| 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 2013
| 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 |
2009 Standings
American
Template:AZFL American Standings
National
Template:AZFL National Standings
Championship history
| Year | Champion | Runner-Up |
|---|---|---|
| 1992 | Sun Cities Solar Sox | Phoenix Desert Dogs |
| 1993 | Tempe Rafters | Tucson Javelinas |
| 1994 | Peoria Javelinas | Mesa Saguaros |
| 1995 | Mesa Saguaros | Sun Cities Solar Sox |
| 1996 | Scottsdale Scorpions | Mesa Saguaros |
| 1997 | Peoria Javelinas | Grand Canyon Rafters |
| 1998 | Sun Cities Solar Sox | Grand Canyon Rafters |
| 1999 | Mesa Solar Sox | Maryvale Saguaros |
| 2000 | Grand Canyon Rafters | Phoenix Desert Dogs |
| 2001 | Phoenix Desert Dogs | Grand Canyon Rafters |
| 2002 | Peoria Javelinas | Scottsdale Scorpions |
| 2003 | Mesa Solar Sox | Mesa Desert Dogs |
| 2004 | Phoenix Desert Dogs | Scottsdale Scorpions |
| 2005 | Phoenix Desert Dogs | Surprise Scorpions |
| 2006 | Phoenix Desert Dogs | Grand Canyon Rafters |
| 2007 | Phoenix Desert Dogs | Surprise Rafters |
| 2008 | Phoenix Desert Dogs | Mesa Solar Sox |
| 2009 | Peoria Javelinas | Phoenix Desert Dogs |
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
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2006
2007
2008
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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 |
Template:Arizona Fall League
| Professional Baseball | |
| Americas | |
| Major League Baseball | American League • National League |
| Minor League Baseball | *Triple A : International League • Mexican League • Pacific Coast League
|
| Mexican League Affilates | *Double A : Nothern Mexico League
|
| Winter | *Affilliated: Arizona Fall League • Dominican Winter Baseball League • Mexican Pacific League • Parallel Leaguee • Venezuelan Professional Baseball League
|
| Defunct | *Major :National Association • American Association • Union Association • Player's League •
Federal League • Negro League baseball • All-American Girls Professional Baseball League • Continental League • Cuban League • National Association of Base Ball Players
|
| Asia | |
| Japan | Nippon Professional Baseball : Central League • Pacific League
|
| South Korea | Korea Professional Baseball
|
| Taiwan | Chinese Professional Baseball League |
| China | China Baseball League |
| Defunct | Japanese Baseball League • Taiwan Major League • Israel Baseball League |
| Europe | |
| Italy | Italian Baseball League |
| Netherlands | Honkbal Hoofdklasse |
| Oceania | |
| Australia | Australian Baseball |
| Defunct | Australian Baseball (1989-1999) • International Baseball League of Australia • Hawaii Winter Baseball |
Template:Phoenix Sports