Ask MiLB.com: Defining classifications
Have a question? Shoot us an email at webmaster@minorleaguebaseball.com
Is it possible you could explain the difference between single, Double and Triple-A? Can a player be called up to the Majors from any of these levels? How is it determined what level a player plays on? I have attended several Minor League games (the Richmond Braves) about 15 years ago, the Mississippi Braves about a month ago and next week the Kannapolis Intimidators. I think I would attend more games if I better understood how all of this works. -- "SnoopyDog"
Class A, Double-A and Triple-A refer to the degree of experience and talent, typically. Class A leagues are aimed toward younger, less experienced players like recent Draft picks or players with 1-2 years of service time. Major League organizations can promote players as they wish to higher levels, like Double-A and Triple-A, which typically feature leagues with more experienced and talented players. Players can be called up to the Majors directly from any level, although most often, players spend a few years in the Minors gaining knowledge and sharpening their skills and are not called up until they reach Double- or Triple-A.
I'm planning a trip next year to the Hall of Fame [in Cooperstown, N.Y.] and would like to go to some games while there. Please advise which teams are close and how I can check on their schedules. Many thanks. -- Lee H.
The Tri-City ValleyCats are located near Albany, N.Y., which is about an hour and a half east of Cooperstown. The Binghamton Mets are about an hour and a half southwest of Cooperstown. (Hall of Fame visitors previously could drop by the nearby Oneonta Tigers, but they relocated to Connecticut this season.) Syracuse is also a possibility. 2011 schedules have not been released for all teams, so you may want to check back on on those team's websites this offseason to best plan your trip. Keep in mind, Tri-City is a short-season team which begins play in mid-June.
You might also want to check out some of the roadtrips we at MiLB.com have put together for fans.
MiLB.com is terribly in need of an actual mobile web site. Access of scores and news is readily available on mobile phones, according to numerous advertisements on MiLB web sites. However, this is not the case. -- Kevin L.
It is the case -- MiLB.com's mobile site has been up all season and can be easily found directly at wap.milb.com on your web-enabled mobile device. Mobile devices automatically direct users to that address when MiLB.com is viewed on a phone. It is important to note the difference between web-enabled mobile devices and small-screen devices like an iPod Touch or iPad. The latter will force you to type in "wap.milb.com" whereas the former should automatically redirect you.
Years ago, I purchased an Minor League hat at a flea market. It was dark green with a logo on the front of what looks like an eagle, with a ball in its talons. I would like to know what team it was and where I could purchase another hat. -- Harry W.
Sounds like a Boise Hawks cap.
Are Minor League broadcasts subject to blackouts as are MLB games? I live in Austin, Texas -- will I be able to watch Round Rock home games? -- "Dricks3"
If you're referring to MiLB.TV, then, no, there are no blackout restrictions for MiLB.TV broadcasts. The Express may be better able to address any local television broadcast issues.
Why don't you have a web page that list scores by organization? --Paul C.
We do -- MiLB.com. The homepage has a scoreboard that allows users to view scores by Major League affiliate (or by league or classification). MLB.com also has pages dedicated to this for each organization.
I am writing a research paper for a graduate marketing class. Part of my equation revolves around profitability of Class A-level baseball teams. Do you have average attendance figures for these teams? --Kevin W.
Yes, we list attendance figures and team averages for all leagues. For example, here's the California League's year-to-date attendance numbers for each of its clubs, including averages.
I was wondering why Minor League Baseball has relocated all but one of it's Canadian teams over the last decade or so? Within just a few years of each other, every Canadian-based team but the Vancouver Canadians was been moved stateside, but I was too young to care why at the time. It would be great if you could give me some reasons why this happened and tell me if there is any consideration in getting a couple teams back in Canada in the future. -- Michael U.
The decision to begin the relocation process is made by the individual franchise owner of the Minor League Baseball club. Teams relocate for a variety of reasons, including attendance, stadium condition and lease situation, geography in relation to the other clubs in its league or its Major League parent, climate conditions, its market's economic landscape, etc. We're not aware of any teams planning to move to Canada.
Can we have a drop-down or link to scheduled day games for MiLB? Steve K.
Yes, we've been working on rolling out a new schedule page that will help fans view all Minor League games for a given day at a glance.
In the fall of 1957, my uncle took me to a ball game in Idaho Falls, Idaho. During the seventh-inning stretch, they shut the park lights off, and we watched Sputnik pass over the stadium. It was really the second stage booster rocket we could see. I was 6 years old. Can you tell me the name of the team at that time and give me a schedule of home games they played? -- Delmar L.
We turned to our friends at Idaho Falls for this one -- in 1957, the Idaho Falls Russets were an affiliate of the Detroit Tigers and finished 73-53. They don't seem to have a game schedule, though.
Have a question? Shoot us an email at webmaster@minorleaguebaseball.com, and please be as specific as possible so that we can accurately respond to your inquiry.
MiLB podcast discusses Anthony, Caglianone at Triple-A
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
These are the greatest Minor League promos happening in June
Benjamin Hill travels the nation collecting stories about what makes Minor League Baseball unique. This excerpt from the Baseball Traveler newsletter, presented by Circle K, is a mere taste of the smorgasbord of delights he offers every week. Read the full newsletter here, and subscribe to his newsletter here.
New playoff format coming to 2025 Dominican Summer League
Minor League Baseball announced the 2025 Dominican Summer League (DSL) season will begin June 2 with Opening Day festivities taking place at the Boston Red Sox Academy in Guerra. The 2025 campaign will also see the introduction of the DSL Cup, a new playoff format that will see 16 DSL
Debating best Minor League home caps on podcast
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
The Omaha Storm Chasers' 'Take Meow-t' cat night included a Litter Box Sundae
Benjamin Hill travels the nation collecting stories about what makes Minor League Baseball unique. This excerpt from the Baseball Traveler newsletter, presented by Circle K, is a mere taste of the smorgasbord of delights he offers every week. Read the full newsletter here, and subscribe to his newsletter here.
Boston's Triple-A affiliate throws birthday bash for Roman Anthony
With all the hype that has surrounded Roman Anthony over the past two seasons, it’s easy to forget how young he really is. MLB's No. 1 prospect played 70 games at the highest level of the Minors before he could order a beer. But he can now. Roman Anthony turned
Friendly foes, 2024 first-rounders Moore and Caglianone trade first Triple-A homers
For years, Christian Moore and Jac Caglianone laced up their cleats against one another in the SEC. A rivalry that spanned Florida, Tennessee and other landmarks across the South moved to Salt Lake City this week as the Royals and Angels' top prospects got simultaneous Triple-A promotions. So it was
Phillies' Moore, Fausnaught join MiLB podcast
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
Red Sox prospect rips double THROUGH Fenway-esque scoreboard
Red Sox No. 4 prospect Franklin Arias, an infielder for High-A Greenville, REALLY didn’t want to let visiting Asheville score any runs in the top of the eighth inning on Friday night. With runners on first and second base in the bottom of the fourth, Arias showed he apparently held
April's hottest hitting prospects -- one for each organization
The Minor League season is a month old and several of the game's best hitting prospects are off to fast starts. Red Sox outfielder Roman Anthony is tearing up Triple-A (just like he did at the end of last year), Padres shortstop Leo De Vries is leading the High-A Midwest
Check out the best -- and wackiest -- Minor League promos happening in May
Benjamin Hill travels the nation collecting stories about what makes Minor League Baseball unique. This excerpt from the Baseball Traveler newsletter, presented by Circle K, is a mere taste of the smorgasbord of delights he offers every week. Read the full newsletter here, and subscribe to his newsletter here.
Orioles' Honeycutt joins The Show Before the Show
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
MiLB podcast coming LIVE to a Somerset this June
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
New ballparks highlight 2025 MiLB road trip stops
Benjamin Hill travels the nation collecting stories about what makes Minor League Baseball unique. This excerpt from the Baseball Traveler newsletter, presented by Circle K, is a mere taste of the smorgasbord of delights he offers every week. Read the full newsletter here, and subscribe to his newsletter here.
Minor League Baseball partners with TruGreen
FRANKLIN, Tenn. -- TruGreen, the nation's leading lawn care treatment provider, is proud to announce a groundbreaking partnership with Minor League Baseball that includes activations across all 120 clubs, a makeover of the home dugout in each market, sponsorship of select MiLB team grounds crews, and a new initiative called
Podcast explains why the Syracuse Mets are looking for Jim Morrison
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
Dash im-prom-tu promo and Mets' Suero joins the podcast
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
Minor League Baseball partners with Circle K
Minor League Baseball announced a new national partnership with Circle K, which will see the convenience store giant become the “Official Convenience Store of Minor League Baseball.” During the 2025 season, the Circle K brand will be integrated into the MiLB in-stadium experience through in-game video board assets at most
These 15 moments led to season No. 15 of Minor League road trips
Benjamin Hill travels the nation collecting stories about what makes Minor League Baseball unique. This excerpt from his newsletter is a mere taste of the smorgasbord of delights he offers every week. Read the full newsletter here, and subscribe to his newsletter here.
MiLB podcast crew makes Opening Day predictions
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
Everything you need to know for Triple-A Opening Day
First, there was big league Opening Day. Now it's Triple-A's turn to take the spotlight. The Minor League season opens Friday when the Triple-A International League and Pacific Coast League seasons get underway for the first of MiLB’s two Opening Days. And right out of the gates, several of baseball's
Top prospects to watch at Triple-A -- one for each organization
It’s Triple-A’s turn up to bat on Friday. The regular season begins for the Minor Leagues’ highest level one day after the action starts on the Major League side. Fun fact: it’ll be the earliest start to a Minor League season since 1951 (March 27). Double-A, High-A and Single-A will
Here's where every Top 100 prospect is expected to start the season
The 2025 Opening Day prospect roster announcements began last week when the Cubs informed Matt Shaw (MLB No. 19) he was making the trip overseas to compete in the Tokyo Series. Roki Sasaki (No. 1) also received the good news, but his assignment was much less of a surprise. Now
Nationals prospect King joins MiLB podcast
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
Here are the 2025 All-Spring Breakout Teams
Fifteen games, several jersey swaps and countless highlights later, the second edition of Spring Breakout has officially concluded – and it lived up to its billing. Of the 16 contests sprinkled across four days, only one game (Dodgers vs. Cubs) was rained out. Coincidentally, the Cubs were one of two