Grand Island, Nebraska is the first franchise to be announced in the new Diamond Baseball League. The Diamond Baseball League (DBL) is a professional-grade collegiate summer baseball league which will begin play in 2026. The League will focus on providing a minor league baseball experience for fans, sponsors, and players with a heavy emphasis on promotions and events to benefit the community and affordable, family entertainment.

The DBL has entered into a multi-year lease agreement with the City of Grand Island to play at Ryder Park, which is undergoing a multi-million-dollar renovation.  The League has committed to investing $250,000 in supporting the facility upgrades at Ryder Park.

During the inaugural 2026 season, DBL teams will play a 50-game schedule from May 28 through August 1, followed by playoffs. The Grand Island franchise will hire a full-time staff that will reside in the market, and a coaching staff that will secure and manage the team’s roster.

The League has secured its six inaugural markets in Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska, which include first class facilities and multi-year stadium leases.  The other markets will be announced over the course of the next few weeks. The league will own and operate each of the six inaugural teams to ensure operational consistency and efficiency and the long-term financial security and growth of the League.

The DBL management team has over 100 years of combined professional sports experience, including ownership and operation of collegiate summer, independent professional and minor league teams, and leadership positions in Major League Baseball. The leadership team includes Bill Davidson and Matt Perry of National Sports Services (www.nsssports.com), Ralph Nelson, a former Major League Baseball executive, and Dan Roman, a CPA with extensive financial experience in the sports industry.

Matt Perry commented, “We’re incredibly excited to bring a first-class operation to Grand Island and Ryder Park and want to thank City staff and the board of the American Legion in working through the details of making this happen.” 

The DBL is conducting a name the team contest for the Grand Island franchise. To suggest a name for Grand Island’s new team, visit www.grandislandbaseball.com. Everyone who submits a name for the team will receive a complimentary ticket for a game during the 2026 season.

The League will schedule a “meet and greet” event with League founders soon with details to come.

To learn more about the Diamond Baseball League visit www.thedbl.com.