Minor League Baseball Explained
The structure of professional baseball is unique to American sports. From players to front office executives and even ballpark attendants, the minor league baseball system serves as a corporate ladder of training and development. In addition to serving as a junior varsity circuit for the big leagues, minor league baseball manages to attract steady and passionate fan bases in cities not equipped to host major league sporting events.
Other People Are Reading
-
History
-
Minor league baseball organized in 1901 as the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues. The following year, 14 leagues participated in the inaugural season, which included 96 teams. Over the next several decades, minor league baseball grew in popularity. Baseball teams across the country competed in regional leagues that belonged to class levels based on talent. By the early 1960s, the expansion of major league baseball into minor league markets lowered attendance and interest in the minor leagues. However, the league rebounded with a reorganization of teams.
Class System
-
In 1963, minor league baseball introduced a class system which started with Class A baseball as the lowest division and Class AAA baseball as the last step before the major leagues. Although the modern system has expanded, the hierarchy remains the same. The lowest level of affiliated minor league baseball begins in the rookie leagues. These leagues play shortened seasons and serve primarily as an introduction to the lifestyle of professional baseball for young players. Above the rookie leagues, players participate in one of the Class A leagues: Class A short season, Class A and Class A advanced. If a player progresses beyond Class A, then he is promoted to Class AA and then Class AAA before making a major league team. However, players do not need to participate in each level to make the major league team. Although rare, a major league franchise could promote a young superstar directly to the major league roster if desired.
-
Affiliations
-
All minor league teams in the Rookie League through Class AAA systems affiliate with a major league franchise. The lone exception is the Mexican Summer League which minor league baseball recognizes as a Class AAA league, but does not share any affiliation with major league teams. Affiliations between major league and minor league teams occasionally change. Oftentimes, a team may wish to develop a fan base in a particular region of the country. Through affiliating with a minor league team in that region, area fans are given a chance to develop ties to the franchise and follow young players on their way up to the major league level.
Independent Leagues
-
Not all minor league baseball teams affiliate with major league teams, however these teams do not participate in the class system. Independent leagues function across the United States and have experienced some success. Players in independent league baseball often come from different baseball backgrounds. Younger players frequently come from college or high school baseball and hope to earn recognition and a chance for a minor league contract. Other players come to the independent leagues after their careers in the major leagues are over. Oftentimes, independent leagues bring in former superstars to sell tickets, even if their best playing days have since passed.
Non-players
-
In addition to player development, minor league baseball also serves as a development program for umpires and front office personnel. Like players, umpires receive promotions from different class levels based on performance. Each class level offers a higher salary range to umpires. For front office and team employees, the minor league levels offer a chance for workers to learn the ropes of managing a baseball organization. Although promotion is not always handled from within, teams often look to hire someone within the small circle of baseball, often hiring personnel from other organizations within minor league baseball.
-
References
- Photo Credit baseball field image by Dave from Fotolia.com
