Triple-A (baseball)
Triple-A Baseball logo
Triple-A (or Class AAA) is the highest level of play in Minor League Baseball in the United States and Mexico. Before 2008, Triple-A leagues also fielded teams in Canada.[1] A total of 30 teams play in the Triple-A International League (IL) and Pacific Coast League (PCL), with 14 teams in the IL and 16 in the PCL. The MLB-independent Mexican League fields 16 teams. Triple-A teams are typically located in large metropolitan areas that do not have Major League Baseball teams, such as San Antonio; Austin; Indianapolis; Columbus; and Nashville.
Interleague play between the International League and Pacific Coast League occurs twice each season. In July, each league's All-Star team competes in the Triple-A All-Star Game. In September each league's regular season champions play each other in the Triple-A National Championship Game to determine an overall champion of Triple-A baseball.
The Triple-A classification was created before the 1946 season. Prior to then, the top level of the minors had been designated as Double-A since 1912. The modern Double-A classification also dates to 1946, when the former Class A1 level was renamed.
Contents
1 Purpose
2 Leagues
3 Current teams
3.1 International League
3.2 Pacific Coast League
3.3 Mexican League
4 Triple-A All-Star Game
5 Triple-A Championship
6 Pace-of-play initiatives
7 References
8 External links
Purpose
Triple-A teams' main purpose is to prepare players for the Major Leagues. ESPN wrote in 2010:[2]
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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.[2]
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.[2]
Players on the 40-man roster of a major league team are eligible for promotion to the major league club once the major league roster expands on September 1 (though teams will usually wait until their affiliates' playoff runs are over, should they qualify). For teams in contention for the postseason, these players create the flexibility needed to rest regular starters in late regular-season games. For those not in contention, using such players lets the teams evaluate them under game conditions.
Leagues
Teams at this level are divided into three leagues: the International League, the Pacific Coast League, and the MLB-independent Mexican League. The Mexican League fields teams throughout Mexico. The International League traditionally fielded teams in the Northeastern United States, and now fields teams in the Midwest and South as well. The Pacific Coast League originally fielded teams on the West Coast, but now fields teams throughout the western part of the United States, as far east as Nashville, Tennessee. For much of the 20th century, the American Association, which consisted of teams in the Midwestern United States, was also at this level, but it disbanded in 1997 and its teams were divided among the IL and PCL. Each of the 30 Major League Baseball teams has an affiliation with one Triple-A team in the United States. However, Mexican Triple-A teams are not included in the organized farm team system.
Current teams
Chasers
Cats
Wings
Current International League and Pacific Coast League team locations:
International League
Pacific Coast League
Current Mexican League team locations
International League
| Division | Team | Founded[a] | MLB Affiliation | Affiliated | City | Stadium | Capacity[b] |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
North | Buffalo Bisons | 1985 | Toronto Blue Jays | 2013 | Buffalo, New York | Sahlen Field | 16,907 |
Lehigh Valley IronPigs | 2008 | Philadelphia Phillies | 2007 | Allentown, Pennsylvania | Coca-Cola Park | 10,100 | |
Pawtucket Red Sox | 1973 | Boston Red Sox | 1970 | Pawtucket, Rhode Island | McCoy Stadium | 10,031 | |
Rochester Red Wings | 1899 | Minnesota Twins | 2003 | Rochester, New York | Frontier Field | 10,840 | |
Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders | 1989 | New York Yankees | 2007 | Moosic, Pennsylvania | PNC Field | 10,000 | |
Syracuse Mets | 1961 | New York Mets | 2019 | Syracuse, New York | NBT Bank Stadium | 11,731 | |
South | Charlotte Knights | 1993 | Chicago White Sox | 1999 | Charlotte, North Carolina | BB&T Ballpark | 10,200 |
Durham Bulls | 1998 | Tampa Bay Rays | 1998 | Durham, North Carolina | Durham Bulls Athletic Park | 10,000 | |
Gwinnett Stripers | 2009 | Atlanta Braves | 1965 | Lawrenceville, Georgia | Coolray Field | 10,427 | |
Norfolk Tides | 1969 | Baltimore Orioles | 2007 | Norfolk, Virginia | Harbor Park | 11,856 | |
West | Columbus Clippers | 1977 | Cleveland Indians | 2009 | Columbus, Ohio | Huntington Park | 10,100 |
Indianapolis Indians | 1902 | Pittsburgh Pirates | 2005 | Indianapolis, Indiana | Victory Field | 14,230 | |
Louisville Bats | 1982 | Cincinnati Reds | 2000 | Louisville, Kentucky | Louisville Slugger Field | 13,131 | |
Toledo Mud Hens | 1965 | Detroit Tigers | 1987 | Toledo, Ohio | Fifth Third Field | 10,300 |
a Indicates current IL franchise's first year in current city. Some franchises have prior history in other cities, or had local predecessor franchises at other levels that shared their current name.
b Many stadiums have lawn seating; thus, capacity is approximate.
Pacific Coast League
| Division | Team | Founded | MLB Affiliation | Affiliated | City | Stadium | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| American Northern | Iowa Cubs | 1969 | Chicago Cubs | 1981 | Des Moines, Iowa | Principal Park | 11,500 |
Memphis Redbirds | 1998 | St. Louis Cardinals | 1998 | Memphis, Tennessee | AutoZone Park | 10,000 | |
Nashville Sounds | 1978 | Texas Rangers | 2019 | Nashville, Tennessee | First Tennessee Park | 10,000 | |
Omaha Storm Chasers | 1969 | Kansas City Royals | 1969 | Papillion, Nebraska | Werner Park | 9,023 | |
| American Southern | New Orleans Baby Cakes | 1993 | Miami Marlins | 2009 | Metairie, Louisiana | Shrine on Airline | 10,000 |
Oklahoma City Dodgers | 1962 | Los Angeles Dodgers | 2015 | Oklahoma City, Oklahoma | Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark | 9,000 | |
Round Rock Express | 2000 | Houston Astros | 2019 | Round Rock, Texas | Dell Diamond | 11,631 | |
San Antonio Missions | 1888 | Milwaukee Brewers | 2019 | San Antonio, Texas | Nelson W. Wolff Municipal Stadium | 9,200 | |
| Pacific Northern | Fresno Grizzlies | 1998 | Washington Nationals | 2019 | Fresno, California | Chukchansi Park | 12,500 |
Reno Aces | 2009 | Arizona Diamondbacks | 2009 | Reno, Nevada | Greater Nevada Field | 9,013 | |
Sacramento River Cats | 2000 | San Francisco Giants | 2015 | West Sacramento, California | Raley Field | 14,014 | |
Tacoma Rainiers | 1960 | Seattle Mariners | 1995 | Tacoma, Washington | Cheney Stadium | 6,500 | |
| Pacific Southern | Albuquerque Isotopes | 2003 | Colorado Rockies | 2015 | Albuquerque, New Mexico | Isotopes Park | 13,500 |
El Paso Chihuahuas | 2014 | San Diego Padres | 2014 | El Paso, Texas | Southwest University Park | 9,500 | |
Las Vegas 51s | 1983 | Oakland Athletics | 2019 | Las Vegas, Nevada | Las Vegas Ballpark | 10,000 | |
Salt Lake Bees | 1994 | Los Angeles Angels | 2001 | Salt Lake City, Utah | Smith's Ballpark | 14,511 |
Mexican League
| Division | Team | City | Stadium | Capacity | Founded |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| North | Acereros de Monclova | Monclova, Coahuila | Monclova | 8,500 | 1974 |
Algodoneros de Unión Laguna | Torreón, Coahuila | Revolución | 9,500 | 1940 | |
Generales de Durango | Durango, Durango | Francisco Villa | 4,983 | 2016 | |
Rieleros de Aguascalientes | Aguascalientes City, Aguascalientes | Alberto Romo Chávez | 6,494 | 1975 | |
Saraperos de Saltillo | Saltillo, Coahuila | Francisco I. Madero | 16,000 | 1970 | |
Sultanes de Monterrey | Monterrey, Nuevo León | Monterrey | 22,061 | 1939 | |
Tecolotes de los Dos Laredos | Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas Laredo, Texas | Nuevo Laredo Uni-Trade | 7,555 6,000 | 1940 | |
Toros de Tijuana | Tijuana, Baja California | Gasmart | 17,000 | 2004 | |
| South | Bravos de León | León, Guanajuato | Domingo Santana | 6,500 | 1978 |
Diablos Rojos del México | Iztacalco, Mexico City | Estadio Fray Nano | 5,000 | 1940 | |
Guerreros de Oaxaca | Oaxaca City, Oaxaca | Eduardo Vasconselos | 7,200 | 1996 | |
Leones de Yucatán | Mérida, Yucatán | Parque Kukulcán Alamo | 14,917 | 1954 | |
Olmecas de Tabasco | Villahermosa, Tabasco | Centenario 27 de Febrero | 8,500 | 1975 | |
Pericos de Puebla | Puebla City, Puebla | Hermanos Serdán | 12,112 | 1938 | |
Piratas de Campeche | Campeche City, Campeche | Nelson Barrera | 6,000 | 1980 | |
Tigres de Quintana Roo | Cancún, Quintana Roo | Beto Ávila | 9,500 | 1955 |
Triple-A All-Star Game
2015 PCL All-Stars meeting on the pitcher's mound
The Triple-A All-Star Game is a single game held between the two affiliated Triple-A leagues—the International League and the Pacific Coast League. Each league fields 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.[3] The event has taken 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 has taken place on the day after the mid-summer Major League Baseball All-Star Game.[4] The game is 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). Both Triple-A leagues share 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, take place each year during this break in the regular season.[5]
Triple-A Championship
Since 2006, the annual Triple-A National Championship Game has been 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.[6] Since 2011, the game has been held in a different Triple-A city each year.[7]
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).
Pace-of-play initiatives
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.[8] In 2018, the time was shortened to 15 seconds when no runners are on base. Other significant changes implemented in 2018 include beginning extra innings with a runner on second base and limiting teams to six mound visits during a nine-inning game.[9]
References
- Notes
^ "Lynx are outta here: Team sold, will move to U.S." www.canada.com. Ottawa Citizen. April 13, 2016. Retrieved September 20, 2014..mw-parser-output cite.citation{font-style:inherit}.mw-parser-output q{quotes:"""""""'""'"}.mw-parser-output code.cs1-code{color:inherit;background:inherit;border:inherit;padding:inherit}.mw-parser-output .cs1-lock-free a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/65/Lock-green.svg/9px-Lock-green.svg.png")no-repeat;background-position:right .1em center}.mw-parser-output .cs1-lock-limited a,.mw-parser-output .cs1-lock-registration a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d6/Lock-gray-alt-2.svg/9px-Lock-gray-alt-2.svg.png")no-repeat;background-position:right .1em center}.mw-parser-output .cs1-lock-subscription a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/aa/Lock-red-alt-2.svg/9px-Lock-red-alt-2.svg.png")no-repeat;background-position:right .1em center}.mw-parser-output .cs1-subscription,.mw-parser-output .cs1-registration{color:#555}.mw-parser-output .cs1-subscription span,.mw-parser-output .cs1-registration span{border-bottom:1px dotted;cursor:help}.mw-parser-output .cs1-hidden-error{display:none;font-size:100%}.mw-parser-output .cs1-visible-error{font-size:100%}.mw-parser-output .cs1-subscription,.mw-parser-output .cs1-registration,.mw-parser-output .cs1-format{font-size:95%}.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-left,.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-wl-left{padding-left:0.2em}.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-right,.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-wl-right{padding-right:0.2em}
^ abc Shelburne, Ramona (September 1, 2010). "John Lindsey waits for his chance". ESPN. Retrieved September 28, 2010.
^ Wild, Danny (May 30, 2014). "Voting begins for Triple-A All-Star Game". Minor League Baseball. 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. Retrieved August 19, 2014.
^ "Durham Lands 2014 Triple-A ASG". Minor League Baseball. February 20, 2013. Retrieved August 19, 2014.
^ "Bricktown Showdown To Determine Triple-A Baseball Champion" (PDF). Triple-A Baseball. July 12, 2006. Retrieved August 17, 2014.
^ Hill, Benjamin (February 8, 2011). "Isotopes to Host Triple-A Championship". Minor League Baseball. Retrieved August 17, 2014.
^ Jackson, Josh (January 15, 2015). "Triple-A, Double-A to Implement Pitch Clock". MILB.com. Retrieved April 20, 2015.
^ "MiLB announces pace-of-play rules for 2018". MILB.com. March 14, 2018. Retrieved March 15, 2018.
External links
- Triple-A Baseball official website
- International League official website
- Pacific Coast League official website
- Mexican League official website
