Double-A (baseball)
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Double-A Baseball
Action during a Double-A baseball game featuring the New Hampshire Fisher Cats and Altoona Curve in 2016

Double-A (officially Class AA)[1] is the second-highest level of play in Minor League Baseball in the United States since 1946, below only Triple-A. There are currently 30 teams classified at the Double-A level, one for each team in Major League Baseball, organized into three leagues: Double-A Central, Double-A Northeast, and Double-A South.[2] As part of the 2021 reorganization of the minor leagues, the three current Double-A leagues replaced the Texas League, Eastern League, and Southern League, respectively.[3]

History

Jigger Statz played in over 2500 minor league games, all in the Pacific Coast League at the ClassAA level, 1920-1942.

Class AA ("Double-A") was established in 1912, as the new highest classification of Minor League Baseball.[4] Previously, Class A had been the highest level, predating the establishment of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues--the formal name of Minor League Baseball--in 1901.[5]:15 Entering the 1912 season, three leagues were designated as Class AA:[5]:236

Each of these leagues had previously been in Class A.[5]:230 Each remained in Class AA through 1945,[5]:396 then moved into Class AAA ("Triple-A") when it was established in 1946.[5]: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.[5]: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:[5]:401

The Texas League would remain in Double-A for the next 75 years. During this time, there were limited changes to leagues at the Double-A level:

Entering the 2020 minor league season (which was not played, due to the COVID-19 pandemic) the Texas League had been in Double-A since 1946, the Eastern League since 1963, and the Southern League since 1964. Prior to the 2021 season, Major League Baseball (MLB) reorganized the minor leagues, resulting in the discontinuation of all three Double-A leagues, which were then succeeded by Double-A Central, Double-A Northeast, and Double-A South.

System

Jeff Hearron jumped from Double-A to MLB with the Toronto Blue Jays.

The Double-A classification usually hosts developing players that have been part of professional baseball for only a couple of years. These players can get to the Double-A level by earning a promotion from any of the Single-A or Rookie leagues.[6] 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.[7] 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.[6]

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;[8] 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.[7]

Because players are not moving back and forth from the major leagues at this level, as often happens in Triple-A, the rosters tend to be more stable.[9] Fans of Double-A teams have a longer amount of time to get acquainted with the players, which helps create a better relationship between the team and its fans.[9]

Current teams

Current Double-A team locations:
  Double-A Central
  Double-A Northeast
  Double-A South

Double-A Central

Division Team MLB Affiliation City Stadium Capacity
North Arkansas Travelers Seattle Mariners North Little Rock, Arkansas Dickey-Stephens Park 7,200[10]
Northwest Arkansas Naturals Kansas City Royals Springdale, Arkansas Arvest Ballpark 7,305[11]
Springfield Cardinals St. Louis Cardinals Springfield, Missouri Hammons Field 10,486[12]
Tulsa Drillers Los Angeles Dodgers Tulsa, Oklahoma ONEOK Field 7,833[13]
Wichita Wind Surge Minnesota Twins Wichita, Kansas Riverfront Stadium 12,000
South Amarillo Sod Poodles Arizona Diamondbacks Amarillo, Texas Hodgetown 6,631[14]
Corpus Christi Hooks Houston Astros Corpus Christi, Texas Whataburger Field 7,050[15]
Frisco RoughRiders Texas Rangers Frisco, Texas Dr Pepper Ballpark 10,316[16]
Midland RockHounds Oakland Athletics Midland, Texas Momentum Bank Ballpark 6,669[17]
San Antonio Missions San Diego Padres San Antonio, Texas Nelson W. Wolff Municipal Stadium 9,200

Double-A Northeast

Division Team MLB Affiliation City Stadium Capacity
Northeast Binghamton Rumble Ponies New York Mets Binghamton, New York NYSEG Stadium 6,012[18]
Hartford Yard Goats Colorado Rockies Hartford, Connecticut Dunkin' Donuts Park 6,121[19]
New Hampshire Fisher Cats Toronto Blue Jays Manchester, New Hampshire Northeast Delta Dental Stadium 6,500[20]
Portland Sea Dogs Boston Red Sox Portland, Maine Hadlock Field 7,368[21]
Reading Fightin Phils Philadelphia Phillies Reading, Pennsylvania FirstEnergy Stadium 9,000[22]
Somerset Patriots New York Yankees Bridgewater Township, New Jersey TD Bank Ballpark 6,100
Southwest Akron RubberDucks Cleveland Indians Akron, Ohio Canal Park 7,630[23]
Altoona Curve Pittsburgh Pirates Altoona, Pennsylvania Peoples Natural Gas Field 7,210[24]
Bowie Baysox Baltimore Orioles Bowie, Maryland Prince George's Stadium 10,000[25]
Erie SeaWolves Detroit Tigers Erie, Pennsylvania UPMC Park 6,000[26]
Harrisburg Senators Washington Nationals Harrisburg, Pennsylvania FNB Field 6,187[27]
Richmond Flying Squirrels San Francisco Giants Richmond, Virginia The Diamond 9,560[28]

Double-A South

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 MGM 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 Admiral Fetterman Field at Community Maritime Park 5,038[36]

Playoffs

Prior to the 2021 reorganization of the minor leagues, all three active Double-A leagues played split seasons, wth the Eastern League moving to that system in 2019. Teams winning their division in either half of the season qualified for the postseason, with wild card teams filling out the remaining spots in a bracket tournament, usually comprising four teams.[37][38][39]

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.[40] 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.[41][42]

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.[43] 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.[44] 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.[45]

See also

References

  1. ^ The Official Professional Baseball Rules Book (PDF). New York City: Office of the Commissioner of Baseball. 2019. pp. 158-159. Retrieved 2021 – via mlbpa.org.
  2. ^ "Teams by League and Classification". Minor League Baseball. Retrieved 2020.
  3. ^ Mayo, Jonathan (February 12, 2021). "MLB announces new Minors teams, leagues". MiLB.com. Minor League Baseball. Retrieved 2021.
  4. ^ "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 2021 – via newspapers.com. CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l The Encyclopedia of Minor League Baseball. Lloyd Johnson & Miles Wolff, editors (Third ed.). Baseball America. 2007. ISBN 1932391177.CS1 maint: others (link)
  6. ^ a b "What is Double AA Baseball?". SportingCharts. 2014. Retrieved 2015.
  7. ^ a b Moore, Jeff (July 2, 2013). "Understanding Minor League Levels". The Hardball Times. Retrieved 2015.
  8. ^ Hunter, Ian (May 11, 2018). "Flashback Friday: Blue Jays Position Players Who Leapt From Double-A to MLB". bluejayhunter.com. Retrieved 2021. CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
  9. ^ a b Santelli, Robert; Santelli, Jenna (2010). The Baseball Fan's Bucket List: 162 Things You Must Do, See, Get, and Experience Before You Die. Running Press. p. 218. ISBN 9780762438556.
  10. ^ "Dickey-Stephens Park". Arkansas Diamonds: The Ballparks of Arkansas and Their History. Archived from the original on May 5, 2015. Retrieved 2017.
  11. ^ Bergeron, Angela (2008). "Feature Story - August 2008". Engineering News-Record. McGraw-Hill. Archived from the original on February 27, 2014. Retrieved 2017.
  12. ^ Mock, Joe. "Hammons Field in Springfield, Missouri". Baseball Parks. Retrieved 2017.
  13. ^ "ONEOK Field". Tulsa Sports Commission. 2010. Retrieved 2015.
  14. ^ Reichard, Kevin (April 10, 2019). "Sod Poodles Launch Crowd-Pleasing Ballpark". Ballpark Digest. August Publications. Retrieved 2019.
  15. ^ Goldberg-Strassler, Jesse (November 19, 2012). "Whataburger Field / Corpus Christi Hooks". Ballpark Digest. Retrieved 2015.
  16. ^ Goldberg-Strassler, Jesse (November 14, 2012). "Dr Pepper Ballpark / Frisco RoughRiders". Ballpark Digest. Retrieved 2015.
  17. ^ "Security Bank Ballpark". Stadiums USA. Archived from the original on May 8, 2016. Retrieved 2017.
  18. ^ Knight, Graham (September 17, 2010). "NYSEG Stadium". Baseball Pilgrimages. Retrieved 2015.
  19. ^ Mock, Joe. "Dunkin' Donuts Park". www.baseballparks.com. Grand Slam Enterprises, Inc. Retrieved 2017.
  20. ^ "2012 New Hampshire Fisher Cats Media Guide" (PDF). Minor League Baseball. April 9, 2012. Retrieved 2015.
  21. ^ Knight, Graham (July 6, 2010). "Hadlock Field - Portland Sea Dogs". Baseball Pilgrimages. Retrieved 2015.
  22. ^ Leon, Matt (May 17, 2011). "Minor League Ballpark Guide". KYW. Philadelphia. Retrieved 2015.
  23. ^ "Akron RubberDucks Canal Park". Minor League Baseball. November 27, 2012. Retrieved 2017.
  24. ^ "2012 Altoona Curve Media Guide". Minor League Baseball. 2012. Retrieved 2015.
  25. ^ "Bowie Baysox Baysox/Stadium Info". Minor League Baseball. March 11, 2009. Retrieved 2015.
  26. ^ "Jerry Uth Park". Erie County Convention Center Authority. Archived from the original on July 30, 2012. Retrieved 2012.
  27. ^ Reichard, Kevin (June 28, 2010). "Metro Bank Park / Harrisburg Senators". Ballpark Digest. Retrieved 2015.
  28. ^ O'Connor, John (March 27, 2010). "Bleacher Banners Give Diamond New Look, Fewer Seats". Richmond Times-Dispatch. Retrieved 2014.
  29. ^ "Regions Field Birmingham Barons". Minor League Baseball. January 27, 2012. Retrieved 2015.
  30. ^ Knight, Graham (July 27, 2010). "AT&T Field". Baseball Pilgrimages. Retrieved 2015.
  31. ^ Gattis, Paul (April 15, 2019). "Countdown is on: 1 year from today until first Trash Pandas game in Madison". AL.com. Retrieved 2019.
  32. ^ Reichard, Kevin (May 1, 2015). "Smokies Park / Tennessee Smokies". Ballpark Digest. Retrieved 2015.
  33. ^ Harris, Chris (February 12, 2015). "A Walking Tour of MGM Park". Minor League Baseball. Retrieved 2015.
  34. ^ "Mississippi Braves Stadium Information". Minor League Baseball. November 13, 2008. Retrieved 2015.
  35. ^ "Riverwalk Stadium Information". Minor League Baseball. February 25, 2013. Retrieved 2015.
  36. ^ Pillon, Dennis (April 20, 2012). "Pensacola's Class AA Baseball Fever Still Going Strong". Press-Register. Mobile. Retrieved 2015.
  37. ^ "Texas League Playoff Procedures". Retrieved 2015.
  38. ^ "Eastern League Playoff Procedures". Retrieved 2015.
  39. ^ "Southern League Playoff Procedures". Retrieved 2015.
  40. ^ "Important Dates". Minor League Baseball. Retrieved 2020.
  41. ^ "SL Sets First All-Star Tilt". The Orlando Sentinel. Orlando. July 11, 1991. p. B-4 – via Newspapers.com.
  42. ^ Gonzalez, Roberto (July 11, 2002). "End Comes in Seventh". Hartford Courant. Hartford. p. C1 – via Newspapers.com.
  43. ^ Jackson, Josh (January 15, 2015). "Triple-A, Double-A to Implement Pitch Clock". MILB.com. Retrieved 2015.
  44. ^ "MiLB announces pace-of-play rules for 2018". MILB.com. March 14, 2018. Retrieved 2018.
  45. ^ "MiLB announces pace-of-play rules for 2019". MILB.com. March 29, 2019. Retrieved 2019.

External links


  This article uses material from the Wikipedia page available here. It is released under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share-Alike License 3.0.

Double-A_(baseball)
 



 



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