2026 MSBL Player Profile: Chad Arnold, Lehigh Valley MSBL
By Steve LaMontia-Carlentini, MSBL Director of Communications
The Lehigh Valley MSBL has been a breeding ground for baseball talent and adult baseball passion since 1988. The Lehigh Valley chapter of the Men’s Senior Baseball League was founded as a 30-and-older league by Joe and Rhonda Casazza, of Emmaus, who had heard about the Long Island, N.Y.-based National MSBL organization on the radio.
The inaugural Lehigh Valley MSBL season featured six teams that played 16 games each in a Sunday-only league, with games held at the Schererville complex, Fullerton A.A., Ironton, and the Bethlehem Township municipal field.
The league is currently headed by Joe Vallely. We asked Joe who some of the members are who have really stepped up and represent the league honorably in every facet.
“Chad Arnold comes to mind,” Joe offered. “Chad leads several tournament teams throughout the year in both MSBL and other tournaments, plays and manages in two MSBL leagues, and is one of the league’s best pitchers and baseball minds.”
That’s all we needed to know. The next step was to talk with Chad, and we soon found out just how busy this 54-year-old can be, how involved he is within the baseball world, and what he brings to the table. We were also just a little surprised at Chad’s off-the-field career path.
“Christmas decorating is my main income,” said Chad. “I decorate colleges, towns, trees for the city, and over 30 residential houses. Currently, I service over 100 accounts, and I have basically one month to do it.
I climb trees, get in buckets, and we do whatever we have to do. I’ve been doing it since high school. I worked for another company for 25 years, and the lightbulb finally went on, so I quit and formed my own company.
Then in the summer, I do odd jobs and whatever somebody needs doing. I make a year’s income in one month of craziness. That’s why it’s hard to play in too many fall tournaments.”
Getting away from Christmas lights for a moment, let’s circle back to baseball for a moment.
“I’ve been playing in the league for about 15 years. I currently play for two teams in two leagues, the Bux Mont MSBL and Lehigh Valley. This year, I’m focusing on managing my team, the Milkmen, in the 45-over division in Lehigh Valley, and just playing in Bux Mont.
Four years ago, we formed the Milkmen, while most of us have been playing in tournaments for the past nine years. Our first year together, we won the league, but finished second to the Hurricanes the next two. The Milkmen also have a remarkable 32-3 record in tournament play.”
It gets pretty hard to keep your league team intact for tournament travel, as many of you know, so Chad picks up some guys to supplement his core when they need to travel very far. He is also personally available to help other teams.
“I’ve played for teams from Fresno, Sacramento, and Colorado when we’ve gone to Arizona, Las Vegas, or Palm Springs. I have probably played in 10 or 15 MSBL tournaments. I am still hoping to put the Milkmen together to play somewhere on Memorial Day. Maybe we can hit Florida or somewhere on the East Coast.”
Growing up in Coopersburg, Pennsylvania, just north of Philadelphia, he was only a few hours from Cooperstown, New York.
“I have played at the Hall of Fame field a couple of times. That is really special.”
Going back to Chad’s roots in Coopersburg, is that where the baseball bug took hold?
“I played in high school but wasn’t very good, but was determined and went to Bloomsburg College, in Pennsylvania, which was Division II, worked hard, and was signed by the Phillies. However, like so many others, I pushed it, hurt my elbow after two years, and had to give up my dream.
I played in a local league for a while until I eventually found the MSBL. My current wife loves baseball and comes to the games and all of the tournaments. She even bought me a glove with my name embroidered on it. I am very fortunate.”
In your opinion, Chad, what is the best thing about your league?
“I love playing with my buddies and seeing them every week and being a family, on and off the field. The whole league is a big family.
Lehigh Valley is a very competitive league, and they like to compile tournament teams from the league. When the Milkmen hit the road, we like to stay together as much as possible, but we will fill holes with other players in the league. We all know each other and enjoy being together.”
There must be a favorite player of all time, right Chad?
“That’s a multi-layered question, actually. I have an extensive baseball card collection, so I can be pretty picky in attempting to dissect who is the greatest or my favorite. I tend to go ‘old school’ when it comes to my favorites.
But taking all factors into consideration, it’s a tie between Nolan Ryan, because I’m a pitcher and he was amazing, and a bit feisty, and Mickey Mantle, because he was Mickey Mantle! They were also my Dad’s favorites, so I’m sure that swayed me a little bit.”
Do you have a greatest baseball moment, either watching or playing?
“While at Bloomsburg, I was throwing in the regionals and threw 17 innings in two games, beating our rivals twice. That is pretty hard to top in my career on the mound!”