Double-A (baseball)
Double-A (officially Class AA
History
Class AA ("Double-A") was established in 1912, as the new highest classification of
- American Association(AA)
- International League (IL)
- Pacific Coast League (PCL)
Each of these leagues had previously been in Class A.[3]: 230 Each remained in Class AA through 1945,[3]: 396 then moved into Class AAA ("Triple-A") when it was established in 1946.[3]: 15 No other leagues were designated Class AA during 1912–1945, although a Class A1 level (between Class A and Class AA) was established in 1936.[3]: 15
The contemporary Double-A classification, as the second-highest level in Minor League Baseball, was established in 1946. Entering that season, the three aforementioned leagues in Class AA all moved to the newly established Triple-A, and Class A1 became Double-A with two leagues:[3]: 401
- Southern Association, previously Class A1 (1936–1945)
- Texas League, previously Class A1 (1936–1942; idle for three seasons during World War II)
The Texas League remained in Double-A for the next 75 years. During this time, there were limited changes to leagues at the Double-A level:
- 1955: the Mexican League, previously independent, was classified as Double-A[3]: 732
- 1961: final season of the Southern Association[3]: 743
- 1963: the Eastern League and original South Atlantic League were moved from Class A to Double-A[3]: 731, 743
- 1964: the original South Atlantic League was reconstituted as the Southern League[3]: 733
- 1967: the Mexican League moved to Triple-A[3]: 732
Entering the 2020 minor league season (which was not played, due to the
System
The Double-A classification usually hosts developing players that have been part of
The step up to the Double-A level can be one of the hardest promotions for such players because it is the level at which pitchers need to have a good off-speed pitch in their repertoires. In addition, it is the level where fastball-only hitters need to learn how to hit off-speed pitches, or their hopes of advancing to the majors will diminish.[6] Some players may be placed in Double-A to begin their minor league careers, usually veterans from foreign leagues or top prospects out of college. Additionally, major league clubs sometimes send players to their Double-A team to rehabilitate from injuries.[5]
While Triple-A is the highest level in the minor leagues, players may also advance to the major leagues directly from Double-A. For example, within the Toronto Blue Jays organization, 17 position players were promoted from Double-A directly to MLB during 1978–2018;[7] approximately one player every two seasons. As players at the Double-A level are, generally, still improving their skills, it could be argued that the pure talent level is higher in Double-A than Triple-A, where there may be some stagnation of talent.[6]
Because players are not often moved back and forth from their major league parent club as often happens in Triple-A, the rosters of Double-A teams tend to be more stable.[8] Fans of Double-A teams thus have a longer amount of time to get acquainted with the players, which helps create a better relationship between the team and its fans.[8]
Current teams
Texas League
Eastern League
Southern League
Division | Team | MLB Affiliation | City | Stadium | Capacity |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
North | Birmingham Barons | Chicago White Sox | Birmingham, Alabama | Regions Field | 8,500[29] |
Chattanooga Lookouts | Cincinnati Reds | Chattanooga, Tennessee | AT&T Field | 6,362[30] | |
Rocket City Trash Pandas | Los Angeles Angels | Madison, Alabama | Toyota Field | 7,000[31] | |
Tennessee Smokies | Chicago Cubs | Kodak, Tennessee | Smokies Stadium | 6,412[32] | |
South | Biloxi Shuckers | Milwaukee Brewers | Biloxi, Mississippi | Keesler Federal Park | 6,076[33] |
Mississippi Braves | Atlanta Braves | Pearl, Mississippi | Trustmark Park | 8,480[34] | |
Montgomery Biscuits | Tampa Bay Rays | Montgomery, Alabama | Montgomery Riverwalk Stadium | 7,000[35] | |
Pensacola Blue Wahoos | Miami Marlins | Pensacola, Florida | Community Maritime Park
|
5,038[36] |
Playoffs
Prior to the 2021 reorganization of the minor leagues, all three active Double-A leagues played
On June 30, 2021, Minor League Baseball announced that the top two teams in each league (based on full-season winning percentage, and regardless of division) would meet in a best-of-five postseason series to determine league champions.[40]
All-Star Games
Prior to the 2021 reorganization of the minor leagues, each of the active Double-a leagues held its own midseason All-Star Game.[41] From 1991 to 2002, the three combined to hold the Double-A All-Star Game between teams of American League-affiliated All-Stars and National League-affiliated All-Stars.[42][43]
After the start of the 2021 minor league season was delayed by a month,[44] team schedules were released without a break for an all-star game.[45]
Awards
Pace-of-play initiatives
As a part of pace-of-play initiatives implemented in 2015, 20-second pitch clocks entered use at Double-A stadiums in 2015.[46] In 2018, the time was shortened to 15 seconds when no runners are on base. Other significant changes implemented in 2018 included beginning extra innings with a runner on second base and limiting teams to eight mound visits during a nine-inning game.[47] In 2019, the number of mound visits was reduced to seven, and pitchers were required to face a minimum of three consecutive batters, unless the side is retired or the pitcher is injured and unable to continue.[48]
See also
References
- ^ The Official Professional Baseball Rules Book (PDF). New York City: Office of the Commissioner of Baseball. 2021. p. 10. Retrieved May 1, 2021 – via mlbpa.org.
- ^ "National Commission Grants Minor Leaguers Everything Asked For: Big Moguls of Baseball...Establish Much Wanted Class AA". The Philadelphia Inquirer. January 5, 1912. p. 10. Retrieved April 14, 2021 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ ISBN 978-1932391176.
- ^ "Historical league names to return in 2022". milb.com. Minor League Baseball. March 16, 2022. Retrieved March 29, 2022.
- ^ a b "What is Double AA Baseball?". SportingCharts. 2014. Retrieved March 19, 2015.
- ^ a b Moore, Jeff (July 2, 2013). "Understanding Minor League Levels". The Hardball Times. Retrieved March 18, 2015.
- ^ Hunter, Ian (May 11, 2018). "Flashback Friday: Blue Jays Position Players Who Leapt From Double-A to MLB". bluejayhunter.com. Retrieved April 14, 2021.
- ^ ISBN 9780762438556.
- ^ "Dickey-Stephens Park". Arkansas Diamonds: The Ballparks of Arkansas and Their History. Archived from the original on May 5, 2015. Retrieved September 22, 2017.
- McGraw-Hill. Archived from the originalon February 27, 2014. Retrieved September 22, 2017.
- ^ Mock, Joe. "Hammons Field in Springfield, Missouri". Baseball Parks. Retrieved September 22, 2017.
- ^ "ONEOK Field". Tulsa Sports Commission. 2010. Retrieved May 4, 2015.
- ^ Reichard, Kevin (April 10, 2019). "Sod Poodles Launch Crowd-Pleasing Ballpark". Ballpark Digest. August Publications. Retrieved April 10, 2019.
- ^ Goldberg-Strassler, Jesse (November 19, 2012). "Whataburger Field / Corpus Christi Hooks". Ballpark Digest. Retrieved May 4, 2015.
- ^ Goldberg-Strassler, Jesse (November 14, 2012). "Dr Pepper Ballpark / Frisco RoughRiders". Ballpark Digest. Retrieved May 4, 2015.
- ^ "Security Bank Ballpark". Stadiums USA. Archived from the original on May 8, 2016. Retrieved September 22, 2017.
- ^ Knight, Graham (September 17, 2010). "NYSEG Stadium". Baseball Pilgrimages. Retrieved May 4, 2015.
- ^ Mock, Joe. "Dunkin' Donuts Park". www.baseballparks.com. Grand Slam Enterprises, Inc. Retrieved September 27, 2017.
- ^ "2012 New Hampshire Fisher Cats Media Guide" (PDF). Minor League Baseball. April 9, 2012. Retrieved May 4, 2015.
- ^ Knight, Graham (July 6, 2010). "Hadlock Field – Portland Sea Dogs". Baseball Pilgrimages. Retrieved May 4, 2015.
- ^ Leon, Matt (May 17, 2011). "Minor League Ballpark Guide". KYW. Philadelphia. Retrieved May 4, 2015.
- ^ "TD Bank Ballpark". MiLB.com. Retrieved 2024-05-10.
- ^ "Akron RubberDucks Canal Park". Minor League Baseball. November 27, 2012. Retrieved September 27, 2017.
- ^ "2012 Altoona Curve Media Guide". Minor League Baseball. 2012. Retrieved May 4, 2015.
- ^ "Bowie Baysox Baysox/Stadium Info". Minor League Baseball. March 11, 2009. Retrieved May 4, 2015.
- ^ "Jerry Uht Park". Erie County Convention Center Authority. Archived from the original on July 30, 2012. Retrieved August 3, 2012.
- ^ Reichard, Kevin (June 28, 2010). "Metro Bank Park / Harrisburg Senators". Ballpark Digest. Retrieved May 4, 2015.
- ^ O'Connor, John (March 27, 2010). "Bleacher Banners Give Diamond New Look, Fewer Seats". Richmond Times-Dispatch. Retrieved February 23, 2014.
- ^ "Regions Field Birmingham Barons". Minor League Baseball. January 27, 2012. Retrieved May 4, 2015.
- ^ Knight, Graham (July 27, 2010). "AT&T Field". Baseball Pilgrimages. Retrieved May 4, 2015.
- ^ Gattis, Paul (April 15, 2019). "Countdown is on: 1 year from today until first Trash Pandas game in Madison". AL.com. Retrieved September 5, 2019.
- ^ Reichard, Kevin (May 1, 2015). "Smokies Park / Tennessee Smokies". Ballpark Digest. Retrieved May 4, 2015.
- ^ Harris, Chris (February 12, 2015). "A Walking Tour of MGM Park". Minor League Baseball. Retrieved May 4, 2015.
- ^ "Mississippi Braves Stadium Information". Minor League Baseball. November 13, 2008. Retrieved May 4, 2015.
- ^ "Riverwalk Stadium Information". Minor League Baseball. February 25, 2013. Retrieved May 4, 2015.
- ^ Pillon, Dennis (April 20, 2012). "Pensacola's Class AA Baseball Fever Still Going Strong". Press-Register. Mobile. Retrieved May 4, 2015.
- ^ "Texas League Playoff Procedures". Retrieved March 28, 2015.
- ^ "Eastern League Playoff Procedures". Retrieved March 28, 2015.
- ^ "Southern League Playoff Procedures". Retrieved March 28, 2015.
- ^ Heneghan, Kelsie (June 30, 2021). "Playoffs return to the Minor Leagues". MiLB.com. Retrieved July 1, 2021.
- ^ "Important Dates". Minor League Baseball. Retrieved April 24, 2020.
- ^ "SL Sets First All-Star Tilt". The Orlando Sentinel. Orlando. July 11, 1991. p. B-4 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Gonzalez, Roberto (July 11, 2002). "End Comes in Seventh". Hartford Courant. Hartford. p. C1 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Acquavella, Katherine (January 5, 2021). "MLB delays start of 2021 season for most minor-league teams, per report". CBS Sports. Retrieved May 5, 2021.
- ^ "Sea Dogs 2021 Season Schedule" (PDF). Portland Sea Dogs. Retrieved May 5, 2021 – via mlbstatic.com.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "MiLB announces pace-of-play rules for 2019". MILB.com. March 29, 2019. Retrieved March 30, 2019.