American Association of Independent Professional Baseball
| American Association | |
|---|---|
|
| |
| Founded | 2006 |
| No. of teams | 12 |
| Country |  United States Canada
|
| Current champions | Kansas City T-Bones |
| Official website | Official Site |
The American Association of Independent Professional Baseball, based in Durham, North Carolina, is a independent league located in the midwestern and the southeastern United States. The American Association operates in cities not served by Major or Minor League Baseball and is not affiliated with either organization. The circuit has thirteen clubs, split into three divisions. Miles Wolff is currently the league's commissioner.
The league's most notable alumni include Luke Hochevar, Max Scherzer, and Brandon Kintzler, as well as NFL player James Casey.
Teams[edit]
| West Division | East Division | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Team | Manager | Location | Team | Manager | Location | |
| Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks | Chris Coste | Fargo, ND | Chicago Dogs | Butch Hobson | Rosemont, IL | |
| Kansas City Monarchs | Joe Calfapietra | Kansas City, KS | Cleburne Railroaders | Logan Watkins | Cleburne, TX | |
| Lincoln Saltdogs | Brett Jodie | Lincoln, NE | Gary SouthShore RailCats | Lamarr Rogers | Gary, IN | |
| Sioux City Explorers | Steve Montgomery | Sioux City, IA | Kane County Cougars | George Tsamis | Geneva, IL | |
| Sioux Falls Canaries | Mike Meyer | Sioux Falls, SD | Lake County Dockhounds | Ken Huckaby | Oconomowoc, WI | |
| Winnipeg Goldeyes | Greg Tagert | Winnipeg, MB | Milwaukee Milkmen | Anthony Barone | Franklin, WI | |
2006[edit]
The American Association was founded in October 2005 by four former Northern League teams (the Lincoln Saltdogs, St. Paul Saints, Sioux City Explorers, and Sioux Falls Canaries); these teams were joined by five teams from the Central Baseball League (the Coastal Bend Aviators, El Paso Diablos, Fort Worth Cats, Pensacola Pelicans, and Shreveport Sports) and by an expansion team (the St. Joe Blacksnakes).
The league began play in 2006, with a 96-game schedule. The first All-Star Game was played in El Paso, Texas on July 18th, with the American Association defeating the Can-Am League 5 to 3. At the end of that season, the Cats defeated the Saints three games to two to win the first league championship.
Playoffs[edit]
- Semifinals St. Paul defeated Lincoln 3 games to 1; Fort Worth defeated Shreveport 3 games to 2
- Finals Fort Worth defeated St. Paul 3 games to 2
2007[edit]
All ten clubs returned for the American Association's second season in 2007, with teams once again playing a 96-game schedule. The All-Star Game was held on July 17th in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, with the team representing the South Division defeating the North Division 6 to 4. The Cats and Saints faced off again to battle for the championship, with Fort Worth winning once again in five games.
Playoffs[edit]
- Semifinals St. Paul defeated Lincoln 3 games to 0; Fort Worth defeated El Paso 3 games to 2
- Finals Fort Worth defeated St. Paul 3 games to 2
2008[edit]
Two new clubs, the Grand Prairie AirHogs and the Wichita Wingnuts, joined the American Association in 2008 while two others, the Coastal Bend Aviators and the St. Joe Blacksnakes, ceased operation. The league's All-Star Game was played on July 22nd at Midway Stadium, home of the St. Paul Saints. The Sioux Falls Canaries won the championship, beating the Grand Prairie Air Hogs in the finals.
Playoffs[edit]
- Semifinals Sioux Falls defeated Sioux Cities 3 games to 0; Grand Prairie defeated Fort Worth 3 games to 1
- Finals Sioux Falls defeated Grand Prairie 3 games to 1
2009[edit]
Playoffs[edit]
- Semifinals Lincoln defeated Wichita 3 games to 2; Pensacola defeated Fort Worth 3 games to 1
- Finals Lincoln defeated Pensacola 3 games to 2
2010[edit]
Playoffs[edit]
- Semifinals Sioux Falls defeated Lincoln 3 games to 0; Shreveport-Bossier defeated Pensacola 3 games to 2
- Finals Shreveport-Bossier defeated Sioux Falls 3 games to 2
2011[edit]
Four clubs from the disbanded Northern League joined the Association in 2011 - the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks, the Gary SouthShore RailCats, the Kansas City T-Bones and the Winnipeg Goldeyes. Another change was caused by the Pensacola Pelicans becoming the Amarillo Sox. As a result, the league now counted 14 teams and decided to split into three geographic divisions, ditching the split-season schedule. Instead, the three division winners and a wild card team took part in the playoffs.
| North Division | Central Division | South Division | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Team | W | L | Pct. | GB | Manager | Team | W | L | Pct. | GB | Manager | Team | W | L | Pct. | GB | Manager | ||
| Winnipeg Goldeyes | 60 | 40 | .600 | -- | Rick Forney | Wichita Wingnuts | 55 | 45 | .550 | -- | Kevin Hooper | Grand Prairie AirHogs | 64 | 36 | .640 | -- | Ricky Van Asselberg | ||
| St. Paul Saints | 56 | 44 | .560 | 4.0 | George Tsamis | Gary SouthShore RailCats | 54 | 46 | .540 | 1.0 | Greg Tagert | Fort Worth Cats | 48 | 52 | .480 | 16.0 | Chad Tredaway | ||
| Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks | 44 | 56 | .440 | 16.0 | Doug Simunic | Lincoln Saltdogs | 51 | 48 | .515 | 3.5 | Marty Scott | Shreveport-Bossier Captains | 45 | 55 | .450 | 19.0 | Vince Moore | ||
| Sioux Falls Pheasants | 42 | 57 | .425 | 17.5 | Steve Shirley | Sioux City Explorers | 51 | 49 | .510 | 4.0 | Stan Cliburn | Amarillo Sox | 44 | 56 | .440 | 20.0 | John Harris | ||
| Kansas City T-Bones | 48 | 52 | .480 | 7.0 | Tim Doherty | El Paso Diablos | 37 | 63 | .370 | 27.0 | Jorge Alvarez | ||||||||
Playoffs[edit]
- Semifinals Grand Prairie defeated Wichita 3 games to 1; St. Paul defeated Winnipeg 3 games to 2
- Finals Grand Prairie defeated St. Paul 3 games to 2
2012[edit]
In 2012, the American Association played a schedule of interleague games with teams in the Canadian-American Association.
| North Division | Central Division | South Division | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Team | W | L | Pct. | GB | Manager | Team | W | L | Pct. | GB | Manager | Team | W | L | Pct. | GB | Manager | ||
| Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks | 65 | 35 | .650 | -- | Doug Simunic | Wichita Wingnuts | 59 | 41 | .590 | -- | Kevin Hooper | Laredo Lemurs | 54 | 46 | .540 | -- | Pete Incaviglia | ||
| Winnipeg Goldeyes | 55 | 45 | .550 | 10.0 | Rick Forney | Kansas City T-Bones | 51 | 49 | .510 | 8.0 | Kenny Hook | Grand Prairie AirHogs | 53 | 47 | .530 | 1.0 | Ricky Van Asselberg | ||
| St. Paul Saints | 52 | 48 | .520 | 13.0 | George Tsamis | Gary SouthShore RailCats | 50 | 50 | .500 | 9.0 | Greg Tagert | El Paso Diablos | 47 | 53 | .470 | 7.0 | Jorge Alvarez/Tim Johnson | ||
| Sioux Falls Pheasants | 45 | 55 | .450 | 20.0 | Steve Shirley | Sioux City Explorers | 45 | 55 | .450 | 14.0 | Stan Cliburn | Amarillo Sox | 46 | 54 | .460 | 8.0 | John Harris | ||
| Lincoln Saltdogs | 41 | 59 | .410 | 18.0 | Chris Miyake | ||||||||||||||
Playoffs[edit]
- Semifinals Winnipeg defeated Fargo-Moorhead 3 games to 0; Wichita defeated Laredo 3 games to 0
- Finals Wichita defeated Winnipeg 3 games to 0
2013[edit]
| North Division | Central Division | South Division | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Team | W | L | Pct. | GB | Manager | Team | W | L | Pct. | GB | Manager | Team | W | L | Pct. | GB | Manager | ||
| Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks | 62 | 38 | .620 | -- | Doug Simunic | Wichita Wingnuts | 68 | 32 | .680 | -- | Kevin Hooper | Grand Prairie AirHogs | 54 | 46 | .540 | -- | Ricky Van Asselberg | ||
| Winnipeg Goldeyes | 56 | 44 | .560 | 6.0 | Rick Forney | Gary SouthShore RailCats | 58 | 41 | .586 | 9.5 | Greg Tagert | Laredo Lemurs | 52 | 47 | .525 | 1.5 | Pete Incaviglia | ||
| St. Paul Saints | 47 | 53 | .470 | 15.0 | George Tsamis | Lincoln Saltdogs | 49 | 51 | .490 | 19.0 | Ken Oberkfell | Amarillo Sox | 52 | 48 | .520 | 2.0 | Bobby Brown | ||
| Sioux Falls Canaries | 42 | 58 | .420 | 20.0 | Steve Shirley | Kansas City T-Bones | 40 | 60 | .400 | 28.0 | Kenny Hook | El Paso Diablos | 39 | 61 | .390 | 15.0 | Tim Johnson / Carlos Lezcano | ||
| Sioux City Explorers | 38 | 62 | .380 | 30.0 | Stan Cliburn | ||||||||||||||
Playoffs[edit]
- Semifinals Wichita defeated Grand Prairie 3 games to 0; Gary defeated Fargo-Morehead 3 games to 1
- Finals Gary defeated Wichita 3 games to 1
2014[edit]
The El Paso Diablos folded before the 2014 season, and Wichita moved from the Central to the South Division, giving the league three four-team divisions.
| North Division | Central Division | South Division | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Team | W | L | Pct. | GB | Manager | Team | W | L | Pct. | GB | Manager | Team | W | L | Pct. | GB | Manager | ||
| Winnipeg Goldeyes | 63 | 37 | .630 | -- | Rick Forney | Lincoln Saltdogs | 54 | 46 | .540 | -- | Ken Oberkfell | Wichita Wingnuts | 73 | 27 | .730 | -- | Kevin Hooper | ||
| St. Paul Saints | 48 | 52 | .480 | 15.0 | George Tsamis | Gary SouthShore RailCats | 53 | 47 | .530 | 1.0 | Greg Tagert | Laredo Lemurs | 57 | 42 | .576 | 15.5 | Pete Incaviglia | ||
| Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks | 43 | 56 | .434 | 19.5 | Doug Simunic | Kansas City T-Bones | 48 | 52 | .480 | 6.0 | John Massarelli | Grand Prairie AirHogs | 40 | 59 | .404 | 32.5 | Ricky Van Asselberg/Eric Champion | ||
| Sioux Falls Canaries | 33 | 67 | .330 | 30.0 | Steve Shirley | Sioux City Explorers | 47 | 53 | .470 | 7.0 | Steve Montgomery | Amarillo Sox | 37 | 62 | .374 | 35.5 | Bobby Brown | ||
Playoffs[edit]
- Semifinals Lincoln beat Winnipeg 3 games to 2; Wichita beat Laredo 3 games to 1
- Finals Wichita beat Lincoln 3 games to 0
2015[edit]
In 2015, the Joplin Blasters joined the league as an expansion team and the Amarillo Sox were renamed the Amarillo Thunderheads.
| North Division | Central Division | South Division | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Team | W | L | Pct. | GB | Manager | Team | W | L | Pct. | GB | Manager | Team | W | L | Pct. | GB | Manager | ||
| St. Paul Saints | 74 | 26 | .740 | -- | George Tsamis | Sioux City Explorers | 75 | 25 | .750 | -- | Steve Montgomery | Wichita Wingnuts | 59 | 41 | .590 | -- | Kevin Hooper | ||
| Winnipeg Goldeyes | 47 | 52 | .475 | 26.5 | Rick Forney | Kansas City T-Bones | 49 | 50 | .495 | 25.5 | John Massarelli | Laredo Lemurs | 57 | 43 | .570 | 2.0 | Pete Incaviglia | ||
| Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks | 44 | 56 | .440 | 30.0 | Doug Simunic | Gary SouthShore RailCats | 45 | 55 | .450 | 30.0 | Greg Tagert | Joplin Blasters | 55 | 45 | .550 | 4.0 | Carlos Lezcano | ||
| Sioux Falls Canaries | 39 | 60 | .394 | 34.5 | Chris Paterson | Lincoln Saltdogs | 34 | 66 | .340 | 41.0 | Ken Oberkfell | Amarillo Thunderheads | 45 | 55 | .450 | 14.0 | Bobby Brown | ||
| Grand Prairie AirHogs | 29 | 71 | .290 | 30.0 | Eric Champion | ||||||||||||||
Playoffs[edit]
- Semifinals Sioux City beat St. Paul 3 games to 1; Laredo beat Wichita 3 games to 2
- Finals Laredo beat Sioux City 3 games to 1
2016[edit]
Before the 2016 season, the Amarillo Thunderheads and the Grand Prairie AirHogs merged to form a single team, the Texas AirHogs, which split its home games between the two cities (Amarillo, TX and Grand Prairie, TX). This brought the circuit back to 12 teams.
| North Division | Central Division | South Division | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Team | W | L | Pct. | GB | Manager | Team | W | L | Pct. | GB | Manager | Team | W | L | Pct. | GB | Manager | ||
| St. Paul Saints | 61 | 39 | .610 | -- | George Tsamis | Sioux City Explorers | 54 | 46 | .540 | -- | Steve Montgomery | Wichita Wingnuts | 61 | 39 | .610 | -- | Pete Rose Jr. | ||
| Winnipeg Goldeyes | 58 | 42 | .580 | 3.0 | Rick Forney | Gary SouthShore RailCats | 52 | 48 | .520 | 2.0 | Greg Tagert | Laredo Lemurs | 57 | 42 | .576 | 3.5 | Pete Incaviglia | ||
| Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks | 52 | 48 | .520 | 9.0 | Doug Simunic | Lincoln Saltdogs | 52 | 48 | .520 | 2.0 | Bobby Brown | Joplin Blasters | 36 | 64 | .360 | 25.0 | Gabe Suarez | ||
| Sioux Falls Canaries | 39 | 60 | .394 | 34.5 | Chris Paterson | Kansas City T-Bones | 42 | 58 | .420 | 12.0 | John Massarelli | Texas AirHogs | 34 | 65 | .343 | 26.5 | James Frisbie | ||
Playoffs[edit]
- Semifinals Wichita beat Sioux City 3 games to 1; Winnipeg beat St. Paul 3 games to 2
- Finals Winnipeg beat Wichita 3 games to 2
2017[edit]
The Laredo Lemurs folded just before the 2017 season was supposed to start, leaving the league in a quandary. This was resolved by adding a quasi-road team, the Salina Stockade. Salina had played in the Pecos League the previous year but had been left hanging when that circuit shifted geographically leaving it out because of its relative isolation. The team was formed hastily from players not needed by Pecos League teams (an inferior caliber circuit to begin with), before getting some reinforcements later in the season. Still, the stop-gap team was not at all competitive.
| North Division | Central Division | South Division | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Team | W | L | Pct. | GB | Manager | Team | W | L | Pct. | GB | Manager | Team | W | L | Pct. | GB | Manager | ||
| Winnipeg Goldeyes | 62 | 38 | .620 | -- | Rick Forney | Lincoln Saltdogs | 58 | 41 | .586 | -- | Bobby Brown | Wichita Wingnuts | 61 | 38 | .616 | -- | Pete Rose Jr. | ||
| Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks | 57 | 43 | .570 | 5.0 | Doug Simunic/Michael Schlact | Gary SouthShore RailCats | 57 | 43 | .570 | 1.5 | Greg Tagert | Cleburne Railroaders | 47 | 53 | .470 | 14.5 | Gabe Suarez | ||
| St. Paul Saints | 48 | 52 | .480 | 14.0 | George Tsamis | Kansas City T-Bones | 57 | 43 | .570 | 1.5 | Joe Calfapietra | Texas AirHogs | 43 | 57 | .430 | 26.5 | Billy Martin Jr. | ||
| Sioux Falls Canaries | 45 | 55 | .450 | 17.0 | Mike Meyer | Sioux City Explorers | 46 | 54 | .460 | 12.5 | Steve Montgomery | Salina Stockade | 18 | 82 | .180 | 43.5 | J.D. Droddy/Daniel Aldrich | ||
Playoffs[edit]
- Semifinals Winnipeg beat Lincoln 3 games to 1; Wichita beat Gary SouthShore 3 games to 0
- Finals Winnipeg beat Wichita, 3 games to 2
2018[edit]
The Chicago Dogs joined the league this year, replacing the uncompetitive Salina Stockade. Also the AA moved from three to two divisions.
| North Division | South Division | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Team | W | L | Pct. | GB | Manager | Team | W | L | Pct. | GB | Manager | |
| Gary SouthShore RailCats | 59 | 41 | .590 | - | Greg Tagert | Sioux City Explorers | 71 | 29 | .710 | - | Steve Montgomery | |
| St. Paul Saints | 59 | 41 | .590 | - | George Tsamis | Kansas City T-Bones | 62 | 37 | .626 | 8.5 | Joe Calfapietra | |
| Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks | 51 | 49 | .510 | 8 | Michael Schlact | Wichita Wingnuts | 61 | 39 | .610 | 10 | Brent Clevlen | |
| Chicago Dogs | 45 | 54 | .455 | 13.5 | Butch Hobson | Lincoln Saltdogs | 51 | 48 | .515 | 19.5 | Bobby Brown | |
| Winnipeg Goldeyes | 41 | 59 | .410 | 18 | Rick Forney | Cleburne Railroaders | 33 | 66 | .333 | 37.5 | Shelby Ford | |
| Sioux Falls Canaries | 40 | 60 | .400 | 19 | Mike Meyer | Texas AirHogs | 25 | 75 | .250 | 46 | Garth Iorg | |
Playoffs[edit]
- Semifinals St Paul beat Gary 3 games to 1 / Kansas City beat Sioux City 3 games to 2.
- Finals Kansas City beat St Paul 3 games to 1.
2019[edit]
The Milwaukee Milkmen joined the league this year, replacing the Wichita Wingnuts.
| North Division | South Division | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Team | W | L | Pct. | GB | Manager | Team | W | L | Pct. | GB | Manager | |
| St. Paul Saints | 64 | 36 | .640 | - | Dan Grice | Kansas City T-Bones | 58 | 42 | .580 | - | Joe Calfapietra | |
| Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks | 63 | 37 | .630 | 1 | Jim Bennett | Sioux City Explorers | 57 | 43 | .570 | 1 | Steve Montgomery | |
| Chicago Dogs | 59 | 41 | .590 | 5 | Butch Hobson | Cleburne Railroaders | 57 | 43 | .570 | 1 | Brent Clevlen | |
| Winnipeg Goldeyes | 57 | 43 | .570 | 7 | Rick Forney | Lincoln Saltdogs | 40 | 59 | .404 | 17.5 | [[]] | |
| Gary SouthShore RailCats | 40 | 59 | .404 | 23.5 | Greg Tagert | Sioux Falls Canaries | 38 | 62 | .380 | 30 | Mike Meyer | |
| Milwaukee Milkmen | 38 | 62 | .380 | 26 | Anthony Barone | Texas AirHogs | 28 | 72 | .280 | 30 | Chris Bando | |
Championship Series[edit]
| Year | Winner | Series | Loser |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Fort Worth Cats | 3-2 | St. Paul Saints |
| 2007 | Fort Worth Cats | 3-2 | St. Paul Saints |
| 2008 | Sioux Falls Canaries | 3-1 | Grand Prairie AirHogs |
| 2009 | Lincoln Saltdogs | 3-2 | Pensacola Pelicans |
| 2010 | Shreveport-Bossier Captains | 3-2 | Sioux Falls Pheasants |
| 2011 | Grand Prairie AirHogs | 3-2 | St. Paul Saints |
| 2012 | Wichita Wingnuts | 3-0 | Winnipeg Goldeyes |
| 2013 | Gary Southshore Railcats | 3-1 | Wichita Wingnuts |
| 2014 | Wichita Wingnuts | 3-0 | Lincoln Saltdogs |
| 2015 | Laredo Lemurs | 3-1 | Sioux City Explorers |
| 2016 | Winnipeg Goldeyes | 3-2 | Wichita Wingnuts |
| 2017 | Winnipeg Goldeyes | 3-2 | Wichita Wingnuts |
| 2018 | Kansas City T-Bones | 3-1 | St. Paul Saints |
| 2019 | St. Paul Saints | 3-0 | Sioux City Explorers |
Cities Represented[edit]
- Amarillo, TX:
- Amarillo Sox (moved from Pensacola, FL) 2011-2014
- Amarillo Thunderheads 2015
- Cleburne, TX: Cleburne Railroaders 2017-
- El Paso, TX: El Paso Diablos (from Central Baseball League) 2006-2013
- Fargo, ND: Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks (from Northern League) 2011-present
- Ft. Worth, TX: Fort Worth Cats (from Central Baseball League) 2006-2011
- Franklin, WI: Milwaukee Milkmen 2019-
- Gary, IN: Gary SouthShore RailCats (from Northern League) 2011-present
- Geneva, IL: Kane County Cougars (from Midwest League) 2021-present
- Grand Prairie, TX:
- Grand Prairie AirHogs 2008-2015
- Texas AirHogs 2016-2019
- Houston, TX: Houston Apollos 2021
- Joplin, MO: Joplin Blasters 2015-2016
- Kansas City, KS:
- Kansas City T-Bones (from Northern League) 2011-2020
- Kansas City Monarchs 2021-present
- Laredo, TX: Laredo Lemurs 2012-2016
- Lincoln, NE: Lincoln Saltdogs (from Northern League) 2006-present
- Oconomowoc, WI: Lake County Dockhounds 2022-present
- Pensacola, FL: Pensacola Pelicans (from Central Baseball League) 2006-2010 (moved to Amarillo, TX)
- Robstown, TX: Coastal Bend Aviators (from Central Baseball League) 2006-2007
- Rosemont, IL: Chicago Dogs 2018-present
- St. Joseph, MO: St. Joe Blacksnakes 2006-2007
- St. Paul, MN: St. Paul Saints (from Northern League) 2006-2020
- Salina, KS: Salina Stockade (from Pecos League) 2017
- Shreveport, LA:
- Shreveport Sports (from Central Baseball League) 2006-2008
- Shreveport-Bossier Captains 2009-2011
- Sioux City, IA: Sioux City Explorers (from Northern League) 2006-present
- Sioux Falls, SD:
- Sioux Falls Canaries (from Northern League) 2006-2009, 2013-present
- Sioux Falls Pheasants 2010-2012
- Wichita, KS: Wichita Wingnuts 2008-2018
- Winnipeg, MB: Winnipeg Goldeyes (from Northern League) 2011-present
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