| You may have recently heard about an | | | | former "affiliated" minor league players who were |
| independent baseball team near where you live, or | | | | released, players who could be in the minors but |
| near where you were traveling. If so, you may | | | | opted to play closer to home for family reasons, |
| have wondered what makes a team | | | | former Major League players, and occasionally |
| "independent" and if it is worth your money to go | | | | international players. Many teams have managers |
| watch that team. | | | | and coaches whom have previous Major League |
| An independent professional baseball team is a | | | | Baseball experience. |
| team which plays in a professional baseball league | | | | The question you may still have, however, is if an |
| that is not affiliated with any Major League | | | | independent baseball team is worth your time and |
| organization or the National Association of | | | | money. In most markets this is a "yes." |
| Professional Baseball Leagues, which is now | | | | Here are just some of the reasons why: |
| named (officially) Minor League Baseball. These | | | | - Prices are usually equal to or less than |
| teams have complete control over the players | | | | comparable entertainment, such as the movies |
| they sign, the personnel they hire, and their | | | | - Concession prices are usually less than at |
| players can be signed by any "affiliated" team in | | | | higher-level professional sports |
| Minor League Baseball. | | | | - Kids and fans get participate in on-field and |
| Occasionally, an independent baseball player may | | | | off-field promotions |
| make it to a Major League Baseball roster after | | | | - Many teams offer incentives for you to bring |
| having started his career in the independent | | | | groups |
| baseball leagues. Many players who make it to a | | | | - Many of the general managers and team |
| Major League roster after having spent time with | | | | executives have years of professional sports |
| an independent baseball team usually had previous | | | | experience, so they understand what it takes to |
| Major League, or high-level Minor League | | | | give you good entertainment for your money |
| experience prior to joining a Major League Baseball | | | | - Many of the players are accessible for |
| roster. | | | | autographs |
| For the 2009 season, nearly 60 independent | | | | - The quality of play is considerably high, especially |
| teams fielded a team in 8 independent leagues. | | | | compared to other alternatives you may have in |
| The teams play in the U.S. and Canada. There are | | | | your area |
| independent baseball teams in the Northeast, | | | | Hopefully this article gives you a better |
| Quebec, Calgary, California, the Mid-Atlantic, | | | | understanding of independent baseball and helps |
| Texas, Arizona, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota and | | | | you make a better decision for your |
| the Dakotas, just to name a few regions. The | | | | entertainment dollar. |
| players can range from just out of college, | | | | |