Little Big Leagues

The grass is green, the birds are chirping, the trees are budding, and baseball is in the air.  While the focused attention is on Big-Ticket teams like the Sox and Yankees or superstars like Pujols, Verlander and Cody Ross, we tend to overlook another great source for America's pastime: Minor League Baseball.

Major League Baseball features the best, the strongest, and most disciplined hitters and pitchers in the world.  However, MLB stars like Jeter, Ellsbury and Braun all came from much more humble roots... The minors. 

Sox Prospect Jose Iglesias explains: "Every ballplayer wants a chance to play in Fenway or Yankee Stadium"

Before they had billboards, shoe deals and megabuck contracts, these athletes shared one common dream... to have their "Cup of Coffee" with the Big League. For most, this dream will never come to fruition, as less than 20% of all minor league players will ever play a single MLB inning.

But that is what makes the Minor Leagues so great... the love and passion for the game.  Travel accommodations are squalid, training and clubhouse facilities are basic, and most players earn less than $40,000.00 per year. 

As a fan, Minor League Baseball provides an affordable family friendly experience for the fans. Major League ticket prices during this tough economy have outpriced the average American.  If you look across most Big-League parks, you will see far more business suits and logo'd polo's than you will see families of four. 

Minor League parks also provide great sight lines, fun promotions, and inter-inning entertainment, making it a great way to spend a summer evening.   You can see baseball played the way it was meant to be played, by players who remember why they are there... because they love to play the game, and they know we love to watch them play.

Plus, there is a good chance you will see these same guys in the Big Leagues very soon.

Play Ball! 

-Kevin Aherne