American Association (21st century)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| American Association (21st century) | |
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| Sport | Baseball |
| Founded | 2005 |
| No. of teams | 10 |
| Country |  United States |
| Current champions | Fort Worth Cats |
| Official website | Official Site |
The American Association of Independent Professional Baseball, based in Durham, North Carolina, is a professional, independent baseball organization located in the midwestern and the southeastern United States. The American Association operates in cities not served by Major or Minor League Baseball and is not affiliated with either organization.
The level of American Association play can be categorized as between the A- and AA-levels of Minor League Baseball; players in independent baseball are usually not scouted heavily by major league teams. Many Major League Baseball alumni have called American Association teams home in an effort get back to the majors. The league also caters to players who are not quite talented enough to play at a higher level.
The American Association was founded in October 2005 by four former Northern League teams; these teams were joined by five teams from the Central Baseball League and by an expansion team in St. Joseph, Missouri. The league began begin play in 2006, with a 96-game schedule. The Fort Worth Cats defeated the St. Paul Saints three games to two to win the first league championship.
The league's first All-Star game was played in El Paso, Texas (against the Can-Am League) on July 18, 2006. The American Association won 5-3.
Miles Wolff is the commissioner of the American Association.
[edit] Teams
[edit] 2007 All-Star Game
It was announced that the Sioux Falls Canaries will host the 2007 American Association All-Star Game at Sioux Falls Stadium.
[edit] External links
| American Association | ||
| North Division: Lincoln Saltdogs | St. Joe Blacksnakes | St. Paul Saints | Sioux City Explorers | Sioux Falls Canaries South Division: Coastal Bend Aviators | El Paso Diablos | Fort Worth Cats | Pensacola Pelicans | Shreveport Sports |
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| Professional Baseball | |
|---|---|
| Major League Baseball: American League, National League; Japanese baseball: Central League, Pacific League | |
| Winter League Baseball | |
| Dominican Republic | Mexico | Puerto Rico | Venezuela | Hawaii | |
| Minor League Baseball | |
| Triple-A: International League | Mexican League | Pacific Coast League Double-A: Eastern League | Southern League | Texas League Notable Independent Leagues: American Association | Can-Am League | Northern League |
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| Notable Defunct Leagues | |
| Negro Leagues | All-American Girls Professional Baseball League | |
