2024 MSBL/MABL National Hall of Fame Inductee: Herbert ‘Bud’ Maison, MSBL/MABL of Southern Colorado
By Steve LaMontia, Director of Communications
57-year-old Herbert ‘Bud’ Maison is the League President of the MSBL/MABL of Southern Colorado in Colorado Springs, as well as being the father of four children and six grandchildren, where he began playing in 2005. The league currently consists of 37 teams across six divisions. Bud is an educator by profession at Fountain-Fort Carson High School but still manages to get in plenty of baseball activity.
Bud was elected as President of the MSBL/MABL of Southern Colorado in 2014 and has been playing in the MSBL since 2005. He has served as a Manager of the Southern Colorado Pirates, the Southern Colorado Pistols, and the Rocky Mountain Predators. Here is an excerpt from the MSBL/MABL of Southern Colorado mission statement:
“The League philosophy is to create, sustain, and expand the community environment in which adults have the opportunity to participate in a well-organized, competitive, and enjoyable baseball league. It represents the opportunity to play hardball, rather than the alternative, softball. In achieving this philosophy, the League emphasizes and promotes competitiveness, fairness, and recreational enjoyment.”
Bud has competed and served as a manager in the MSBL World Series leading the Colorado Springs Thunder to win the 2023 MSBL World Series in the Cactus Division, the first World Series Championship in league history. He continues to host the mid-summer Rocky Mountain Baseball Bash tournament in Colorado Springs.
Bud also stepped up during Covid by becoming the creator and mentor of an MSBL-endorsed online Baseball Play Station tournament, hosted and maintained by Bud personally.
For all that Bud accomplishes in heading up one of the most successful leagues under the MSBL umbrella and his involvement with the MSBL World Series, MSBL Founder and President Steve Sigler has welcomed Bud into the 2024 class of the MSBL National Hall of Fame.
“I am humbled to be recognized for this award,” stated Maison. “I try to provide our league and teams a great opportunity to play ball and enjoy the time we spend together!”
Bud’s baseball and athletic resume is quite noteworthy. He started his baseball journey as a traditional high school athlete from 1982 through 1985 at South Lake High School in St Clair Shores, Michigan. He then played in a collegiate league in 1985, ultimately leading him to the CanAm Baseball League as a member of the Watertown Athletics in 1987 and 1988.
The multi-sport athlete then expanded to football in 1990, as he suited up for the Watertown Red and Black of the Empire Football League.
Bud’s World Series experiences began a little frustrating, though ultimately successful.
“We made it to the 50+ semi-finals from 2016 through 2019 and finally broke through last year, winning the 50+ Cactus championship with the Thunder. I manage the team and try to spend some time at first base and behind the plate. That ring easily tops the list of my personal tournament highlights.”
Bud’s team also plays in local tournaments and travels to the Coley/Elwater/Foster tournament in Rapid City, South Dakota, where they were champs in 2021 and 2023.
His educator background has led him to the Fountain-Fort Carson High School in Colorado where he teaches and also readily gives of his time.
One example of Bud’s volunteer efforts is the Trojan Baseball Club, offering participation and training in age brackets from eight and under to 14 and under. As stated on their website page…
“We enhance the Character, Skills, Knowledge, and Ability of Fountain youth baseball players who display the passion to play baseball.”
— Bud Maison
