2013 saw the beginning of our third season as the OVL with many changes and growing pains. Expanding to six teams and playing a 45 game schedule led to considerable speculation and guesswork as to just who could win the league. 

     SURPRISE! The competition was fierce - with Dubois County and Hoptown leading early and Madisonville and Fulton fighting it out for third. The last half of the season changed all that with Hoptown pulling out in front with an insurmountable lead, and Fulton charging late to finish just ahead of Madisonville for second place the last week of the season leaving Dubois County, Owensboro and Marion in the dust.
     The playoffs provided several upsets, Marion and Owensboro eliminating higher seeds Madisonville and Dubois County respectively and with Fulton taking 2 of 3 from Hoptown for the playoff championship.
     2013 saw more home runs than previous years and also more close games, i.e. one run affairs and walk-off games leading to increased interest and attendance. Unfortunately, there were a few blowouts, rare for the OVL. Injuries were a major factor this year with at least one team having to replace over 90% of its initial roster over the term of the season. Another change was three new venues; one in Huntingburg Indiana in a historical ballpark - site of the Tom Hanks and Madonna movie "A League Of Their Own" about girls pro baseball during WW II, a move across town in Hoptown to the Hopkinsville High School field, and Owensboro's move to the Brescia College complex

     Of course the 2013 season brought other unanticipated challenges in rules interpretations, umpiring, bench conduct and getting all rainouts played timely; all which are expected to be addressed in the post season.  

     The league continues to encourage league expansion, hoping to add two more franchises; Greenville/Central City is certainly a possibility after hosting  two promotional games involving Madisonville, Owensboro and Marion, and Union City, Tenn., Mayfield, Paducah and Jackson Missouri remain under consideration.
     On balance, the OVL experienced a solid growth year - maturing and gaining respect throughout the baseball community.

Gordon B. Guess

President OVL