| If you have attended an independent professional | | | | career. Certain players want to manage or coach |
| baseball game then you know that the level of | | | | in professional baseball, others want to coach at |
| play is equivalent to different levels of the regular | | | | the college level, and others want to transition to |
| "affiliated" Minor Leagues. What is not known by | | | | the front office of a professional sports team |
| many fans, however, is how little money many of | | | | after they retire. |
| the independent baseball players make. | | | | A need for camaraderie: If you have ever |
| Unlike many jobs across North America, | | | | watched any documentary about "life in the |
| independent baseball players do not have a union | | | | minors" then you know that the players love |
| or company department like Human Resources. | | | | playing baseball, enjoy crazy antics with their |
| They can be released almost at any time, for | | | | teammates, playing cards in the clubhouse, and |
| almost any reason, and there is usually nothing in | | | | the chance to develop lifelong friends especially on |
| their contracts which guarantees any sort of | | | | those long bus trips! If a player is good enough to |
| payment after players retire. When told all about | | | | be considered professional then many will take |
| this, many fans say, "Why would these players | | | | the opportunity to play in the independent leagues |
| do that?!?" | | | | because he knows how competitive the demand |
| Here are a few of the reasons: | | | | is. Other players from around the continent are |
| A genuine love of the game: Many players in | | | | more than willing to take his spot, so he knows |
| independent baseball believe that they have been | | | | that he part of an elite level of baseball even |
| overlooked by the Major League teams' scouting | | | | though it is considered to be independent of the |
| departments. They genuinely believe that they | | | | affiliated organizations. |
| deserve a chance to be in an "affiliated" farm | | | | A chance to rebuild his career: Sometimes an |
| team with one of the Major League organizations; | | | | extremely talented player ends up in an |
| and they truly love playing baseball. Many fans | | | | independent league due to an injury, salary cap |
| whom have attended independent baseball games | | | | move, or simply due to "politics" in organized |
| comment on the hustle and passion of the | | | | baseball. Such a player will play on an independent |
| players. A player who believes that he was | | | | baseball team in order to prove to scouts that he |
| overlooked may play with a "chip on his shoulder" | | | | is healthy, willing to go back at a more economical |
| in order to prove that he belongs with a Major | | | | price, or simply that the other team which |
| League-affiliated farm team. | | | | released him made a mistake. In a given year, |
| A need to be closer to home: Often, there are a | | | | dozens of players in independent baseball sign |
| few guys in each independent league who | | | | contracts with affiliated Minor League teams; and |
| genuinely belong in a higher level of baseball. For | | | | each year a few will get to play in the Major |
| whatever reason, however, they need to be | | | | Leagues. |
| closer to home with a less-grueling travel schedule. | | | | The next time you see an independent baseball |
| Sometimes players just started a family, others | | | | game, or if you meet some independent baseball |
| need to help out with a sick family member, and | | | | players around town, now you have a better |
| others need the support of friends and family in | | | | understanding of why they do what they do |
| order to be comfortable with playing at the | | | | regardless of the price at which they play. If you |
| professional level. | | | | ever have said that you think pro athletes need |
| A desire to continue his career in baseball: Many | | | | to play with more passion and that they are |
| players will play in an independent baseball league | | | | overpaid, then be sure to attend an independent |
| in order to gain credibility for his post-playing | | | | pro baseball game. You will be pleasantly surprised! |