The Prime Time Baseball League (hereafter referred to as the PTBL) was
founded in 1995 by its original commissioner, Barry Pilkinton, as a 
16-team draft league. Pilkinton's league constitution stated that the PTBL is 
"a draft computer baseball league formed to provide a means of interesting 
and competitive recreation for its members." What makes the PTBL different 
from most on-line leagues, however, is its stability and owner 
participation.
 
The league did exhibit typical turnover in its first three seasons
(1995-1997), which were dominated by Larry Hope's Long Beach-Stanton
Renegades. However, a building power in River City quickly blossomed as 
the Renegades top competitor in the American League. In the National 
League, Pilkinton's Nashville Sounds squad typically found itself in tight 
Battles with Rick Timmermans' Vacaville Mavericks for top honors, along with 
The Juliette Romeos-West Valley Warriors.
 
In the 1997-98 offseason, four teams disbanded, creating the largest
upheaval in the PTBL's short history. In the rebuilding effort that 
ensued, the league admitted eight expansion squads and jumped to a membership 
of 20 teams. Contrary to most expansion efforts, however, the effort seemed 
to have created greater league stability. In addition, some expansion 
teams were quickly competitive.
 
As the Renegades dynasty aged and crumbled, newer powers emerged in the
20-team era. Vacaville captured its only title in the 1998 season over 
the wild card Dueling Banjos. In 1999, the expansion Splendid Splinters set 
a league record with 117 wins on its way to the PTBL crown. But the 1999
season also saw the stepping down of league founder Pilkinton and 
long-time owners Hope and Don Edwards of River City. Tim Kolehmainen was anointed 
the next commissioner and quickly passed a resolution that the individual
trophies for most valuable player, most valuable pitcher and rookie of 
the year be named in their honor.
 
For the past two seasons, the league has experienced unprecedented
stability. The future looks bright, with many younger owners joining
experienced Strat veterans.
 
Tim Kolehmainen
Commissioner (PTBL)