Adult Baseball Tournaments 2022
Places to play adult baseball in 2022
As we welcome in the new year, the offseason is well under way. It might be weeks or months since your last competitive time on the field.
For some, the beginning of offseason is a good time to rest and recover. Giving your arm and legs a break from the explosive movements the game demands. After a short period, it's time to start getting in shape for the next season.
That time away from the game has an effect on the mind. A few might contemplate hanging it up. For others, they begin to miss the game like an old friend. For many, each day away from the last out further fuels the hunger to get back on the field.
After taking a few weeks off in November, I began preparing for the 2022 baseball season. Training in December included throwing to get the arm back to playing shape. Workouts and weightlifting for strength, stability and general conditioning. Drills to improve ball handling, especially glove to hand transitions. Groundballs and footwork drills for defense. And, of course, hitting. Tee work, soft toss and cage work round out the early offseason training.
It might seem early to start training. Where you live and the league you play in determines when the season starts for you. Some places are lucky and will start in February. In colder areas it could be May before the season gears up.
For the SLO MSBL league in which I play, the season won't start until April. Our team has already put in a few practices and that will increase as we get closer to opening day. In March, we will probably have scrimmages with other teams to satisfy the thirst for baseball.
Thankfully, though, I won't have to wait until then to put on the uniform and play ball. As of this writing, I only have two more weeks to wait. On January 14th, I'll pack up the car and make the four hour drive south to Los Angeles. The next morning, I'll suit up, along with the rest of the Outlaws Tournament team, to play in the California Kickoff Classic put on by the National Amateur Baseball Association (NABA).
There are many organizations that host these baseball get togethers throughout the country. Whether it is camp where you can get the "big league" treatment, or a tournament pitting teams from all over against each other, there's likely something for you. Some are invitational, others open to all. You can come as a team or, in most cases, sign up to the player pool as a free agent.
For me, tournaments are the highlight of the playing year. I look forward to each one I'm lucky enough to attend. I recommend you find one or ten that interest you. They are always worth it.
To help out, I've listed some of the playing opportunities and highlighted some cool events for you to check out. For some of them, the registration may have passed or is soon approaching. I still suggest you look into those if you're interested to find out about future participation. You'll see that most have offerings for Memorial Day, 4th of July and Labor Day.
This list isn't all inclusive. There are many more regional tournaments and smaller events. But this will give you a lot to explore. I've provided links to some of the tournament pages to help you find out more details or plan out your playing opportunities.
(I am not directly affiliated with any of these organizations although I will play in some of these.)
Tournaments and events
MLB Fantasy Camps
Typically held in January, most of the MLB teams offer fantasy camps or similar experiences. These are usually held at their respective spring training facilities in Arizona or Florida.
For one week per year, you can get a chance to feel like a pro. Included is lodging and some meals, a full MLB quality uniform with your name, a locker, training by team coaches and former players, as well as other amenities the pros enjoy.
You get individual and group instruction and get to enjoy playing games daily. Players that have gone tend to make it a habit. The friendships made at these camps can last a lifetime.
The best way to find out the details for these camps is it visit your favorite team's mlb.com fan page.
Men's Senior Baseball League
The MSBL started in 1988 in New York. Since Affiliated leagues can be found all over the country. In addition to league play, MSBL puts on Regional and National Tournaments throughout the year. Below is a few of those tournaments.
These tournaments all have multiple age divisions. For more details, check out the MSBL Tournament page.
National Adult Baseball Association (NABA)
Like the MSBL, NABA has been around for years. They provide affiliations for leagues around the country and put on numerous tournaments for players. Here's a look at some for this upcoming year.
Each tournament has different age divisions. You can get more details on the NABA Tournament page.
Roy Hobbs Baseball
Another organization with a loyal following is Roy Hobbs Baseball. Geared to players over 30, Roy Hobbs has affiliated leagues across the country and puts on some of the best tournament experiences for players with some cool add on experiences. Some of their tourneys are listed here.
US Adult Baseball (USAB)
Scott Green's Play at the Plate
This organization is a bit different from the others. They focus more on tournaments and events than with leagues. They are built to give individuals some pretty unique playing experiences in awesome places. For regular participants, they offer a "Lifetime Pass" that can be used for entry and discounts in their events. The following are just a few scheduled for this year.
Negro League Baseball Museum Summer Classic (NLBM)
2021 saw the first NLBM Summer Classic. Held in Kansas City it is a collaboration of the Negro League Baseball Museum, Boys & Girls Clubs of KC, KC Royals Urban Youth Academy and KB Productions.
Spanning four days in mid August, participants enjoy a reception at the Museum, dinners, awards and, of course, competive baseball games. Fields include the historic Satchel Paige Stadium, all turf Urban Youth Academy field and new to the event this year, Legends Field. Legends Field is a 6500 seat Professional Stadium with natural grass and great amenities. It is the home of the Kansas City Monarchs of the American Association.
Long overdue, the late founder of the Negro League Baseball Museum, Buck O'Neil was selected for the Hall of Fame this year. That's sure to give this year's event extra significance.
The NLBM Summer Classic will be held August 10-14, 2022 this year. The registration deadline is coming soon, February, 15, so be sure to check it out at the NLBM Summer Classic website.
Rippey Ruckus
Also heading into it's second year, the Rippey Ruckus isn't so much a tournament as it is a community event. Born out of an idea to bring friends from different areas together to play baseball, the Ruckus found the perfect place at Walt Anderson field.
Rippey may be a small town, but it has a big baseball history. The Rippey Ruckus is adding to that history while also helping to bring awareness and upgrades to the historic field.
In its Inaugural year, four teams squared off for three days of baseball, community and fellowship. This year a second weekend was added to accommodate a second division of teams.
Entry to play in the Rippey Ruckus is invitation only. But it serves to highlight what can happen when people that love baseball come together to create something worthwhile.
I previously published an article about the Ruckus. If you'd like to find out more about it or the baseball town of Rippey, you can read about it here.
Pro ball Baseball Clinic
What's on your baseball calender this year?
With a new year comes new opportunities. If you are like me, you are already planning out your baseball adventures for this year. I'm getting excited for my first taste of competition in a couple of weeks.
There are so many opportunities to get on the field for those that crave it. While I couldn't put every one of them in this list, I hope it gives you some inspiration and ideas for where to play this year.
I'd love to hear what tournaments and events you plan on attending this year, whether or not they are mentioned in this article. Let me know in the comments.
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