NBL set for Opening Day
The British Baseball Federation’s (BBF) National Baseball League gets underway on Sunday 7th April with the six best teams in the country launching the 2024 British baseball season.
Defending NBL champions, the London Mets take on the Sheffield Bruins at The National Baseball & Softball Complex at Farnham Park
The 2023 runners up, the London Capitals will face the newly promoted Bournemouth Bears, also at Farnham Park, Farnham Royal.
"I'm absolutely pumped for the upcoming baseball season with one of our teams in the NBL. The anticipation is sky-high, and I can't wait to see our players hit it out of the park and make our fans proud. Let's swing for the fences and make this season legendary,” said Jose Lopez of the Bears.
The Essex Arrows take on newcomer BC Vetra at Waltham Abbey in Essex.
“We are very excited heading into the BBF 2024 season. This is our 2nd season as a united Essex Baseball Club and are confident that we have a competitive team from A through NBL. Eduardo Rodrigues continues to lead our NBL Arrows with the aim of getting Essex back into Europe,” said Brad Neal, General Manager of Essex Baseball Club.
The Bears v Capitals games will be broadcast live on Journey Sports Media. Details to follow.
In 2023, the London Mets finished top in the NBL standings with a 20-3 win loss record, only losing to the Essex Arrows, who finished second in the league, and the London Capitals.
After winning their respective semi finals against the Bruins and the Arrows, the Mets and Capitals provided and thrilling end to the season.
The three match championship final went to the wire. The Capitals launched a customary late inning surge to take the first game 5-3 but the Mets regained their composure to win the two Sunday games 14-0 and 5-0.
“For us its new season, same goals. This team and this club doesn't rest on its laurels.
“The Mets have now won seven national League trophies in a row, taking our total to nine overall. No doubt the team will be looking for more success by winning the 10th NBL trophy in the club’s history,” said Joe O’Connell, the club’s adult commissioner.
Uniform graphics courtesy of Jean-Pierre Bernard
The following weekend will see the remaining 82 BBF affiliated adult baseball teams from the AAA, AA and A division start their season with games taking place at baseball diamonds across the country.
The BBF Womens Baseball League (WBL) is scheduled to get underway in May.
All these British baseball teams will compete in the 826 regular season games trying to make the end of season divisional playoffs in September.
