Introduction

Introduction to the Whitecaps

The Whitecaps are in the FUN business and our mission is to provide affordable family entertainment that strengthens the West Michigan COMMUNITY.

We create memorable EXPERIENCES by offering a fun, friendly and inclusive environment. We welcome you as a guest and hope you return as a fan!

Fun! Community! Experiences!

The Whitecaps are co-owned by local businessmen Lew Chamberlin of Grand Rapids and Dennis Baxter of Muskegon. For more on the ownership and history of the team, see the History page.

Who Are We?

The Whitecaps minor league baseball team was established in 1994. The Whitecaps are the High- A affiliate of the Detroit Tigers and play in the Eastern Division of the High-A Midwest League. The team’s home games are played in West Michigan’s favorite, largest, outdoor, multi-purpose venue, LMCU Ballpark.

Class AAA - Toledo Mud Hens

Class AA - Erie SeaWolves

High A - West Michigan Whitecaps

Low A - Lakeland Flying Tigers

Rookie League - GCL Tigers East / GCL Tigers West

Foreign Rookie - DSL Tigers 1 / DSL Tigers 2

About The Players

There are no set rules on the advancement of players or the length of time a player stays with a team, but it generally takes 4-6 years to reach the Major Leagues. Most players are scouted in high school and college by the Major League teams' scouting departments, then chosen in the Amateur Draft in July. Others, such as foreign players and those passed over in the draft, are signed as free agents.