2026 MSBL League Profile: Southern Maine Men’s Baseball League, Jim Doran, League President
By Steve LaMontia-Carlentini, MSBL Director of Communications
MSBL National Hall of Famer Jim Doran has been the guiding force behind the 15-team Southern Maine Men’s Baseball League since 2006. We asked Jim if he would tell us about what makes them so successful, and he was kind enough to complete a Q/A for us, which is enclosed below. Enjoy!
“Being Commissioner of the SMMBL has been enjoyable. I plan on doing this for as long as I can. I have gotten to know many players, umpires, and town officials during my tenure, many of whom have become good friends. The players in our League have been great to me, especially the team managers who work hard to keep their teams going.” Jim Doran
League name: Southern Maine Men’s Baseball League (SMMBL)
Your name: Jim Doran
What is the history of the league, and how did it start? The League formed in 1991. Two different Men’s leagues were playing in the southern Maine area. They joined to form the SMMBL.
What age divisions of play are now offered? 25+ and 35+
How many teams are anticipated this year? 15 teams, total. Seven teams in the 25+ Division and eight teams in the 35+ Division
When does the league begin play, and when will it finish, including any playoffs? The League will start on May 4th this year. Typically, we finish late September/early October.
When did you personally start playing in the league? 1999
What is your personal baseball playing history? I have been playing baseball like most since seven or eight years old. I played High School baseball in Biddeford Maine, and College at the University of New England, also in Biddeford.
After college, I played in an 18+ summer league (Sunset League) for a few years, then stepped away for five years. I got to play in an over-30 league (Coastal League) in my area until it folded in 1998. My team from that League joined the SMMBL in 1999. I played in the 25+ division up until 2021, and I am still involved in the 35+ division.
When did you become president? 2006
Who were your predecessors, and are they still involved in any capacity? I took over from Mac Herrick, who served as our Commissioner for five years and was our umpire scheduler/liaison. Previous to Mac, Joe McGrath started the league, followed by George Hackett, Clair Crandall, Cody Brown, and Mike Nash in no particular order.
Clair Crandall continues to participate in the league as a player, and as the Maine Diamond Dogs tournament team coordinator/player, and as my assistant, helping me run the league.
What is your most memorable MSBL moment as a president or a player? Most memorable as a player may be me running face-first into the left field fence catching a fly ball during a Championship series in 2004. I split my face open from my forehead, through my nose, and down to my chin.
Over 55 stitches later, I watched my team from the dugout win the Championship in game three a couple of days later.
My favorite moments were the two MSBL Father/Son World Series Championships, two 45+ Fall Classic Championships, and one 54+ Holiday Classic Championship with my Maine Diamond Dogs teammates. Just to be a part of that team and experience the tournament week atmosphere is awesome.
My most memorable moment as Commissioner would have to be my MSBL Hall of Fame selection in 2024.
My ‘Honorable Mention Moment’ may be the first meeting in 2006 that I was nominated and selected as Commissioner. It was an awkward moment with the current Commissioner present and not expecting the change. He continued to work with the League as Umpire Liaison and was a good friend.
What challenges did you face when you started the league or when you took over? Probably just learning the ins and outs of how the League functioned. When I became commissioner, we also voted in a new secretary and treasurer. We made several changes to the way the League handled matters.
Juggling family, work, playing, and running the League took a lot of time management. Also getting to know town contacts for fields and umpire contacts to ensure games were scheduled correctly.
What are your biggest challenges today? My biggest challenge today is scheduling/rescheduling. The League uses only a few fields, and availability for these fields are limited at certain times due to all of the High School, College, and youth organizations that also use the fields.
The league runs itself once the season starts. My emphasis then becomes making sure the league schedule is accurate and that fields and umpires are assigned.
What gives you the greatest satisfaction? I guess that the SMMBL is one of the best places to play in Maine and the only League in the Southern Maine area. And that we give guys the opportunity to continue to enjoy the game of baseball.
What do you see for the league in the future? I think I would just like the League to continue to be what we have now. The number of teams we have is about what we can handle based on the availability of fields and umpires in the area. We added a team to the 25+ division this year and could probably add another. We have talked about adding a 45+ Division to the league, but viability at this point is uncertain.
What is the reason for the continued success of the league? The relationship I have with the team reps/managers is the most important thing for the League. They have a tough task ensuring each team follows League rules and expectations. Also, my relationship with our umpire scheduler and field representatives makes the whole league run more smoothly.
What part of running the league do you enjoy most? I would say the relationships I have with all of the teams, players, and umpires.
Do you still play in the league? Yes. I play on a team in the 35+ division.
What is the history of your league team’s participation in any MSBL national tournaments? The Maine Diamond Dogs formed by Clair Crandall (MSBL HOF) have been playing in the MSBL tournaments since the year 1999/2000. The Dogs have won eight Father/Son Championships as well as a couple of 45+ Fall Classic Championships and a 54+ Holiday Classic Championship. The Dogs continue to play in the Father/Son and Holiday Classic tournaments.
What would you say are the most important accomplishments in your league? I think that just continuing to be a place for guys to play the game of baseball and know that we will do what we can to give them the best experience we can.
How valuable is your relationship with MSBL? For me, it is very valuable. To know that we have an organization to be a part of is a good thing. It gives us a structure to follow and a Fraternity of baseball people, so to speak.
What advice would you give to new league presidents? Make sure that they have a great support system within their league and to maintain great relationships with people who support the league, including umpires, representatives, and field representatives. Communication with those entities will help them navigate through the year.
How important is family support? Family support is a necessity. There are definite time constraints and expectations that may take time away from family. Ensuring that you balance your time and have league officers who can take some responsibilities off your plate is important. I could not have done this without that family support.