With the 2024 NBC World Series fast approaching, one of the most common questions is “How do teams make it to the NBC?”. The short answer is that typically they either win their league, they win a qualifying tournament, or they are selected as an at-large berth. Teams that finish 1st and 2nd in the previous year’s tournament get an automatic bid for the next year.
For example, the defending 2023 champions Hutchinson Monarchs and runner-up Santa Barbara Foresters receive automatic bids to the 2024 tournament.
Here are the leagues affiliated with the National Baseball Congress who you can expect to see represented in this year’s NBC World Series:
- Known as one of the most competitive collegiate leagues in California.
- Players are mostly from NCAA organizations.
- 9 teams: MLB Academy Barons, Arroyo Seco Saints, Conejo Oaks, Menlo Park Legends, Orange County Riptid, San Luis Obispo Blues, Santa Barbara Foresters, Sonoma Stompers and the Walnut Creek Crawdads.
- The CCL typically has 1-2 teams represented in the NBC World Series, with the most appearances coming from the Santa Barbara Foresters.
Centex Collegiate Baseball League
- Based in Texas
- 70% college players, 15% high school players, and 15% ex pros.
- 9 teams: Action Baseball, Austin Expos, Austin Shockers, GPS, SA Angels, SA TPU Titans, Lonestar Baseball Club, Pros, Hawks.
- The CCBL typically has 1-2 teams represented in the NBC World Series.
Mile High Collegiate Baseball League
- Competitive Collegiate League based throughout Colorado.
- 9 teams: Fort Collins Force, Greeley Grays, Boulder Collegians, Prospect Wave, Denver Generals, Colorado Lumberjaks, Colorado Rogue Baseball Club, Colorado Springs Cutthroats, Spradley Collegians
- Notable Alumni: Griffin Jax, Kyle Freeland and Joe Carter.
- Popular NBC Team: Boulder Collegians
- Founded in 1992.
- Majority players are NCCA eligible or former professionals.
- 7 teams: Dub Sea Fish Sticks, Everett Merchants, Gumberoos, Northwest Honkers, Redmond Dudes, Seattle Blackfins and Seattle Studs.
- Notable Alumni: Tim Lincecum, Nyjer Morgan and Jordan Zimmerman.
- Popular NBC Teams: Seattle Studs, Northwest Honkers & Everett Merchants. The Seattle Blackfins made their NBC debut in 2023
- Founded in 1999
- Highly Competitive league based in Western Kansas and parts of Colorado.
- 8 teams: Denver Cougars, Colorado RoughRiders, Dodge City A’s, Fort Collins Foxes, Gameday Baseball, Hays Larks, Liberal Bee Jays, Western Nebraska Pioneers
- Notable Alumni: Tim Anderson and Hunter Pence.
- Most well-known NBC Teams: Hays Larks and Liberal Bee Jays
Sunflower Collegiate Baseball League
- Competitive league based in the Wichita Area
- Players from ranging from NAIA to NCCA DI
- 10 teams: Cheney Diamond Dawgs, Derby Twins, Great Bend BatCats, Haysville Aviators, Hutchinson Monarchs, Newton Sluggin Rebels, Kingman Islands, Mulvane Patriots, Wichita Lobos and the Kansas Cannons
- Hutchinson Monarchs are Defending NBC World Series Champions
- Competitive League based in the San Diego area
- 6 teams: San Diego Stars, West Coast Bulldogs, Colton Nighthawks, San Diego Bombers, North County United and San Diego Waves.
- Affiliated since 2017
- Popular NBC Team: San Diego Stars & San Diego Waves
- The youngest players come from this tournament.
- The qualifying team will be made up from 2024 high school graduates or younger.
- Qualifier tournament played in Wichita, Kansas.
American Amateur Baseball Congress
- 2 qualifying tournaments – one in Texas and one in Oklahoma
- Stan Musial World Series held in Chickasha, Oklahoma and Richardson, Texas.
- 2023 Qualifiers: Sandlot Tulsa OK and GPS Baseball TX
- New to the National Baseball Congress in 2024
- Will be represented by their league champion at the NBC World Series
Teams will start playing qualifying tournaments for the NBC World Series in July and this page will be updated with current qualifiers/ongoing tournaments.
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