Today we will take a look at our new Amateur Wood division of play, which currently sits at 12 teams for 2014, and we believe it will be a huge success this season. 

In 2013, one of the things we were unable to do in our first year was establish 3 levels of wood play. We tried to pull it together as we got into March, but based on the number of teams we had in the launch year the division just didn't pan out. As we went through the 2013 Spring season, we thought Intermediate was fairly competitive, but knew we needed to establish that lower level to keep things competitive heading into 2014 where we expected some growth. We introduced Amateur in the Fall, and had a 10 team league. Now officially on the slate for Spring 2014, it is turning into a pretty awesome level of play. 

We've announced 12 teams so far, and already have them grouped into early East/West divisions of play. The Paterson Black Sox, NJ Outlaws & Raritan Valley Indians all return to our wood league in 2014. The Brick City Brawlers, East Coast Blaze, Bergen Braves & NJ Threshers(Madness) return after joining the league in the Fall. We then see 4 metal teams from 2013 take the leap into Wood for 2014. The Pequannock Scallywags, Riverside Vets of Paterson, NJ Red Wings & Ringwood Ducks (who made the switch in Fall, and decided to stick with wood going forward) all round out the initial 11 in Amateur. We've received some additional interest, with the North Jersey Yellow Jackets establishing an Amateur club (announced yesterday, called the Bergen County Buzz). This is our starting 12 as of today. 

We currently have two teams in the que from Vernon and Bergen to be announced within the next week or so. It is exciting as the days progress, more and more interest seem to pour in from free agents and new teams looking to play Amateur. 

The league is more established in the North right now, but league play between East & West divisions will allow teams to minimize the travel on weekends which clearly is a bonus for teams looking to stay local during the season. 

This league will continue to grow, we feel, over the years and know that it will flourish in our structure. We had 2 teams in Central/South NJ that inquired about playing Amateur, however due to location we were unable to add to the lineup in 2014. It's an area that we hope to expand into for 2015 with our Amateur, building it out like our Premiere & Intermediate levels of play.

One of the things we believe in is keeping teams within their region. Within reason, we will ask teams to take a drive... but you will never find your team driving from a Bergen County location to an Ocean County location in regular season. We think it's careless to accept teams for the wrong reason.

For all metal teams seeking a change to wood this year, or even just groups of guys looking to start a team in a league, I would recommend trying out our Amateur Wood division. I truly believe that you will find it suitable for your team, enjoyable and the right level of competition for your ball club. 

As of now, Amateur will have two rounds of playoffs. The double elimination 1st round divisional play, and the best of 3 finals with 1 game played at TD Bank Ballpark. The All-Star Game will be East vs West at TD Bank Ballpark as well. 

Contact us today if you have a team interested in joining for 2014... few weeks remain to make your commitments for the Spring campaign

You can contact me at MIKE@NEWJERSEYABL.COM