About the Fountain City Baseball League

In the early 1990s, a group of friends discovered the world of Strat-O-Matic Baseball, and what began as a simple game quickly became an obsession. Fueled by a love for baseball history, statistics, and the stories behind legendary seasons, countless hours were spent rolling dice, building lineups, and debating matchups.

At the center of it all was Erick Noland, whose passion for the game helped transform casual games among friends into something much bigger. Alongside several of the original managers, Erick began organizing full seasons with custom-built teams, complete with handwritten box scores and carefully tracked statistics.

As the league grew, so did the commitment. Three-ring binders overflowing with stats, standings, and player records were passed between classes in high school hallways, allowing managers to stay connected to the league and follow every pennant race, hot streak, and rivalry. Rules were created to manage player usage, preserve realism, and bring structure to the competition.

By 1997, those lifelong friends officially launched what would become the Fountain City Baseball League using the computer version of Strat-O-Matic Baseball — ushering in a new era for the league while preserving the spirit that started it all.

Over the decades, the FCBL has become far more than just a baseball league. It has served as a way to maintain lifelong friendships, create new ones, and celebrate a shared passion for the game of baseball. Managers may come and go, but the competition, camaraderie, and love for the sport continue to define the league year after year.