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  Veto League Baseball is a sandlot-style baseball league and is commonly referred to as "the VLB." Anybody is welcome to show up and play any number of games at any time. At the beginning of each game, two captains will select players to play on his/her team. We do not call balls or strikes, nor do we play with a catcher. You can swing and miss three times for a strikeout, but pitchers throw from behind an L-screen at batting-practice speed so all ranges of talent can hit the ball successfully.
  Throws that would usually go to a catcher will be taken by the pitcher and a pitcher's hand rule is enforced. If a base runner does not get three-quarters of the way down the base path before the pitcher secures the ball, the runner will be called out.
  There are different rule variations depending on how many players show up for the game. See the "VLB Rule Book." Otherwise, the rest of the game is played just as a Major League Baseball National League game would be played.

  In 1998, a group of kids from Moline High School began to practice baseball outside of Little League at Saukie Field in Rock Island, Ill. When enough people showed up, a pick-up game was played. The organizer of these practices and games was Matt Veto.
  When Veto and the "Saukie Crew" became too old to play Little League, opportunities for the average player to continue playing baseball were gone. When most people turned to softball, Veto stuck with baseball, and began calling more and more people out to the ball park to play pick-up games. One day, Scott Boruff (a longtime member of the VLB) called Veto asking, "Are we going to play Veto League today?" The name stuck.

  To play in the VLB you must be of high-school age. We are looking for people that understand the fundamentals of the game. However, you don't necessarily need to be good at them. In fact, we prefer if you have no college position-playing experience or high-school starter experience. We want people that love baseball, really want to play, but might not have gotten the chance to do so growing up. If you are looking for a serious, ultra-competitive organization, you may not enjoy the VLB.
  We do have some powerful hitters. So, for safety, before you decide to play, ask yourself, "Can I handle a hard, line-drive coming at me?" If that doesn't scare you, climb aboard! Egotistical and demeaning people are not welcome. We're here to have fun, get some exercise, improve our skills, and enjoy the game.

  Nothing! If you do not have a glove, we have extras (only right-handed at this time). We have aluminum bats and baseballs. If you have some equipment, bring it along to share. While there is no cost to play, equipment donations (bats, baseballs, etc.) and monetary donations are accepted toward the purchase of baseballs, bases, and other necessary equipment.

  Our home field is Douglas Park in Rock Island, Ill, located at the intersection of 18th Avenue and 9th Street.

  Please do! The VLB has grown and spread through word of mouth. Even if you have a brother, cousin, nephew, or niece in town for one day, if he/she meets the specifications above, he/she is welcome.