|
General Information: The Hudson Valley NABA is an adult baseball league for players 17+ founded in 2007 by league president/owner Angelo Fabrizio who is still in charge 17 years later. His long tenure as league president provided a level of consistency, stability, and dedication rarely found in adult leagues. Currently Andew Conn has now stepped in as the HVNABA league president and gives the same dedication to the league and players as seen the last 17 years. We are affiliated with the National Adult Baseball Association based out of Colorado. Our Hudson Valley Rec Division, and Premier Division along with our new WESTCHESTER Premier Division plays all of our games on Sundays. We are proud to be one of the largest, most competitive and professionally run amateur/adult baseball leagues in the country and we are right here in the Hudson Valley! Our 4 skill levels in the Hudson Valley truly provide the best competition possible. In 2024 we are happy to announce we will be between 60 - 80 teams featuring over 40 teams in our Hudson Valley Sunday divisions, 8 in our Westchester division and 16 - 24 in our Fall League. Our 4 levels of play on Sundays in our Hudson Valley divisions ( Rec A / Rec AA / Rec AAA / Premier ) allow for players to be matched up with other players of the same skill level creating more competitve games each and every Sunday! The HVNABA feels everyone should have an opportunity to play and COMPETE no matter what their skill level is. You won't have to worry about facing a former ex pro or d1 college pitcher throwing 90mph in the Rec. Leave that to our HV or Westchester Premier divisions which are loaded with current or former college and some ex professionals! Have a friend or family member that wants to play with you? We will make that happen. We even have some father/son combos playing in our Rec Division! We take great pride in maintaining a family friendly baseball league and have been doing so for the past 17 years. We provide our players with the most complete amateur experience in NY, at the lowest cost, while also demanding the highest level of sportsmanship from all of our managers, teams and players.
 |
17 + HVNABA PREMIER DIVISION - 21 games regular season |
| Our well established 17 + Premier division has been around since 2007 and is one of the largest, stable and most competitive top to bottom division's in the country. If you are truly looking for the best competition our Premier division is it, boasting 8 quality teams many of them being filled with former top college players along with some ex professionals as well. All 8 teams can win on any given Sunday thanks to our competitive balance. We have had 4 different teams win our Championship over the last 6 years which is a testament to our teams desire to win and our unmatched competitive balance. In 2024 once again we will focus on helping the weaker teams improve through open league tryouts. Everyone is welcome to register. PREMIER DIVISION DETAILS: |
- Premier Division Cost : The cost is only around $14 per game, per player for our Premier Division ( 21 game season regular season ). Considering the cost of a round of golf, a few hours at a batting cage, an afternoon of bowling etc. our cost seems like a very reasonable alternative. The league fee covers everything - 21 game regular season - all single games are 9 innings, best of 3 playoffs, use of fields, umpires, insurance, 6 dozen Wilson baseballs, optional games at Dutchess Stadium including regular season, All Star Game and all 3 games in our Championship Series all at Dutchess Stadium, MVP and Cy Young awards, HR Derby, league and team website, NABA national membership, and eligibility in any NABA tournaments. Team uniforms or personal equipment are not included in the league fee.
- 21 Game Season ( April - August ): Our Premier Divison has been playing a 24 game season since our first year ( 2007 ) but changed to a 21 game season in 2024 due to rising umpire costs. All single games are always 9 innings. Each round of our playoffs have always been in a 3 game series including our Championship Series at Dutchess Stadium.
- HVNABA Championships- In the Hudson Valley NABA our Champions are treated like Champions! EVERY ONE OF OUR CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES ARE PLAYED AT DUTCHESS STADIUM including our Rec Division, HV Premier Division, Westchester Premier Division, and even our Fall Rec Division! We dont stop there though, our Sunday division HV Premier, Westchester Premier and Rec Champions are presented with a beautifull crystal trophy, and get Championship t-shirts. Total value of over $500 for our winning teams!
- Cash Rewards - We offer our players the most benefits while giving back money and prizes to our teams and players in various forms. We choose to reward teams based on the sportsmanship they displayed during the season while following our league rules. In a normal year we give back around $3,000 - $6,000 through this program. All teams are eligible for this reward. Some teams have earned as much as $900. We have given back over $50,000 to our own players and teams since we started this program back in 2009. Its simple, if your team has no forfeits, suspensions or fines you are eligible for this reward each year.
- Fields- We play at some of the nicest fields in the area including 1 current and 1 former minor league stadium - Dutchess Stadium and Delano Hitch Stadium. We have played at Dutchess Stadium every season since we started in 2008 and normally play 25 - 40 games there each year. We have been lucky enough to play there 300+ times since 2008. We schedule 4 games there on each date we reserve so our teams can enjoy their time at the stadium playing 9 inning games. Our fields are lined and raked before we begin play on Sunday. All of our fields have fence's and have dimensions similar to high school or college fields and are located mainly in Dutchess, Orange. Putnam and Ulster County.
- Gamedays - All of our regular season games are conveniently played on Sundays with an occasional Saturday game for our Rec Divisions. Some rainouts may be scheduled for a Saturday but teams will be given ample notice. Each round of our playoffs have always been contested over the course of a 3 game series. Your team will play GAME 1 on Saturdays if you make the playoffs with GAMES 2 and 3 being played on Sunday.
- History - Yes we take the game very seriously. For the past 17 years we have held teams to a high standard when it comes to entering their teams box scores. This has led to us having an unmatched history of 17 years of accurate team and player stats, awards, records, and career leaders that you can easily access on our website www.hvnaba.com.
- Division growth - We have learned that sometimes bigger is not better especially in a division as competitive as our Premier Division. We avoid adding expansion teams to our Premier Division to ensure a competitive balance is maintained and this division remains the most compeitive in NY. We are not opposed to growing this division but we will do it the correct way. The teams we do let in are new full qualified teams that can compete.
 |
17 + HVNABA RECREATIONAL DIVISION - 18 games / 9 innings |
| Dont feel overmatched again! Our 17 + Rec division was brand new for 2016 and has been created for players that still love to play baseball but may not have that same extensive baseball background as others. Its also a great option for players that can not commit to a 24 game longer season. If you are looking for more of a low pressure environment where fun is the # 1 priority this division is for you. Dont be fooled, these guys can still play! There are some great ball players including some ex high school players. The Rec division consists of players as young as 17 all the way up to players in their 50’s all around the same skill level making for a great competitive balance. Play with a younger or older friend or even relative! Ever want to play with your uncle, nephew, father etc. This is your chance! They love the game so they play the game. Our Rec division has quick grown to over 30 teams in 2024! REC DIVISION DETAILS: |
- Rec Division Cost : Also around $12 per game, per player for our Rec Division ( 18 game season/9 innings ). The league fee covers everything - 18 game regular season, playoffs, use of fields, player of the week awards ( $25 weekly gift cards given out ), umpires, insurance, 3 dozen Wilson baseballs, 1 regular season game and Championship game and All Star Game at Dutchess Stadium, HR Derby, player of the week gift cards, league and team website, NABA national membership, insurance, and eligibility in any NABA tournaments. Team uniforms or personal equipment are not included in the league fee unless you are an expansion team. For expansion teams the league includes, jerseys, helmets, catchers gear, practice baseballs and an equipment bag. Thanks to our relationship with numerous vendors we can offer our players these items at a much lower cost than retail.
- 18 Game Season ( May - August ): Our Rec Divison plays a less stressful 18 game season of all 9 inning games. There has been talk of increasing our Rec Division schedule in the near future. The playoffs are decided in a single elimination style with the Championship game being played at Dutchess Stadium.
- HVNABA Championships- In the Hudson Valley NABA our Champions are treated like Champions! EVERY ONE OF OUR CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES ARE PLAYED AT DUTCHESS STADIUM including our Rec Division, Intermediate Division, Premier Division, Twilight Division, and even our Fall Rec Division and Fall Premier Division! We dont stop there though, in 2019 our Sunday division Premier and Rec Champions were presented with a beautifull crystal trophy, got Championship t-shirts and were thrown a party at Buffalo Wild Wings with free food and drinks courtesy of the HVNABA. Total value of over $800 for our winning teams! Twilight and Fall Champions will also recieve a crystal trophy and Championship t-shirts, total value $500.
- Everyone will play Our Rec division has rules to insure everyone plays every game. While nobody can guarantee players will play 9 innings of every game we have rules in place to make sure playing time is fair for everyone on the team.
- Cash Rewards - We offer our players the most benefits while giving back money and prizes to our teams and players in various forms. IOur Player of the week award is given to 1 player each week during the season and is a $25 gift card to different local stores, online stores or restaurants. Each year we give away $1,500 in gift cards between our Rec, Intermediate and Premier Division. We also choose to reward multiple teams based on the sportsmanship they displayed during the season while following our league rules. In a normal year we give back around $2,000 - $3,000 through this program. All teams are eligible for this reward. Some teams have earned as much as $600. We have given back over $16,000 to our own players and teams since we started this program back in 2009. Its simple, if your team has no forfeits, suspensions or fines you are eligible for this reward each year.
- Fields- We play at some of the nicest fields in the area including 1 current and 1 former minor league stadium - Dutchess Stadium and Delano Hitch Stadium. Our fields are lined and raked before we begin play on Sunday. All of our fields have fence's and have dimensions similar to high school or college fields and are located mainly in Dutchess, Orange and Ulster County.
- Gamedays - All of our regular season games are conveniently played on Sundays. Playoffs will also be played on Sundays.
 |
HVNABA ADDED BENEFITS AND VALUE - More bang for your buck |
| We want our players to feel like they are part of something more than your average mens league. Since day one our goal was to be the MLB for adults. When we started in 2007 we saw what other leagues had to offer. It was pretty basic. We knew if we could offer teams and players an extensive benefits package while providing a competitive balance throughout the league that we would grow pretty quick. And we did, from 4 teams in 2007, to 16 teams in 2008, and now all the way up to 60 teams in 2019. Players have come to love features like our trip to Cooperstown, our enchanced All Star Game where players are treated like MLB superstars, Skills Competition and HR Derby where players can win some great prizes, ALL Championship games at Dutchess Stadium, and Championship end of the year party. We go above and beyond when it comes to reinvesting in our teams and players because we do not need to make as much profit as other leagues. ADDED BENEFITS DETAILS: |
- Dutchess Stadium Weekend ( Premier - March, Rec - April, Intermediate - April ): All of our teams will compete at Dutchess Stadium in 9 inning games. Normally we play 4 games per day at the stadium including 1 night game. Professional photographs available at teams request.
- Trip to Cooperstown ( Premier / Rec, Intermediate - TBA ): This year 9 of our teams will be traveling to Doubleday field to play actual league games. If more teams are interested in going we will add more dates for 2019
- HVNABA Champs vs CBL Champs ( Premier only - May ): Our 2018 Premier Division Champions - NY Black Sox will take on the Hudson Valley Collegiate Baseball League Champions - Athletics at Dutchess Stadium! Lets see if the veterans in the HVNABA can hang with the young guns in the CBL!
- Interleague All Star Game ( Premier/Rec/Intermediate - TBA ): In 2019 the best players in the Hudson Valley will go head to head in our 12th annual All Star Game at Dutchess Stadium! Last year our players received MLB style treatment such as walk up music, images and stats on Dutchess Stadium scoreboard, professional photographs, professional announcer, and more!
- Skills Competition ( Premier only - TBA ): Do you think you are the fastest runner in the HVNABA? Maybe you think you have the best arm? Come test your skills at our Skills Competition. Our one of a kind event was a huge success this year! Looking foward to 2019 already!
- HR Derby ( Premier/Rec/Intermediate - TBA ): Do you think you are the best HR hitter in the Hudson Valley? Come see if your power is enough to win our annual HR Derby! 2019’s derby will be the leagues 12th HR competition. Our players put on amazing displays of power at these events. Come win some great prizes, cash prize to the winner!
- Championship at DUTCHESS STADIUM ( Premier/Rec/Intermediate TBA ): We feel as if all Championship games should be played in a Championship atmosphere. That is why we invest over $6000 in making sure ALL CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES are played at DUTCHESS STADIUM with scoreboard, announcer, and music! Our 12th HVNABA PREMIER DIVISION CHAMPIONSHIP series ( best of 3 ) will once again be held at Dutchess Stadium along with our Rec and Intermediate Division Championship games as well as both of our Fall Division Championships! You can always expect some great baseball as the best teams in the Hudson Valley battle it out for bragging rights!
- Championship Party ( Premier/Rec/Intermediate - TBA ): The winning Championship team will all be invited to a special party for the best of the best! More details coming soon…
 |
OTHER FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS - More details |
| The league is always looking for new players and teams. Click here to REGISTER FOR OUR 2017 SEASON. While we try to give you as much information as possible in this section we understand you may still have some questions. Read below for other frequently asked questions. If you still dont see what you are looking and you would like more information on entering a team or as an individual player please feel free to send an email to hvnaba@aol.com. Someone will respond to you usually within an a few hours. You can also check out our schedule and stop by any of our games to get a better idea of what our league is about. Here is even more information about our league and why the top players and teams in the area have chosen the HVNABA for the past 10 years: |
How does the HVNABA continues to grow: We pride ourselves in building our own competitive teams through our unique Rec, Intermediate and Premier system. Through advertising, marketing, word of mouth and our always successful open tryouts for free agents. We offer 3 levels of play so EVERYONE can compete! We are able to place players in the division that best fits their skill level giving them the most enjoyable competitive experience possible. Usually between our first 2 tryouts we are able to place 40 - 75 players helping our existing teams strengthen their rosters first providing them with the stability they need to last for years to come in the HVNABA. Sometimes bigger is not always better but it is nice being not only the largest but the most competitive league in NY.
How does the HVNABA handle their league fees - We have always had a "team" fee. This fee is based on having 16 players on your team and shared by all players. If your team decides to carry more than the 16 we suggest, the fee per player would go down. Some managers will offer pitchers or part time players a lower fee. Ask your manager and he we gladly explain how he breaks down the team fee.
How does the HVNABA offer so much more than other leagues at such an affordable price: We want players to say that the HVNABA offers the most benefits, has the best competition and is the most affordable. We are not looking to make as much profit as other leagues which allows us to reinvest extra funds right back into the league, our teams and our players. If you compare our league to others around the country you will see that we offer one of the best amateur league experiences for a very affordable cost and as the league continues to naturally grow we are able to offer even more to our players!
How big are team rosters - We suggest teams in our Premier division carry at least a 16 man roster, but we've been doing this for a while and the teams that go in to the season with slightly larger rosters ( 18 - 20 ) are the ones that survive the tough summer months when players are away on vacation and our long 24 game schedule. Best thing we can say is to know who you are putting on your team and how reliable they will be. If you have a team of 16 players who will be there every week you are very lucky but its usually not that simple. Rec division teams will only be allowed to carry a maximum amount of players. This is to ensure EVERYONE PLAYS. We as a league just suggest what we feel will get you through the season without having to forfeit games but the final decision is up to the team.
Does everyone make a team - As long as you register on time and we have roster spots available you should make a team in either our Premier or Rec division but it is not guaranteed. Each year we will have open tryouts and fill teams needing players. If you do not make a team in our Premier division one of our Intermediated or Rec division teams may contact you to play. Either way you will be playing baseball against other players on your level when you choose to begin your career in the HVNABA! Rec Division teams do have a maximum roster size and rules on playing time. This is to insure EVERYONE WILL PLAY and will be able to compete.
Does everyone play - You are paying to be a part of the league so everyone should get in the game. Although in our Premier division your play may determine your playing time as opposed to our Rec division which has set rules in place to insure all players play equally. Teams can determine how many hitters they want to bat .Our teams have the option of having a traditional 9 player lineup but may choose to bat more. Normally teams bat 10 including an EH ( Extra Hitter ).If you are having a playing time issue please send an email to hvnaba@aol.com and we will see what we can do.
 |
WHY CHOOSE THE HVNABA - Competition, cost, value |
| Unmatched BANG FOR YOUR BUCK! Premier Division plays a 24 game schedule, all 9 innings. ALL TEAMS have a chance to earn money ( $200 - $600 per team ) for the following season by simply following the rules. Our weekly player of the week gift cards where we give a way $1,000 yearly, a competitive HR Derby with some great prizes and cash, a skills competition with more great prizes, 3 amazing All Star Games at Dutchess Stadium, a best of 3 Championship Series all at the Stadium are all some pretty great features our players have come to love. But most of all we pride ourselves in trying to maintin a high level of competitive balance in the Hudson Valley NABA. |
- Competition, competition, competition! The #1 reason the HVNABA continues to stay on top and attract the top players and teams in the area is because of our high level of competition from ALL of our teams and our ability to place teams in the best division that will allow them to compete. Our 17+ Premier division is one of the most competitive top to bottom divisions in the country. While like any league we do have teams that are better than others, but on any given day the top teams in the league can be beat by any of the others. Best of all you never know who is going to win the HVNABA Championship! In 2015 the #5 seed Marlins were heavy underdogs. They proved everyone wrong and went on to beat the # 2 and # 1 seed before winning it all! In 2016 the Marlins almost did it again, this time finishing as the 6th seed before beating the # 3 seed Rangers then the # 2 seed Cardinals but ended up coming up short against the # 1 seed Indians. Find another leaue where the 5th and 6th seed make it to the Championship, you wont. Our competitive balance is unmatched. We even saw a first year team ( Reds ) make the playoffs in their first year in the league in 2017! In our Premier division we have had 4 different champions in the last 6 years, while in our Rec division we have had 3 different champions in the last 3 years. That speaks volumns about our competitive balance. In 2019 we have even more competitive teams joining both our divisions!
- We look out for you, the players! The HVNABA truly cares for you as a player and wants to provide you with the most enjoyable baseball experience possible each and every Sunday. Our strict rules against cheating and bad sportsmanship keeps the good teams/players in and the bad ones out. Our main goal is to make sure all teams adhere to our high level of sportsmanship we expect from everyone involved. Anything else will not be tolerated. Those teams that do follow the rules and finish the season with an unblemished record ( no fines, suspensions, forfeits ) are rewarded with a credit towards their next years league fee! Every team is eligible! Where does this money come from? During the year any additional money paid to the league including player add on fees, fines, etc is set aside and divided for these deserving teams the following season. This money does not come from teams league fees. Meaning, you are not paying for this, its just an added benefit we provide. This is extra money collected that we want to put right back into the league. Each year this # varies depending on money collected and the amount of deserving teams. We have had some teams actually earn a $600 credit while the average is around $400. This program has been in place since 2008 and gives our players an added benefit to play baseball the way it should be.
Lets not forget, this is a Sunday league, everyone is here to play ball, have fun, and be treated as an equal. We are all playing in the same league...
|
