The Springfield Reapers were a minor league baseball team based in Springfield, Ohio .
69-451: The Reapers played as members of the 1908 and 1911 Class D level Ohio State League , winning the league championship in 1911. The Reapers joined the Class B level Central League , playing as members from 1912 to 1914 and 1916 to 1917. The Reapers played the 1916 and 1917 seasons with Springfield native Joe Dunn serving as manager. Baseball Hall of Fame member Jesse Haines played for
138-688: 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
207-490: 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
276-667: 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
345-591: 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
414-619: A minor league team. In 1928, the Springfield Buckeyes began play when the Central League reformed, with Joe Dunn becoming the team owner and manager. Dunn had remained in Springfield following the 1917 season after getting married and starting a family while working in local industry. The Springfield Reapers teams hosted minor league home games at Snyder Field. Today, the site is still in use as part of Snyder Park,
483-633: A new league. The Springfield "Reapers" were formed and played a partial season as members of the six-team Class D level Ohio State League before the team relocated during a last place season. The Ohio State League reformed for the first time since 1898 and to begin the season, Springfield joined the Lancaster Lanks , Lima Cigarmakers , Mansfield Pioneers , Marion Diggers and Newark Newks teams in Ohio State League play, when began scheduled games on April 23, 1908. On June 16, 1908,
552-454: A public park. The Snyder Field ballpark was located on Park Street off Snyder Park Road in Springfield, Ohio. The land for Snyder Park was donated to the city of Springfield by brothers John and David Snyder in 1895, with the parcel containing over 1,000 acres. After development, the park officially opened on April 22, 1897. The park itself was designed by architect Herman Haerlin. Class D (baseball) Minor League Baseball ( MiLB )
621-481: 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
690-516: 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
759-526: 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
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#1732787611295828-517: 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
897-627: A three season tenure in the Central League , as the Wheeling Stogies franchise replaced Springfield in the league. Springfield continued minor league play in 1909. The Springfield use of the "Reapers" nickname corresponds to the Springfield region history and agriculture industry. The Springfield area remains a large crop production region. A " reaper " is a farm implement that revolutionized farming and evolved over time into today's combine harvester . In 1908, Springfield played in
966-493: 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
1035-486: 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
1104-672: 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
1173-568: 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
1242-472: The Cincinnati Reds in 1918. The 1917 Central League again utilized a split season schedule and Springfield had a second-place finish but did not qualify for the playoff. The Reapers ended the season in second place, with an overall record of 74–50, managed again by Joe Dunn. In the overall standings, Springfield finished 6.0 games behind the first place Grand Rapids Black Sox . Grand Rapids defeated
1311-661: The Detroit Tigers . Lowe recommended Wheatley to Hughie Jennings , the manager of the Tigers, and the Tigers purchased Wheatley from Springfield for $ 3,500 and Wheatley made his major league on September 6, 1912. In their first season of returning to Central League play, the Springfield Reapers placed fourth in the final league standings of the large league. With a record of 72–54, the Reapers were managed by
1380-610: 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
1449-695: 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
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#17327876112951518-572: The South Bend Benders / Peoria Distillers 4 games to 3 in the final as the two teams won the spilt season pennants. Frank Walker of Springfield won the Central League triple Crown. Walker batting title, hitting .370. Walker also led the league with 10 home runs, and had 169 RBI. His 161 hits and 94 runs scored also led the league. The Central League folded following the 1917 season and Springfield did not return to minor league play for ten seasons. From 1918 to 1927, Springfield did not host
1587-567: 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
1656-565: The Youngstown Steelmen in the league. The Reapers manager was Joe Dunn , a Springfield native, who would serve as the Reapers manager for two seasons, before again reviving the Springfield franchise in 1928. In returning to the league in 1916, Springfield joined the Dayton Veterans, Evansville Evas , Grand Rapids Black Sox , Muskegon Reds , South Bend Benders , Terre Haute Highlanders and Wheeling Stogies teams in
1725-507: The 1912 season, Springfield obtained pitcher Charlie Wheatley off waivers and he improved to make his major league debut that season. Wheatley began the 1912 season with the St. Joseph Drummers of the Class A level Western League . Wheatley was released by St. Joseph in May and signed with the Reapers, pitching well for Springfield. While pitching for Springfield, he was scouted by Bobby Lowe for
1794-415: The 1914 Central League season. On August 8, 1914, Springfield folded from the six-team league with a record of 42–67. Joe Stanley returned as the Springfield manager. The Central League continued play to the end of the season with five teams, concluding the season September 7, 1914, with Springfield listed as the sixth-place team. Springfield ended the season 35.5 games behind the first place Dayton Veterans in
1863-449: The 1916 Springfield Reapers and returned to the team in 1917. Having spent part of 1915 on their major league roster without appearing in a game, Haines was sent by the Detroit Tigers to pitch for Springfield in 1916. At age 22, Haines won 23 gams pitching for Springfield in 1916, with a 1.68 ERA. In 1917, Haines again was sent by Detroit to pitch for Springfield, winning 19 games with a 1.83 ERA. Haines would make his major league debut with
1932-475: The 1916 and 1917 Springfield Reapers teams. The Springfield teams hosted home minor league games at Snyder Field, which was located within today's Snyder Park. Minor league baseball play began in Springfield in 1877, when the Springfield "Champion City" team played the season as members of the League Alliance . The 1907 Springfield "Babes" preceded the Reapers in minor league play, with the team ending
2001-595: 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
2070-523: 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
2139-466: 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
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2208-486: 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
2277-673: 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
2346-488: 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: Akron Tyrites The Akron Tyrites were a Minor league baseball team based in Akron, Ohio . They played in
2415-511: The Cobblers ended the season 46.0 games behind the first place Lancaster Lanks. The Portsmouth Cobblers continued Ohio State League play, while Springfield remained without a franchise in 1909 and 1910. In 1911, after a two-season hiatus, the Springfield Reapers returned to play and won the league championship. Springfield resumed minor league play, rejoining the Class B level Ohio State League as
2484-522: 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,
2553-603: 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
2622-553: 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
2691-625: 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
2760-581: 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
2829-809: The Ohio State League. Despite winning the 1911 league championship, Springfield did not return to the Ohio State and continued play in 1912 in a new league. In 1912, the Springfield Reapers continued minor league play, as the team switched leagues and joined a higher-level league. The Reapers became members of the Class B level Central League , as the league expanded from eight teams to twelve. The Akron Tyrites , Akron Rubbermen , Canton Statesmen , Dayton Veterans, Erie Sailors , Fort Wayne Railroaders , Grand Rapids Black Sox , South Bend Benders , Terre Haute Terre-iers , Wheeling Stogies, Youngstown Steelmen and Zanesville Potters teams joined Springfield in beginning Central League play on April 24, 1912. During
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2898-417: The Reapers ended the season with a record of 84–55 and captured the Ohio State League championship. In the final standings, Springfield finished 3.0 games ahead of the second place Marion Diggers and 6.0 games ahead of third place Portsmouth in the eight-team league. No playoffs were held. Pitcher Roy Ashenfelder, who split the season between the last place Hamilton Mechanics and Springfield, won 24 games to lead
2967-604: The Springfield Reapers franchise moved to become the Portsmouth Cobblers . Springfield had a 17–30 record at the time of the move to Portsmouth, Ohio . After compiling a 29–73 record while based in Portsmouth, the Springfield/Portsmouth team ended the season in sixth place in the Ohio State League final standings, with an overall record of 46–103. Ned Ransick and R. Quinn served as managers, as
3036-607: 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
3105-671: 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
3174-474: 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
3243-691: 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
3312-615: 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
3381-819: The eight-team Central League. A former major league catcher for the Brooklyn Dodgers , manager Joe Dunn returned to his native Springfield in 1916 after serving as player/manager for the 1914 and 1915 Dallas Giants of the Texas League . In a 1915 game against Galveston, Dunn had a fight with an opposing player who reportedly insulted his membership in the Knights of Columbus . Dunn later announced that he would not be returning to manage Dallas. Dunn subsequently agreed to become player/manager for Springfield, where he and helped to develop pitchers Jesse Haines and Lou Lowdermilk in 1916. The Reapers placed third in
3450-474: The eight–team Central League overall standings, ending the 1916 season with an overall record of 74–58, finishing 3.0 games behind the first place Grand Rapids Black Sox. With the league playing a spilt season schedule, Springfield advanced to the finals. The Dayton Veterans won the first half pennant, and the Springfield Reapers won the second half pennant. In the final, Dayton defeated Springfield 4 games to 2. Baseball Hall of Fame member Jesse Haines played for
3519-446: The final standings. Springfield did not host a minor league team in 1915 and the Central League continued play as an eight-team league. After a one season hiatus, the Springfield Reapers resumed minor league play and advanced to the league finals. Springfield returned to the Class B level Central League in 1916, with a future hall of fame pitcher on the roster and a local former major league catcher as their manager. The Reapers replaced
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#17327876112953588-435: 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
3657-446: 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
3726-451: 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
3795-474: The league expanded to from six teams to eight teams. The 1911 Ohio State League added Springfield and the Chillicothe Infants as expansion teams. Springfield and Chillicothe joined the returning Hamilton Mechanics , Lancaster Lanks , Lima Cigarmakers , Marion Diggers , Newark Newks and Portsmouth Cobblers teams in beginning the league schedule on April 20, 1911. Under manager Charley O'Day,
3864-539: 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
3933-584: 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
4002-597: 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
4071-591: 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
4140-401: The returning Charley O'Day. Springfield finished 3.5 games behind the first place Fort Wayne Railroaders in the final regular season standings. No playoffs were held in the twelve-team league. The Springfield Reapers continued play in the 1913 Central League, as the Central League reduced from twelve teams to six teams and remained a Class B level league. Placing third in the final standings of
4209-608: 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
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#17327876112954278-457: The six-team league, the Reapers had an overall record of 67–71. Springfield finished 24.0 games behind the first place Grand Rapids Bill-eds (92–48) in the final standings. The league held no playoffs, as Springfield was managed by Joe Stanley during the season. Bill Keene of Springfield hit 15 home runs to lead the league, while teammate George Brautigan led the Central League with 99 runs scored. The Springfield Reapers folded before completing
4347-534: 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,
4416-404: 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
4485-513: 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
4554-439: 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
4623-410: 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
4692-422: 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
4761-467: 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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