Major League Count Grows by Five to 39

While many of the geographic priorities have shifted somewhat from where they were in 1993, it is likely most insiders would still agree that Independent Baseball’s No. 1 reason for existence these last 19 years has been to provide professional baseball in communities which would not otherwise have this type of affordable entertainment within miles of where fans live.

And for players still chasing their dream, these leagues not affiliated with major league baseball teams provide 1,500 to 2,000 athletes a chance to sharpen their skills until the right opportunity knocks.  This makes the 2011 season one of the most successful on record because 39 players have experienced the thrill of wearing a major league uniform, with nine of those happening for the very first time.  This number could increase as the affiliated leagues wrap up their playoffs.

We stated earlier that the previous high water mark had been 35 players, and while further research shows 40 players measured by the same yardstick made it to the majors in 2003, this is the best year since.  Only 30 Indy players were in the majors last year; 28 in ’09.

Five players, including three first-timers, have gotten the call since rosters expanded September 1.

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American Association Draws 2,162,269, Atlantic Nears 25 Million Overall

Attendance figures for the 2011 Independent season are going to appear hugely disappointing with a total that will be nearly 1.5 million below last season, but the 10 fewer teams and only five leagues (compared to eight) plus last-minute juggling of schedules soften the news considerably.

The Atlantic League, which almost certainly will reach the 25-million plateau before its 14 ^th season ends September 18, will help pad the current total of 6,596,756 reported by Pointstreak.comand compiled by the Independent Baseball Insider.  Our count had the Atlantic League 103,856 fans shy of the 25-million mark entering play Thursday.

The American Association, which took in four Northern Leagueteams plus Amarillo, TXthis season to swell to an Independent high of 14, had the top attendance of 2,162,269, a gain of more than 900,000.  The league-by-league totals:

       *Seven teams with stadiums

      **Seven teams with stadiums plus one neutral site

      %Season does not end until September 18

      #Included Continental, Golden, Northern, United Leagues (no longer operating)

Nine Indy Grads Make Affiliated All-Star Teams

Southpaw Sam Narronof Nashville, TN, a former Atlantic Leaguehurler (Camden, NJ), gives Independent Baseball a representative on a Triple-A postseason all-star team (Pacific Coast League)while no less than seven players have been honored in Double-A.  They include league-leading Will Savage(12 victories), who played at Lancaster, PA(Atlantic) and Wichita, KS (American Association),  and current major league hurler Dylan Axelrodand another pitcher, Dan Remenowsky,both from Windy City (Crestwood, IL, Frontier League),in the Southern League.

The Texas Leaguehad pitcher Erik Hamren (Joliet, ILand Kansas City , KS, Northern League),now with the parent San Diego Padres, and infielder Anthony Seratelli(Windy City).  Pitcher Tim Bascom (Bradenton, FL, South Coast League)and outfielder Mike Spidale (Kansas City, KS,Northern )made the Eastern Leagueteam.

Catcher Zach Zaneski (Midwest, Ypsilanti, MI,Frontier) was selected as a Class A Carolina Leagueall-star.

( This is an excerpt from the column Bob Wirz writes year round on Independent Baseball.  Fans may subscribe at www.WirzandAssociates.com , enjoy his blogs, www.AtlanticLeagueBaseball.com and www.IndyBaseballChatter.com , or comment to RWirz@aol.com .  The author has 16 years of major league baseball public relations experience with Kansas City and as spokesman for two Commissioners and lives in Stratford, CT. )