Junior Baseball Organization, Inc (JBO) got its start about 1948 when Frank Bashor got together a six-team league of 11-12 year olds from the metropolitan area.  In 1951, the program became known as the Baseball Association of Oregon and continued to grow in the Portland fringe areas.  By the late 50’s the essence of Junior Baseball of Oregon was developed by Frank Bashor.  This early program revolved around today’s Federal level and expanded to include ages 9 through 16 year olds.  After Frank Bashor’s death, Dean Gray, who worked for Frank, continued the program.  In 1965, the Cub’s program was merged with the Oregon Junior Baseball Association, a more statewide organization extending from Medford to Portland. By the late 60’s the Midget, Junior and Senior programs had grown to 350 teams in four districts (Tri-County, mainly the eastern Multnomah county region; Clackamas county; Washington County; and West Hills).  Throughout the ‘70’s and ‘80’s the program continued to expand and included areas outside the Metro area (LaGrande, Tillamook and Corvallis).,

In 1975, Junior Baseball of Oregon formalized as we know it today, with the publication of the first “Baseball Association of Oregon Handbook”.  In 1977 the name officially became “Junior Baseball Association of Oregon”.  In 1987 the first State Tournaments were held for the American and National levels.  Also, in 1987 the Cub’s program was revived to provide more opportunities for 15 and 16 year olds to continue playing organized baseball.  In 1998 the name was shortened to “Junior Baseball of Oregon”.  By 1999 Junior Baseball had grown to 484 teams from Roseburg to Portland and Tillamook to Bend.  The State Tournaments at the National and American levels were expanded to twelve teams.

Today Junior Baseball Organization, Inc. continues Frank Bashor’s intention to provide a framework for youth to develop and refine their basic baseball skills within a team oriented environment, the program stresses continuity in age grouping for boys and girls in grades 3 through 8, continuity in progression of age development and playing distances, competition at equal levels of ability and emphasis on the complete game of baseball (leading off, stealing, etc.).  The program revolves around local associations creating a local program for local needs within the framework of a baseball program.  And best of all, when it comes to playoff time, a team goes as a unit, without the heartbreaking and sometimes unjust all-star selection process.  This tradition is continued today through JBO’s name change to Junior Baseball Organization and Junior Baseball’s expansion to further bring the JBO program to youth in grades 3 through 8.