In 2013 our men’s baseball league, formerly known as the Northern Illinois Men’s Senior Baseball League (NIMSBL) broke away from its affiliation with the Men’s Senior Baseball League, a national organization said to represent over 500 men’s leagues in the nation. In declaring our independence we became the Northern Illinois Men’s Baseball League … NIMBL.
Why would we do this?
The quick answer to this question is our move to independence was made for the benefit and advantage of all players who have played in this league for many years, and for all those new players who will play in this league for years to come.
Just as you care about playing the game you love, this league cares about our players and teams. In our league, you are not just another number or a dollar $ sign. In our league we care about about the game and about you enjoying the game.
- We care enough to continuously strive to maintain our vision and philosophy of offering a grassroots baseball league that has the goal of offering competitive baseball for the enjoyment of all in the North and Northwest suburbs of Illinois.
- We care enough to offer you a league where your opinion of the league has an actual voice that will be heard; where your suggestions are truly and deeply considered; where all of our efforts are focused not only on offering you baseball enjoyment for the season, but also on ensuring your future of having a viable league for years to come.
- We care enough to break away from our previous affiliation, where we were just another number. We all deserve better than being just another league that signifies additional income for the national organization.
Your leadership understands and knows that we received more attention from our previous organization in the months preceding our independence – trying to stop our independence – than we did in our 10+ year affiliation. We will never give in to a sterile, corporate: “hold a meeting, collect your money, play the games” philosophy. You deserve better.
Through our independence, we provide everything that our previous affiliation provided. However, through our independence we are able to provide, and will continue to provide, what our previous affiliation could not, including:
- Donations to fields that secures our “in” on baseball fields. In 2013 we provided infield dirt to those fields in need. We rejuvenated Plote Field, one of our primary fields, with sod, pitching rubber(s), home plate area improvements.
- Exhibition games at a minor league field. With a small subsidy from players, this year we played at Kane County Stadium. The games were highly regarded and received rave reviews from all those who participated. And we will continue to offer these types of exhibition games.
- Provide batting jacket warm-ups to the Champions of each division, in addition to the regular team trophies.
- Having back-up fields for make-up games at the ready.
As we now go forward in year #2 of our independence, our league will look to grow from the outside in. We are looking to bring in more teams for separate divisions (not to fill our current divisions). Our hope is to have some players from these new teams/divisions join our existing teams.
As we go forward we realize that our work needed is not for 6 or 8 months of the year, but instead, year ‘round. We won’t stop. We will continue working for the league, for the players, for you… even while your body rests and repairs for your upcoming competitive baseball season.
I am proud of the independence of our league. I am proud of the support and of being affiliated with players and teams who have confidence in our league, and of my experience and ability to continue running this league.
Northern Illinois Men’s Baseball League … the best is yet to come.
Thanks so much to all of you,
Ken O'Young
Chief Administrator
