Ask MiLB.com: What's the difference?

Minor League Baseball fans have a lot of questions about the game and its players. We at MiLB.com attempt to answer some of those curiosities. No promises, though.

Have a question? Shoot us an email at [email protected]

Is there a site that discusses age restrictions in each level of the Minor Leagues, and is there a restriction on how long a player can remain at each level before they must move up or out? --Glad O.

The short answer is no, there are no age restrictions. Class A Advanced leagues and below have roster guidelines based on service time for eligible players. For example, California League rosters cannot have more than two players with six or more years of prior Minor League service. The guidelines vary depending on the league, and you can find the complete list here. All the info is also in the Minor League Information Guide.

Where can I find the term date of the working agreements for Major League teams and their Minor League affiliates? --Micky S.

We'd recommend contacting the media relations director at whatever team(s) you're interested in -- every club sends out a press release detailing the terms of these agreements once they are agreed upon. They typically are renewed every few years.

Where is the Bulls game in Durham? --Bob R.

Bob, it's not much of a secret -- the Bulls play at Durham Bulls Athletic Park. Check out durhambulls.com for directions.

My friends and I were watching the Brooklyn Cyclones play last night. What is "IRIE"? I know it is a Jamaican word, but they kept talking about Irish and the green. --Carla M.

Umm. Not really sure, "irie" isn't a baseball term. You might want to ask the Cyclones about that. From our extensive Google research, "irie" appears to be a Rastafarian term referring to positive emotions or feelings, or anything that is good. Like baseball.

With Nolan Ryan's group successfully purchasing the Rangers, that likely means Round Rock and Corpus Christi will join the Rangers' farm system when their agreement with the Astros ends. Where will the Astros move their Minor League operations to in your opinion? --Steve G.

We haven't heard anything along those lines of speculation, so it's hard to comment on that. We don't want to speculate on such things, though -- in reality, teams are free to change affiliations as they please once agreements expire. We'll have to see how it unfolds.

What are the differences in equipment between the Minor and Major Leagues? --Kate R.

The only main difference is the new, larger Rawlings S100 helmets, designed to offer enhanced high-impact protection, which Minor Leaguers began wearing this season. Yankees catcher Francisco Cervelli also wears the new helmet, one of few Major Leaguers who have opted to use it (David Wright briefly tried it in 2009). The balls themselves (also made by Rawlings) are also slightly different in terms of seam threading. Minor League balls are assembled in China, Major League balls are largely from Costa Rica.

I've been trying to find a resource about whether or not there's any type of open tryouts held for Minor League teams -- if not, are the only means of exposure to be actively playing high school or college ball? --Josh M.

We've previously explained the tryout process, take a look. A person can't try out for Minor League Baseball teams, MiLB teams are assigned players by a Major League affiliate that signs them. Prospective players typically have agents or coaches helping to facilitate the process of being scouted and signed.

My boyfriend has played baseball since he was 8 years old. I was wondering how to go about signing him up for a tryout for an amateur baseball league. --Catie N.

Not sure we can help your boyfriend with an amateur baseball career. The Minors are professional baseball, with players typically scouted, drafted and signed by Major League organizations. Your town may offer local recreational leagues, if that's what you're looking for.

I was wondering where I could find a list of all the coaches in MiLB on the website? Also, I was wondering what the first date is for next year's open tryouts. --Marcus V.

Coaching staffs are listed on the roster pages for each team, just go to a club's website and click "Roster." The tryout schedule for 2011 has not yet been made, but it'll be available here: MLB tryout schedule.

I can't find information easily on Minor League injuries. Where would one look for such info? I am interested right now in Nick Weglarz, who hasn't played since July 26. What is wrong with him? How serious is it? --William R.

Nick Weglarz was placed on the disabled list on Aug. 3, it's listed on the league transactions page. The Clippers did not provide any further details on the injury and have not responded to our request, although The Columbus Dispatch reported it was a left thumb injury.

I am looking for photos of the National Guardsman who threw out the ball on Aug. 8. --Peter F.

You'll need to be a little more specific than that, Peter. You should probably contact the team that hosted the game directly.

I'm trying to find the documentation for the "Major League Baseball's Minor League Drug Prevention and Treatment Program." --Timothy D.

The policy is implemented and enforced by Major League Baseball, as all Minor League Baseball players, except for those in the Mexican League and the Mexican Academy League, are under contract with a Major League club. You should contact the MLB PR office for more information at (212) 931-7878).

Frustrated -- once I bookmark a player, I can't see where to find my bookmarked players. I have to search for them each every time. What am I missing? --Tom H.

Relax -- you're missing the "player bookmarks" link on the bottom right corner of MiLB.com's homepage. We built that little area as a way of keeping an eye on top prospects and bookmarked players.

I'm a big fan. Can I please have a fan pack? Thank you. --Anita J.

What's a fan pack?

Will I be able to watch some games on my phone? If so, which phones have these capabilities? --Geovanny B.

Mobile MiLB.TV video streaming is not currently something we're able to offer at this time unfortunately.

I want to go to the Tuesday 17 game and have the Kraft Singles promotion, "Buy 1, Get 1 free," but it says to take the Kraft Singles wrapper. But the 17th is bobblehead night and I'm afraid that if I wait for that day, they might [be] sold out. What can I do? --Ana H.

There are over 120 Minor League teams out there, many with bobblehead promotions, so we can't offer much help without more details. We'd recommend contacting the team's ticket office or sales rep prior to that date to see whether they can help clarify their promotional policies. Good luck!

I was wondering if it is possible to get a list all of the radio stations that cover Minor League games and which teams they cover. --Andrew D.

Clubs that have set up radio broadcasts are listed on our Gameday Audio page, you can click the link next to the club to see the local station that broadcasts their games. Hope that helps.