About AA Baseball Fan

I first fell in love with independent baseball in the mid-00’s, when my family started attending Northern League games and even serving as a host family for a few years.

More than 20 years later, with the Northern League gone and many of its teams (and my fandom) gravitating to the American Association, I still find myself glued to games from Manitoba to Texas as hundreds of grinders make their way to mid-America for their first shot, their last shot, a hope of reaching greener pastures, or those who are out there because they just want to keep playing.

That’s what I’m here for: to shine a light on the players and the teams that make up this great league.

Here you’ll find a little bit of everything: some news, some opinions, and a look into the vault at the first 20 years of American Association baseball.

Either way, I hope you enjoy and be sure to find me on Twitter/X at @AABaseballFan1 and Instagram at @aabaseballfan1.

Thanks for visiting!

About the American Association

The American Association of Professional Baseball carries the name of a league that has long been a familiar one in professional baseball. The first American Association was a major league from 1882-91, rivaling the established National League a the time.

For most of the 20th century, the next American Association was an established Triple-A circuit, running from 1902-62 and against from 1969 till its ultimate demise in 1997. During its run, it served several markets that would eventually become homes to MLB franchises and a few (Kansas City, Milwaukee, and Minneapolis-St. Paul) that would later host modern AAPB franchises.

The current American Association was founded in 2005 and played its first season in 2006. While the league originally stretched from the Upper Midwest to the Florida Panhandle and far West Texas, 11 of the current 12 franchises call the Upper Midwest home, in addition to one franchise in North Texas.

The AA is also the unofficial torchbearer to the now-defunct Northern League, which was the first modern independent baseball league in 1993 and was where seven current franchises began their journeys

The American Association is an MLB Partner League, partnering with Major League Baseball and Minor League Baseball for business purposes, but operating independently on the field with all 12 teams unaffiliated with MLB franchises. The league attracts former MLB players, plus those looking for another shot at reaching the majors. Over 475 players have had their contracts purchased by an MLB team.