2023 MSBL National Hall of Fame Inductee: Alan Van Ness, Sacramento MSBL League President
By Steve LaMontia, Director of Communications
The Sacramento MSBL is one of the crown jewels of the MSBL nation. They are a major player in national tournaments and offer Sunday leagues, night leagues, winter-spring leagues, Golden division leagues, and manage to provide baseball for ages in divisions from 18-over to 68-over.
The guy in charge of this wonderful assortment of players and national champions is Alan Van Ness. I am honored to provide many stories covering many topics relating to Sacramento, and Alan is continually smack in the middle of all of them.
Because of Alan’s attention to duty and passion for baseball, MSBL Founder and President, Steve Sigler, has inducted Alan into the 2023 class of the MSBL National Hall of Fame.
“This National Hall of Fame award is a recognition and appreciation award given to me,” started Van Ness. “However, everything I have accomplished is from the support I receive from others. Many years of convincing my wife, family, managers, board members, and players that my ideas would benefit others and not just myself has been successful.
I like to believe Sacramento is at the top of the list when it comes to National respect. So, this award given to me is humbling and very much treasured. Thank You.”
Alan is 60 years old, retired from Aerojet Rocketdyne, and lives in Lincoln, California. He is equally as busy off the field providing for his large family, alongside his wife, Teena.
“I have five children; two biological, Justin and Stacy, and three step-kids, Heather, Levi, and Shelbee that we have raised and supported for 20 years. Teena and I also have eight grandchildren. Teena has also made a lifetime commitment to MSBL. She has done so much for SMSBL. Every recognition, award, or achievement I have received is because of her tireless support. My kids Heather, Levi, and Shelbee always participate in the charity fund raisers the SMSBL selects. Now the grandkids are getting old enough and they love to help.”
Weaving back to baseball, when did your MSBL career begin?
“I joined SMSBL in 1996 after seeing an ad in the sports section of the local paper. All 28 years I have been involved in Sacramento, as part of the SMSBL.
In 2023 I played on the Spring League 50+ Giants, 50+ Sunday League Dragons, Night League 50+ Bombers, and the Golden League 60+ Giants. For tournaments I have my own 55+ Sac Rockets team. I also play on 60+ Sac Royals, and the Sac Cannons in the Father/Son division.
These days, I mostly pitch and play first base. I used to play short and third before Father Time and eight surgeries slowed me down. It has never stopped me, though, and I haven’t missed a World Series since my first one in 1998.”
We asked Alan about his playing resume as well as what helped mold him toward the road to Sacramento. We left this compelling trail in Alan’s own words to better explain.
“I played Little League in Horseheads, New York, where we won the league, district, and state championships. We lost the semi final to go to Williamsport. That time of my life I was a catcher.
We then moved to Roseville, California, where I knew no one and was cut from my high school team. While playing catch one day with my cousin, a Big-League coach asked me if I ever pitched and said to come to tryouts. I now had to compete with both local high schools. I made the team and was the only 16 yr old. I played sparingly in outfield, but pitched a lot.
The next year the high school coach asked me to come out. I was a stubborn New York kid and was still upset about being cut the previous year. So, I played 16-18 on that Big League team. A highlight was I had a critical save to win our division and was given the flag.
My next step was joining the USMC and playing ball there. I was an all-star on the 3rd Marine Air Wing team. While stationed in So Cal, I also joined a team from Whittier and joined what was mostly a Mexican League. I was approached by the umpire after a game where I had 12K’s and a shutout, and he said he was asked by an Oakland A’s scout to find a young prospect. I was 19 and took my hat off and said “Thank You sir, but I’m a Private in the Marine Corps.” My baseball playing was reduced a lot once I became a CH46 Crew Chief and flew a lot.”
Sacramento has won more MSBL World Series rings than any other league. They continue to represent divisions across the board every October and more often than not, come home with some hardware. I asked Alan what some of his personal World Series achievements have been.
“After 18 years of going to Arizona and reaching the semi finals, I finally won a ring in 2016. It was with the Sac Royals, managed by Jim Tygrett-Denuzzi, who was my League President predecessor and mentor. I also play in Las Vegas and the Palm Springs Desert Classic every year.”
Is there a highlight or two beyond the ring in 2016?
“Playing in the SMSBL and MSBL World Series Father /Son tournaments is always a highlight every year. I have so many highlights that to name the biggest one is tough. Probably here in Sacramento, to be elected into the SMSBL Hall of Fame in 2018 is at the top, because it is an acknowledgement of all the other highlights. After JT (Jim Tygrett-Denuzzi) spoke about my career and introduced me there was a standing ovation. It was emotional to me and to speak after experiencing that was hard to do.
The other memorable event was when I was selected as 2015 MSBL Man of the Year.
My tournament highlight on the field was a game I pitched and we lost. It was the final 45 Aluminum Bat Championship game. I pitched all 10 innings for the Auburn Braves (SMSBL) against the Rochester Red Wings. We were tied 4-4 from the fifth inning on, but lost 5-4. After the eighth, the Manager said to me that he didn’t know who was going to win it, but every guy in that dugout couldn’t believe their own home boy is shoving the ball up their azz. There were six players that were from the towns in the Southern Tier, New York where I played Little League!”
Are there any individuals you would like to thank in helping your baseball career?
“First is my wife Teena, because she has helped me with so many critical issues, tournaments, field issues, and even planted 11 trees at our new complex. I took over as President in 2014 from Jim Tygrett-Denuzzi and was very nervous. He helped me with many issues and taught me how to prioritize. I took that education and doubled the size of the league. I also can go to Lanny Ropke anytime to get his advice. The SMSBL scheduler is Jason Morris and I am grateful for his efforts in what is the most thankless job. Mike Egan and Ever Maldonado have worked tirelessly on our fields and made the SMSBL fields the most sought-after fields in the Sacramento region. I also appreciate every SMSBL Board member.
In conclusion, I am only echoing what many before me have said in receipt of their awards. None of these awards, or this way of life, is possible without Steve Sigler’s vision. His drive to build the largest amateur team sporting event in the world is something we are all thankful for. So, Thank You Steve!
I would also like to reiterate how grateful I am to have the support of MSBL, friends, and family. As my wife puts on her baseball products, ‘You don’t stop playing because you get old, you get old because you stop playing.’ I don’t plan on getting old. LOL!