80-776: The Bradenton Marauders are a Minor League Baseball team of the Florida State League and the Single-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates . They are located in Bradenton, Florida , and play their home games at LECOM Park , which also serves as the Pirates' spring training facility. The franchise can be directly traced to 1957 as the Tampa Tarpons , a team in the Florida State League , then
160-539: A Bradenton native, also played for the Growers in 1925 . He would go on to win the 1928 World Series , as a member of the New York Yankees . Other major leaguers include Joe Buskey and Al Niehaus , Mike Kelly and Dixie Parker . They wore short-billed caps and their white uniforms bore an elegant B over their hearts. While the primary color of the Growers' uniforms is not known, baseball historians from
240-716: A Class D minor league, based in Tampa . From their inception, the Tarpons played all their home games at Al Lopez Field , built in 1955 and located at the current site of Raymond James Stadium . The Tarpons were affiliated with the Philadelphia Phillies from 1957 to 1960. In 1961 they began a long affiliation with the Cincinnati Reds . During the 1970s several Tarpon alumni went on to be part of Cincinnati's " Big Red Machine ". Future Reds star Pete Rose led
320-688: A championship pennant. The first true minor league is traditionally considered to be the Northwestern League of 1883 to 1884. Unlike the earlier minor associations, it was conceived as a permanent organization. It also, along with the NL and the American Association (AA), was a party to the National Agreement of 1883 . Included in this was the agreement to respect the reserve lists of clubs in each league. Teams in
400-497: A commemorative bobblehead that was given away at the gates to the first 1,000 fans on Saturday, May 17 against Dunedin. The club's 2014 roster consisted of three of the Pirates top 20 prospects, as comprised by MLB.com : pitcher Tyler Glasnow , outfielder Josh Bell and catcher Jin De-Jhang. The club also hosted the 2014 Florida State League All-Star Game on Saturday, June 14 at McKechnie Field. The Marauders were represented in
480-539: A final score of 6–2 over Fort Myers. The team's first loss came on Thursday April 15, 2010, when they were defeated 3–2 by the Jupiter Hammerheads at Roger Dean Stadium . The Marauders' first home loss came on Saturday April 17, 2010, by a score of 10–7, to the St. Lucie Mets . On May 16, 2010, Bryan Morris became the very first Marauder to be promoted, when he was called up to the Pirates' Double A affiliate,
560-490: A flat-fee purchase amount of $ 5,000 for the contract of any player from an NA member league team. This measure was leveled primarily at the Baltimore Orioles , then a Triple-A team that had dominated the minors by keeping players longer than many competitors, allowing the players to more fully develop, driving up their sale value to major-league teams and giving Baltimore a talent advantage. Deprived of this option by
640-667: A higher level of play. These leagues are intended almost exclusively to allow players to hone their skills; no admission is charged and no concessions are sold. As of the 2024 season, the Arizona Complex League and Florida Complex League seasons commence in early May and conclude in late July in order to provide players with previous experience in the Dominican Summer League with a full season in stateside professional baseball without having to compete for playing time with newly drafted players selected in
720-591: A limited membership which excluded less competitive and financially weaker teams. Professional clubs outside the NL responded by forming regional associations of their own. There was a series of ad hoc groupings, such as the New England Association of 1877 and the Eastern Championship Association of 1881. These were loose groups of independent clubs which agreed to play a series of games over the course of one season for
800-540: A minor league baseball career with the Tarpons in 1974. The Tampa Tarpons won three league championships, in 1957, 1959 and 1961. In the 1980s rumors arose that a major league team would come to Tampa, which would threaten the viability of the Tarpons and other minor league teams in the Tampa Bay Area . In 1988 the Chicago White Sox replaced Cincinnati as the Tarpons' affiliate, launching murmurs that
880-481: A second or third promotion for a minor league player, although some high first-round draftees, particularly those with experience playing college baseball , begin at this level. Below the High-A level is Single-A, named "Class A" before 2021, when it was also known as Single-A or Full-Season A, and "Low-A" for the 2021 season. This classification has three leagues: the 8-team California League , known as Low-A West for
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#1732776231652960-516: A statement, asserting that it is "unnecessary and unacceptable to wipe out one-quarter of minor league teams" and characterized the proposal as a way "to improve the profitability of MLB". Manfred rebuked Minor League Baseball for releasing the negotiations to the public and threatened to cut ties with MiLB altogether. The following changes, which represent the first significant overhaul of minor league classifications since 1963, have since been implemented: When MLB teams announced their affiliates for
1040-526: A steady supply of players, as many NA and independent teams could not afford to keep their doors open without the patronage of Major League Baseball. The leagues of the NA became subordinate to the major leagues, creating the first minor leagues in the current sense of the term. Other than the Pacific Coast League (PCL), which under its president Pants Rowland tried to become a third major league in
1120-517: A temporary replacement. There are currently three leagues in this classification: the 12-team Eastern League , known as Double-A Northeast for the 2021 season, with teams in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions of the U.S., the eight-team Southern League (known as Double-A South for the 2021 season) with teams in the Deep South, and the 10-team Texas League (known as Double-A Central for
1200-493: Is a professional baseball organization below Major League Baseball (MLB), including teams affiliated with MLB clubs. Entering the 2021 season, the number of full-season MLB-affiliated minor leagues with teams in the United States and Canada was reduced to 11, with a total of 120 teams (four per each of the 30 MLB franchises). There are also two affiliated rookie leagues based in the United States, with teams based at
1280-677: Is also in use. In December 2011, the team unveiled an alternate logo, that is used for select games, for use on their caps during the 2012 season. The logo features a pair of crossed bats and a smiling skull with a patch over its right eye. On May 31, 2012, the Marauders dressed in Bradenton Growers' uniforms during a 2–1 win over the Fort Myers Miracle for Turn Back the Clock Night at McKechnie Field. The team took
1360-486: Is usually that these veteran players will be in the majors by the end of the season, as their salaries tend to be higher than those of most prospects. One level below Double-A is the High-A level, named "Class A-Advanced" before 2021. This classification has three leagues: the 12-team Midwest League , known as High-A Central for the 2021 season, covering the Midwest, the six-team Northwest League , known as High-A West for
1440-747: The Altoona Curve . The Marauders finished their 2010 inaugural season with a 76–62 record and led the league in runs , batting average , on-base percentage and on-base plus slugging , and they also finished fifth (out of 12 teams) in runs allowed and fourth in ERA . They also finished third in the league in overall winning percentage. The team lost the Southern Division Championship to the Charlotte Stone Crabs 2 games to 1. In March 2011, Nathan Adcock became
1520-672: The Arizona Complex League and Florida Complex League , known as the Arizona League and Gulf Coast League, respectively, before 2021, and one Caribbean-based league, the Dominican Summer League . The U.S.-based Rookie leagues play a schedule of approximately 60 games and are named "complex leagues" because games are played at their parent clubs' spring training complexes. Rosters consist primarily of newly drafted players who are not yet ready for
1600-568: The Arizona Complex League or Florida Complex League , and international summer baseball teams in the Dominican Summer League . While major league teams play a 162-game schedule, minor league seasons are shorter. As of 2022 , a complete season in Triple-A is 150 games, Double-A is 138 games, and High-A and Single-A are each 132 games. In addition to the below organized leagues, the off-season Arizona Fall League has six teams that play approximately 30 games apiece in autumn, with rosters comprising
1680-530: The Florida State League , they played from 1919 to 1926 . The ballclub was founded by team president and majority owner Robert M. Beall, Sr., founder of the department store Bealls . The Growers originally played their home games at Ninth Street Park and moved into McKechnie Field , then known as City Park, when it was constructed in 1923 . Many of the Growers rosters include players' names with question marks, last names only, and no dates of birth or hometowns. However, several notable Growers did make it into
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#17327762316521760-610: The National Association of Professional Base Ball Players of 1871 to 1875, commonly referred to as the National Association, comprised all fully professional teams. This system proved unworkable, however, as there was no way to ensure competitive balance, and financially unsound clubs often failed in midseason. This problem was solved in 1876 with the formation of the National League (NL), with
1840-695: The Northwest League and Midwest League promoted with 75% of their teams. The Carolina League dropped to Low-A with seven of its ten teams and added five from the old South Atlantic League in trade; the SAL in turn moved to High-A with half of its previous 12-team roster, filling it out with two Carolina League High-A holdovers, one Midwest League returnee, and three formerly short-season New York-Penn League promotees. On February 12, 2021, Major League Baseball announced new league alignments for all 120 affiliated Minor League Baseball clubs effective as of
1920-567: The United States Congress signed a letter sent to Commissioner of Baseball Rob Manfred opposing the proposal, noting that it "is not in the best interest of the overall game of baseball" and that it would "devastate our communities, their bond purchasers and other stakeholders affected by the potential loss of these clubs." A response from MLB highlighted that the proposal aims to improve player travel and working conditions. On November 21, 2019, Minor League Baseball released
2000-696: The majors . Logan Drake played from 1922 - 1924 as a relief pitcher for the Cleveland Indians . Walter Cleveland "Lefty" Stewart played 10 seasons in the majors for the Detroit Tigers , St. Louis Browns , Washington Senators , and Cleveland Indians. He also pitched in game 1 of the 1933 World Series for the Senators. Another Grower, Gene Elliott , played for New York Highlanders in 1911 before playing in Bradenton. Hank Johnson ,
2080-516: The "Marauders" team name across the chest of the sleeved jersey, as well as the Marauders logo on the cap. During the Marauders 2010 inaugural season, the home jerseys also featured a commemorative patch on the sleeve. Gray uniforms are worn for Marauders road games. These gray uniforms feature the name "Bradenton" across the chest of the sleeved jersey and a styled "B" logo on the cap. Meanwhile, batting practice jerseys are worn during home and road batting practice, as well as during select games throughout
2160-595: The 1950s and early 1960s. In 1949, the peak of the postwar minor league baseball boom, 448 teams in 59 leagues were members of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues, with the number of teams falling to 324 in 1952, and 243 in 1955. By the end of 1963, only 15 leagues above Rookie-level survived in the United States and Canada. After the 1962 season, the Triple-A American Association—which had lost key markets such as Milwaukee , Kansas City , Minneapolis–Saint Paul and Houston to
2240-523: The 2021 season on December 9, 2020, each of the 30 MLB teams had one affiliate at four levels—Triple-A, Double-A, High-A, and Low-A—for a total of 120 affiliated teams. Approximately 40 teams lost their MLB affiliations; the Fresno Grizzlies were demoted from Triple-A to Low-A; and the majority of surviving clubs at High-A and Low-A swapped levels, with the former Florida State League and California League dropped down nearly as intact units and
2320-466: The 2021 season) with teams in the Southwest and Great Plains. Some players jump to the majors from this level, as many of the top prospects are put here to play against each other rather than against minor and major league veterans in Triple-A. A small handful of players might be placed here to start, usually veterans from foreign leagues with more experience in professional baseball. The expectation
2400-486: The 2021 season, located entirely in California , the 12-team Carolina League , known as Low-A East for the 2021 season, and the 10-team Florida State League , known as Low-A Southeast for the 2021 season. All three leagues were demoted from High-A to Single-A effective with the 2021 season. These leagues are a mix of players moving up from Rookie leagues, as well as the occasional experienced first-year player. Most of
2480-673: The 2021 season, with teams in the Pacific Northwest, and the 12-team South Atlantic League , known as High-A East for the 2021 season, with teams in the eastern states. All three leagues were reclassified prior to the 2021 season, with the Midwest League and the South Atlantic League promoted from Single-A and the Northwest League promoted from Class A Short Season. This level of play is often
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2560-457: The 2021 season. Contrary to previously published reports indicating that realignment would retain the names of the existing minor leagues, Major League Baseball elected to abandon the names of existing minor leagues in favor of a new, class- and region-based naming system. Triple-A was divided into two leagues: Bradenton Growers The Bradenton Growers were a professional baseball team based in Bradenton, Florida . A charter member of
2640-503: The 52nd Annual FSL All-Star Game. Jeff Locke also became the first Marauders player to make the roster for the Major League Baseball All-Star Game . In 2014 the journey of current Marauders' player Rinku Singh from India to professional baseball was portrayed in the movie Million Dollar Arm . The film starred Jon Hamm and was produced by Walt Disney Pictures . The Marauders recognized Singh with
2720-522: The Dominican Summer League who have not yet been assigned to a domestic affiliate, as well as players placed on the minor league 60-day and full-season injured lists—during the minor league season, with a limit of 175 domestic players during the offseason. During the minor league season, the following roster limits for each classification are used: Triple-A Double-A High-A Single-A Rookie Off-season leagues Showcase league Partner leagues The earliest professional baseball league,
2800-614: The Florida State League. In all of 2010, the team drew 51,856 fans in 70 home dates, only the Dunedin Blue Jays drew fewer fans. According to team officials, the turn-around attendance is believed to be a result of the team having a full season to market itself and establish a fanbase. By the season's end, the team drew a total regular season attendance of 103,978 fans, doubling the previous year's attendance. On August 18, 2011, Bradenton's Robbie Grossman became
2880-603: The July Major League Baseball draft . This adjusted schedule also allows the top Rookie-level prospects in each organization to be promoted to class Single-A for the final two months of the professional baseball season upon the conclusion of the complex league seasons. As of the 2024 season, each major league club may have no more than 165 players assigned to the rosters of their domestic affiliates (i.e., Triple-A, Double-A, High-A, Single-A, and complex-league Rookie)—excluding international players assigned to
2960-553: The Major Leagues since 1953—disbanded. The surviving International and Pacific Coast leagues absorbed the four remaining American Association franchises. Meanwhile, at the Double-A level and below there were even more significant changes: Designations below Class A disappeared because the lower levels could not sustain operation during a large downturn in the financial fortunes of minor league baseball, due to factors including
3040-575: The Manatee Adult Baseball League feel that the color of the uniforms was green and that their design was based the design on the uniforms worn by the 1919 University of Miami baseball team . The Growers would be the last Florida State League team based in Bradenton. The city would not be home to another FSL team for the next 84 years. Finally on April 8, 2010 , the Bradenton Marauders , the High-A affiliate of
3120-486: The Marauders defeated the Palm Beach Cardinals , 6–3, to clinch the Florida State League's second half title, for the second time in two years, and playoff berth. However the team would go on to lose the Southern Division Championship, 2 games to 1, for the second straight year. The 2012 campaign was the first in which the Marauders failed to make the playoffs. However the year still was memorable for having
3200-671: The Marauders were organized into the Low-A Southeast at the Low-A classification. In 2022, the Low-A Southeast became known as the Florida State League, the name historically used by the regional circuit prior to the 2021 reorganization, and was reclassified as a Single-A circuit. The Pirates do not call the club the Bradenton Pirates, which has been used in the past by the Gulf Coast League Pirates ,
3280-625: The NL and the AA could only reserve players who had been paid at least $ 1,000. Northwestern League teams could reserve players paid $ 750, implicitly establishing the division into major and minor leagues. Over the next two decades, more minor leagues signed various versions of the National Agreement. Eventually, the minor leagues allied to negotiate jointly. In the late 1890s, the Western League run by Ban Johnson decided to challenge
Bradenton Marauders - Misplaced Pages Continue
3360-581: The NL's position. In 1900, he changed the name of the league to the American League (AL) and vowed to make deals to sign contracts with players who were dissatisfied with the pay and terms of their deals with the NL. This led to a turf war that heated up in 1901 enough to concern Patrick T. Powers , president of the Eastern League, and many other minor league owners about the conflict potentially affecting their organizations. Representatives of
3440-607: The Pirates' first affiliate in the Florida State League since the Leesburg Pirates ended play in 1948. On April 8, 2010, the Marauders played their first game in front of 2,396 spectators at McKechnie Field . The inaugural game ended in 18–3 Bradenton victory over the Fort Myers Miracle . Pittsburgh Pirates prospect, Bryan Morris , was the team's starting pitcher. The team's first hit came off its first batter, Greg Picart. Meanwhile, Quincy Latimore registered
3520-778: The Pirates' former Class A-Advanced affiliate, the Lynchburg Hillcats of the Carolina League . On November 10, 2009, baseball officials voted to allow the Pirates to purchase and uproot the Sarasota Reds. The Pirates moved the team to Bradenton, where they were renamed the Bradenton Marauders. The Marauders became the first Florida State League team located in Bradenton since the Bradenton Growers folded in 1926. The Marauders are also
3600-506: The Pirates' top prospect in the line-up, Gerrit Cole . It was also the first in which the team used their alternate logo which features two crossed bats behind a skull wearing an eye patch. Bradenton missed the playoffs again in 2013, however the line-up once again featured the top prospect for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Gregory Polanco . Shortstop Alen Hanson , Polanco, and starting pitcher Nick Kingham represented Bradenton at
3680-572: The Player of the Year (Josh Bell) awards. Despite a late season surge, the 2015 Marauders were eliminated from playoff contention with a 4–1 loss to the St. Lucie Mets on September 4. However the following season proved much better for the Marauders. On June 20, 2016, the Marauders’ clinched a first-half division title for the first time in franchise history. On September 7, 2016, the Marauders defeated
3760-811: The St. Lucie Mets with a 4–1 win in Game 2 of the FSL South Division Series at McKechnie Field. The win advanced the Marauders to the Florida State League Championship Series for the first time in franchise history. A week later on September 12, 2016, the Marauders defeated the Tampa Yankees , 3 games to 1, at McKechnie Field to win their first Florida State League title. In conjunction with Major League Baseball 's restructuring of Minor League Baseball in 2021,
3840-607: The Texas League, which had last operated in 1942, and the Southern Association) became Class AA. Class A remained the third-highest classification, with lower levels still ranked Class B through Class D in descending order, with Class D being the equivalent of later Rookie leagues. The impact of the Korean War in 1950 caused a player shortage in many cities below Class B. In 1952, the "Open" classification
3920-460: The Triple-A Inter–American League (1979). None lasted more than a full season. In October 2019, Baseball America reported that Major League Baseball had proposed dramatic changes to MiLB that would take effect after expiration of the Professional Baseball Agreement, which governed the MLB–MiLB relationship, at the end of the 2020 season. This included the elimination of many minor league teams. In mid-November 2019, more than 100 members of
4000-474: The Triple-A level. Such players are eligible to be added to a team's active major league roster. For teams in contention for a playoff spot late in a season, it gives them fresh players, while for teams not in contention, it gives them an opportunity to evaluate their second-tier players against major league competition. Some Triple-A players are "career minor leaguers", former prospects whose skill growth has halted and who are not likely to advance to MLB, unless as
4080-508: The Western states, the other leagues maintained autonomy in name only, being totally economically dependent upon the AL and NL. In 1922, the United States Supreme Court decision Federal Baseball Club v. National League (259 U.S. 200), which grants baseball a special immunity from antitrust laws , had a major effect on the minor leagues. The special immunity meant that the AL and NL could dictate terms under which every independent league did business. By 1925, major league baseball established
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#17327762316524160-446: The White Sox from 1989 to 1993, as the Sarasota Red Sox from 1994 to 2004, and the Sarasota Reds from 2004 to 2009. In Sarasota, the team played in Payne Park (1989) and then Ed Smith Stadium (1990–2009). They won two division championships, in 1989 and 1992, and made playoff appearances in 1989, 1991, 1992, 1994, and 2007. The Pittsburgh Pirates have had their spring training facilities in Bradenton, Florida , since in 1969, when
4240-450: The White Sox would themselves relocate to the area. Fearing his team would soon be displaced, in 1989 Tarpons owner Mitchell Mick sold his franchise to the White Sox, who moved it to Sarasota as the Sarasota White Sox. The team started play in "Sarasota" as the Sarasota White Sox in the 1989 season. They remained in the city for the next 21 seasons, going through a series of name changes due to their affiliation changes. They were known as
4320-500: The Year Florida State League Pitcher of the Year Florida State League All-Star Game selections The following players were named to the Florida State All-Star team in each particular season. A name in Bold indicates the player later participated in the MLB All-Star Game . A cross (†) indicates the player was named FSL All-Star Game MVP. 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 Minor League Baseball Minor League Baseball ( MiLB )
4400-416: The city met with Pirates' general manager Joe Brown and owner John W. Galbreath and both sides agreed to a lease of 40 years, with an option for another 40 years. After the Reds' spring-training departure from Florida's Grapefruit League to Arizona 's Cactus League in 2009, the Reds and Pirates did an "affiliate-swap". The Pirates took over the Sarasota Reds, while the Reds became the parent club of
4480-400: The different minor leagues met at the Leland Hotel in Chicago on September 5, 1901. In response to the NL–AL battle, they agreed to form the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues (NAPBL), sometimes shortened to National Association (NA), which would later adopt the trade name "Minor League Baseball". The purpose of the NAPBL at the time was to maintain the independence of
4560-498: The first minor league player to score 100 runs and walk 100 times in a season since Nick Swisher did so in 2004. He is also the first player in the Florida State League to walk 100 times since 1998. Ramon Cabrera was also awarded the Florida State League batting title on September 5 by finishing the 2011 season with a .343 batting average. Three of the FSL's top four hitters were members of the Marauders: Cabrera (1st), Eleyvs Gonzalez (2nd) and Adalberto Santos (4th). On August 30, 2011,
4640-491: The first place Tarpons in 1961 with a .331 batting average and 30 triples, still an FSL record. Other Reds players of the era who started with the Tarpons include Ken Griffey, Sr. , Johnny Bench , Dan Driessen , Rawly Eastwick , and Dave Concepción . Later, the 1990 World Series Champion Reds roster included former Tarpons such as Tom Browning , Rob Dibble , and Paul O'Neill . Randy Poffo, who later became famous as professional wrestler "Macho Man" Randy Savage , finished
4720-405: The first player from the Marauders to make a major league team's 25-man roster. Adcock was added to the Kansas City Royals roster after he was chosen by the team in the Rule 5 draft. The Marauders play struggled during the first half of the 2011 FSL season. The team finished the first half of the season with a 30–40 record and never really contending for the South Division title. At the start of
4800-435: The flat-fee policy, minor league teams had little choice but to sell players as soon as they drew major-league interest. The earliest classifications used in the minor leagues began circa 1890, for teams that were party to the National Agreement of 1883. The different levels represented different levels of protection for player contracts and reserve clauses : After the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues
4880-446: The following assignments entering the 1902 season: Additional classifications added prior to World War II included: In 1946, with the minor leagues poised for unprecedented growth, the higher-level classifications were changed. Class AAA ("Triple-A") was created and the three Double-A circuits (the Pacific Coast League , International League , and the American Association ) were reclassified into Triple-A. Class A1 (comprising
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#17327762316524960-417: The game by outfielder Josh Bell and left-handed pitcher Orlando Castro. The Marauders returned to the playoffs in 2014 by clinching Second Half South Division Championship for the third time in five years. However the team was eliminated by Fort Myers in the first round. Still the club won, a franchise-best, 78 games in the regular season and swept the Florida State League Pitcher of the Year (Tyler Glasnow), and
5040-451: The later stages of the negotiations to develop rules for the acquisition of players from their leagues by the NL and the AL. The 1903 agreement ensured that teams would be compensated for the players that they had taken the time and effort to scout and develop, and no NA team was required to sell their players, although most did because the cash was an important source of revenue for most teams. The NA leagues were still fiercely independent, and
5120-405: The leagues involved. Several did not sign the agreement and continued to work independently. Powers was made the first president of the NAPBL, whose offices were established in Auburn, New York . In 1903, the conflict between the AL and NL ended in the National Agreement of 1903 , which created the National Baseball Commission to oversee the major and minor leagues. The NAPBL became involved in
5200-465: The minor leagues, such as Buzz Arlett , Jigger Statz , Ike Boone , Buddy Ryan , Earl Rapp , and Frank Shellenback , as comparable to major league players. Leagues in the NA would not be truly called minor until Branch Rickey developed the first modern farm system in the 1930s. The Commissioner of Baseball , Kenesaw Mountain Landis fought Rickey's scheme, but, ultimately, the Great Depression drove teams to establish systems like Rickey's to ensure
5280-793: The opportunity to honor the Growers, who last played in 1926 and were the last Florida State League team to be based in Bradenton prior to the Marauders' arrival in 2010. Pitchers Catchers Infielders Outfielders Manager Coaches 60-day injured list [REDACTED] 7-day injured list * On Pittsburgh Pirates 40-man roster ~ Development list # Rehab assignment ∞ Reserve list ‡ Restricted list § Suspended list † Temporarily inactive list Roster updated September 19, 2024 Transactions → More rosters: MiLB • Florida State League → Pittsburgh Pirates minor league players MiLBY Awards Florida State League Hall of Fame Florida State League Player of
5360-414: The other two leagues, as part of a reorganization of the Triple-A level in 1997. The International League features teams from the Atlantic coast and midwestern U.S., while the Pacific Coast League features teams from the Pacific coast and the southwest. Both young players and veterans play for Triple-A teams. Parent clubs often hold players who are on the 40-man roster , but not on the active MLB roster, at
5440-469: The parent clubs' spring training complexes in Arizona and Florida , an off-season autumn league, and one affiliated rookie league in the Dominican Republic . Additionally, four independent leagues are in association with MiLB. As of the 2022 season, the minor league system is divided into four classes: Triple-A (AAA), Double-A (AA), High-A (A+), and Single-A (A). Major League Baseball franchises may also maintain one or two complex-based rookie teams in
5520-608: The rise of television broadcasts of major league sports across broad regions of the country. As part of the 1963 reorganization, Major League clubs increased their commitments to affiliate with minor league teams through Player Development Contracts, outright ownerships, or shared affiliations and co-op arrangements. The minor league system that evolved following the 1963 reorganization remained in place through 2020, categorizing leagues into one of six classes: Triple-A (AAA), Double-A (AA), Class A-Advanced (High A or A+), Class A (Low A), Class A Short Season, and Rookie. Furthermore, Rookie
5600-459: The season's second half, the Marauders posted a 7–5 record. Two scheduled home games were also moved to Port Charlotte's Sports Park while McKechnie Field's roof underwent construction earlier in the season. However one of the biggest stories involving the team came in the form of improved attendance. After 40 homes, the Marauders drew 56,718 fans to their home games in 2011, with a game average of 1,418 fans. The team ranks eighth in attendance in
5680-461: The team was given an original name and logo. According to Pittsburgh Pirates President Frank Coonelly ; the Marauders' uniforms are closely associated with the Pirates brand, but also allows for the team to have its own unique identity. The Marauders uniforms incorporate the Marauders logo and letter script, while the colors mirror the Pirates' black and gold colors. White uniforms are worn for games played at McKechnie Field. These white uniforms feature
5760-537: The team's first home run and run scored . In the fourth inning of the game, Jeremy Farrell registered the team's first grand slam . Calvin Anderson, Eric Fryer , Robbie Grossman , Joel Hanrahan , Starling Marte , and Tony Sanchez also played for the Marauders in their first game. A few nights later on April 12, 2010, the Marauders completed their first ever four-game series sweep at McKechnie Field. The team capped off their first ever, four-game series sweep with
5840-462: The teams in the Florida State League are owned by major league parent clubs and use their spring training complexes. In 2022, the official name of the class became Single-A. Minor leagues with the Rookie classification play a shortened season that traditionally began in mid-June and ended in late August or early September. This lowest level of minor league baseball consists of two US-based leagues,
5920-404: The term minor was seldom used in reference to them, save by the major-market sportswriters. Sports news, like most news generally, often did not travel far in the days before radio and television, so, while the leagues often bristled at the major market writers' descriptions, they viewed themselves as independent sports businesses. Many baseball writers of that time regarded the greatest players of
6000-513: The time it seemed like the PCL would eventually become a third major league. The PCL would revert to Triple-A in 1958, due to increasing television coverage of major league games and in light of the Dodgers and Giants moving to Los Angeles and San Francisco , respectively. A significant reorganization of the minor leagues took place in 1963, caused by the contraction of clubs and leagues during
6080-439: The top prospects associated with each of the six MLB divisions. This classification currently includes two affiliated leagues: the 20-team International League and the 10-team Pacific Coast League , known as Triple-A East and Triple-A West, respectively, for the 2021 season. For most of the 20th century, Triple-A also included the American Association , based in the Midwest, but that league disbanded with its clubs absorbed by
6160-463: The year. These jersey are black and feature the Marauders logo on the left chest, along with yellow and red accents along the sides. The Marauders also have an alternate gold cap with a black bill and the uniquely styled "B" logo on the cap representing the City of Bradenton. The gold cap is reminiscent of the one worn by the Pirates of the early 1970s. A second alternate black cap with the styled "B" logo
6240-410: Was created. The Pacific Coast League (PCL), which had been rated Triple-A since 1946, was the only minor league to obtain this classification, which it held through 1957. At this time, the major leagues only extended as far west as St. Louis, Missouri , and as far south as Washington, D.C. This classification severely restricted the rights of the major leagues to draft players out of the PCL, and at
6320-422: Was founded in 1901, classifications were redefined: † Draft fee set an amount for a team in a higher class to select a player; n/a for Class A as it would be up to each team to negotiate with an interested major league club. ‡ Protection fee reserved a player to a team, even after a contract expired, preventing the player for seeking employment with any other team. All minor leagues were classified, and had
6400-519: Was further informally subdivided into Rookie Advanced, complex-based Rookie, and international summer baseball. There have also been some failed start-up leagues. During the 1970s, three official minor leagues (members of NAPBL) attempted unsuccessfully to revive unaffiliated baseball (teams not associated with specific MLB franchises) within the organized baseball structure. These were the Class A Gulf States League (1976) and Lone Star League (1977), and
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