OMAHA – The 2022 Corn Belt League begins its sixth season on June 6, 2022, at JJ Isaacson Field at Seymour Smith Park, Iowa Western and Council Bluffs Sports Complex.

This summer, the league features 180 student-athletes representing more than 80 colleges and universities across the country. All levels of collegiate baseball will be represented; NCAA Division I, II and III, NAIA and NJCAA.

The CBL is a summer collegiate baseball league under the nonprofit umbrella MVP4Life which is managed by the Strike Zone. The league provides players with the opportunity to develop their skills while playing against high quality competition and being mentors for younger baseball players throughout the Greater Omaha area.

Joe Siwa, owner of the Strike Zone and Director of the CBL has high expectations for this season as the league continues to grow.

“Who would’ve thought that six years ago we started a league with four teams and this year, we’ve met our goal of having eight teams being represented here in our town,” said Siwa. “We are very excited to be back this year in full swing and proud of the accomplishment by our staff, players and college coaches.”

This season, the league will feature eight teams, an expansion of one team from last season.  The newly, $7 million renovated stadium at Iowa Western will host the game of the week for radio broadcasting.  Along with their development, players will get to showcase their skills on multiple broadcast platforms for coaches, fans and family to watch and enjoy.

Jimmie Allen, host of After Hours on 1620, will host the radio broadcast every Monday night from Iowa Western and News Channel Nebraska will be the television home with Brandon Aksamit and Andy Classen every Thursday night at 7 p.m. from Seymour Smith Park. NCN will also provide a live stream on its website.

In addition to News Channel Nebraska's Thursday Night Broadcasts, 30-plus games can be watched live with commentary on the new CBL YouTube page. Headed by Westside graduate Jaden Taylor, the CBL broadcasts will feature high-level production, graphics and professional commentary. With over 200 games of broadcast experience, Taylor, along with some of the best young broadcasting talent in Nebraska, will be working to grow the leagues outreach and provide an exciting experience for all viewers.

Another unique component of the league is the use of host families. For players arriving to Omaha from out of town or out of state, the league places players with families who volunteer their home for the summer.

“We started with about 10 players from out of state to about 60 this year,” said Siwa. “We have some amazing families who are opening their homes and taking in a college player for a couple months but we need more and are in the midst of asking our community for support.”

 

In addition to making players feel at home in Omaha and having mentors teaching kids in the community about being a student-athlete, the Strike Zone offers a compensation package for host families.  For more information, rosters and schedules visit the CBL website at www.cornbeltleague.com.