National Baseball League: Britain's Baseball League Making Big Moves
Baseball has deep roots in the UK, and the National Baseball League is helping the sport grow through passion, community, and elite amateur play.
Long before Major League Baseball (MLB) brought home runs to sold-out crowds at London Stadium for the London Series, a different kind of baseball was taking root across the United Kingdom. In fact, the sport’s first recorded game dates all the way back to 1749, when baseball was played at Ashley Park in Surrey, decades before it became “America’s pastime.”
Today, the National Baseball League (NBL) stands as the pinnacle of the sport in Britain. Run by the British Baseball Federation (BBF), the NBL is an amateur league but one that punches far above its weight in passion, quality, and cultural significance. It’s the highest level of baseball in the UK, crowning the official national champion each year and providing opportunities for elite-level play that extend far beyond British borders. I first discovered the league when a close friend of mine signed with one of its teams. What started as casual research quickly turned into a deep appreciation for a league, and a community that’s quietly fueling baseball’s rise in the UK.
A Brief History of Baseball in Britain
Baseball in the UK isn’t new, but it’s long existed in the shadow of other sports. The game was popularized in the 1930s with the arrival of American servicemen and was even featured in British sporting newspapers. In 1938, Great Britain stunned the baseball world by winning the first-ever Baseball World Cup (then known as the Amateur World Series), defeating the United States.
Since then, baseball in Britain has gone through peaks and valleys, largely dependent on grassroots development and passionate volunteers. But the foundations have always been there.
Inside the National Baseball League
The National Baseball League is the top flight of British baseball and currently features teams like the Croydon Pirates, Essex Arrows, Herts Toucans, London Mets, and Sheffield Bruins. Operated under the BBF, the league doesn’t follow a strict promotion-relegation system, though clubs are allowed to move freely between divisions based on competitive readiness and club structure.
The league has fluctuated in size over the years, but its core remains strong. Some clubs, like the London Mets, field multiple teams across different levels. Importantly, player eligibility is regulated to ensure competitive balance, especially when clubs have teams in both the NBL and lower divisions.
And while the league is amateur in status, the level of play is anything but casual. Players from around the world, including former college athletes, international imports, and lifelong British ballplayers, compete here for the love of the game and the chance to keep playing at a high level.
Growing the Game Across the UK
One of the most remarkable aspects of the NBL and the wider BBF system is its focus on community development. Many of the players double as coaches, umpires, and ambassadors for the sport, running weekly youth camps and clinics that introduce kids to baseball in towns and cities across the country.
Across the UK, there are over 100 registered baseball teams, a testament to the sport’s quiet but steady growth. From grassroots clubhouses to competitive league matches, the infrastructure is being built by those who care most about the game.
With support from organizations like BaseballSoftballUK, the sport is creating meaningful pathways not just for players, but for volunteers, fans, and families. And this emphasis on growing the game is working as in 2020, an estimated 22,500 people were playing baseball in the UK, with that number continuing to rise year over year.
From Local Diamonds to the World Stage
Building on strong grassroots efforts, the future of high-level events for British baseball has never looked brighter. Since the inaugural MLB London Series in 2019, the UK has become a prominent stage for the sport. Packed stadiums have welcomed legendary teams like the Yankees, Red Sox, Cubs, and Cardinals, igniting excitement and inspiring a new generation of players and fans.
This momentum was further amplified at the 2023 World Baseball Classic, when Great Britain secured its first-ever victory by defeating Colombia 7-5 at Chase Field. This historic win marked a major milestone for British baseball and earned the team a spot as one of Europe’s representatives in the 2026 World Baseball Classic, signaling the country’s rising prominence on the global baseball stage.
Looking forward, baseball’s return to the Olympic program at the LA28 Games brings renewed energy and opportunity. It’s easy to envision a child learning the game at a NBL camp in Croydon or Essex one day proudly wearing the Union Jack on the Olympic stage, a powerful symbol of how grassroots passion coupled with the marquee moments in the sport are fuelling baseball's future.
Final Thoughts
Baseball in Britain has always been a story of passion over prestige. The National Baseball League is a shining example of how grassroots dedication, international cooperation, and love for the sport can build something truly special, even far from baseball’s traditional strongholds in the US, Japan, and Latin America.
And as the game prepares for the global spotlight once again, the work being done in Britain is more important than ever. Baseball may not be the UK’s national pastime, but with every pitch, every camp, and every young player picking up a glove, it’s becoming part of the nation’s sporting future.