British Baseball Federation

This article is about the form of baseball generally associated with the USA. For the sport indigenous to Britain, see British Baseball.

British Baseball Federation

BBF logo
Abbreviation	BBF
Formation	1987
Official language	English
Affiliations	CEB, IBF
Website	http://www.britishbaseball.org

The British Baseball Federation (BBF) is the national governing body of baseball within the United Kingdom, founded in 1987.

BBF is a federated member of both the Confederation of European Baseball and the International Baseball Federation. BBF is the joint owner (with the British Softball Federation) of BaseballSoftballUK (BSUK), a sports development agency.

The voting members of BBF are the affiliated baseball clubs, life members and the umpires, scorers and coaches associations. The BBF holds an annual general meeting each spring at which the voting members elect an executive board of 11 officials to oversee the body and the sport. All participants (players, coaches, managers, umpires, scorers, etc.) with affiliated clubs and the associations are members of the BBF.

Youth Baseball: There are organised leagues at 10 – 13 (Bronco) and 14 to 16 (Pony) age ranges. Additionally, British Baseball supports the Play Ball programme run by BaseballSoftballUK which introduces children from 8 to 12 to bat and ball games, usually through school or a local Play Ball scheme. There are also GB national teams for youth players (Cadets under 16s, and Juniors under 19s), as well as an off-season British Baseball Academy for youth players and coaches.

Adult Baseball: There are a number of leagues and divisions, split by ability and geographical location. These range from the highly competitive to the recreational.

In 2008 there were 38 clubs, with 67 league teams, as members of the BBF. There are also a number of non-league clubs and teams affiliated to British Baseball.

British Baseball also oversees the national team of Great Britain.

BBF Board

The BBF board is elected at AGMs held each March. The current board is comprised as follows:

• President: Earl Dix
• Secretary: Giovanni Ciotti
• Treasurer: Daniel Lally
• Development: Gerry Perez
• National Teams: Marty Cullen
• Technical Commissioner: Rob Rance (acting)
• Coaches: Rob Rance
• League Commissioners:
  • Northern Senior: Robert Dollin
  • Northern Youth: John Eaton
  • Southern Senior: Ben Davis
  • Southern Youth: Matt Crawshaw

Past Presidents

• Mark Salter: 2010–12
• Rob Rance: 2007–09
• Ian Marchment: 2006–07
• Ian Cox: 2004–06

League structure

Affiliated clubs may enter as many teams as they wish to play in the BBF baseball leagues. There is a senior bracket for adults, and two youth brackets (10 to 13 and 14 to 16).

The season runs from April to September each year and ends in the National Baseball Championships (previously referred to as 'Final 4s'). National Youth Baseball Championships are also held for the two youth-age brackets Bronco (U13) and Pony (U16). Championships are hosted by different clubs around the country each year chosen through a competitive bidding process.

See also

• British Baseball Hall of Fame
• Baseball in the United Kingdom
• Baseball awards#United Kingdom
• Baseball World Cup
• Sheffield Bladerunners
• Bolton Robots of Doom

External links

• British Baseball Federation
• BaseballSoftballUK - the dual sports' development agency
• Great Britain National Baseball Team
• CEB Confederation of European Baseball
• IBAF International Baseball Federation