Established adult baseball in North Alabama
2026 SSBL Regular Season & Postseason Champions
Huntsville
The Huntsville Dirtbags compete in the SSBL 40+ division, giving experienced players across North Alabama a place to keep playing structured, competitive wood-bat baseball with real standings, quality fields and a postseason worth chasing.
Experienced players · former college and high-school players · pitchers / POs encouraged
Explore
40+ Division
◆
MLB-Based Rules
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Wood Bat
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~16 Games
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Umpires Every Game
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Double-Elimination Postseason
Still Playing.
The Huntsville Dirtbags are part of the Southern Senior Baseball League (SSBL) 40+ division, an established North Alabama league built for players who still want meaningful competition. The division typically includes 8-10 teams, an approximately 16-game regular season and a double-elimination postseason. The SSBL has been giving adult players in the area a place to stay in the game for more than 25 years.
This is not just a Sunday pickup game. Players compete, standings matter and the league is organized around real baseball. You will still see quality pitching, experienced hitters and plenty of players who know how the game is supposed to be played.
25+ YRSSSBL League History
2020Huntsville Dirtbags Estd.
8-10Typical Division Teams
~16Regular-Season Games
2×Typical Games Per Week
The game still matters
Older Does Not Mean Casual.
The 40+ division is competitive without pretending everyone is still 22. Players bring years of baseball experience, understand situational play and are expected to show up ready to compete. Wins matter, run differential can matter and postseason position is earned over the course of the season.
MLB-Based Rules
The game is played under MLB-based rules with a small number of adult-league exceptions that help manage participation without changing the character of the game.
Wood Bat Baseball
Maple, birch, ash, bamboo and approved wood-barrel composite bats keep the league feeling like real baseball instead of adult softball with a bigger field.
Independent Umpires
Every game is handled by at least two qualified umpires who are independent of the league, so teams can focus on playing rather than policing themselves.
Standings Matter
Wins and losses are only part of the picture. Head-to-head results, runs allowed and runs scored can all influence seeding and postseason position.
Recruiting
Got Some Baseball Left?
01
Pitchers / PO
Priority NeedPitching remains one of the hardest things to find at any age. Experienced arms, including pitcher-only players, are welcome to reach out if you still want competitive innings without taking on a full position-player schedule.
02
College Experience
Strong FitFormer college players, strong high-school players and longtime adult-league players can all fit here. If you know the game and still want to compete, the 40+ division can be a natural place to keep playing.
03
Position Players
Always ConsideredWe are always open to experienced position players who can defend, put together competitive at-bats and make the roster better. Versatility, reliability and baseball awareness matter just as much as raw tools.
Not quite 40 yet?
Our sister team, the Huntsville Cubs, competes in the SSBL 25+ division for players who are not yet eligible for the Dirtbags but still want the same league structure and wood-bat format.
Visit the 25+ Team →
Season schedule
What the
Season Looks Like.
The 40+ schedule is consistent enough to build around work and family, but it is still a real season. Full-time players should expect to make the majority of games and communicate clearly when life gets in the way. Rainouts can compress the calendar, especially as the postseason gets closer.
April
Preseason Practice
The Dirtbags typically begin preseason work in April, using Sunday practices to get arms, legs and timing back into baseball shape. Players are encouraged to attend as often as possible, and pitchers should build up gradually before the regular season. Additional batting-practice sessions may also be scheduled at D-Bat Rocket City.
May
Opening Day
The regular season typically opens the Sunday before Memorial Day weekend. The league does not normally schedule games on Memorial Day, Father's Day or Fourth of July weekend, giving players a few built-in breaks during the summer.
June + July
Regular Season
Sunday and Tuesday are the normal game days for the 40+ division, with Thursday used occasionally when the schedule requires it. Most weeks mean two games, but weather and makeup situations can create a busier stretch later in the summer.
Rainouts
Flexible Makeups
Friday and Saturday are the designated rainout makeup days under league rules, though field availability and late-season scheduling can occasionally push a makeup to another day.
August
Postseason
The season finishes with a double-elimination tournament that usually begins in early August. How long you keep playing depends on weather, bracket timing and, most importantly, whether you keep winning. The postseason typically ends by mid-late August.
Player commitment
Know Before You Join.
~$250Full-Time Player
Designed for players planning to be part of the regular rotation throughout the season and postseason.
~$150Part-Time / Pitcher Only
A reduced option for players who can contribute in a limited role, including pitcher-only participation, with postseason eligibility after 8 regular-season games.
Uniform
Players cover the cost of their Dirtbags uniform. The team handles the jersey order so everyone stays consistent.
Equipment
Bring your own personal gear, including at least one legal wood bat and a batting helmet you are comfortable wearing in North Alabama summer heat.
Footwear
The league uses both grass and turf facilities. Metal spikes are not allowed on turf, so most players keep turf shoes or molded cleats available.
Travel
Most games stay within Madison County, with occasional trips into Morgan County depending on the league schedule.
Where We Play
Still Worth Playing
On Good Fields.
One of the best parts of the SSBL is that games are played on legitimate baseball fields around the Huntsville area. Depending on the schedule, the Dirtbags play on a mix of high-school and college facilities with both natural-grass and modern turf surfaces.
The Roster
The 2026 HSV Dirtbags.
2026 Regular Season & Postseason Champions
Southern Senior Baseball League · 40+ Division
2026 Season
20-1-1
Overall Record
40+
HITS
273
AVG
.384
OBP
.527
OPS
1.013
RUNS
324
SB
110
Follow the Huntsville Dirtbags on GameChanger
→
#11
Chaim Sendowski
UTIL / P
#27
Justin Morrison
UTIL / P
#2
Tyler Mann
UTIL / P
#5
Steven Wright
C
#6
Michael Wydner
SS / P
#7
Brandon Spray
UTIL
#23
Ty Sackett
C / UTIL
#25
Justin Watson
IF
#33
Adam Creel
OF / 1B
#20
Michael Colvert
OF / P
#4
Taylor Randall
1B / P
#40
Brian Givens
UTIL / P
#10
JD Melton
3B / P
#21
Terek Wales
1B
#8
Derrick Price
1B / P
#15
Daniel Johnson
P / 3B
—
Tina Watson
BOOK
Adult baseball questions
Questions 40+ Players
Actually Ask.
You must be at least 40 years old, or turn 40 during the same calendar year as the season.
No. College experience helps, but it is not a requirement. The better question is whether you have enough baseball background to compete comfortably in a structured adult league and contribute to a team.
Yes. Pitcher-only and part-time roles are available. Players in that category can participate in up to 8 regular-season games and remain eligible for the postseason.
Most weeks include two games, normally Sunday and Tuesday. Thursday is used occasionally, while Friday and Saturday are the standard rainout makeup days. Late-season weather or field availability can still create exceptions.
Players are responsible for their own uniform and personal equipment. The team places the jersey order, while each player handles pants, socks, belt, hat and any other personal gear. Every player should have at least one legal wood bat and a personal batting helmet. Sharing helmets in July is not a great way to enjoy adult baseball. Metal cleats are prohibited on turf fields, so turf shoes, molded cleats or other field-appropriate footwear are strongly recommended. It is recommended that you have a pair of modled/metal cleats and tennis/turf shoes for either scenario.
The Dirtbags use multiple uniform combinations in the team color scheme. Players have flexibility with belts, socks and accessory styles as long as the overall look stays within the team setup. This is not slowpitch - no shorts and your jersey must be tucked into your pants.
The Dirtbags use multiple uniform combinations in the team color scheme. Players have flexibility with belts, socks and accessory styles as long as the overall look stays within the team setup. This is not slowpitch - no shorts and your jersey must be tucked into your pants.
Player Inquiry
Tell Us About
Your Game.
Prefer to text?
Contact Chaim
(256) 656-0857
Questions about roster openings, eligibility, positions or whether the 40+ division is a good fit.
Inquiry Sent
Thank You.
Your player inquiry has been received. We will review your baseball background and follow up with you about roster availability and next steps.