Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) of the Mid-Iowa Baseball League (MIBL)

 

What is the Mid-Iowa Baseball League (MIBL)?

The Mid-Iowa Baseball League is an amateur baseball organization designed to enable men and women of all ages to continue playing the game they love. The league was developed in 1994 and has grown into an organization with over 300 unique members. The league is divided into the MABL, MSBL, the Bill Hyland Leagues & the Fall League. In 2025:

The MABL, Men’s Adult Baseball League, features 7 teams made up of players age 18 and over.
The MSBL, 30+ League features 5 teams made up of players age 30 and over.

The Bill Hyland 40+ League features 5 teams made up of players age 40 and over.

The Bill Hyland 48+ League features 4 teams made up of players age 48 and over.

We are affiliated with the Men’s Senior Baseball League national organization based in Long Island, NY. Please visit: www.msblnational.com for more information. Because of this affiliation, our league is able to participate in many regional and national tournaments throughout the entire year.

Where is the Mid-Iowa Baseball League (MIBL) located?

The MIBL is based in Central Iowa, with most teams based in the Des Moines, Iowa metro area.

How do I join a team in the MIBL?

Please sign up as a free agent on our website or feel free to reach out to any of the team managers. Most teams set their rosters by March for an upcoming season, so it is best to start making contacts or networking very early in the year. However, due to injuries and other events, teams are allowed to add to their rosters throughout the season.  Age divisions may have minimum game requirements before being allowed to play in the year-end tournaments.  See league rules for more specifics.

I have a group that wants to form a new team in the league. How do I go about that process?

Please submit a request to the MIBL Commissioner by February 1st prior to the season you are looking to join. Priority will be given to those teams that can provide the league an additional field on which to play on and/or additional umpires for the league to contact.

Who do I contact if I have connections for a new field or umpires?

Please contact any of our Board of Director’s listed on the website. Umpires should know that our payment plan is similar to local high schools. Athletic Directors should know that the league is willing to rent a high school field at a reasonable price and may even provide equipment and facility upgrades to a school’s baseball or athletics program in exchange for field usage.

How do the League Rules differ from other leagues?

First and foremost, we follow Major League Baseball Rules.  The MSBL National Office provides updates to our National Rules on an annual basis which should be considered addendums to MLB rules.  The Mid-Iowa Baseball League also provides addendums to the MSBL National rules.  National and Local rules can be found on this website.

What is the skill level of the league?

We are an amateur baseball organization. Most players have played high school baseball. Quite a few have played college baseball. Occasionally, you will see an ex-pro.  The MIBL is not affiliated with any “professional” organization and rarely have scouts attended games.

Are players in the league paid to play?

No.   Unless sponsored, you will have to pay a reasonable fee to play in our league.

What types of bats are used, wood or aluminum?

All divisions moved to wood bats in 2013 and we have remained a wood bat league ever since.  Composite wood bats are allowed.

When are games played?

In recent years, all 18+ league games are played on Sunday afternoons. Game times are typically 1:00 & 4:00. 18+ teams typically play doubleheaders. The 18+ season begins in mid-May to allow college students to return and concludes with a year-end tournament in mid-August due to the fact that many college students are going back to school.  The 30+ League season runs from late May through early October with games played on weekday nights, usually Tuesday & Thursday.  The Bill Hyland 40+ & 48+ Leagues run from early June to early October and typically plays on Monday & Wednesday evenings.  The league has hosted a Fall League in the past based on interest level, which ran from early September thru late October with games on Sundays.  The league typically does not play on the weekends of Mother’s Day, Memorial Day or July 4th.  Labor Day weekend is usually avoided also.  Teams may elect to play on any of these dates as long as fields & umpires are available.

How are rain-outs handled?

Teams involved in a rain-out must work diligently with the division’s scheduling director to ensure that the game(s) is/are made up prior to the year-end tournament. You may be asked to play on a Saturday or possibly a weekday night. If, due to lack of time in the summer, a game or games is/are not able to be rescheduled, teams will not receive a credit for games not played. It should be viewed as the “cost of doing business”.

What is the cost to play in the league?

 

The per-team cost has been in the neighborhood of $3,000 per season. Divide that by the number of players on the roster (minimum of 14) to get the per player cost. Unless your team has a sponsor, this would be the out-of-pocket expense.  While this may seem expensive, $3,000/15 players = $200 for your primary team.  Divide that by 14 games played and the cost comes to less than $15/game.  This remains more affordable than most other recreational activities including golf, bowling, or a Friday night at the bar.  Players do receive a discounted rate for any additional teams that they play on.

 

In recent years, we have moved away from team fees to better support our managers.  Player fees are now calculated each season based on the league budget.  Players on a single team will pay one rate, while players playing on multiple teams pay a different (discounted) rate.

Where do my league fees go?

The MIBL is a non-profit organization and is member funded.  We develop a budget each season to cover the costs of operating the league. First, $26 of your fee goes to the Men's Senior Baseball League, our national organization.  This is to maintain our 30+ year affiliation and allows us to receive discounts & the opportunity to be covered by insurance.  The other major costs include: umpires, field rental, light usage when needed, insurance, baseballs, administrative expenses, trophies, scorebooks & line-up cards.

How is the schedule determined?

This is determined by how the divisions are split up. Divisions can change year-to-year to allow a better balance among teams.  Smaller divisions will play an evenly-balanced, round-robin.  When divisions grow, the schedule may then be unbalanced, but based off of your team’s previous year’s record. The better you finish in the league the year before, the tougher your schedule may be for the upcoming season. First place teams will likely play a last place team only once, if at all. This is patterned similarly to a NFL schedule.  Bye-weeks can be requested at our pre-season team manager meetings.

How is the year-end tournament developed?

The tournaments are seeded according to team records at the time the tournament is developed, typically the Monday following the last regular season weekend. (Due to rain-outs, a team may not have played all scheduled games, therefore winning percentage may be used to determine seeding.) Depending on the number of teams in the tournament, one or more of the top teams may receive an opening round bye. Seedings are similar to an NCAA basketball tournament bracket.  The process is subject to change at any time and could vary year-to-year.

Who is on the league’s board of directors?

The MIBL Board of Director’s is made up of various managers and player representatives from each of the four age divisions: MABL, MSBL, and Bill Hyland Leagues (30/40/48). The board is made up of volunteers who do not receive any type of compensation. The board meets prior to each season and occasionally during the season to address any issues. All decisions are made as a group and will be made in the best interests of the league as a whole.

I would like to propose a rule change for the league. How do I do this?

Please put your proposal in writing and contact any board member. The board will discuss the proposal and vote on the issue. You may be asked to attend the actual meeting to ensure correct interpretation.

I am not a good fit for my current team and would like to join another team or form another team. How do I do this?

You must first be granted a release from your current team from your current manager.  If that is denied, you can approach the Board for a waiver of that rule. 

I hear that the league has sent teams to participate in some regional and national tournaments in the past. How do I enter a team in one of those tournaments?

Please contact the MIBL Commissioner or your league President, who can provide information on the various tournaments.  Tournaments are a great way to showcase Central-Iowa baseball talent. In 2007, the Mid-Iowa Baseball League sent one 18+, one 25+ team, one 35+ team, one 45+ team and a Father-Son team to the Phoenix, AZ “World Series”. This is a great way to play on some of the nicest fields our nation has to offer with most games scheduled at Major League spring training facilities. Past successes include:

• NATIONAL CHAMPIONS in 2007  Father/Son Iowa Cubs:  Central Division, World Series in Phoenix....National Semifinalist in 2006,
• 45+ Des Moines Bruins:  Cactus Division, World Series in Phoenix.  Playoff qualifiers in 2011, 2012, 2019, 2022, 2023 & 2024.
• 35+ Des Moines Bruins: Central Division, World Series in Phoenix....National Semifinalists in 2003 & 2011.  Playoff qualifier 2008.  National Runner-up in 2010.  Semi-finalist 2011.  Playoff qualifier 2012.  Central Division NATIONAL CHAMPIONS in 2014 at the Fall Classic in Florida!
• 25+(28+) Des Moines Bruins: Central Division, World Series in Phoenix...National Runner-up in 2003 & 2007, National Semifinalists in 2004, 2005, 2006 & 2008.  Playoffs 2009. National Runner-Up at the Las Vegas Kickoff Classic in 2006, 2011.  A restructured 25+ team played in the Fall Classic in Florida in 2013 & qualified for the playoffs.
• 25+ Cactus Division NATIONAL CHAMPIONS 2017 World Series in Phoenix.
• 25+ Cactus Division NATIONAL CHAMPIONS 2018 World Series in Phoenix.  (Back-to-Back)
• 25+ Des Moines Astros:  Central Division, World Series in Phoenix...Playoff qualifier in 2012.
• 18+ Des Moines Vikings: Federal Division, World Series in Phoenix...National Runner-up in 2005 & 2006, Quarterfinalist in 2007 & 2008.
• The Vikings and Bruins have also won many regional tournaments (Chicago, IL--Lincoln, NE--St. Paul, MN--Austin, MN--Rochester, MN--Cedar Rapids, IA) and have even played a few semi-final and championship games against each other at these regional tournaments.

Are there any restrictions on team names?

The league encourages the development of unique and distinct team nicknames across the entire MIBL organization. All team nicknames must be approved by the Board of Directors. A team cannot use the same team nickname that is currently being used in the league in which you are playing. The league also discourages usage of a team name that exists in one of the other MIBL leagues. For example, if the MSBL has a team named the “Yankees” and an MABL team would like to be known as the “Yankees”, you could run into problems if that MABL team ages to the point that they want to join the MSBL in the future.