Rookie Prospects Division Takes Flight at North Texas Amateur Baseball League

Story by Saul Klienfeld and Shawn Lee

Over the past year, the Rookie Prospects Division within the North Texas Amateur Baseball League (Dallas MSBL) has rapidly evolved into one of the league’s fastest-growing and most impactful divisions. What began primarily as a single-summer-season opportunity has transformed into a year-round developmental baseball program featuring spring, summer, and fall seasons, creating more opportunities than ever for players to get back on the field.

On May 19, 2025, Saul Kleinfeld stepped into the role of Vice President of the Rookie Prospects Division with a vision centered around accessibility, player development, and community growth. In just one year, participation within the division has nearly doubled, fueled by a growing demand for a welcoming and supportive environment for adult baseball players of all backgrounds and experience levels.

Saul brings a unique blend of professional leadership, operational strategy, and passion for the game to the league. Outside of NTABL, he works in product management and sports technology while also pursuing a Master of Sports Administration degree from Northwestern University. His experience in operations, technology, and process development has helped modernize and scale many aspects of the Rookie Prospects Division while keeping the focus on what matters most: creating a positive baseball experience for players.

In addition to overseeing the Rookie Prospects Division, Saul also manages the Gann’s Bulls, and in the Veterans (30+) Division, he manages the Texas Diablos. This gives him direct involvement with players both on and off the field. Saul also works part-time with the Texas Rangers Youth Academy as a Field Coordinator, further expanding his involvement in player development and community baseball initiatives across North Texas. That hands-on leadership approach has helped strengthen relationships throughout the league while giving him firsthand insight into what players are looking for in their baseball experience.

The Rookie Prospects Division was designed to serve as an entry point into adult baseball. For some players, it is an opportunity to return to the game after years away. For others, it is their first time playing organized baseball. The division places greater emphasis on development, learning, and enjoyment rather than solely on wins and losses. It has become a place where players can build confidence, improve fundamentals, make friendships, and rediscover their passion for the game.

Under Saul’s leadership, the division has significantly expanded its structure, organization, and player engagement efforts. Communication processes, scheduling operations, player onboarding, and league visibility have all improved as the division continues to grow. Rookie Prospects has also helped create a stronger developmental pipeline into other NTABL divisions, giving players a place to grow their skills before moving into more competitive levels of play if they choose.

“One of the coolest parts about Rookie Prospects is seeing players fall back in love with baseball,” Saul said. “Some guys haven’t played in 10 or 15 years. Some never had the opportunity growing up. Creating an environment where players can learn, compete, have fun, and be part of a community has always been the goal.”

Perhaps the biggest accomplishment over the past year has been building a culture that players genuinely want to be part of. The Rookie Prospects Division has developed a reputation as a welcoming and encouraging environment where competition still exists, but camaraderie and development come first. Players who may have once felt intimidated about returning to baseball now have a place where they feel comfortable stepping back onto the field.

Beyond his role with NTABL, Saul is deeply involved in the baseball community through youth development initiatives, baseball operations, and sports technology. His long-term vision is centered around growing the game and making baseball more accessible for players of all ages and skill levels.

In just one year, the Rookie Prospects Division has grown from a seasonal offering into a thriving year-round baseball community, helping to prove that the love of the game has no age limit or experience requirement. Much of that momentum can be traced back to the work happening behind the scenes to create an experience that is welcoming, developmental, and built for the future of adult baseball in North Texas.

“Saul has just done an incredible job growing this division and league,” mentioned league President Shawn Lee. “He’s done it with passion, but also added technology into the mix. We approved a purchase of cameras, and Saul has spent extra time streaming games and helping market Dallas MSBL baseball. He’s used technology to capture stats, keep his players engaged, and he’s shared some pretty awesome images on social media. He’s always looking for something cool, new or innovative to add to engage player interest and to make the overall experience fun. His hard work shows, and we’re thankful to have him.”

 

To learn more about the Rookie Prospects Division or to learn more about North Texas Amateur Baseball, visit https://ntabl.leagueapps.com/.