2025 MSBL World Series Hall of Fame Inductee: Jim Fleming, Puget Sound Senior Baseball League

Submitted by Steve LaMontia-Carlentini, MSBL Director of Communications

Jim Fleming is an amazing individual.  He hasn’t been cited by MSBL Founder and President Steve Sigler as a World Series Hall of Fame inductee because of an overpowering batting average or a laundry list of championships.  Jim is being recognized for his passion and love of all things baseball.  I must also mention that Jim is 84 years ‘young’ and has no intention of stopping anytime soon.

“My first year of playing ball here in Seattle was when I had just turned 48,” explained Fleming.  “I come from Western Pennsylvania, left home when I was 18, lived in California for 20 years, and finally ended up in the Seattle area.

A friend of mine showed me an ad in the paper about tryouts for a new league, and he talked me into tagging along.  This was in 1988.  I have never been a very good ballplayer, so I wasn’t too confident about my chances.”

What happened at the tryout?

“I looked around and saw a lot of very good players.  This was a 30-over league.  I was somewhat older and didn’t know how to play very well.  I was never a high school player and wasn’t too experienced, but I loved the game.  I noticed that there were very few catchers, so I said ‘I can catch!’  I had never been behind the plate in my life, but it was the quickest path to making a team.”

As it turned out, the league was able to form a four-team competitive league, and the rest of the guys who didn’t get picked up, including Jim, were able to put an additional four-team division together and still play.

“There were still some good players in that division, but it was a little more laid back.”

A few years later, they formed a 40-over division, which was a little more comfortable for the older ballplayers.

“I was able to make it on the Pirates in that division.  I still think it wasn’t because of any particular skill, but because I wore a patch,” chuckled Jim.

“We have lobbied for a 65-over weekday division in the league, and we just finished our second year in 2025.  We only have hats for our teams because everyone has so many uniforms from their years on the diamond that you just pull out a uniform and wear it.  It’s a wonderful division.  Our team is appropriately named the Legends, and you just go out and play where you want.”

When did your MSBL World Series career begin?

“My first year in Arizona was in 1993.  I went down with some guys from Denver.  I now go with teams from our league, and there are just a few years I haven’t been able to go.  Once my wife, Leslie, and I had the opportunity to go to Africa, which we couldn’t pass up, and then I missed it during COVID.”

Are you still playing in Arizona, or are you solely managing teams?

“When I turned 79, I went from field manager to General Manager. I now primarily organize everything and leave the field duties to someone else.  That also makes me available to maybe get in the game if it is a blowout and they need a right fielder.  Sometimes I still go in and catch!”

What is the name of your team this year?

“We are going back as the PSSBL Aqua Sox in the 73-over division.  We aren’t very good, but we play for the love of the game and because we still can.”

Are there any other MSBL national tournaments that you have played in during your long baseball career?

“I’ve been to the Las Vegas tournament a couple of years and also the Desert Classic in Palm Springs a few times.  I have also been able to play in the Father/Son division, which is a real treat.”

What draws you to the World Series every year, and how does that mirror your baseball and life philosophy?

“Everyone wants to go down and play on the fields their heroes played on.  Our team’s philosophy is not about winning, but enjoying each other.  We don’t have a drawer full of rings, but that’s not why we’re there.

It’s like life in general.  You go through life, and you run into people who are helpful and courteous and whom you admire.  There have been so many people over the years in Arizona that I have admired immediately.  Those friendships are priceless and far outlast the ring.”

Final thoughts?

“When Steve (Sigler) sent me the message about the induction, I thought it was a mistake, so I didn’t reply right away.  It had been a complete surprise and somewhat shocking.  I don’t think I deserve anything like this, and it is humbling.  I don’t know why he did this.  I hope it is also somewhat directed toward the league and all it has accomplished.

MSBL has supplied this baseball experience for thousands of people.  Most of us go down with a great passion for it.  You have to give it to Steve for having the foresight.”

After our conversation, I came away with a great admiration for Jim’s outlook on life and baseball.  We also reminisced about last year’s World Series when the team I was on played against Jim’s team.

I still remember that even though the game got out of hand, his team was having a great time simply being there and loving every moment of being on the field.  It was easy to notice their attitude from across the field.  That philosophy certainly trickles down from the top.  That’s why we play the game, and also why Jim is being recognized.

“I’m not a great player and am usually the guy who goes in when it’s a blowout.  But it’s a game I truly love.  I hope people can appreciate the fact that the whole World Series experience doesn’t happen on its own.

It takes a lot of effort to put this together.  I hope Steve continues to make sure this continues, so that we can all enjoy the camaraderie created throughout all these years.  Thank you!