2026 MSBL National Hall of Fame Inductee: Bruce Fraser, Tri-Valley MSBL
By Steve LaMontia, MSBL Director of Communications
Bruce Fraser bleeds the green and gold of the current Sacramento Athletics, prior Oakland Athletics, and future A’s of Las Vegas. He is also an avid A’s fantasy camper most every spring in Mesa, Arizona. Their technical new name is yet to be unveiled, thanks to some patent rulings.
‘The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office refused federal trademark registrations for “Las Vegas Athletics” and “Vegas Athletics.’
However, that won’t deter Bruce’s affections, no matter how this ends up.
The 64-year-old Fraser began his MSBL career in the Bay Area in 1998 and became the League President of the Tri-Valley MSBL in 2019, while still dipping his toe into the MSBL waters in Sacramento and the nearby Redwood Empire MSBL as a player. The California MSBL fraternity of leagues and players is very close-knit.
Bruce became a member of the MSBL Honor Roll in 2024, and this year, he is being honored by MSBL Founder and President Steve Sigler with induction into the 2026 class of the MSBL National Hall of Fame.
“I am very humbled and honored to be inducted into the MSBL National Hall of Fame with all of the other deserving members,” said Fraser. “When I became president of the Tri-Valley MSBL, we had some challenges to overcome to keep the league going.
We were able to address those challenges in half the time that we expected it would take. It feels good to be recognized. It’s been a long run.”
Bruce is an infielder through and through, mostly playing second base, shortstop, and third base, with an occasional stint at first base and roaming in the outfield grass. His baseball resume is a familiar one.
“I played baseball from age 7 to 17, in Little League, Babe Ruth, and high school. I was asked by the junior college baseball coach to try out for the team, but I decided to focus on my degree.”
Bruce is also very familiar with the lay of the land in Arizona, as a regular attendee of the MSBL World Series every fall.
“I currently play on the 60+ Tri-Valley Braves and the 65+ Tri-Valley Tribute teams. I have been playing in the MSBL World Series for almost 25 years. Since I retired, I am lucky to play over two weeks of the tournament.
I have also played in the Desert Classic in Palm Springs and several of the Las Vegas tournaments multiple times over the years. I also have been really fortunate to have played alongside my son in quite a few Father/Son tournaments at the MSBL World Series, Las Vegas Open, and Sacramento MSBL.”
As with most successful ballplayers, there is also a partner in the wings that makes everything seamless.
“My wife, Betty, is very supportive of my being the president of the Tri-Valley MSBL. She rolls up her sleeves to help with league activities and monitors my cell phone during my weekend games in case I am needed for any reason.
She also keeps score for both teams I play on and was inducted into the Tri-Valley MSBL Hall of Fame as a scorekeeper in 2021. Betty and I have five kids and seven grandkids with two more grandkids on the way.”
We asked Bruce about some highlights from his amazing baseball career.
“During the 2022 MSBL World Series, I was lucky to play on the 55+ and 60+ Tri-Valley Tribute teams that both won the ring! Also, during the 2025 Tri-Valley MSBL season, the team I co-manage, the Tri-Valley A’s, won the 60+ division championship.”
Beyond the feats, are there any individuals you would like to thank for helping you along the way?
“My wife, Betty, has been my biggest supporter and, as noted already, she helps me with my responsibilities as president of the Tri-Valley MSBL that include coordinating our annual Hall of Fame and Crab Feed Fundraiser.
I also would like to thank my first MSBL manager, John Remenarich, for drafting me on his Bay Area MSBL team and for his friendship over the years. John also helped me with getting baseball memorabilia for my baseball room!”
In our usual method of operation, we have come to the point of simply saying to Bruce, “This is your story, young man. What would you like to add?”
“MSBL has been a great opportunity for me to compete, and although we all want to win, what has been most important to me are the friends that I have made along the way.
I feel really lucky to have found the MSBL. It has given me an opportunity to play baseball. I would never have expected to be playing this great game for as many years as I have. I also never expected to be recognized like this for my efforts to keep the Tri-Valley MSBL as a viable organization. Thank you!”