MSBL New League Profile: Thurston County Adult Baseball League, DeVonte Ford, League President
By Steve LaMontia, MBSL Director of Communications
DeVonté Ford is the league president of the Thurston County Adult Baseball League, located in Olympia, Washington. 2026 was the first year this nifty six-team league was associated with MSBL, with expansion plans on the near horizon.
We sent DeVonte a questionnaire asking how they started, what he experienced in his first year, and what he sees for the future. Enjoy DeVonte’s insight below
How old are you? I will be 30 in March, just before the start of our 3rd season.
What is the name of the league? Thurston County Adult Baseball League (TCABL)
Is 2026 your first year under the MSBL banner? Our 2026 season was our first year under the MSBL
Where are you located? Majority of our games are played in Olympia, Washington
Does the league have a website and a social media presence? Yes! The website, as well as some of our socials, are: Website: https://tcabl.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1AZvfVkeV9/?mibextid=wwXIfr Instagram: @tcabl2026
What is your personal prior experience with MSBL, if any? No prior experience!
Did your league originate in another organization, or is it new? Completely brand new
When does the league begin play, and when will it finish? This year, we started in mid-May. Our regular season is 20 games and concluded in mid-August.
Are league playoffs in the works? We just wrapped up playoffs at the end of August, with our Championship series being a full 3-game series.
What divisions of play will you offer? We have one division right now, as we don’t have enough players to split into age/skill levels yet. Most players range from their mid-to-late twenties to their mid-to-late thirties.
How many teams are anticipated for 2027? In 2026, we had six teams, two more than we originally started with in 2025. In 2027, we estimate we will grow to at least eight teams, but we’ll likely reach ten.
Is the league wood-bat? Yes, completely wood-bat.
How did you become president? I started the league myself in 2025. We also have a board in place, and each of us can play in the league.
Are you anticipating having your league represented at the MSBL World Series in Arizona or any other national tournaments? Have you personally been involved in those tournaments previously?
Yes, actually! We send a team to tournaments. We’re called the ‘Banana Sluggers’. We have never been to an MSBL tournament, but the team is talking about making the commitment for the World Series in 2027 and we couldn’t be more excited.
What were your reasons for becoming an MSBL league, and what is the history that got you to this point?
When I started the TCABL in 2025, I realized there was a lot more that went into it. It was tough, but we got through it, and it was great. Thurston County needed adult baseball, and I take pride in providing that to people in the area.
When the opportunity to join the MSBL presented itself before our second season, we immediately jumped on it. David Mercado, now a board member and my right-hand man in getting the league through all the difficulties of starting up, is the one who couldn’t recommend it enough. It’s been a great partnership ever since.
Are there any individuals you would like to recognize in helping with your organizational efforts?
Yes, it may be lengthy, but I do believe everybody listed had a huge contribution in helping.
David Mercado: Who would become my best friend, really helped in making sure the league stayed on track to being the best possible league that it could be.
Sean Lindros: Without him, his business, and his help, none of this would likely have happened the way it did.
Esteban Fernandez Jr: A coach in the league, he had the idea around the same time as me to start this league and was instrumental from the inception.
Steven Rodriguez: A coach last season and now the league’s vice president, he brings another set of eyes for all the day-to-day duties the league has and has been a great mentor.
Damon Ford: My dad, because without him being as big of a baseball fan as he is, and baseball allowing us to bond in a special way, this league would not be here. But also, just seeing how he runs his organizations and the groups he has been a part of really inspires me.
Lehualani Ford: My wife, being a coach for a high-level volleyball club (go Dakine), not only does she understand what it takes from my end to make sure I’m on top of it all and want it to succeed, but also understands that sometime I’m taken away more than I want to be.
Do you have officers helping you run the league day-to-day? Yes, here are all of our officer/board members (some I already listed above)
Steven Rodriguez: Vice President
Sean Lindros: Treasurer
David Mercado: Web Developer
Spenser Dorsey: Player Counsel Representative
Spenser just joined the league this past 2026 season but has already played a ginormous role in helping grow the league. I can’t thank him enough for what he’s done.
Any additional comments? I’d like to recognize all of our coaches and players. Obviously, without them and having to deal with the growing pains of a new league, this wouldn’t be possible, but they continue to show up and be energetic for more.
It just shows how much we needed adult baseball in the area. With their support and contributions to this league, I am thrilled to see what milestones the league hits next!