Indy Ball Island

First, we would like to introduce you to Indy Ball Island – Japan. This site will be geared towards players in Japan (and those who speak/read Japanese) who want to learn more about independent baseball, both in Japan and here in the United States. Over the last year, this site has gained a following in Japan, but it was often difficult for players to translate what was happening. This site will feature translated articles from Indy Ball Island as well as other Japanese baseball news.

Next, the South Florida Winter League (SFWL) has announced an official partnership with the Shikoku Island League – an independent league based on the island of Shikoku in Japan.

shikoku

The SFWL will be home to the official tryout and showcase of the professional Japanese baseball Shikoku Island League.

SFWL will have a full week training and scouting by the Japanese scouts at our Dodgertown camp.

There will also be an open tryout on Sunday November 6th for anybody who is not a member of the SFWL
www.southfloridawinterleague.com

This opportunity is brought to you by SFWL partnering with Shikoku island league of Japan to give you the best opportunities to play professional basebal around the world.

Registration is now open for the SFWL’s next camp being held from October 26th to November 19th in Dodgertown.

Information from their website:

We will have managers,coaches, player recruiters and scouts from the leagues listed below
MLB. International.
Atlantic League. Shikoku Island League.
American Association. Mexico.
Can am League. Australia.
Frontier League. Colombia.
United Shores League. Nicaragua.
Pacific Association

The fee is $2300. That includes, housing,Breakfast, training,games,uniforms, athletic trainers onsite, transportation if needed from West Palm Beach airport on the 26th

24 – 7 access to the gym and indoor batting cages, professional instruction by professional coaches.

Housing and everything included is at the complex.

Daily Schedule :

Breakfast 6 – 745 am.

Report to field at 8am

Morning training activities 8 – 11 am.

Lunch 11 – 1245 pm

Report to field for games from 1245 – 4pm.

Nightly classes emphasizing different aspects in professional baseball

After a season of up and downs, highlighted by the fact that players had not been paid well over a month into the season, the Empire League has crowned a champion.

On August 3rd, the Sullivan Explorers defeated the Watertown Bucks to win the Empire League championship. Gevon Jackson of the Explorers was named the 2016 Empire League Championship Series MVP.

From all reports, the players who finished in the league have finally been paid. Some players were reporting that their pay may have been a little short of what was originally promised, but all players I spoke with are thankful that they were paid for their time in the league.

It wasn’t the easiest summer for these players, but they made the best of it playing the game that they love with guys who became their brothers.

Even with all of the issues, it appears as though the Empire League plans on continuing. They posted this on their Facebook page before the final playoff game:

What an amazing YEAR, AND fantastic SEASON it has been.. Full of fun, baseball, and most importantly great opportunities. Even with all the Trials, and tribulations that come with this industry of rookie level professional baseball, we are grateful for the front office members and ownership group that made this season possible. After solving the minor issues with sponsors that caused delays in pay periods, everything was a SUCCESS ! Players got paid in full, and now new additions to ownership groups have announced the expansion of 2 to 4 more teams for 2017. We are already looking forward for what the Empire League future has in store. Thank you Fans! Followers, and even the haters out there.. You keep us motivated!

I’m not sure I would call the lack of pay during the season a “minor issue” since it caused so many other problems with players having to leave or pay out of pocket for travel and even baseballs, but I am very happy that the season was completed and players were paid.

If the Empire League does indeed hope to continue (and expand !), they need to make sure that the money is in place before they start, and that they have a game plan for everything that may happen including: travel issues, pay, equipment needs, and having ball parks in place and ready for games.

Writing and sharing stories about Independent Baseball.

Indy Ball Island

Japanese Indy Ball News, Agreement with South Florida Winter League

Empire League Crowns a Champion, Pays Players

Writing and sharing stories about Independent Baseball.