American Association
From SoSH
| Founded: | 2006 |
| No. of Teams: | 10 |
| Class: | Independent |
| Most recent champion: | Fort Worth Cats |
The American Association began play in 2006 as one of the many Independent Baseball Leagues in Minor League Baseball league. The American Association's area is currently South Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska, Missouri, Texas, Louisiana and Florida. Play is characterized at the Double-A level.
Contents |
League Information
In the fall of 2005 the possibility of a revival of the American Association was discussed. Teams from two independent leagues, the Northern League and the Central League proposed coming together to form a “super” independent league.
The American Association was founded in October 2005 by four former Northern League teams (the Lincoln Saltdogs, St. Paul Saints, Sioux City Explorers, and Sioux Falls Canaries); these teams were joined by five teams from the Central Baseball League (the Coastal Bend Aviators, El Paso Diablos, Fort Worth Cats, Pensacola Pelicans, and Shreveport Sports) and by an expansion team (the St. Joe Blacksnakes).
Two of the cities in the discussions, St. Paul and Ft. Worth, had been members of the old American Association, and the geography was similar to that of original league. With the history and precedent set by its namesake, the expectations are strong for the new league, and the name “American Association” was again part of the great history of professional baseball.
2006 Season
The league began play in 2006, with a 96-game schedule. The first All-Star Game was played in El Paso, Texas on July 18th, with the American Association defeating the Can-Am League 5 to 3. At the end of that season, the Fort Worth Cats defeated the St. Paul Saints three games to two to win the first league championship.
Playoffs
- Semifinals - St. Paul defeated Lincoln 3 games to 1; Fort Worth defeated Shreveport 3 games to 2
- Finals - Fort Worth defeated St. Paul 3 games to 2
2007 Season
All ten clubs returned for the American Association's second season in 2007, with teams once again playing a 96-game schedule. The All-Star Game was held on July 17th in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, with the team representing the South Division defeating the North Division 6 to 4. The Cats and Saints faced off again to battle for the championship, with Fort Worth Cats winning once again in five games.
Playoffs
- Semifinals - St. Paul defeated Lincoln 3 games to 0; Fort Worth defeated El Paso 3 games to 2
- Finals - Fort Worth defeated St. Paul 3 games to 2
2008 Season
Two new clubs, the Grand Prairie AirHogs and the Wichita Wingnuts, will join the American Association in 2008 while two others, the Coastal Bend Aviators and the St. Joe Blacksnakes, cease operation. The league's All-Star Game is scheduled for July 22nd at Midway Stadium, home of the St. Paul Saints.
Current Teams
North Division
South Division
Former Teams
External Links
American Association - Official site
