Sunbelt Baseball League

The Sunbelt Baseball League (SBL) is a non-profit collegiate summer baseball league with teams located in metropolitan Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America. The SBL is a member of the National Alliance of College Summer Baseball, which is partially funded by Major League Baseball.[3] Games are played with wooden bats and showcase some of the top talent in the nation while providing family entertainment to the community. The season starts in early June and runs through the end of July/early August, with playoffs determining the league champion. The mission of the Sunbelt Baseball League is to provide a first-class collegiate summer program dedicated to helping young college athletes achieve their dreams of playing at the professional level.

Sunbelt Baseball League
SportBaseball
Founded2005[1]
AdministratorBecky Kelly Bobby Bennett
CommissionerTodd Pratt
MottoGeorgia's Premier Collegiate Summer Baseball League
No. of teams6[2]
CountryUnited States
HeadquartersLawrenceville, Georgia
Most recent
champion(s)		Brookhaven Bucks (2019)
Most titlesAtlanta Crackers (4)
Sponsor(s)Major League Baseball, Rawlings, Peach State Roofing, Kapp Koncepts, Northside Hospital, OTW Bat Company and Wilson Action Photography
Official websiteSunbeltLeague.com

Current league teams[4]
Team Head coach Location Home field Established
Alpharetta Aviators Brandon Boggs Alpharetta, GA Veterans Field (American Legion Post 201) 2010
Atlanta Crackers Kevin Meistickle Norcross, GA Norcross High School 2009 (1983[5])
Brookhaven Bucks Corey Patterson Brookhaven, GA Oglethorpe University 2011
Gainesville Braves Eric Patterson Gainesville, GA Ivey-Watson Field at Lanier Point Park 2009
Marietta Patriots Gil Navarro Marietta, GA Marietta High School 2014
Gwinnett Astros Nick Hogan Suwanee, GA Peachtree Ridge High School 2016

Past champions and runners-up
Year Champion Runner-up
2019[6] Brookhaven Bucks Norcross Astros
2018[7] Brookhaven Bucks Marietta Patriots
2017[8] Sunbelt Patriots Atlanta Crackers
2016[9] Atlanta Crackers Carrollton Clippers
2015[10] Atlanta Crackers Phenix City Crawdads
2014[11] Atlanta Crackers Phenix City Crawdads
2013[12] Atlanta Crackers 6-4-3 DP Cougars
2012[13] Douglasville Bulls Windward Braves
2011[14] Berkeley Lake Tides Douglasville Bulls
2010[15] Berkeley Lake Tides Douglasville Bulls
2009 Rockdale A's Atlanta Crackers
2008
2007
2006 Rockdale A's
2005 Atlanta Astros

Former League Teams
  • Gwinnett Tides (2014-2019) became Gainesville Braves
  • Norcross Astros (2016-2019) became Gwinnett Astros
  • Phenix City Crawdads (2014-2017)
  • Carrollton Clippers (2016-2017)
  • Alpharetta Braves (2015-2017) became Alpharetta Aviators
  • Sunbelt Patriots (2017) became Marietta Patriots
  • Marietta Patriots (2016) became Sunbelt Patriots
  • Douglasville Bulls (2009-2015) became Carrollton Clippers
  • East Cobb Patriots (2014-2015) became Marietta Patriots
  • Home Plate Chukars (2010-2014) became Peachtree City Chukars (2015)
  • Windward Braves (2010-2014) became Alpharetta Braves
  • Berkley Lake Tides (2009-2013) became Gwinnett Tides
  • 6-4-3 DP Cougars (2011-2013)
  • OTC Bearcats (2012-2013)
  • Rockdale Roadrunners (2011)
  • South Atlanta Bearcats (2011)
  • Rockdale A's (2005-2010)
  • Signature Park Grizzlies (2010)
  • South Atlanta Phillies (2010)
  • Atlanta Astros (2005-2010)
  • Fulton Grizzlies (2009)
  • Alpharetta Phillies (2009)
  • Johns Creek Wood Ducks (2005-2009)

Sunbelt Baseball League alumni in Major League Baseball
Player MLB team(s) MLB debut SBL team (year)
Nate Lowe Tampa Bay Rays April 29, 2019 East Cobb Patriots (2014)
Touki Toussaint Atlanta Braves August 13, 2018 Brookhaven Bucks (2014)
Alan Busenitz Minnesota Twins June 17, 2017 Berkeley Lake Tides (2011)
Drew Steckenrider Miami Marlins May 24, 2017 Windward Braves
Tyler Austin New York Yankees, Minnesota Twins, San Francisco Giants August 13, 2016 Rockdale A's (2010)
Buck Farmer Detroit Tigers August 13, 2014 Rockdale A's (2009)
David Hale[16] Atlanta Braves, Colorado Rockies, New York Yankees September 13, 2013
Tyler Flowers Chicago White Sox, Atlanta Braves September 3, 2009 Rockdale A's (2005)

References
  1. "Sunbelt wooden-bat league grows in metro area". Retrieved December 3, 2014.
  2. "Sunbelt Baseball League Teams". Retrieved January 8, 2018.
  3. "National Alliance of College Summer Baseball". Retrieved September 2, 2014.
  4. "Sunbelt Baseball League Teams". Retrieved May 16, 2019.
  5. "The Atlanta Crackers: A Storied History of Excellence on and Off the Field". Retrieved May 22, 2018.
  6. "Bucks Repeat as Sunbelt Champions; Edmond, Brace Named Co-MVPs | Sunbelt Baseball League". sunbeltbaseball.pointstreaksites.com. Retrieved 2019-10-22.
  7. "Brookhaven Bucks win first Sunbelt league title". Retrieved May 16, 2019.
  8. "Patriots Dominate Crackers in 13-5 Win to Claim the Sunbelt League Championship". Retrieved January 8, 2018.
  9. "Crackers Win Championship in 13-1 Rout of Clippers". Retrieved January 8, 2018.
  10. "Crawdads swept by Crackers in Sunbelt Championship series". Retrieved July 30, 2015.
  11. "Crackers win second consecutive Sunbelt title". Retrieved December 3, 2014.
  12. "Atlanta Crackers win the Sunbelt League Championship". Retrieved December 3, 2014.
  13. "Coach Todd Pratt". Retrieved December 3, 2014.
  14. "Bulls Fall Short in Championship". Retrieved December 3, 2014.
  15. "Marshall helps Berkeley Lake to title". Retrieved December 3, 2014.
  16. "Sunbelt League has 12 in MLB draft". Retrieved April 25, 2018.
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