Triple-A (baseball)
Triple-A (officially Class AAA[1]) has been the highest level of play in Minor League Baseball in the United States since 1946. Currently, two leagues operate at the Triple-A level, the International League (IL) and the Pacific Coast League (PCL). There are 30 teams, one per each Major League Baseball (MLB) franchise, with 20 in the IL and 10 in the PCL. Triple-A teams are generally located in smaller cities as well as larger metropolitan areas without MLB teams, such as Austin, Jacksonville, Columbus, and Indianapolis. Four Triple-A teams play in the same metro areas as their parent clubs.[notes 1]
All current Triple-A teams are located in the United States; before 2008, some Triple-A leagues also fielded teams in Canada,[2] and from 1967 to 2020 the Mexican League was classified as Triple-A. Reasons for the relocation of these teams were solely because of costs and attendance. Other than the current two Triple-A leagues, only three other leagues have ever held the classification.
History
[edit]Prior to 1946, the top level of Minor League Baseball was Double-A, which had been established in 1912.[3][4]: 236 The Triple-A classification was created before the 1946 season, and began with all three leagues then in Double-A moving up to the new level:[4]: 15
- American Association (AA)
- International League (IL)
- Pacific Coast League (PCL)
This structure persisted for the next 75 years with only a few changes:
- 1952–1957: The PCL was classified as "Open" for these six seasons, in anticipation of it potentially becoming a third major league; once the Brooklyn Dodgers and New York Giants relocated from New York City to California, the PCL returned to Triple-A for the 1958 season.[4]: 16, 497
- 1963–1968: The AA did not operate during these six seasons.[4]: 521, 541
- 1967: The Mexican League received Triple-A classification;[4]: 537 it had previously been Double-A since 1955[4]: 481
- 1979: The Inter-American League debuted with a Triple-A classification; the league disbanded in June[4]: 587
- 1998: Teams from the AA, which disbanded after the 1997 season, were added to the PCL and IL[5]
The IL, PCL, and Mexican League continued as Triple-A leagues until Major League Baseball reorganized the minor leagues prior to the 2021 season. At that time, the IL and PCL were temporarily renamed Triple-A East and Triple-A West, respectively. The Mexican League continues to operate, independently. Following MLB's acquisition of the rights to the names of the historical minor leagues, they announced on March 16, 2022, that the leagues would once again be called the International League and the Pacific Coast League, effective with the 2022 season.[6]
Countries
[edit]While all current and the majority of past Triple-A teams have been located in the United States, Triple-A teams have also been based in:[4]: 104–106
- Canada: teams including the Montreal Royals and Ottawa Lynx of the IL and the Calgary Cannons, Edmonton Trappers, and Vancouver Mounties of the PCL
- Cuba: the Havana Sugar Kings were members of the IL from 1954 to 1960
- Dominican Republic: the short-lived Inter-American League had a team based here in 1979
- Mexico: all Mexican League teams
- Panama: one Inter-American League team in 1979
- Venezuela: two Inter-American League teams in 1979
Purpose
[edit]The main purpose of Triple-A teams is to prepare players for the major leagues. In 2010, ESPN wrote:[7]
Winning is nice, but secondary. It's much more important for a young prospect like outfielder Xavier Paul to get regular at-bats against lefties, or work on dropping down sacrifice bunts with a runner on first, than it is to take three of four from the Portland Beavers.[7]
Both young players and veterans play for Triple-A teams:
There are the young prospects speeding through the organization on the fastest treadmill, the guys who used to be young prospects who are in danger of topping out in Triple-A, the 30-somethings trying to get back to the majors after an injury or a rough patch, and the guys just playing a few more seasons because someone still wants them and they still want to.[7]
Most, if not all, of the players on an MLB team's expanded roster who are not currently on the team's active roster are assigned to the team's Triple-A club. Expanded rosters consist of 40 players, while active rosters generally consist of 26 players as of the 2021 season. Most Triple-A teams are located geographically close to their MLB parent club, as activating a Triple-A player as an injury replacement is a common occurrence.
The term "AAAA player," pronounced "four-A" or "quadruple-A," refers to a player who is consistently successful when playing for Triple-A teams, but is not successful at the major league level. The term is usually used derisively and has itself been criticized as flawed.[8][9] Major league team executives and managers disagree whether AAAA players exist.[10]
Leagues
[edit]Teams at this level are divided into two leagues: the International League and the Pacific Coast League. The International League fields teams primarily in the Eastern United States, while the Pacific Coast League fields teams mostly in the Western United States. Each of the 30 major league teams has an affiliation with one Triple-A team in the United States.
Current teams
[edit]International League
[edit]
Classification | |
---|---|
Sport | Baseball |
Founded | 1884 |
No. of teams | 20 |
Country | United States |
Most recent champion(s) | Norfolk Tides (2023) |
Most titles | Rochester Red Wings (19) |
TV partner(s) | MiLB.TV, MLB Network, and local sports networks |
Official website | www.milb.com |
The International League (IL) is a Minor League Baseball league that operates in the United States. Along with the Pacific Coast League, it is one of two leagues playing at the Triple-A level, which is one grade below Major League Baseball (MLB).
The league traces its roots to 1884, while the modern IL began in 1912. Following MLB's reorganization of the minor leagues in 2021, it operated as the Triple-A East for one season before switching back to its previous moniker in 2022. It is so named because throughout much of its history the International League had teams in Canada and Cuba as well as those in the United States. Since 2008, however, all of its teams have been based in the US. The IL's 20 teams are located in 14 states stretching from Papillion, Nebraska, to Worcester, Massachusetts, and from St. Paul, Minnesota, to Jacksonville, Florida.
A league champion is determined at the end of each season. The Rochester Red Wings have won 19 International League titles, the most in the league's history, followed by the Columbus Clippers (11) and the Baltimore Orioles, original Buffalo Bisons, and Toronto Maple Leafs (10). During the era of the Governors' Cup playoffs from 1933 to 2020, the most cup titles were won by Columbus (11), followed by Rochester (10) and the Syracuse Mets (8).
History
[edit]The International League was created from the mergers of member teams from three precursor leagues: the Eastern League of 1884, which was itself a re-organization of the Interstate Association of 1883; the New York State League, formed in 1885; and the Ontario League, also organized in 1885. The New York State League and Ontario League merged in 1886 to form the International League, and in 1887 the Eastern League was absorbed to create a ten-club league. Also in 1887, the International League passed a resolution barring African Americans from playing in the league.[11] The league collapsed soon afterwards, when the northern teams claimed that it was too onerous to travel to the south and formed the International Association.
The "International League" name was first used in 1886,[12] but did not become the longterm name of the league until 1912. The league ultimately cited 1884 as the year of its foundation, through the following lineage:[13]
- 1884: Eastern League
- 1885: New York State League
- 1886–1887: International League
- 1888–1890: International Association
- 1891: Eastern Association
- 1892–1911: Eastern League
- 1912–2020: International League
The International League was also affected by the effort to establish the Federal League as a new third major league from 1914 to 1915, with franchises being added and dropped and new ballparks built. In 1954, a franchise was awarded to Havana, Cuba, but due to political upheaval in that country it had to be moved—to Jersey City, New Jersey—in the middle of the 1960 season. Another foray into the Caribbean failed when the newly created team in San Juan, Puerto Rico, added in 1961, had to be moved to Charleston, West Virginia, in mid-season.
In June 1971, an IL all-star team beat the New York Yankees, 15–13, in an exhibition game at Silver Stadium in Rochester, New York, before a crowd of 11,001—notable players on the all-star squad included Don Baylor, Carlton Fisk, and Bobby Grich.[14] In August 1983, another team of IL all-stars were defeated by the Cleveland Indians, 8–6, in 11 innings before 11,032 fans at Franklin County Stadium in Columbus, Ohio.[15]
The International League and the American Association, another Triple-A league that operated in the Midwest, voted in 1988 to play interleague games as part of the Triple-A Alliance.[16] The league also split into two divisions that year. The interleague concept ended in 1992, but the two league divisions remained.
In 1998, the International League reorganized into three divisions with the addition of four new teams—the Buffalo Bisons, Indianapolis Indians, and Louisville Redbirds joined from the disbanded American Association, while the Durham Bulls joined from the Class A Carolina League.[17]
The start of the 2020 season was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic before ultimately being cancelled on June 30.[18][19] Prior to the 2021 season, Major League Baseball (MLB) assumed control of Minor League Baseball in a move to increase player salaries, modernize facility standards, and reduce travel through better geographical alignment.[20] As part of this reorganization, the International League was expanded to 20 teams and temporarily renamed the "Triple-A East" for the 2021 season.[20] Of these 20 teams, 14 were existing members of the International League,[21] four were the easternmost teams from the Pacific Coast League,[22] one was promoted from the Double-A Southern League,[23] and one moved from the independent American Association of Professional Baseball.[24] Following MLB's acquisition of the rights to the names of the historical minor leagues, the Triple-A East was renamed the International League effective with the 2022 season.[25]
Structure and season
[edit]The International League is divided into the East Division and the West Division, each consisting of 10 teams. As of the 2022 season, all teams play a 150-game schedule, beginning in late March and concluding in late September.[26]
Championship and interleague play
[edit]Since the 2023 season, the regular season is split into two halves. After the completion of the season, the winners of each half meet in a best-of-three series to determine a league champion.[27][28] From 1933 to 2019, the three division champions and a wild card team squared off in series playoffs to determine a champion, with the winner awarded the Governors' Cup, the league's championship trophy.[29] Following the cancelled 2020 season, rather than hold playoffs for its championship, the 2021 title was awarded to the team with the best regular-season record.[30] In 2022, the two division champions met in a single game to determine a league champion.[31]
In further postseason play, the IL champion meets the Pacific Coast League's champion in the Triple-A National Championship Game, a single game to determine an overall champion of Triple-A baseball, which has been held annually since 2006, excluding 2020 and 2021. Previously, the IL champion also competed in the Triple-A World Series (1983, 1998–2000), Junior World Series (1919), and other sporadic postseason competitions throughout the league's history.
Other interleague play occurred during the Triple-A All-Star Game. Traditionally, the game had taken place on the day after the mid-summer Major League Baseball All-Star Game.[32] The game was meant to mark a symbolic halfway-point in the season (though not the mathematical halfway-point which, for most seasons, is usually one month prior). During the All-Star break, no regular-season games were scheduled for two days before the All-Star Game itself.[33]
Current teams
[edit]<onlyinclude>
League timeline
[edit]These teams were either charter members of the IL in 1912 or were added as expansion teams thereafter.[21]
- Arkansas Travelers (1963)
- Baltimore Orioles (1912–1914) → Richmond Climbers (1915–1916) → Richmond Virginians (1917)
- Binghamton Bingoes (1918–1919) → Syracuse Stars (1920–1927) → Montreal Royals (1928–1960) → Syracuse Chiefs (1961–1996) → Syracuse SkyChiefs (1997–2006) → Syracuse Chiefs (2007–2018) → Syracuse Mets (2019–present)
- Buffalo Bisons (1912–1970) → Winnipeg Whips (1970–1971) → Peninsula Whips (1972–1973) → Memphis Blues (1974–1976) → Charleston Charlies (1977–1983) → Maine Guides (1984–1987) → Maine Phillies (1988) → Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Red Barons (1989–2006) → Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees (2007–2012) → Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders (2013–present)
- Charlotte Knights (1993–present)
- Durham Bulls (1998–present)
- Jersey City Skeeters (1912–1915) → Baltimore Orioles (1916–1953) → Richmond Virginians (1954–1964) → Toledo Mud Hens (1965–present)
- Jersey City Skeeters (1918–1933) → Syracuse Chiefs (1934–1955) → Miami Marlins (1956–1960) → San Juan Marlins (1961) → Charleston Marlins (1961) → Atlanta Crackers (1962–1965) → Richmond Braves (1966–2008) → Gwinnett Braves (2009–2017) → Gwinnett Stripers (2018–present)
- Montreal Royals (1912–1917)
- Newark Indians (1912–1915) → Harrisburg Senators (1915) → Newark Indians (1916) → Newark Bears (1917–1919) → Akron Buckeyes (1920) → Newark Bears (1921–1925) → Providence Grays (1925) → Newark Bears (1925–1949) → Springfield Cubs (1950–1953) → Havana Sugar Kings (1954–1960) → Jersey City Jerseys (1960–1961) → Jacksonville Suns (1962–1968) → Tidewater Tides (1969–1992) → Norfolk Tides (1993–present)
- Ottawa Lynx (1993–2007) → Lehigh Valley IronPigs (2008–present)
- Providence Grays (1912–1917)
- Rochester Hustlers (1912–1920) → Rochester Colts (1921) → Rochester Tribe (1922–1927) → Rochester Red Wings (1928–present)
- Syracuse Stars (1918) → Hamilton Tigers (1918) → Reading Coal Barons (1919) → Reading Marines (1920) → Reading Aces (1921–1922) → Reading Keystones (1923–1932) → Albany Senators (1932–1936) → Jersey City Giants (1937–1950) → Ottawa Giants (1951) → Ottawa Athletics (1952–1954) → Columbus Jets (1955–1970) → Charleston Charlies (1971–1976) → Columbus Clippers (1977–present)
- Toronto Maple Leafs (1912–1967) → Louisville Colonels (1968–1972) → Pawtucket Red Sox (1973–1975) → Rhode Island Red Sox (1976) → Pawtucket Red Sox (1977–2020) → Worcester Red Sox (2021–present)
Former American Association teams
[edit]Three current teams joined the IL in 1998 from the American Association, which disbanded after the 1997 season.[34] Indianapolis had previously played in the IL in 1963.[21]
- Buffalo Bisons (1979–present)
- Indianapolis Indians (1902–present)
- Louisville Redbirds (1982–1998) → Louisville RiverBats (1999–2001) → Louisville Bats (2002–present)
Former Pacific Coast League teams
[edit]Four current teams were placed in the IL from the Triple-A Pacific Coast League in 2021.[22]
- Iowa Oaks (1969–1981) → Iowa Cubs (1982–present)
- Memphis Redbirds (1998–present)
- Nashville Sounds (1978–present)
- Omaha Royals (1969–1998) → Omaha Golden Spikes (1999–2001) → Omaha Royals (2002–2010) → Omaha Storm Chasers (2011–present)
Former Southern League teams
[edit]One current team was placed in the IL from the Double-A Southern League in 2021.[23]
- Jacksonville Suns (1962–1968, 1970–1984) → Jacksonville Expos (1985–1990) → Jacksonville Suns (1991–2016) → Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp (2017–present)
Former independent teams
[edit]One current team was placed in the IL from the independent American Association of Professional Baseball in 2021.[24]
- St. Paul Saints (1993–present)
Champions
[edit]The International League has crowned a league champion each season since 1884. Through 1932, champions were the regular-season pennant winners—the team with the best win–loss record at the conclusion of the regular season. From 1933 to 2020, postseason playoffs were held to determine champions. Participants from 1933 to 1987 were usually the four teams with the highest winning percentage. From 1988 to 2020, the four qualifiers were the division winners and one or two wild card teams. The winner of each season's championship playoffs was awarded the Governors' Cup. These playoffs and the Governors' Cup trophy were discontinued in 2021. The 2021 winner was the team with the best regular-season record. The 2022 championship was decided via a single game between the winners of the East and West Divisions. Since 2023, a best-of-three series has been held between the winners of each half of the season.
Active International League teams appear in bold.
Team | Wins | Governors' Cup wins |
Year(s) |
---|---|---|---|
Rochester Red Wings (Rochester Bronchos/Hustlers) | 19 | 10 | 1899, 1901, 1909, 1910, 1911, 1928, 1929, 1930, 1931, 1939, 1952, 1955, 1956, 1964, 1971, 1974, 1988, 1990, 1997 |
Columbus Clippers | 11 | 11 | 1979, 1980, 1981, 1987, 1991, 1992, 1996, 2010, 2011, 2015, 2019 |
Baltimore Orioles | 10 | 2 | 1908, 1919, 1920, 1921, 1922, 1923, 1924, 1925, 1944, 1950 |
Buffalo Bisons (1886–1970) | 4 | 1891, 1904, 1906, 1915, 1916, 1927, 1933, 1936, 1957, 1961 | |
Toronto Maple Leafs | 4 | 1902, 1907, 1912, 1917, 1918, 1926, 1934, 1960, 1965, 1966 | |
Durham Bulls | 8 | 8 | 2002, 2003, 2009, 2013, 2017, 2018, 2021, 2022 |
Montreal Royals | 7 | 1898, 1941, 1946, 1948, 1949, 1951, 1953, 1958 | |
Syracuse Mets (Syracuse Chiefs) | 8 | 1935, 1942, 1943, 1947, 1954, 1969, 1970, 1976 | |
Norfolk Tides (Tidewater Tides) | 6 | 6 | 1972, 1975, 1982, 1983, 1985, 2023 |
Newark Bears | 5 | 4 | 1932, 1937, 1938, 1940, 1945 |
Providence Grays (Providence Clamdiggers) | 0 | 1894, 1896, 1900, 1905, 1914 | |
Richmond Braves | 5 | 1978, 1986, 1989, 1994, 2007 | |
Pawtucket Red Sox | 4 | 4 | 1973, 1984, 2012, 2014 |
Syracuse Stars | 3 | 0 | 1885, 1888, 1897 |
Toledo Mud Hens | 3 | 1967, 2005, 2006 | |
Buffalo Bisons (1979–present) | 2 | 2 | 1998, 2004 |
Charlotte Knights | 2 | 1993, 1999 | |
Detroit Wolverines | 0 | 1889, 1890 | |
Indianapolis Indians | 2 | 1963, 2000 | |
Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders (Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees) | 2 | 2008, 2016 | |
Atlanta Crackers | 1 | 1 | 1962 |
Binghamton Bingoes | 0 | 1892 | |
Charleston Charlies | 1 | 1977 | |
Erie Blackbirds | 0 | 1893 | |
Havana Sugar Kings | 1 | 1959 | |
Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp (Jacksonville Suns) | 1 | 1968 | |
Jersey City Skeeters | 0 | 1903 | |
Louisville Bats (Louisville RiverBats) | 1 | 2001 | |
Newark Indians | 0 | 1913 | |
Ottawa Lynx | 1 | 1995 | |
Springfield Maroons | 0 | 1895 | |
Toronto Canucks | 0 | 1887 | |
Trenton Trentonians | 0 | 1884 | |
Utica Pent-Ups | 0 | 1886 |
Awards
[edit]The IL recognizes outstanding players and team personnel annually near the end of each season.
MVP Award
[edit]The Most Valuable Player Award, first awarded in 1932, is given to honor the best player in the league.[35]
Pitcher of the Year Award
[edit]The Pitcher of the Year Award, first awarded in 1953 and known as the Most Valuable Pitcher Award, serves to recognize the league's best pitcher. Pitchers were eligible to win the award from 1932 to 1952 as no award was designated solely for pitchers.[35]
Top MLB Prospect Award
[edit]The Top MLB Prospect Award, created in 1950 as the Rookie of the Year Award, is given to the best player with no prior IL experience.[35]
Manager of the Year Award
[edit]The Manager of the Year Award, started in 1967, is given to the league's top manager.[35]
Executive of the Year Award
[edit]The Executive of the Year Award, first awarded in 1964, honored team executives who contributed to the success of the league.[35]
Spirit of the International League Award
[edit]The Spirit of the International League Award, first awarded in 2010, honored team executives who exhibited dedication to creating and maintaining positive fan experiences when visiting IL games.[35][36]
International League Hall of Fame
[edit]The International League Hall of Fame was established in 1947 to honor league players, managers, and executives who have made significant contributions to the league. The Hall of Fame inducted its first class of nine men in 1947. A plaque was unveiled at the IL's New York City offices located in the Ruppert Building at 535 Fifth Avenue. Today, the plaque has no permanent home, but exists as a traveling display that visits a number of the league's ballparks each season. The Hall became dormant after 1963, but was revived in 2007. New members are elected before the start of each season.[37]
See also
[edit]- List of International League no-hitters
- List of International League stadiums
- List of sports attendance figures
- Harry Simmons
References
[edit]- ^ The Official Professional Baseball Rules Book (PDF). New York City: Office of the Commissioner of Baseball. 2021. p. 10. Retrieved May 1, 2021 – via mlbpa.org.
- ^ "Lynx are outta here: Team sold, will move to U.S." www.canada.com. Ottawa Citizen. April 13, 2016. Archived from the original on November 19, 2014. Retrieved September 20, 2014.
- ^ "National Commission Grants Minor Leaguers Everything Asked For: Big Moguls of Baseball...Establish Much Wanted Class AA". The Philadelphia Inquirer. January 5, 1912. p. 10. Retrieved April 14, 2021 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Johnson, Lloyd; Wolff, Miles, eds. (2007). The Encyclopedia of Minor League Baseball (Third ed.). Baseball America. ISBN 978-1932391176.
- ^ "Notable Events in American Association History". Triple-A Baseball. Retrieved October 22, 2019.
- ^ "Historical league names to return in 2022". milb.com. Minor League Baseball. March 16, 2022. Retrieved March 29, 2022.
- ^ a b c Shelburne, Ramona (September 1, 2010). "John Lindsey waits for his chance". ESPN. Archived from the original on September 6, 2010. Retrieved September 28, 2010.
- ^ Stoltz, Nathaniel (April 2, 2008). "Quadruple-A and the Garbage Player Phenomenon: An Exercise in Futility". Bleacher Report. Retrieved April 30, 2022.
- ^ Yellon, Al (January 12, 2012). "The Top Ten Quad-A Hitters". SBNation.com. Retrieved April 30, 2022.
- ^ Goldstein, Kevin (January 11, 2012). "Future Shock: Do Quad-A Players Exist?". Baseball Prospectus. Retrieved April 30, 2022.
- ^ Mancuso, Peter. "July 14, 1887: The color line is drawn | Society for American Baseball Research". sabr.org. Society for American Baseball Research. Archived from the original on April 16, 2019. Retrieved May 6, 2019.
- ^ "The Diamond Field". San Francisco Examiner. March 29, 1886. p. 2. Retrieved May 22, 2021 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ "International League Yearly Standings". Stats Crew. Retrieved May 31, 2022.
- ^ Castor, Jim (June 25, 1971). "Stars Outslug Yanks, 15-13". Democrat and Chronicle. Rochester, New York. p. D1. Retrieved May 25, 2021 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ "Perkins keys Tribe's 8-6 win over IL stars". Telegraph-Forum. Bucyrus, Ohio. UPI. August 19, 1983. p. 11. Retrieved May 25, 2021 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ "Notable Events in American Association History". Triple-A Baseball. Archived from the original on April 14, 2021. Retrieved May 24, 2017.
- ^ Bray, Jim (January 29, 1998). "Lynx open April 9 at JetForm". Ottawa Citizen. Ontario. p. B2. Retrieved May 25, 2021 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ "A Message From Pat O'Conner". Minor League Baseball. March 13, 2020. Retrieved May 5, 2020.
- ^ "2020 Minor League Baseball Season Shelved". Minor League Baseball. June 30, 2020. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
- ^ a b Mayo, Jonathan (February 12, 2021). "MLB Announces New Minors Teams, Leagues". Major League Baseball. Retrieved February 12, 2021.
- ^ a b c "International League (AAA) Encyclopedia and History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved February 12, 2021.
- ^ a b "Pacific Coast League (AAA) Encyclopedia and History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved February 12, 2021.
- ^ a b "Southern League (AA) Encyclopedia and History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved February 12, 2021.
- ^ a b "American Association (Independent) Encyclopedia and History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved February 12, 2021.
- ^ "Historical League Names to Return in 2022". Minor League Baseball. March 16, 2022. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
- ^ Franco, Anthony (February 3, 2022). "Triple-A Baseball Season Expanded to 150 Games". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved March 21, 2022.
- ^ "2023 Triple-A National Championship Game Set for Sept. 30 in Las Vegas". Minor League Baseball. March 28, 2023. Retrieved March 28, 2023.
- ^ "2024 MiLB Triple-A National Championship Game Set for Sept. 28 at Las Vegas Ballpark". Minor League Baseball. March 12, 2024. Retrieved March 12, 2024.
- ^ "International League Personnel and Staff". International League. Retrieved July 22, 2017.
- ^ "MiLB Announces 'Triple-A Final Stretch' for 2021". Minor League Baseball. July 14, 2021. Retrieved July 16, 2021.
- ^ "Las Vegas to Host Inaugural Triple-A Triple Championship Weekend". Minor League Baseball. May 3, 2022. Retrieved May 3, 2022.
- ^ "Omaha Storm Chasers and Werner Park to Host 2015 Triple-A Baseball All-Star Game". Omaha Storm Chasers. Minor League Baseball. March 5, 2014. Retrieved August 19, 2014.
- ^ "Durham Lands 2014 Triple-A ASG". Minor League Baseball. February 20, 2013. Retrieved August 19, 2014.
- ^ "American Association (AA) Encyclopedia and History". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved March 18, 2022.
- ^ a b c d e f g "International League Award Winners". International League. Retrieved July 21, 2017.
- ^ "IL honors Syracuse's Don Waful". International League. March 30, 2016. Retrieved July 21, 2017.
- ^ "International League Hall of Fame". International League. Minor League Baseball. Retrieved February 29, 2016.
External links
[edit]Pacific Coast League
[edit]
Triple-A All-Star Game
[edit]The Triple-A All-Star Game was a single game held between the two affiliated Triple-A leagues—the International League and the Pacific Coast League. Each league fielded a team composed of the top players in their respective leagues as voted on by fans, the media, and each club's field manager and general manager.[1] The event took place every year since 1988 when the first Triple-A All-Star Game was played in Buffalo, New York. Prior to 1998, a team of American League-affiliated Triple-A All-Stars faced off against a team of National League-affiliated Triple-A All-Stars.
Traditionally, the game was held on the day after the mid-summer Major League Baseball All-Star Game.[2] Such games mark a symbolic halfway-point in the season, despite occurring later than the actual halfway-point of most seasons. Both Triple-A leagues shared a common All-Star break, with no regular-season games scheduled for two days before the All-Star Game itself. Some additional events, such as the All-Star Fan Fest and Triple-A Home Run Derby, were held each year during this break in the regular season.[3]
While the 2021 schedule originally included a three-day All-Star break of July 12–14,[4] this was removed after Opening Day was pushed back one month.[5] Team schedules for the 2021 season were subsequently issued without an All-Star break.[6]
Triple-A Championship
[edit]Beginning in 2006, the annual Triple-A National Championship Game was held to serve as a single championship game between the champions of the International League and Pacific Coast League to determine an overall champion of Triple-A baseball. It was originally held annually at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark in Oklahoma City, and known as the Bricktown Showdown.[7] Starting in 2011, the game was held in a different Triple-A city each year.[8] Previous postseason interleague championships include the Junior World Series (1932–34, 1936–62, 1970–71, 1973–74), Triple-A World Series (1983, 1998–2000), and Triple-A Classic (1988–91).
For the 2021 season, in place of the National Championship Game, Minor League Baseball extended the Triple-A regular season to October 3,[9] with league champions determined based on regular-season records through the original end date of the season (September 19 for Triple-A East, and September 21 for Triple-A West).[10] The final 10 games of the season, played after those dates, were deemed the "Final Stretch", with the team posting the best winning percentage during that period (the Durham Bulls, who went 9–1) winning a cash prize.[10][11] Since the 2022 season, the Triple-A National Championship Game has been played between the champions of the International League and the Pacific Coast League.[12] In 2023, the Triple-A Championship game was played at the Las Vegas Ballpark. The winner of this game were the Norfolk Tides.
Pace-of-play initiatives
[edit]As a part of professional baseball's pace of play initiatives implemented in 2015, 20-second pitch clocks entered use at Triple-A stadiums in 2015.[13] In 2018, the time was shortened to 15 seconds when no runners are on base. Other significant changes implemented in 2018 included beginning extra innings with a runner on second base and limiting teams to six mound visits during a nine-inning game.[14] For the 2019 season, the number of mound visits was reduced to five, and pitchers were required to face a minimum of three consecutive batters unless the side is retired or the pitcher becomes injured and is unable to continue playing.[15]
Timeline of AAA baseball leagues
[edit]Footnotes
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Wild, Danny (May 30, 2014). "Voting begins for Triple-A All-Star Game". Minor League Baseball. Archived from the original on August 25, 2014. Retrieved August 19, 2014.
- ^ "Omaha Storm Chasers and Werner Park to Host 2015 Triple-A Baseball All-Star Game". Omaha Storm Chasers. Minor League Baseball. March 5, 2014. Archived from the original on March 15, 2014. Retrieved August 19, 2014.
- ^ "Durham Lands 2014 Triple-A ASG". Minor League Baseball. February 20, 2013. Archived from the original on March 22, 2014. Retrieved August 19, 2014.
- ^ "Bisons Unveil 2021 Playing Schedule, Opening Day Set for April 6 at Sahlen Field". Buffalo Bisons. Minor League Baseball. February 18, 2021. Retrieved February 18, 2021.
- ^ Harrigan, Thomas (March 2, 2021). "Triple-A Start Delayed; Alternate Sites to Return". Major League Baseball. Retrieved March 3, 2021.
- ^ "Printable Schedule". MiLB.com. Worcester Red Sox. Retrieved May 5, 2021.
- ^ "Bricktown Showdown To Determine Triple-A Baseball Champion" (PDF). Triple-A Baseball. July 12, 2006. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved August 17, 2014.
- ^ Hill, Benjamin (February 8, 2011). "Isotopes to Host Triple-A Championship". Minor League Baseball. Archived from the original on August 19, 2014. Retrieved August 17, 2014.
- ^ Heneghan, Kelsie (July 1, 2021). "Playoffs return to the Minor Leagues". MiLB.com. Retrieved July 1, 2021.
- ^ a b Richard, Kevin (July 14, 2021). "MiLB turns Triple-A extended season to tourney–kinda". ballparkdigest.com. Retrieved July 15, 2021.
- ^ "Durham claims Triple-A Final Stretch championship". MiLB.com. October 4, 2021. Retrieved October 4, 2021.
- ^ "Las Vegas to Host Inaugural Triple-A Triple Championship Weekend". Minor League Baseball. May 3, 2022. Retrieved May 3, 2022.
- ^ Jackson, Josh (January 15, 2015). "Triple-A, Double-A to Implement Pitch Clock". MILB.com. Archived from the original on April 17, 2015. Retrieved April 20, 2015.
- ^ "MiLB announces pace-of-play rules for 2018". MILB.com. March 14, 2018. Archived from the original on March 15, 2018. Retrieved March 15, 2018.
- ^ "MiLB announces pace-of-play rules for 2019". MILB.com. March 29, 2019. Archived from the original on March 29, 2019. Retrieved March 29, 2019.