2024 MSBL Honor Roll Inductee: Bret Fink, League President, Inland Northwest Men’s Baseball League
By Steve LaMontia, Director of Communications
Bret Fink is the 52-year-old League President of the Inland Northwest Men’s Baseball League based out of Spokane, Washington. Bret began playing in the league back around 1995 when Greg Peterson formed the league and has been the president since 2020. Bret was the Vice President of the league for a few years and has always been active on the board.
“I am an Internet Service Provider and happy to be the father of three beautiful daughters and two grandchildren, with two more on the way,” beamed Bret. “I live in Priest River, which is a little over an hour from Spokane.”
The Inland Northwest Men’s Baseball League offers competition in 18+, 32+, and 45+ divisions. The 18-over division begins in late May and plays on Sundays, the 32-over plays on Saturdays and begins mid-June, and the 45-over teams play on Wednesdays and doesn’t begin until mid-July.
“I play in all three divisions. The best thing about our league is that we are comprised of a great bunch of guys. It’s a pleasure to play, coach, and compete with them every week.”
We asked Bret what his baseball resume consisted of, both back in the day and now.
“I never played any professional ball, just recreation, but I have played for a lot of teams. In the past three years we have won the 45+ championship in our league’s 45+ division and in 2017 we (the Spokane Yankees) won the 45+ championship in the MSBL World Series. They were a great bunch of guys and every one of our players did an awesome job!”
As is our practice, we asked Bret if he had a favorite baseball moment on the field.
“Probably winning the MSBL World Series in 2017 and getting our ring. It was a thrill getting to pitch at the Chicago Cubs Spring Training Stadium in Arizona. They are my favorite team and it remains one of the highlights, for sure. Ryne Sandberg is one of my all-time favorite Cubbie players because he was always a fierce player.”
Final comments?
“If you have a chance to play in any of the tournaments provided by the MSBL, I highly recommend you give it a try, especially the MSBL World Series in Arizona. It’s a week-long, fun-filled event where you get to play on Major League spring training fields and get to play in some of their stadiums also. The camaraderie, gameplay, talent, and fields are simply amazing. You will be hooked and want to return every year and compete.
Regarding MSBL as an organization, MSBL offers all of their leagues the tools to play the game we love. I truly appreciate everything they do for our league and every league that is a part of the MSBL. Thank you!”