Irish Baseball League
The Irish Baseball League (IBL) is the men's league in Ireland. It started play in 1997 and continues to this day.[1] The season runs from March to October and are played on the weekends.[2].
Current season, competition or edition: | |
| Sport | Baseball |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1997 |
| President | Tom Kelley |
| No. of teams | 12 |
| Country | Ireland |
| Continent | Europe |
| Most recent champion(s) | Dublin City Hurricanes |
| Most titles | Dublin Spartans (12) |
| Official website | http://www.baseballireland.com/index |
Club sides and fields
- For a list of the teams in the A League, B-1 League , and B-2 League North, see footnote.[3]
The O'Malley Fields at Corkagh Park in Clondalkin, West Dublin are the main home of Irish Baseball and current home field for the Dublin City Hurricanes and the Dublin Spartans. The Greystones Mariners play at Shanganagh Park in Shankill, County Dublin. The Ashbourne Baseball Club plays at the International Baseball Centre in Ashbourne, County Meath. The Belfast Northstars and the Ulster Buccaneers currently play at Hydebank. Comets play out of the Peace Link in Clones, Co. Monaghan. The Cork City Cosmos play at the Cork Showgrounds, in Cork, County Cork
For the 2020 season the following teams are participating at the associated venues:
| Team | Location | Stadium | Titles | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Belfast Northstars | Belfast | Hydebank Playing Fields | 1 | |
| Belfast Buccaneers | Belfast | Hydebank Playing Fields | - | |
| Cavan Comets | Cavan | The Peace Link | - | |
| Cork City Cosmos | Cork | Cork Showgrounds | - | |
| Dublin City Hurricanes | Dublin (Clondalkin) | Corkagh Park | 7 | |
| Dublin Spartans | Dublin (Clondalkin) | Corkagh Park | 12 | |
| Mariners Baseball | Shankill | Shanganagh Park | 1 | |
| Ashbourne Baseball Club (Giants A, Giants U21, Stags) | Ashbourne | International Baseball Centre | - | |
| A Division | B Division N | B Division S |
|---|---|---|
| Ashbourne Giants | Ashbourne Giants U21 | Ashbourne Stags |
| Belfast Northstars | Belfast Buccaneers | Cork Cosmos |
| Dublin City Hurricanes | Cavan Comets | Dublin Spartans |
| Dublin Spartans | Dublin City Hurricanes | Mariners Baseball |
| Mariners Baseball | - | - |
Irish A League history
- Irish League Champions (1997–present)
- 2019 - Dublin City Hurricanes
- 2018 - Dublin City Hurricanes
- 2017 – Dublin City Hurricanes
- 2016 – Dublin City Hurricanes
- 2015 – Dublin City Hurricanes
- 2014 – Mariners Baseball
- 2013 – Spartans
- 2012 – Spartans
- 2011 – Spartans
- 2010 – Spartans
- 2009 – Spartans
- 2008 – Spartans
- 2007 – Spartans
- 2006 – Spartans
- 2005 – Dublin City Hurricanes
- 2004 – Spartans
- 2003 – Dublin City Hurricanes
- 2002 – Spartans
- 2001 – Panthers
- 2000 – Spartans
- 1999 – Spartans
- 1998 – Panthers
- 1997 - Panthers
2010 season
The 2010 season opened with newcomers to the league "Munster Warriors" beating the Spartans twice. 1–0 and 8–5. The other game in the opening round was the 4–3 victory for the Hurricanes over the Mariners. The next round had the two heavyweights in the league against each other and it was the Spartans who were to come out top with a 6–5 victory over the Hurricanes. The other game in the 2nd round was the Mariners 3–1 victory over the Black Sox. The next round featured one of the most exciting games of the last few years. The Mariners were playing the Black Sox again in Shankill. Having let a 4–0 lead slip in typical Mariners fashion the Greystones Mariners were 8–5 down in the bottom of the 7th inning with 2 outs. Jack Fairbairn amazingly bunts his way to first (with two outs!) which sets up one of the greatest comebacks ever recorded in the Irish League. The Mariners managed to tie the game into extra innings where the Black Sox scored another run to make the score 9–8 to the Black Sox. Cian O' Riordan stole home to tie up the game. Steven Hayes took a walk to 1st and stole 2nd. Jack Fairbairn steps up to the plate and once again bunts his way to success. An overthrow from the Black Sox catcher past 1st allowed Steven Hayes to score the winning run. A truly great game.
The Mariners were the first team to qualify for the playoffs after the Warriors gave them a double walk-over which ensured they finished in the top two.
References
- Mendlowitz, Andy (5 November 2016). "Ireland's Professional Amateurs: A Sports Season at Its Purest". iUniverse – via Google Books.
- McGeady, Andrew. "Take me out to the ballpark: how to follow baseball in Ireland".
- Go to the Baseball Ireland official website (retrieved 12 March 2017) and click on "Fixtures & Results" and then "League Tables".