History
Welcome to the Orlando Senior Baseball Association
In 1993, Gil Vogler, Doc Manos, Chris Spiliotis and John Wilkerson met at the Sanford Stadium with the intent of joining an already established Senior Baseball League. In short, the meeting was unproductive in the sense that field availability for league play coupled with existing league fees was the stumbling blocks for the prospective pl
ayers. The FAB Four, as listed, decided that they would take the chance and try to establish their own league. It was at that time that Gil Vogler was nominated to spear-head the initiative. That evening in the parking lot of the Sanford Stadium the “Orlando senior Baseball Association, OSBA” was born. Taking the initiative, Gil met with Attorney Tom Recicar who assisted in drafting specific Articles of Incorporation consistent with the development of the league and registering the OSBA with the State of Florida. The FAB Four went on to develop Association By-Laws and rules pertaining to the OSBA. League play started in the spring of 1993 at the Historical Sanford Stadium with four teams playing a two seasons per year. Within the next two years the league expanded to six teams and to eight teams the following year. It was a constant battle to find enough playing fields to accommodate the league. Most of the facilities in the area were geared up to afford the little league and Babe Ruth kids places to play. In most cases, the men’s leagues could only get time slots on fields that were not being used or in between youth seasons. The OSBA played on various high schools fields throughout Orange and Seminole Counties. City fields like Central Winds, (Winter Springs), Showalter, (Winter Park) and the University of Central Florida also provided a venue at one time for the OSBA. In 2009 the passing of the baton from Gil to Bob Misko took place. He was instrumental in the conception of the Guam Major League during his Naval Career. He brings that drive, dedication and forward thinking to the OSBA. Bob saw the need to secure a field for the OSBA and signed an agreement with the City of Sanford for the use of the Historical Sanford Stadium. He further identified a need for the OSBA to have dedicated umpires. It wasn’t long before the play of the OSBA tilted from recreational baseball to competitive play. With the help of Mike Carpenter, Bob introduced a league trophy which could hold the names of the championship teams for 36 consecutive years. The trophy was designated for the 38 + year old bracket and named the “GIL VOGLER AWARD.” It was only fitting to name the award after the man who inspired the league with his drive, dedication and leadership ability which encompass what the league is today. In 2010, the OSBA was approached by a senior baseball team from the Netherlands where the league developed and All-Star team for play. Again in 2013 the Netherlands ventured to Florida and requested to play two games. The OSBA was able to field two teams, one for a home game at the Sanford Stadium and the other for a game hosted by Ft. Pierce, FL.
2013 marks the 20th year anniversary for the OSBA. The spring league saw eight 38+ teams compete with the fall season expanding to nine teams. The 2013 fall season will also incorporate a new 28+ bracket which will make the league one of the largest in Central Florida. Currently the OSBA provides over 250 baseball players with a chance to take the field every year. The OSBA has players and teams from the Orlando area which play in the Roy Hobbs World Series in Ft. Myers, the Disney Tournament in Orlando, and other tournaments in the south-east region. As for the Administration of the OSBA: Bob has designated Jose Rosado as Vice-President of Operations duties for the 28+ bracket, and Jim Carels will handle the same duties for the 38+ bracket. Jim also handles all the treasury duties. The OSBA Website is administered by George Beatty. All individuals within the Administration of the OSBA are volunteers with the same long term goal: Make the OSBA the best Senior Baseball Association in Central Florida. Our hats are off to Gil Vogler, who kept this dream alive for all of us who re-live our younger days every week when we step between the lines and become heroes again.
