I-Cubs celebrate camp for deaf on special night
Years ago, Dylan Heuer attended Iowa Baseball Camp for the Deaf and eventually became the bat boy for Triple-A Iowa. When he returned as team photographer for the Cubs affiliate and found out the camp no longer existed, he brought it back. He wanted others in the deaf community to
This road trip will give you the spirit of '76
Because there's no better way to celebrate the Fourth of July than getting out to a ballgame, earlier in the week we presented a breakdown of must-catch Minor League games with Independence Day celebrations, with one entry for each farm system. But let's say you're not satisfied with one Independence
The Fourth of July is poppin' off at the ballpark
Have you made plans for the Fourth yet? If not, we're here to help. If so, change 'em! There's no better way to celebrate America's Independence Day than taking in a baseball game amid your compatriots.
Trevor Hoffman's son gets thisclose to closer status
When Trevor Hoffman used to jog in from the bullpen ahead of the ninth inning at home, AC/DC's “Hells Bells” boomed out of the speakers and batters knew they had a tall task ahead of them. When Wyatt Hoffman, son of the Hall of Famer, took the mound Wednesday night
The weirdest MiLB stats, plays from May
Welcome to Crooked Numbers, a monthly column dedicated to Minor League Baseball on-field oddities and absurdities. This edition, covering the month of May, features reptile cameos, offensive explosions, oppositional surnames and, of course, much more. Keeping track of this type of thing is a team effort, so get in touch
Beltré, Young named All-Star Futures Game managers
2024 National Baseball Hall of Fame inductee Adrian Beltré and star infielder Michael Young both left their mark on the MLB All-Star Game with the Texas Rangers. Beltré was a three-time selection with the Rangers while Young made seven All-Star appearances, trailing only Ivan Rodriguez (10) for the most in
These are the best June ballpark promos
Welcome to Promo Preview, a monthly round-up of Minor League Baseball promotions to look forward to. June highlights include iconic socks, bipedal cows, regional food battles and, of course, much more. Dive in.
Futures Skills Showcase to highlight prospects
Discussions of hitting prospects typically involve a breakdown of tools and skills. Who has the most raw power? Who has the best feel to hit? Even with the advent of so much more data, these evaluations often provide at least a little subjectivity. Imagine if, in one day, you could
Chestnut crushes concessions for a cause
When you go out to a Minor League Baseball game, it's a good idea to show up hungry. Maybe nobody is more familiar with this wisdom than Joey Chestnut, the 16-time champion of the annual Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest. On Saturday night, Chestnut brought his appetite to a Toledo
Cortez is a rookie with the Nuts, but not in life
Minor League Baseball is full of front office rookies, those who are working their debut season in the industry. Mary Cortez is one of them and, to get there, took a far more circuitous path than most. For three decades Cortez was on the road for six months a year,
Palm Beach's Giulianelli throws screwy screwball
It’s the screwball seen ‘round the world. Cardinals pitching prospect Ettore Giulianelli has one of the funkiest breaking balls in Minor League Baseball, and one such pitch in particular has caught the internet’s attention.
Take your dog on an MiLB road trip this summer
Minor League Baseball is going to the dogs. In just about every corner of the country, you can find a team with a Bark at the Park night on the calendar. If MiLB and your dog sounds like a pretty good combo, add in another classic summertime tradition: the road
Trash Pandas fans go off menu to eat cicadas?!?
No matter how much or how little time you’ve spent around the game of baseball, you surely know the refrain: “Take me out to the ballgame … buy me some peanuts and Cracker Jack.” Eating a cicada is never mentioned. But on Tuesday night at Toyota Field, they seemed to
Home Run Derby X to hit four MiLB parks in 2024
If home runs, diving catches, and nonstop baseball action are your thing, then you're in luck: MLB's Home Run Derby X is returning to four new cities for 2024. The three-on-three home run derby has gone around the country and the world and will now stop at some of the
Here are some forward-thinking throwback promos
On the field, Minor League Baseball is all about the future: See tomorrow’s stars, today. This forward-looking mentality is often combined with ballpark celebrations of past eras, via salutes to defunct teams, retired players and beloved pop culture properties. Jump in the way-back machine and join us as we explore
The weirdest MiLB stats, plays from the past month
After a multi-season hiatus, Crooked Numbers returns with a heaping portion of Minor League Baseball on-field oddities and absurdities. This edition, covering the start of the season through the end of April, has a disproportionate number of items from the Triple-A level. As for why that is, who knows? Maybe
These are the best May ballpark promos
Welcome to Promo Preview, a monthly compendium of Minor League Baseball promotions to look forward to. May's highlights include nonagenarian icons, Mardi Gras sweets, reinterpretations of local disasters and, of course, much more. Let's get to it.
Mudonna is a huggable pig AND a record-setter
Some mascots are good for a laugh. Some get you amped up. Some make you feel warm and fuzzy. Mudonna T. Pig -- a neon-pink porcine cheerleader nicknamed "the divine swine" and "the dutchess of pork" who has been entertaining St. Paul Saints fans for over 20 years -- was
These 2024 bobbleheads are literally the tops
There are a kajillion reasons to love baseball -- especially Minor League Baseball. The bobblehead, which has been greeted with an enthusiastic "Yes" from baseball fans at least since MLB put out a set featuring the likes of Roberto Clemente, Mickey Mantle and Willie Mays in 1960, combines many of
All systems go for Rocket City homer celebrations
Trash Pandas, go for launch! One of the more popular Minor League monikers, Double-A Rocket City combined a pair of nicknames during its relocation from Mobile to Huntsville, Ala., following the 2019 season.
Start planning NOW for these MiLB promotions
Ninety Minor League Baseball teams open up Friday, joining the 30 Triple-A squads that kicked off the 2024 campaign on March 29. And with every Minor League season comes Minor League promotions, the vast array of theme nights and giveaways taking place on a nightly basis as supplements to the
Umps honor 'deeply missed' coworker with patch
Across the Minor Leagues this season, umpires will be wearing "JP" patches on their hats, paying tribute to the impact of Jay Pierce on the profession. Pierce, 40, who passed away in September after a four-year battle with colon cancer, umpired for seven seasons from 2006-12 in the Gulf Coast,
11 reasons we're excited about the 2024 season
It is all happening in Minor League Baseball. Every organization’s quest for a World Series title and every future star’s journey to big league greatness is built here. It’s where new fans are made and baseball lifers congregate in dugouts, front offices, press boxes and the stands. It’s where wild,
Party on! Pensacola celebrates Monterrey series
Technically, the Minor League season at non-Triple-A affiliates doesn’t begin until Friday. But at Double-A Pensacola, things got off to a bright and colorful start.
Here are the Spring Breakout rosters
Spring Breakout is just around the corner, and all 30 teams have set their rosters ahead of the March 14-17 showcase games.