Minor leagues are professional baseball leagues which are at a lower pay level and play in smaller cities and towns than do the major leagues. In the North American leagues, the minor leagues are typically under the control of the major leagues and are used for development of younger players.
The first league recognized as minor was the Northwestern League, which in 1883 entered into an agreement with the two major leagues at the time (the National League and the American Association), under which it would have a lower salary limit than the other two leagues. The National Agreement of 1903, which made peace between the National League and the new American League, also further codified the notion of "minor league" and establshed classifications for different levels.
Branch Rickey is credited with developing the first modern "farm system" in the 1920s. Under a farm system, major league teams own or have working relationships with minor league teams, and then stock those teams with prospects and reserve players, who can then be reassigned (to the major league team, or to another club in the farm system) at the discretion of the major league club. Today, every major league franchise has a farm system and only a few minor leagues operate independently of major-league influence.
Leagues and classifications (for the 2002 season)
AAA (triple-A) leagues are the highest level of minor league, just below the major leagues.
- International League (IL): Buffalo Bisons, Charlotte Knights, Columbus Clippers, Durham Bulls, Indianapolis Indians, Louisville Bats, Norfolk Tides, Ottawa Lynx, Pawtucket Red Sox, Richmond Braves, Rochester Red Wings, Scranton Wilkes-Barre Red Barons, Syracuse SkyChiefs, Toledo Mud Hens
- Pacific Coast League (PCL):
AA (double-A) leagues
- Eastern League
- Southern League
- Texas League
High-A leagues
- California League
- Carolina League
- Florida State League
Low-A Leagues
- Midwest League
- South Atlantic League
Short-Season A Leagues
- New York - Penn League
Rookie/Instructional leagues
- Appalachian League
- Pioneer League
Independent minor leagues (not affiliated with Major League Baseball)
- Atlantic League
- Northern League
ALPHABETICAL TEAM LISTING
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