SJMSBL Season Preview - 2010
2010 sees more of the same changes as in past years — one team joining the league, three teams dropping out of the league, one team changing names, and four teams moving around the divisions.
Divisions
The league will contain the same four divisions as last year — National(25+), Pacific(25+), American(25+), and Atlantic(18+).
Team Changes
The league will have 20 teams this year, down from last year's 22 teams. Teams will be evenly spread around the four divisions.
The Atlantic division is losing the Astros(18), Blue Jays(18), and Phillies(18), all having dropped out of the league, while picking up a new team, the Royals(18).
The Cardinals of the Pacific Division are changing to the Astros.
Division Realignment
There will be some realignment of teams within the divisions.
The National Division loses the Braves who are moving back to the Pacific Division where they were the 2008 champion. The Braves had a tough 2009 in the National Division after suffering some key injuries.
The National Division picks up the Blue Jays from the Pacific Division.
The Pacific Division loses last year's champion Blue Jays as they move up to the National Division while picking up the Braves from the National Division.
The American Division loses last year's champion Padres as they move up to the Pacific Division and pick up the Pirates from the Pacific division.
As previously mentioned, the Atlantic Division is losing the Astros(18), Blue Jays(18), and Phillies(18), and gaining the Royals(18).
You can view the new division lineups on the Teams page.
Age Requirements
The age requirement for the National, Pacific, and American divisions remains 25+. The Atlantic Division will remain 18+.
Schedule Preview
Opening Day will be May 2nd and the regular season will conclude on August 15th. Playoffs will begin August 22nd with the Championship round scheduled for September 12th and 19th (if necessary).
All divisions will have the same regular season breakdown this year. Each team in the division will play the other 4 teams 4 times for a total of 16 divisional games (4 X 4) plus 4 cross-over games for a total of 20 games.
Tentative plans, barring late team and field changes, are to release a complete season schedule on April 22nd. Start planning your summer vacations. A preliminary Schedule page has been posted with all the off-days highlighted.
Playoff Preview
All divisions will follow the same playoff guidelines.
- Top four teams make the playoffs.
- Both rounds are best two-of-three series.
- First round will have 4th-place vs 1st-place and 3rd-place vs 2nd-place.
- The Championship round will be a best-of-three series between the first round winners.
All-Star Game
The annual All-Star Game is scheduled for July 28th at San José Municipal Stadium. Game time will be 7:15 PM. More details will be posted closer to game day.