There have recently been some questions surrounding the Heartland Of America Baseball League (HoABL) and the Ozarks Pro Baseball League. I wanted to post this email I received today from Art Wilkinson that will hopefully clear up some of the questions.
Kayla,
Please feel free to re-post this at your election.
There has been a great hue and cry about the division of the Heartland
of America League and Ozarks Pro Baseball, or as it has been referred
to, “the Ozark League”.Players should rest assured that the only goal of every person
employed by the Heartland of America Baseball League is to promote
great players with drive, desire and talent, into Affiliated Baseball,
and ultimately into the Major Leagues. The Heartland of America League
Managers and Coaches include the over two dozen individuals who have
played, coached and managed at the Major League Level. This talented
group of teacher/mentors have hand-picked 210 of the country’s best
players all under 26 years of age, and are fully prepared to move
forward in support of assisting these players in realizing their
dream. Our players come from all four corners of the USA, Canada,
Mexico, Venezuela, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Cuba, Germany,
and Australia.From the moment that we entered the arena of Independent Minor League
Baseball, we took the position that we would not be a local or even
regional brand. And, while we ARE “The Heartland of America Baseball
League,” we are a national, international and global exhibition of The
Greatest Game that God has ever permitted any man to play.We would like to thank the scores of Major League Scouts who have
referred players
directly to our league, as well as those baseball executives who have
recognized the
excellence of our product and brand…before we have even thrown a
single pitch. Our very first inter-league trade was made, also before
a pitch has been thrown, when we sent one of our best
middle-infielders to the reigning American Association Champion
Wichita Wingnuts.I want to assure all players who have been signed by any Manager,
Coach or Executive of the Heartland of America League that your
contracts are secure, your participation in our league is secure, and
with your continued hard work and perseverance, your future will also
be secure. Likewise any player signed to an Ozarks Pro Baseball
contract prior to May 23, 2015, can also play in the Heartland of
America League.We are all here for one single and undivided purpose. Every league at
every level seeks to use its best efforts to bring the highest quality
of baseball to as many as will come out and cheer on their favorite
team, or player.Our mission has not changed. The strength of our character remains as
it always was. And, the men and women of the Heartland of America
League will never retreat from the daunting task of finding,
developing and promoting the next generation of Major League Baseball
Superstars.Play Ball! We know we will…
With Deepest Respect for All,
Art Wilkinson
Executive VP, Baseball Operations
The Heartland of America League
If you would like to find out more about the Heartland of America Baseball League you can check out their website HERE, or check out the Q&A I did with Art, HERE.