Do you care about the Minor Leagues?

[BravesWin!]

Despite being a Braves fan, i got a job back in April doing marketing and promotions in the front office of the Portland Beavers (AAA-PCL San Diego) and absolutely love it. Our team is struggling, but getting to know the players and root for them and the team on a nightly basis has been a joy and a dream come true.

Anyhow, came home to Atlanta for my brothers birthday, and he couldn't believe that I was following along on my phone the score of a minor league game. In fact, he couldnt believe that anyone, anywhere would care about the score of a minor league game, as he (is a big baseball, and braves fan) always looked at the minor leagues sorta as Spring Training, that it was only about Player Development, and that the score was sorta an afterthought. He has the situation of living in Atlanta his whole life so he has only rooted for Major League Teams (and the Hawks), and never really thought about people rooting for Minor League Teams, especially considering the constant player movement, etc. He couldn't believe when I told him that our team has guys who genuinely want to win every night and win a PCL Title; our manager argues with umps, players get thrown out, etc., etc....its not a Spring Training atmosphere...

So basically, what I am wondering is that do you, the signifigant baseball fan care about any minor league teams and their results as a team? Whether it be the AAA afilliate of your favorite team, or a minor league squad that is near your hometown, do you care about how a minor league team fairs...not how many players advance up the chain and towards the big leagues, but how many games they win and how many titles?

[SteveP]

Go Beavers (they won tonight...my mom was there and got a foul ball...she was very pleased).

I tend to follow players more than teams...back in the day I use to semi cover the Madison Muskies (Steinbach, Canseco, Polonia and some other guys) and Appleton Foxes for a radio station. But I sort of drifted away from that. After 'Moneyball' I paid attention to the A's organization for a while.

I think maybe you have to live in a town with a minor league organization.

[RascalJones]

I love minor-league ball. I pay some attention to Buffalo and Akron, and passing interest in the Indians' class-A teams.

I go to several minor league games a year, as a matter of fact I'm heading out tonight to catch the Columbus Clippers.

[KCBOOMER]

We have a Northern League entry in K.C. (the T-Bones) and they are a joy to watch. Not that it is great baseball, it isn't. But the T-Bones management has made going to the ballpark an absolute pleasure. The park is wonderful, great concessions, and sized right for the 4,000 to 7,000 fans they draw nightly. Most of the players are going no where so you don't have to worry too much that your favorite "Bone" won't be there the next time you go.

[captain_napalm]

I like the minor leagues. I get a kick out of tracking a player's progress to "the show," looking back and remembering when "_____" was just a skinny kid signed out of "_____"

I wish more teams would get into player development.

I haven't been to many minor league games recently (and even less @ the ML level), which is something I would like to change

[Crash Course]

Actually, I think by the year 2009 I'll probably like the minors more than I do the majors. It's the only thing someone with a family, who likes to go to a lot of games, can afford.

[captain_napalm]

Actually, I think by the year 2009 I'll probably like the minors more than I do the majors. It's the only thing someone with a family, who likes to go to a lot of games, can afford.
By that time, the young'uns will be playing their own games, and you wont have the time nor energy to attend :D

[Crash Course]

True!

[tyruschen]

I guess you'll be surprised that many Taiwanese MLB fans are interesting in keeping track on minor league prospects. Though I don't know why...

[Makofan]

Junior A Hockey in Canada has a fanatic following; I tend to watch minor league hockey not baseball (must be a Canadian thing)

[RascalJones]

Hockey = Canada's sport, that's why they keep moving the NHL franchises from Canada to the southern USA......I don't get it. Not at all.

[Sidewinder]

I regularly attend Tucson Sidewinders games, and I definitely care whether they win or not. While it's fun to see top prospects (like Felix Hernandez a couple of weeks ago), it stinks to having a non-competitive team as your local team regardless of the level.

[RascalJones]

Got to watch Hideo Nomo get hit pretty hard last night. Not a lot of runs scored against him, (only 3 while I was there, but that was a shot that bounced off the scoreboard about halfway up in right field) but I don't recall him striking anyone out either. Granted, I only saw 5 innings of the game, but every time someone made contact, it was HARD.

[captain_napalm]

Got to watch Hideo Nomo get hit pretty hard last night. Not a lot of runs scored against him, (only 3 while I was there, but that was a shot that bounced off the scoreboard about halfway up in right field) but I don't recall him striking anyone out either. Granted, I only saw 5 innings of the game, but every time someone made contact, it was HARD.
His split's still good, but he doesn't have a fastball to set it up anymore. Stick the fork in him

[Crash Course]

Way over done

[PianoMonkey]

I care about the Minor Leagues, but I'd be lying if I said I regularly follow them.

[nyy26wc]

Got to watch Hideo Nomo get hit pretty hard last night. Not a lot of runs scored against him, (only 3 while I was there, but that was a shot that bounced off the scoreboard about halfway up in right field) but I don't recall him striking anyone out either. Granted, I only saw 5 innings of the game, but every time someone made contact, it was HARD.

I'm hoping he continues to get hit hard. I don't want him in pinstripes.

[RascalJones]

I'm hoping he continues to get hit hard. I don't want him in pinstripes.


I think the final score was 9-0 against the Clippers and Nomo that night.