Triple-A Baseball: Frequently Asked Questions

Triple-A baseball is coming to downtown El Paso in 2014. Here are some frequently asked questions:

What league are the El Paso Chihuahuas joining?

El Paso is now part of the Pacific Coast League, one of the oldest circuits in professional baseball, with history dating back to 1903. The PCL has 16-teams spread as far east as Nashville, Tennessee and as far west as Tacoma, Washington. The PCL contains four divisions with four teams each. The playoff structure includes two rounds of best-of-five series.

El Paso fans will see the Triple-A affiliates of the Arizona Diamondbacks (Reno), Chicago Cubs (Iowa), Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (Salt Lake), Los Angeles Dodgers (Albuquerque), St. Louis Cardinals (Memphis), San Francisco Giants (Fresno) and more.

What is the level of play in Triple-A baseball?

Triple-A baseball is the highest classification in Minor League Baseball and is one step from the Major Leagues. Many players on Triple-A rosters are consistently moving back and forth between their Major League affiliate and their Triple-A squad. There were 26 players that suited up for both Triple-A Tucson and Major League Baseball's San Diego Padres in 2013.

What is El Paso's relationship to the San Diego Padres?

El Paso is the only Padres Triple-A affiliate. All 30 Major League clubs have a Player Development Contract with a Triple-A team. The San Diego Padres make all decisions involving El Paso Chihuahuas players, managers, coaches and medical staff.

Where do the players come from?

All El Paso players are drafted or signed as a free agent by the San Diego Padres. Most Triple-A players have been in professional baseball for four or more seasons and many have Major League experience.

The El Paso front office does not make roster decisions. To try out for a Major League organization, you can attend an MLB Scouting Bureau tryout camp. Tryout schedules are posted here - http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/official_info/about_mlb/tryout_us.jsp

Where is El Paso in the Padres organization?

The Chihuahuas are the Padres top minor league club. The teams below El Paso include the San Antonio Missions (Double-A, Texas League), Lake Elsinore Storm (High-A, California League), Fort Wayne TinCaps (Low-A, Midwest League) and Eugene Emeralds (Short-Season, Northwest League).

Why do El Paso pitchers bat at some games but not others?

When El Paso faces another National League affiliate, the pitchers bat. Anytime El Paso plays an American League affiliate, in a home or road game, the designated hitter rule is used.

Why does the number of umpires vary?

Most Triple-A games feature a three-person umpiring crew. Occasionally "swing men," umpires that split their season between the Major Leagues and Triple-A, join a Triple-A crew as a fourth umpire.  

Are there other new Triple-A ballparks?

There have been 28 new or completely renovated Triple-A stadiums since 1990. There have been 123 new ballparks built throughout the minor leagues in that time. This has led to a massive growth in the popularity of Minor League Baseball over the last 25 years. Minor League Baseball's total attendance has exceeded 41 million in each of the last nine seasons.