Shout Out to Minor League Baseball (MiLB)

Minor League Roster Sizes

I have always had some difficulty knowing the exact roster size for the minor league affiliates although 25 and 35 were relatively safe numbers. I contacted Jeff Lantz, Senior Director of Communications for MiLB, for exact information. I had not been aware of the years of service restrictions at the lower levels although they make perfect sense. I thought perhaps some LADT posters may be interested in the official regulations regarding MiLB roster sizes.

PCL – 25 players active

TEX – 25 players active

CAL – 25 players active (35 players under control on roster), No more than two players and one player-coach on active list may have more than six years of prior MiLB experience.

MID – 25 players active (35 players under control on roster), No more than two players on active list may have more than five years of prior MiLB experience.

PIO – 35 players on active roster. No more than three players on active roster can have more than three years of prior Minor League service time.

AZL – 35 players on active roster. No more than three players on active roster can have more than three years of prior Minor League service time.

DSL – 35 players on active roster. No players on active roster can have more than four years of prior Minor League service time. No draft-eligible players from the U.S. or Canada may participate.

Field of Dreams

A year ago this past January, the real “Field of Dreams’ in Dyersville, Iowa was badly vandalized causing thousands of dollars of damage. In April 2018, Jeff Lantz took the bull by the horns to lead the restoration of the field.

“I saw the images of the damage that was done on Twitter and it kind of made you sick to your stomach to see it,” he said.

So Lantz enlisted the help of the Iowa Cubs, Cedar Rapids Kernels, Clinton LumberKings and Quad Cities River Bandits. The four teams spent a day fixing up the field. Members of the teams’ grounds crew and even some front office officials helped pitch in to fix everything up. As the article states: “If you rebuild it, they will come.”

This is just a shout out to Jeff Lantz, in particular, who does a remarkable job along with his staff in communicating and promoting minor league baseball.

Attendance

In 2018, Minor League Baseball attracted nearly 40.5 million fans to its ballparks to see baseball’s future stars and experience affordable family-friendly entertainment that has been a staple of Minor League Baseball since 1901.

2019 Average Attendance:  Loons     1,137       11th
                          Quakes    3,255       1st
                          Drillers  6,155       1st
                          OKC       6,327       7th

Community Service

Minor League Baseball Charities is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to giving back to and enhancing the communities MiLB teams call home. In 2018, MiLB Charities contributed $45.1 million in donations and gifts-in-kind to organizations in need. Additionally, MiLB personnel volunteered more than 15,000 hours to enhance their communities.

For more information on MiLB Charities and its initiatives

Minor League Baseball (MiLB) is making a difference in local communities across the country through “MiLB Project: Refresh” in partnership with ECHO Outdoor Power Equipment and MiLB teams. As part of the initiative, the two organizations will team up to refurbish 15 youth baseball and softball fields in Minor League Baseball communities.

“MiLB Project: Refresh” will impact thousands of baseball and softball players, in 15 states from Florida to Washington. Participating teams, with the help of their volunteers, will be rebuilding pitcher’s mounds, renovating concessions stands, leveling outfields, repairing fences and restoring dugouts, among other upgrades to diamonds and green spaces.

Always Something New

The Birmingham Barons, a Double-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox, have started up a tradition at home games. During the seventh inning of home games, the Barons and their fans take a moment to wave toward center field, where patients at Children’s of Alabama Hospital can catch a glimpse of the baseball action. The hospital overlooks the stadium. The adopted tradition started up this season for the Barons, and it may be here to stay.

https://collegefootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2019/04/22/minor-league-baseball-team-takes-inspiration-from-iowa-footballs-childrens-hospital-wave/

Emily Jaenson

Emily Jaenson has a career in baseball that has taken many twists and turns, but ultimately landed her in an enviable position. As the only woman holding a position as general manager at the Triple-A level, she is demonstrating to the highest standard that Minor League Baseball is pushing for change in its industry.

Recognized as the highest-ranking woman in MiLB, Jaenson has taken it upon herself to show other women it is possible to not only sit in her chair but also to have everything else they want in life. For that reason, she is proudly a member of the board of directors for Girl Scouts of the Sierra Nevada.

Good Source of Dodger Minor League Interviews

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFfuS6SDa49gThZ06004mog/videos

Minor League Report by DC

It was a slow day down on the farm. Both the loons and Dodgers were rained out while the Drillers had had a travel day returning to Tulsa to begin an eight-game home stand starting today against the Midland RockHounds.

Rancho Cucamonga Quakes 8 – Lake Elsinore Storm 3 (Padres)

The Quakes were the only Dodger minor league affiliate in action on Tuesday and enjoyed the afternoon game. They started quickly as Carlos Rincon made Lake Elsinore starter Mason Thompson pay for issuing first inning walks to Donovan Casey and Devin Mann. Rincon promptly hit a three-run home run to left center field. It was his fourth of the season and the second consecutive game in which he has connected. In the bottom of the fourth inning the Quakes picked up two more runs on a home run. Jeter Downs hit his second of the season following a Brayan Morales single. They scored a run in each of their last three innings. In the sixth inning Downs scored on a fielding error following his double. In the bottom of the seventh inning Nick Yarnell hit a solo homer and in the bottom of the eighth Downs scored once again on a sacrifice fly following his second double of the game. Downs with his three extra base hits and Rincon with two had the only multiple hit game for the Quakes.

On the mound Victor Gonzalez had another difficult outing lasting only 1.2 innings giving up two runs on four hits and leaving the bases loaded. Austin Hamilton followed Gonzalez and allowed only one of three inherited runners to score. He finished with three innings picking up the win on three hits and two strikeouts. Unheralded Wes Helsabeck logged two innings of hitless ball while striking out one. Logan Salow gave up one earned run in 1.2 innings pitched and left with two runners on base. Left-hander Justin Bruihl made his California League debut inheriting two runners from Salow and retiring both hitters he faced, the second by strikeout to end the game. Bruihl was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Dodgers on July 15,2017.