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| Sport | Baseball |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2007 |
| Ceased | 2012 |
| Motto | Sali Ka, Sali Tayo |
| No. of teams | 9 |
| Country |  Philippines |
| Last champion(s) | Cebu Dolphins (3rd title) |
| Most titles | Cebu Dolphins Manila Sharks (3 titles each) |
Baseball Philippines was a start-up baseball circuit established in 2007 by a joint venture between Community Sports Incorporated and Pureplay Sports Management Incorporated in partnership with the Philippine Amateur Baseball Association and sanctioned by the Philippine Sports Commission.
The circuit was established in hopes of sustaining the growth of the sport in the Philippines, which was one of Asia's baseball powerhouses during the first half of the 20th century well into the early 1970s.
Five teams took part in the inaugural season's first leg—dubbed as the Pilot Series—which was held during the late summer season. The second leg saw six teams in an expanded 10-game, three-round playoff format. Eventually the circuit envisions a single leg, two-division regular season played out during the dry months of the year.
History of baseball leagues in the Philippines
In the early 20th century, there existed a Manila League, which had sent a team to play in Japan, Hawaii, and the United States in 1913.[1] Organized baseball circuits in the Philippines were a staple throughout the 20th century, the most popular of which was the prestigious Manila Bay Baseball League which was disbanded in the 1970s.
The Philippine Baseball League soon followed during the early part of the 1980s but disbanded after a short time.
Nevertheless, the Titans Baseball Club along with the PABA, the universities (notably the UAAP), and other private interests, organized baseball continues to thrive throughout the archipelago, albeit to differing degrees. Other school-based circuits such as the PRISAA and SCUAA tournaments also conduct baseball tournaments on a regional and national level.
Teams
- Manila Sharks
- Batangas Bulls
- Cebu Dolphins
- Dumaguete Uni-bikers
- Forward Taguig Patriots
- Alabang Tigers (merger of Muntinlupa Mariners and Makati Mariners)
- Laguna Tigers
- Negros Roosters
- Marikina Shoemakers
- Antipolo Pilgrims
- Quezon City Angels
- Pampanga Sand Kings
Although the teams are regional-based, the games are not presently played on a geographic home-and-away scale, but rather held at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium. As of 2010, the league also plays its games at the Alabang Country Club and at the newly built Felino Marcelino Baseball Stadium in Taguig. However, a true home-and-away format is envisioned for the future.
In 2011,Baseball Philippines Series 8 will tour some parts of the country with games in Batangas, Laguna and Subic.
In 2012,Baseball Philippines Series 9 will have some games in newly built Clark Baseball Field in Pampanga.
League results
| Regular Season | Champion | Runner-Up | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 Pilot Series | Makati Mariners | Negros Roosters | 4-2 (One-Game) |
| 2007 Series Two | Cebu Dolphins | Manila Sharks | 2-1 |
| 2008 Series Three | Batangas Bulls | Dumaguete Uni-Bikers | 2-1 |
| 2008 Series Four | Cebu Dolphins | Dumaguete Uni-Bikers | 1-0 (Do-or-Die Twice-to-Beat Game) |
| 2009 Series Five | Batangas Bulls | Manila Sharks | 2-0(Best-of-Three) |
| 2010 Dunkin' Donuts-BP Series Six | Manila Sharks | Cebu Dolphins | 2-1(Best-of-Three) |
| 2010 Dunkin' Donuts-BP Series Seven | Manila Sharks | Batangas Bulls | 2-0(Best-of-Three) |
| 2011 Series Eight | Manila Sharks | Cebu Dolphins | 2-0(Best-of-Three) |
| 2012 Series Nine | Cebu Dolphins | Manila Sharks | 2-0(Best-of-Three) |
See also
References
- ^ Joel S. Franks (1 July 2008). Asian Pacific Americans and Baseball: A History. McFarland. p. 17. ISBN 978-0-7864-3291-2.
External links
- Baseball Philippines official website
- Manila Sharks Official Website
- Titans Baseball Club - Philippines official website