Major League Baseball comes to Flossmoor

Beginning with the 2018 baseball and softball season, Flossmoor Baseball and Softball (FBBSB) has teamed up with Major League Baseball (MLB) and its RBI program. This means that FBBSB will now field teams to compete in the RBI World Series that are held in July after the in-house season ends. FBBSB will now participate in sectional, regional, and national tournaments that make up the RBI World Series. The regional and national tournaments are hosted by MLB teams. Last summer's tournaments were hosted by the Minnesota Twins (Midwest regional) and the Cincinnati Reds (nationals). FBBSB's new affiliation also means that baseball and softball players will be eligible to attend exposure camps arranged by MLB and run by former MLB coaches and players. These events are:

3 Baseball Breakthrough Series: Central: 6/9 - 6/13 // West: 6/18 - 6/22 // South: 6/24 - 6/28

Softball Breakthrough Series: 5/24 - 5/28

Trailblazer Series: 4/12 - 4/15

Softball Elite Development Invitational: 7/5 - 7/11

Baseball Elite Development Invitational: Week 1 (16-18) 7/20 - 7/26 // Week 2 (13-15) 7/27 – 8/2

These events are designed to give RBI participants access to elite training and exposure to NCAA Division I and II scouts. FBBSB anticipates the return of players who previously left the league for full-time travel teams and some new players from local leagues that cannot match these amenities. These resources are generally only available to player and families who are willing to spend upwards of tens of thousands on teams and travel expenses associated with the full-time travel organizations. With the their MLB affiliation, FBBSB can offer these resources for the cost of local play.

Along with many leagues around the country FBBSB has experienced decreases in participation over the last decade. However, this season YTD registrations are up 25% and softball has returned to the league. With its 50 plus years of experience providing baseball and softball to the southwest suburbs and new ally in Major League Baseball, FBBSB is ready for its comeback. Led by many new board members, the league is continuing to innovate the way it serves the community and attract new residents.

If you listen carefully, you can almost hear the children chanting, "Flossmoor Baseball and Softball, there's no place like home." Welcome home, and Let's Play Ball!