| Arizona Fall League | |
|---|---|
| Arizona Fall League logo | |
| Sport | Baseball |
| Founded | 1992 |
| No. of teams | 6 |
| Country |  United States
|
| Current champions | Phoenix Desert Dogs |
| Official website | Official website |
The Arizona Fall League is an off-season league owned and operated by Major League Baseball which operates during the fall in Arizona, United States at five spring training complexes. The Arizona Fall League attracts many of the top prospects in minor league baseball.
Structure[]
Each August, Major League Baseball clubs hold a position draft to determine the players who will go to Arizona. Most are Double-A and Triple-A Minor League players. Each club can opt to send one player considered a Single-A player. Only one foreign player is allowed, but only if that player does not come from a region that participates in winter ball. The league is designed for these prospects to refine their skills and perform in game settings in front of major and minor league baseball scouts and team executives, who are in attendance at almost every game. Play begins shortly after the end of MLB's regular season in early October, and ends in mid-November.
The Arizona Fall League teams are not exclusive affiliates of any one team; instead, each Major League team provides seven players who team up to fill the 35-man roster of each team. Additionally, teams may elect to send Taxi Squad players who are only eligible on Wednesdays and Saturdays. MLB teams also provide managers, coaches, and trainers. The affiliations generally change every year.
Notable players[]
A number of famous ballplayers have had stints in the Arizona Fall League. In 1994, the league got worldwide attention as Michael Jordan's first professional baseball league, when he played for the Scottsdale Scorpions. Other notable ballplayers who have played in the Arizona Fall League include David Wright, Derek Jeter, Albert Pujols, and Ryan Braun.
Current teams July 1 2023[]
| Division | Team | City | Stadium | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| East | Mesa Solar Sox | Mesa, Arizona | HoHoKam Park | 12,632 |
| Phoenix Desert Dogs | Phoenix, Arizona | Phoenix Municipal Stadium | 8,775 | |
| Scottsdale Scorpions | Scottsdale, Arizona | Scottsdale Stadium | 11,200 | |
| West | Peoria Javelinas | Peoria, Arizona | Peoria Sports Complex | 12,882 |
| Salt River | Scottsdale, Arizona | Scottsdale Stadium | 11,200 | |
| Surprise Rafters | Surprise, Arizona | Surprise Stadium | 10,500 |
Championship history[]
Championship history[edit][]
From 1992 to 2021, the first-place teams from both divisions met for the league championship. Originally a best-of-three series, it was played as a single game from 2001 to 2021.
As of the 2022 season, divisions have been eliminated. The top three teams in the final regular season standings qualify for the postseason. The second- and third-place teams meet in a play-in semi-final game, with the winner facing the first-place team in the championship game.
The Peoria Javelinas have won the most championships, seven. The most consecutive championships is five, accomplished by the Phoenix Desert Dogs during 2004–2008. No championship game was held in 2020, as the season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. link=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Mikesosh.jpg|right|thumb|Mike Scioscia was manager of the 1997 champion Peoria Javelinas. link=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Bob_Melvin_2012.jpg|right|thumb|Bob Melvin was manager of the 1999 runner-up Maryvale Saguaros.
| Season | Game date | Champion | Score | Runner-Up | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | December 7–9 | Sun Cities Solar Sox | 2–1 (games) | Phoenix Saguaros | |
| 1993 | December 3–5 | Tempe Rafters | 2–1 (games) | Tucson Javelinas | |
| 1994 | December 2–3 | Peoria Javelinas | 2–0 (games) | Mesa Saguaros | |
| 1995 | December 1–3 | Mesa Saguaros | 2–1 (games) | Sun Cities Solar Sox | |
| 1996 | December 7–8 | Scottsdale Scorpions | 2–0 (games) | Mesa Saguaros | |
| 1997 | November 21–23 | Peoria Javelinas | 2–1 (games) | Grand Canyon Rafters | |
| 1998 | November 20–21 | Sun Cities Solar Sox | 2–0 (games) | Grand Canyon Rafters | |
| 1999 | November 19–20 | Mesa Solar Sox | 2–0 (games) | Maryvale Saguaros | |
| 2000 | November 17–18 | Grand Canyon Rafters | 2–0 (games) | Phoenix Desert Dogs | |
| 2001 | November 17 | Phoenix Desert Dogs | 12–8 | Grand Canyon Rafters | |
| 2002 | November 23 | Peoria Javelinas | 7–1 | Scottsdale Scorpions | |
| 2003 | November 15 | Mesa Solar Sox | 7–2 | Mesa Desert Dogs | |
| 2004 | November 20 | Phoenix Desert Dogs | 6–2 | Scottsdale Scorpions | |
| 2005 | November 12 | Phoenix Desert Dogs | 9–3 | Surprise Scorpions | |
| 2006 | November 18 | Phoenix Desert Dogs | 6–2 | Grand Canyon Rafters | |
| 2007 | November 17 | Phoenix Desert Dogs | 7–2 | Surprise Rafters | |
| 2008 | November 22 | Phoenix Desert Dogs | 10–4 | Mesa Solar Sox | |
| 2009 | November 21 | Peoria Javelinas | 5–4 | Phoenix Desert Dogs | |
| 2010 | November 20 | Scottsdale Scorpions | 3–2 | Peoria Javelinas | |
| 2011 | November 19 | Salt River Rafters | 9–3 | Surprise Saguaros | |
| 2012 | November 17 | Peoria Javelinas | 4–3 | Salt River Rafters | |
| 2013 | November 16 | Surprise Saguaros | 2–0 | Mesa Solar Sox | |
| 2014 | November 15 | Salt River Rafters | 14–7 | Peoria Javelinas | |
| 2015 | November 21 | Scottsdale Scorpions | 6–4 | Surprise Saguaros | |
| 2016 | November 19 | Mesa Solar Sox | 6–1 | Surprise Saguaros | |
| 2017 | November 18 | Peoria Javelinas | 8–2 | Mesa Solar Sox | |
| 2018 | November 17 | Peoria Javelinas | 3–2 (10) | Salt River Rafters | |
| 2019 | October 26 | Salt River Rafters | 5–1 | Surprise Saguaros | |
| 2020 | None (season cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic) | ||||
| 2021 | November 20 | Mesa Solar Sox | 6–0 | Surprise Saguaros | |
| 2022 | November 12 | Surprise Saguaros | 7–6 | Glendale Desert Dogs | |
| 2023 | November 11 | TBD | 0–0 | TBD | |
Hall of Fame[]
Twenty-three former Arizona Fall League players have been recognized for their achievements in Major League Baseball since the creation of the Hall of Fame in 2001.[1] To be considered by the selection committee, a player must be recognized by Major League Baseball as an MVP, Rookie of the Year, All-Star, Gold Glove, or Silver Slugger.
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
|
2006
2007
2008
|
Most Valuable Player award[]
Template:Also First presented in 2002 and named for Joe Black of the Brooklyn Dodgers, the award honors the 1952 National League Rookie of the Year.[2]
References[]
- ↑ "Hall of Fame." Arizona Fall League. Retrieved on 24 August 2009.
- ↑ Desme Wins AFL MVP Award. CBS Sports (November 23, 2009). Retrieved on 2010-01-30. See Grant Desme, the 2009 recipient.
External links[]
| Search Wikimedia Commons | Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Arizona Fall League |
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