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Jadey · 05-07-2004, 12:47 AM

Goddfather broke it down pretty good above, but here's a little more detail.

I've worked at several levels all the way from coaching and umpiring little league and "t-ball" games to working at the Double A level.

Most cities have "sanctioned" little league levels based on age groups similar to what was mentioned above, but a number of cities also operate youth leagues independent from the Little League governing body. This is where a large number of children get their starts.

After scaling the different levels there are also the High School, AAU, American Legion, etc. leagues.

Upon graduation there are a number of options:

- If you are good enough you can get drafted by a major league team that then evaluates your skill set and places you at one of the minor league levels.

- College baseball is an option.

- There are a large number of Semi-Pro leagues that also operate throughout the country.

- There are a number of Independent League Teams that also operate. These teams are basically the same as the minor leage teams as far as talent levels of the players, but they are not affiliated with a Major League team, hence the "Independent" designation.

- All major league teams also hold a number of tryout camps in cities throughout the country. These are very interesting. You get players of all sorts that show up to these tryouts and only a very few actually get signed, but weirder things have happened. I've been fortunate enough to work a camp catching for prospective players and you get all sorts.

Now, from any of those routes you can end up being drafted. You are then assigned to a minor league team based on your talent level. As goddfather40 mentioned, there are a number of levels, but even withing those levels there are tiers. There is "High-A" ball as well as "Low-A" ball. Diffferent leagues also have a tendency to be hitters leagues or pitchers leagues based on the predominant characteristics of the ballparks, cities, weather, etc. Like moonlight stated, a number of players skip levels based on thier skills and development. And I agree that Double A is probably where your most talented players are.

This was rather long, but I just love to talk about baseball. Sorry.

05-07-2004, 12:47 AM	#5 (permalink)
Jadey This Space For Rent Location: Davenport, Iowa	Goddfather broke it down pretty good above, but here's a little more detail. I've worked at several levels all the way from coaching and umpiring little league and "t-ball" games to working at the Double A level. Most cities have "sanctioned" little league levels based on age groups similar to what was mentioned above, but a number of cities also operate youth leagues independent from the Little League governing body. This is where a large number of children get their starts. After scaling the different levels there are also the High School, AAU, American Legion, etc. leagues. Upon graduation there are a number of options: - If you are good enough you can get drafted by a major league team that then evaluates your skill set and places you at one of the minor league levels. - College baseball is an option. - There are a large number of Semi-Pro leagues that also operate throughout the country. - There are a number of Independent League Teams that also operate. These teams are basically the same as the minor leage teams as far as talent levels of the players, but they are not affiliated with a Major League team, hence the "Independent" designation. - All major league teams also hold a number of tryout camps in cities throughout the country. These are very interesting. You get players of all sorts that show up to these tryouts and only a very few actually get signed, but weirder things have happened. I've been fortunate enough to work a camp catching for prospective players and you get all sorts. Now, from any of those routes you can end up being drafted. You are then assigned to a minor league team based on your talent level. As goddfather40 mentioned, there are a number of levels, but even withing those levels there are tiers. There is "High-A" ball as well as "Low-A" ball. Diffferent leagues also have a tendency to be hitters leagues or pitchers leagues based on the predominant characteristics of the ballparks, cities, weather, etc. Like moonlight stated, a number of players skip levels based on thier skills and development. And I agree that Double A is probably where your most talented players are. This was rather long, but I just love to talk about baseball. Sorry.