MSBL New League Profile: Conway Arkansas MSBL, League President Karl Coryat
By Steve LaMontia-Carlentini, MSBL Director of Communications
The Conway, Arkansas MSBL is in its first year as an MSBL affiliate, though they formed a league last year to test whether it would work. This was with the assistance of Steve Sigler, as well.
What is amazing about this story is that they are starting with just two teams, consisting of players who simply wanted a place to play some ball. That’s where League President Karl Coryat comes in.
“Honestly, I started the league for selfish reasons — to have a place to play baseball on my own terms without having to drive 30 minutes to an hour,” explained Karl.
“I modeled the league on Central Arkansas MSBL, starting by copying their rules and then altering them. Steve with MSBL National was very helpful at the beginning, even when we were unaffiliated.”
There is the lesson for the day. If you don’t like the way things are going in your other league, or if there is no league at all, start one of your own!
We asked Karl to fill us in on his amazing two-team league, and he was happy to. His responses are below. Thanks, Karl!
What is your name? Karl Coryat
How old are you? 60
What is the league’s name? Officially, we are Conway Arkansas MSBL, but we call ourselves Conway Hardball League (inspired by Houston Hardball).
Is 2026 your first year under the MSBL banner? Yes, although Steve (Sigler) helped us set up last year, when we had our first (unaffiliated) season.
Where are you located? Conway, Arkansas
Does the league have a website? If so, what is the address? Just the Facebook page, facebook.com/conwayhardball
What is your prior experience with MSBL, if any? I played about a season and a half with our sister league, Central Arkansas MSBL, before starting my own league. Before that, my only adult playing experience was two Oakland Athletics Fantasy Camps, which I attended in 2023 and 2024.
Did your league originate in another organization, or is it new? It’s new
When does the league begin play, and when will it finish? We play from mid-August, right when school starts, until Late October, including make-up games.
Are league playoffs in the works? Nah, we’re just two teams so far, although last year we were lucky in that the league championship came down to the last game, so it was like a playoff.
What divisions of play will you offer? We’re just 25+ and 28+ to pitch.
How many teams are anticipated for 2027? Two, but maybe 3 next year.
Is the league wood-bat? Yes.
How did you become president? I started the league, so I had to do everything. But I have various people supporting me and helping out.
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? Honestly, I don’t know anything about the tournaments. I’m just doing my thing locally. Maybe in the future.
What were your reasons for becoming an MSBL league and the history that got you to this point? I pretty much modeled the league on CAMSBL, including starting by copying their rules and then altering them. Steve with MSBL National was very helpful at the beginning, even when we were unaffiliated.
Are there any individuals you would like to recognize in helping with your organizational efforts? Yes, my friend Gordon Shepherd is a legitimately published baseball author who lives in town, and he comes to all of the games that he can. At age 82, he is mostly an honorary league member, though he took one at-bat last year; since he is on the national team roster, I keep threatening to put him in again.
He can hit the ball quite well at his favorite batting-cage facility, both sides of the plate. Seth Ashcraft helped me salvage the league last year when I gave up and didn’t think I could get it to fly. He suggested foregoing national affiliation for the first year and suggested a player payment system that we still use.
Will you have officers helping you run the league day-to-day? It’s pretty much just me right now: player, team manager, league president, official scorekeeper, social-media/writer/photographer.
Any additional comments? Honestly, I started the league for selfish reasons — to have a place to play baseball on my own terms without having to drive 30 minutes to an hour.
But I was surprised by how many guys love what I have put together. I didn’t realize I would be creating memories and fulfilling people’s dreams. It’s extremely rewarding, and at this point I want to take it further!