinals | 2-0 |
| 2009 | Haymarket Senators | Covington Lumberjacks | 3-1 |
| 2008 | Luray Wranglers | Covington Lumberjacks | 3-0 |
| 2007 | Waynesboro Generals | Luray Wranglers | 4-1 |
| 2006 | Luray Wranglers | Staunton Braves | 3-2 |
| 2005 | Covington Lumberjacks | New Market Rebels | 2-1 |
| 2004 | Winchester Royals | Staunton Braves | 2-0 |
| 2003 | Winchester Royals | New Market Rebels | 3-2 |
| 2002 | New Market Rebels | Covington Lumberjacks | 3-1 |
| 2001 | Winchester Royals | Covington Lumberjacks | 3-2 |
| 2000 | Harrisonburg Turks | Staunton Braves | 3-0 |
| 1999 | Staunton Braves | Winchester Royals | 3-0 |
| 1998 | Waynesboro Generals | Staunton Braves | 3-0 |
| 1997 | Winchester Royals | Front Royal Cardinals | Forfeit |
| 1996 | Staunton Braves | Harrisonburg Turks | 3-1 |
| 1995 | Staunton Braves | Waynesboro Generals | 3-0 |
| 1994 | New Market Rebels | Harrisonburg Turks | 3-2 |
| 1993 | Winchester Royals | Staunton Braves | 3-2 |
| 1992 | Winchester Royals | Harrisonburg Turks | 3-1 |
| 1991 | Harrisonburg Turks | Front Royal Cardinals | 3-1 |
| 1990 | Winchester Royals | Staunton Braves | 3-2 |
| 1989 | New Market Rebels | Harrisonburg Turks | 3-1 |
| 1988 | Waynesboro Generals | Madison Blue Jays | 3-2 |
| 1987 | Winchester Royals | Waynesboro Generals | 3-0 |
| 1986 | Front Royal Cardinals | Harrisonburg Turks | 3-1 |
| 1985 | Staunton Braves | New Market Rebels | 3-0 |
| 1984 | Waynesboro Generals | Harrisonburg Turks | 3-0 |
| 1983 | Winchester Royals | Staunton Braves | 4-3 |
| 1982 | Winchester Royals | New Market Rebels | 3-0 |
| 1981 | Winchester Royals | New Market Rebels | 4-0 |
| 1980 | Winchester Royals | New Market Rebels | 3-1 |
| 1979 | Winchester Royals | Madison Blue Jays | 4-3 |
| 1978 | Madison Blue Jays | Harrisonburg Turks | 4-1 |
| 1977 | Harrisonburg Turks | Waynesboro Generals | 4-0 |
| 1976 | Staunton Braves | Harrisonburg Turks | 4-0 |
| 1975 | Madison Blue Jays | Harrisonburg Turks | 4-2 |
| 1974 | Shenandoah Indians | Waynesboro Generals | 4-2 |
| 1973 | Shenandoah Indians | Madison Blue Jays | 4-2 |
| 1972 | Shenandoah Indians | Charlottesville Hornets | 4-2 |
| 1971 | Harrisonburg Turks | Shenandoah Indians | 4-0 |
| 1970 | Harrisonburg Turks | New Market Rebels | 4-1 |
| 1969 | Harrisonburg Turks | Staunton Braves | 4-0 |
| 1968 | Luray Colonials | Harrisonburg Turks | 4-0 |
| 1967 | Luray Colonials | Harrisonburg Turks | 2-0 |
| 1966 | Luray Colonials | Shenandoah Indians | 4-1 |
| 1965 | Luray Colonials | New Market Rebels | 4-2 |
| 1964 | Harrisonburg Turks | Shenandoah Indians | 4-0 |
| 1963 | Shenandoah Indians | New Market Rebels | 4-1 |
| 1962 | Harrisonburg Turks | Shenandoah Indians | 4-2 |
| 1961 | Shenandoah Indians | Harrisonburg Turks | 4-0 |
| 1960 | Shenandoah Indians | Staunton Braves | 4-3 |
| 1959 | Harrisonburg Turks | New Market Rebels | 4-2 |
| 1958 | Harrisonburg Turks | New Market Rebels | 4-3 |
| 1957 | Staunton Braves | Harrisonburg Turks | 4-3 |
| 1956 | Staunton Braves | Shenandoah Indians | 4-2 |
| 1955 | Harrisonburg Turks | Shenandoah Indians | 4-3 |
| 1954 | Staunton Braves | Elkton Blue Sox | 4-1 |
- Season cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic
Championships per team
- Harrisonburg -13
- Winchester -13
- Luray-7
- Shenandoah -6
- Staunton -6
- Waynesboro -6
- New Market -4
- Charlottesville - 3
- Strasburg -3
- Covington -2
- Madison -2
- Elkton -1
- Front Royal -1
- Haymarket -1
Not all teams have been with VBL since 1954. Throughout its history, teams have been removed and added.
The summer of 2008 was highlighted by a promotion called Around the Valley in 60 Days. This promotion was started by Crystal Clear Delivery and S. Carter Studios and encouraged patrons to visit all 11 parks in the 60-day season. The program was deemed a huge success as some fifty fans completed the program and attended all 11 ballparks.
Notable players
- Daniel Murphy Luray '04 '05
- Brett Gardner, New Market '03 Center Field
- Ben Guez, Covington '06
- Jason Kipnis, Covington '07, second baseman for the Cleveland Indians
- Collin Cowgill, Covington
- Javier Lopez, New Market '96
- Mike Lowell, Waynesboro '93
- Mike Maroth, Staunton '96 '97
- Kyle Snyder, Winchester '97
- Cory Spangenberg, Winchester '10
- Aubrey Huff, Staunton
- Luke Scott, Staunton
- Juan Pierre, Harrisonburg
- Steve Finley, Harrisonburg
- Clint Robinson, Harrisonburg '05
- Mo Vaughn, Harrisonburg
- Jon Rauch, Harrisonburg
- David Eckstein, Harrisonburg
- Chris Hoiles, Harrisonburg
- Chris Devenski, Woodstock
- Guido Knudson, Woodstock
- Yonder Alonso, Luray '06
- Johnny Oates, Waynesboro
- Denny Walling, Waynesboro
- Wayne Comer, Shenandoah
- Jerry May, Staunton
- Jon Jay, Staunton '04
- Chris Perez, Staunton '04
- Ryan Schimpf, Luray '08
- Roberto Hernandez, Front Royal
- Eddy Rodriguez, Luray '05 & '06
- Jim Morris, Charlottesville
- Tom Browning, New Market
- Dan Pasqua, New Market
- Jimmy Key, Winchester
- Alex Wimmers, Luray '08
- Drew Rucinski, Luray '08
- Brian Bocock, Luray '04
- Erik Kratz, Waynesboro and Harrisonburg
- Mike Cubbage, Charlottesville
- Rick Honeycutt, Charlottesville
- Billy Sample, Harrisonburg
- Kirt Manwaring, Waynesboro
- Rich Rodriguez, Staunton
- Reggie Sanders, Front Royal
- Wayne Tolleson, Staunton
- Vic Correll, Staunton
- John Kruk, New Market
- Sam Perlozzo, Waynesboro and New Market
- Jason Michaels, Staunton
- John Pawlowski, Staunton
- Chad Tracy, Staunton
- Tommy La Stella, Haymarket
- Darrell Whitmore, Front Royal
- Vinnie Pasquantino, Charlottesville '17
- Graham Ashcraft, Waynesboro '18
References
- Fisher, Marc (June 16, 2004). "Perfect Pitch". The Washington Post. Retrieved October 26, 2014.
- Hudtloff, Marty (February 5, 2015). "Tom Sox Chosen as Name of Charlottesville's New VBL Team". WVIR-TV. Archived from the original on February 5, 2015. Retrieved February 5, 2015.
- "The 2020 Valley League Has Been Cancelled". ValleyLeagueBaseball.com (Press release). Valley Baseball League. April 2, 2020. Retrieved April 6, 2020.
- Hite, Patrick (April 2, 2020). "Valley Baseball League season canceled". The News Leader. Staunton, Virginia. Retrieved April 6, 2020.
- Payne, Devin. "Summer college baseball coming to Culpeper in 2023". Culpeper Star-Exponent. Retrieved June 15, 2022.
- "Cardinals That Made it to The Show". Front Royal Cardinals. Retrieved March 27, 2018.
- "Eddy Rodríguez". Miami Hurricanes. Retrieved March 27, 2018.