Malta Baseball and Softball Association
National Baseball and Softball Association · Il-Marsa, Malta
Enquire through VisitMalta.co.ukServices, hours and details last checked against Malta Baseball and Softball Association's own published information.
The Malta Baseball and Softball Association (MABS) is the national governing body for baseball, fastpitch and slowpitch softball in Malta, formed in 1983 and based on Aldo Moro Street in Marsa. It runs national leagues, cups and youth competitions for seven clubs. Enquiries from players, coaches and visitors go through the VisitMalta.co.uk form on this page.
The Malta Baseball and Softball Association, known as MABS, runs diamond sports in Malta. It organises the national baseball league, the cups, the youth leagues and two softball codes, slowpitch and fastpitch, and it welcomes aspiring players, coaches and fans. The head office is on Aldo Moro Street in Marsa, and most of the sport is played on the island's baseball fields.
For families moving to Malta, a club is a way to meet people quickly, and for visitors a game is a lively way to spend an afternoon. The association is listed in our directory of sports clubs in Malta.
A short history of the game in Malta
Baseball reached Malta around 1980, when an American doctor, Dr Fredericks, began teaching softball to students at Stella Maris College in Gżira, then moved to the Marsa Sports Complex and switched to baseball using borrowed equipment from Verdala International School. His early players were mostly Canadians and Americans living on the island, and Maltese children who had returned from the USA, Canada and Australia soon joined. One of them, Patrick Pace, went on to found the Mustangs.
In 1983 representatives and coaches from the Italian baseball and softball federation visited to promote the game, and the association was formed with their help. It joined the Confederation of European Baseball that year and the European Softball Federation in 2010. The first championship was a series of games in late 1988 between two teams, the Mohawks and Blue Max, and a third team soon followed in Mellieħa, founded by Ray Bartolo after a visit to Detroit. Slowpitch softball was introduced in 2017, which widened the sport for recreational players.
Milestones include Shannon Galea throwing the first no-hitter for the Maltese women's fastpitch team at the Women's European Championship in Sant Boi on 26 July 2022, and the 2019 Lifetime Achievement Awards to Ray Bartolo and Patrick Pace. Two annual baseball awards now carry their names: the Ray Bartolo Award for Rookie of the Year and the Pat Pace Award for Best Hitter.
Leagues, clubs and recent results
The association lists seven teams: Mellieħa Rookies, Mustangs, Mellieħa Northenders, Sliema Patriots, Brewers, Saints and Mellieħa Curves. The Mustangs were founded by Patrick Pace in 1993 and won the first organised tournament that year. The Mellieħa Northenders, founded by Ray Bartolo in 1983, are one of the longest-established teams. The Mellieħa Curves are a women's fastpitch team. The Sliema Patriots, Brewers and Saints compete in the National Slowpitch League, and the Saints are a mixed team founded in 2016.
The 2026 National Baseball League final went to a deciding Game 7 between the Mustangs and the Mellieħa Northenders, after the Mustangs recovered from 3 games to 0 down, and the Mustangs won. Their under 12 side also beat Mellieħa 8-3 to take the youth title. In slowpitch, Sliema and the Brewers were set to face off in the 2025/2026 final in April 2026. Tournaments include the Malta Baseball Cup, the Citta del Mare Baseball Cup and the Malta Slowpitch Cup.
The towns around these clubs are worth a visit in their own right. Our Mellieħa guide covers the town that is home to several of the clubs, and the Valletta city guide is a good companion for the rest of your trip.
Playing, coaching and watching
Each club lists its own practice times. For example, the Mellieħa Northenders hold a youth practice for ages 4 to 8 on Sunday mornings, and the Mustangs hold a youth practice for ages 9 to 13 on Saturday mornings. Several teams also list weekday evening sessions, and the Brewers and Saints meet on Sundays. Check with the association before turning up.
Aspiring players, coaches and fans are all invited to get in touch. If you would like to take part during a longer stay, our relocation guide for the UK and the about Malta overview will help you settle, and the Malta weather guide shows when the outdoor season is at its best. Plan your trip with flights to Malta from the UK and the guide to where to stay in Malta.
Getting in touch
To start a conversation, use the VisitMalta.co.uk enquiry form on this page and we will pass your message to the association. The head office is on Aldo Moro Street in Marsa.
Questions about Malta Baseball and Softball Association
What is the Malta Baseball and Softball Association?
It is the national governing body for baseball, fastpitch softball and slowpitch softball in Malta, formed in 1983. It organises national leagues, cups and youth competitions for its member clubs.
Where is the association based?
The head office is on Aldo Moro Street in Marsa. Opening hours are not published, so contact the association before visiting. Clubs play at their own fields around the island.
Which clubs belong to the association?
Its clubs are the Mellieħa Rookies, Mustangs, Mellieħa Northenders, Sliema Patriots, Brewers, Saints and Mellieħa Curves. They cover baseball, women's fastpitch and mixed and open slowpitch softball.
Can children play baseball in Malta?
Yes. Youth leagues run at under 12, under 13 and under 15 levels, and clubs list youth practices, such as ages 4 to 8 at the Mellieħa Northenders and ages 9 to 13 at the Mustangs.
Is there a league for beginners at softball?
Slowpitch softball was introduced in 2017 and is played in the National Slowpitch League by clubs including the Sliema Patriots, Brewers and Saints. Contact the association to ask which team suits your level.
How do I contact the association through VisitMalta.co.uk?
Use the enquiry form on this page and tell us whether you want to play, coach or watch. VisitMalta.co.uk will pass your message to the association, which will reply to you directly.
Practical information
The association's head office is on Aldo Moro Street in Marsa. Opening hours for the office are not published. Each of its clubs lists its own practice times, with youth sessions at weekends and some weekday evening sessions. To ask about playing, coaching or watching a game, send your message through the enquiry form on this page and VisitMalta.co.uk will pass it to the association.
Location
Other sports clubs in malta to compare
Listed under
The details on this page were correct on 25 October 2026, as published on the Malta Baseball and Softball Association website. Services, prices and hours can change, so please confirm when you enquire.