2025 MSBL League Profile: Columbus Men’s Baseball League, Mike Gross, League President
By Steve LaMontia-Carlentini, Director of Communications
Mike Gross is the newly ordained League President of the Columbus (OH) Men’s Baseball League, an MSBL-associated affiliate since 1988. Mike’s appointment was necessitated by the sudden passing of longtime league president Rick Fryman in 2024.
“Our league president, Rick Fryman, passed away unexpectedly in early 2024,” explained Mike. “Rick was a fantastic president who was loved throughout the central Ohio baseball community. I became president in November of 2024.”
As part of our 2025 League Profile series, we caught up with Mike and asked him to participate in our question-and-answer format to learn more about one of MSBL’s newest Presidents. Mike was kind enough to agree. Enjoy!
League name: Columbus Men’s Baseball League
Your name: Mike Gross
What is the history of the league, and how did it start? The league started in 1988
What age divisions of play are now offered? 25+, 35+, 45+
How many teams are anticipated this year? 19 teams across three divisions for 2025
When does the league begin play, and when will it finish, including any playoffs? Opening day is Sunday, May 18th, with the season/playoffs running through September 28th
When did you personally start playing in the league? I started playing in the league in 2015
What is your personal baseball playing history? I played baseball through high school. After that, I got involved with coaching and started playing again when I joined the league in 2015. I didn’t play from age 18 until age 35, when I joined the league. I’ve been playing ever since, with no plans of stopping anytime soon.
When did you become president? I became president in November 2024
Who were your predecessors, and are they still involved in any capacity? Rod Davis started the league in 1988 and acted as president through 1991. Keith Hausler was then president for two seasons before Jim Durham took over in 1993, where he served until 2012. Jim then handed the league off to Rick Fryman, who was president from 2012 until his passing in 2024. Jim Durham is still involved as an advisor. Charles McCroskey (COMABL President) has also been a great resource and mentor to me over the last two seasons
What is your most memorable MSBL moment as a president or a player? As a player, the most memorable things are being around my teammates, both on and off the field each week, playing for championships, and participating in the national tournaments. All of those things are special to me.
As president, the most memorable thing was being selected to serve in the role by our league trustees. It’s an honor and a privilege that I take great pride in.
What challenges did you face when you started the league or when you took over? Our league president, Rick Fryman, passed away unexpectedly in early 2024. Rick was a fantastic president who was loved throughout the central Ohio baseball community.
The biggest challenge our league faced at this time was to piece together everything he was doing and had done over the years to maintain the league. Our officers (Todd Bollinger, Jon Thomas, Rob Nightwine, Joe Horvath, and I) worked together to get the 2024 season up and running on time.
What are your biggest challenges today? The biggest challenges today are rising costs mixed with field availability
What gives you the greatest satisfaction? Competitively playing the game we all love
What do you see for the league in the future? Continuing to grow with more teams and expanding our current age brackets
What is the reason for the continued success of the league? A big reason our league continues to be successful is our continuity. We have a great group of trustees that bring their teams back season after season.
What part of running the league do you enjoy most? I enjoy the planning/organization of the league, working with the other officers, local high school coaches, and the local umpires’ association.
Do you still play in the league? Yes, I manage/play for the Angels in the 35+ division, as well as take a team to participate in the MSBL World Series every year
What is the history of your league team’s participation in any MSBL national tournaments? We’ve had several teams participate in national tournaments. Teams from our league regularly participate in the Fall Classic in Florida, as well as the World Series in Arizona.
What would you say are the most important accomplishments in your league? Our league started in 1988 and is still going strong 37 years later
How valuable is your relationship with MSBL? The support and resources provided by Steve Sigler and the national organization are fantastic. I take pride in being an MSBL affiliated league.
What advice would you give to new league presidents? Stay organized, be consistent with decisions, and listen to the league members/managers/officers
How important is family support? Family support is huge. Our players spend a great deal of time on the field each summer and that would not be possible without their families behind them.