Berkshire Visitors Bureau

Berkshires Baseball

July 6, 2004

The New England Collegiate Baseball League is summer collegiate baseball at its best—and the Berkshires now offers two teams to choose from! The NECBL is sanctioned by the NCAA and partially funded by Major League Baseball. As a charter member of the prestigious National Alliance of Collegiate Summer Baseball (NACSB), the NECBL is one of the most talented and competitive leagues in the country.

Founded in 1993, the NECBL began its direction under former Cincinnati Reds and New York Mets All-Star and Major League home run leader George Foster and Emmy Award-winning television producer/director Joseph Consentino. Today the NECBL has become a strong twelve-team league that plays in five New England states and recruits players from New England and the entire country. The NECBL is one of nine NCAA sanctioned wooden bat leagues that play each year from Alaska to Cape Cod.

The newest member of the New England College Baseball League—new this year—is the Berkshire Dukes which operate out of the Dan Duquette Sports Academy in Hinsdale. Owner Dan Duquette is a seasoned baseball executive having held positions with the Milwaukee Brewers, Montreal Expos, and most recently as General Manger for the Boston Red Sox. The Berkshire Dukes joined the league this spring and are one of twelve other teams based in all six New England states. Also in the Berkshires are the North Adams Steeplecats, which play at Joe Wolfe Field, Route 8, State Street, in North Adams. The SteepleCats are in their third season with the league.

Players are drawn from a nationwide pool of NCAA sanctioned College and Jr. College teams. Players commonly live with sponsor families within the community. Duke players are also available for instruction for attendees of the Dan Duquette Sports Academy.

“The NECBL is one of the most competitive and talented leagues in the country,” Duquette said. “Last year 68 players from the league were drafted by Major League Baseball which gives you an idea of the talent level. This league is only ten years old and already is competing with the storied Cape Cod League. I’m excited to offer players the opportunity play ball at this level and bring exciting baseball to local fans.