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British Baseball Federation

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This article is about the form of baseball generally associated with the USA. For the sport and its governing body indigenous to Britain, see British Baseball and International Baseball Board.
British Baseball Federation
SportBaseball
JurisdictionUnited Kingdom
AbbreviationBBF
Founded1987
AffiliationWBSC
Regional affiliationWBSC Europe
HeadquartersFarnham Royal, England, United Kingdom[1]
PresidentThomas Thornhill
CoachDrew Spencer
Official website
www.britishbaseball.org.uk
United Kingdom

The British Baseball Federation (BBF) is the national governing body of baseball within the United Kingdom. Organised modern baseball has been played in the United Kingdom since the first baseball league began in 1890, with a succession of different governing bodies in place over that time. The BBF was founded in 1987.

The BBF is a federated member of both the Confederation of European Baseball and the International Baseball Federation. Until December 2020, the BBF was a joint member (with the British Softball Federation) of BaseballSoftballUK (BSUK), a sports development agency.[2]

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.

There are organised youth leagues at 10 to 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. For adults, there are a number of leagues and divisions, split by ability and geographical location. These range from the highly competitive to the recreational.[3]

In 2008 there were 38 clubs, with 67 league teams, as members of the BBF.[4] 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

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

  • President: Tom Thornhill
  • Treasurer: -VACANT-
  • Secretary: Earl Dix
  • Senior Affiliated Clubs League Commissioner: Chris Carter
  • National Team Programme Official: Gavin Marshall
  • Development Official: Lee Manning
  • Coaches Commissioner: Mike Hayward
  • Youth Affiliated Clubs League Commissioner: Paul Rance
  • Officials Commissioner: Chris Deacon
  • Marketing & Communications: Richard Evans

Past presidents

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  • Ian Cox: 2004–06
  • Ian Marchment: 2006–07
  • Rob Rance: 2007–09
  • Mark Salter: 2010–12
  • Earl Dix: 2014–16
  • Gerry Perez: 2016–21

League structure

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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.[citation needed]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "British Baseball Federation". WBSC.org. World Baseball Softball Confederation. Retrieved 24 January 2023.
  2. ^ "BBF leaves membership of BaseballSoftballUK". BaseballSoftballUK. 10 December 2020. Archived from the original on 10 December 2020. Retrieved 8 May 2021.
  3. ^ British Baseball Federation Leagues Archived 6 October 2007 at the Wayback Machine
  4. ^ British Baseball Federation Members' List Archived 17 August 2009 at the Wayback Machine
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