Letter from President, MBI Board of Directors 
Adam Brenning

2/23/2012

The days are getting longer and the temperature is warming up!  The Pitchers and Catchers have reported for spring training and just like the majors, we are gearing up for summer at MBI!  Registration is just around the corner (March 3^rd and 10^th) and the start of the season will be here before we know it.  I’d like to take some time to inform you all of some changes we have made over the offseason that will ultimately provide a better experience for our children as well as the parents. 

 

As many of you are aware, we have had multiple negative experiences with the PONY organization over the last few years.  It was these experiences that led our organization to cut our affiliations with PONY and pursue a charter with the Babe Ruth Baseball organization.  Joining the Babe Ruth/Cal Ripken Baseball organization will provide our organization with a less expensive means for organized baseball and softball for our youth, as well as a better post-season tournament trail with less travel to distant locations.  With the money we will be saving from this, we will be able to provide better equipment and facilities that will enable our youth to excel.

 

With the growth of “Elite Travel Teams” in the area, multiple communities in the Southern Illinois area have noticed a decrease in numbers.  Because of this, Murphysboro, along with other towns in the area have come together and created the Super League.  Towns in the Super League include Murphysboro, Carbondale, Carterville, DuQuoin, Marion, and Salem.  This league is merely a means for the towns in Southern Illinois to get together and schedule travel team games with each other.  There is no added cost to play in this league.  The level of play in this league is more competitive and will take place in conjunction with our regular season play. 

 

The primary purpose of MBI is to provide the children of our area a place to play recreational ball, learn, grow, and have fun.  As this season approaches I ask everyone to please be patient as we work out the “kinks” in our organization and remember the reason we are all involved with MBI, the children.  I hope to see all of you at registration as well as around the park this season. 

Adam Brenning

President, MBI Board of Directors