2026 MSBL Player Profile: Jon ‘JT’ Thomas, Columbus MSBL
By Steve LaMontia-Carlentini, MSBL Director of Communications
Jon ‘JT’ Thomas joined the Columbus MSBL in 2008 and currently holds the title of Vice President of Technology and is also at the helm of recruiting. He was recommended by League president Mike Gross as someone we would like to speak with as part of our 2026 series of Player Profiles. We were happy to do.
“I have been a member of the CMBL since 2008, when I joined with the Cardinals at the age of 31. I am now 48,” explained JT. “I have played and managed the Columbus Spiders for 13 seasons in the 25+ and 35+ divisions before joining the Angels in 2023.
I love playing in National Tournaments each fall in Arizona/Florida and have been traveling to play in these competitive tournaments since 2019. I currently manage the league website and am in charge of recruiting and organizing the league workout each year when we add new players to teams.
I would not trade the experiences, friendships, and growth I’ve had while playing in the league for anything.”
That is a pretty darn good introduction by the man himself and would represent a nice story in its own right. However, let’s dig a little deeper.
Now beginning its 38th season in 2026, the Columbus MSBL will be comprised of 20 teams competing in 25+, 35+, and 45+ divisions. What are the specific duties for the Vice President of Tech?
“In the off-season, I am more active. The Tech side is website information, and I ended up helping build a new website from scratch when our previous League President, Rick Fryman, passed away in 2024. I manage the website and was a part of it being built, but it was developed by Wyatt Culbertson, a player in our league. I update it with new teams, continually monitor the website, and then keep busy with recruiting.
We have a page for signing up with a form that they can fill out. I contact them, invite them to workouts, then put together a draft. We call it a ‘new player workout,’ and this year it was on March 29th. Dealing with new players is significantly lighter during the season.”
Though not involved in the scheduling, JT handles the posting of the final scores and standings on the website, which is very important. He set it up for the managers to enter their own stats. He handles the Angels (35+) and Spiders (45+) stats personally.
JT also represents the customary baseball kid who loved the game but wasn’t quite on the level of a phenom growing up.
“I started this great game when I was nine years old. I had a huge passion for sports and begged to play baseball, and played through high school, but then stopped.
I wasn’t good enough to go play in college, so I went the softball route to stay somewhat connected to the game. In 2008, I joined the Columbus MSBL and played both sports, but only for one year. It was an easy decision.”
As mentioned previously, JT manages and plays for the 45+ Spiders and the 35+ Angels, alongside league president Mike Gross.
“Last year, we wanted to legitimize the 45+ division and also make the 45+ Spiders more competitive. We accomplished that, but we lost the championship game last year by one run in the dark. Long story!
The Angels have won a championship after knocking off the Brewers, who had won for five years straight. We are competitive in both divisions.”
The website and recruiting duties for the league, accompanied by managing two teams, keep his dance card full and helps make Mike Gross’ life a little easier.
“I definitely stay busy during the year!”
JT is also active in the MSBL National Tournament circuit.
“We went to Florida in 2019, and the Spiders lastly went to the MSBL World Series in Arizona in 2024 in the 40+ division. We enjoy keeping the core of our team together for the tournaments, and filling in specific needs. We all love it and look forward to getting back.”
Final thoughts?
“I never wanted to get into the leadership role, which wasn’t my intent. But once I started, it has now become my passion and love every minute!”