Introduction to Minor League Baseball in Iowa
Minor League Baseball (MiLB) is an organized system of professional baseball teams, operating in the United States and Canada. These teams are affiliated with Major League Baseball, and are organized in several levels, from rookie and short-season to Triple-A. Iowa is home to six different Minor League Baseball teams.
History of Minor League Baseball in Iowa
The history of Minor League Baseball in Iowa dates back to the late nineteenth century. The first professional baseball team in the state was the Des Moines Prohibitionists, which played in the Western League in 1887.
The Des Moines Prohibitionists were the first of many Minor League teams in Iowa. Other teams included the Cedar Rapids Bunnies, the Davenport Blue Sox, the Iowa City Islanders, the Quad Cities Angels, the Sioux City Soos, and the Waterloo Wonders.
The Des Moines Prohibitionists, Davenport Blue Sox, and Waterloo Wonders eventually folded in the early twentieth century. The remaining teams were all active in the twentieth century, but the Quad Cities Angels folded in the late 1970s.
Minor League Baseball Teams in Iowa Today
Today, there are six Minor League Baseball teams in Iowa. All of these teams are affiliated with Major League Baseball teams and compete in the Midwest League.
The teams are as follows:
- Iowa Cubs: The Iowa Cubs are affiliated with the Chicago Cubs and based in Des Moines. They are the only Minor League team in Iowa that is based in a major metropolitan area. The Iowa Cubs have won five division titles and two league championships since their inception in 1969.
- Burlington Bees: The Burlington Bees are affiliated with the Los Angeles Angels and based in Burlington. The Bees have won two division titles and one league championship since their inception in 1889.
- Cedar Rapids Kernels: The Cedar Rapids Kernels are affiliated with the Minnesota Twins and based in Cedar Rapids. The Kernels have won twelve division titles and one league championship since their inception in 1993.
- Quad Cities River Bandits: The Quad Cities River Bandits are affiliated with the Houston Astros and based in Davenport. The River Bandits have won five division titles and two league championships since their inception in 1993.
- Clinton Lumberkings: The Clinton Lumberkings are affiliated with the Seattle Mariners and based in Clinton. The Lumberkings have won four division titles and one league championship since their inception in 1954.
- Sioux City Explorers: The Sioux City Explorers are affiliated with the Kansas City Royals and based in Sioux City. The Explorers have won three division titles and one league championship since their inception in 1993.
Iowa Minor League Baseball Stadiums
Each of the Minor League teams in Iowa play their home games in a stadium. The following is a list of the stadiums where the teams play:
- Principal Park: Principal Park is home to the Iowa Cubs and is located in Des Moines. It has a capacity of 11,500 and features a video board, amusement park rides, and a team store.
- Community Field: Community Field is home to the Burlington Bees and is located in Burlington. It has a capacity of 4,000 and features a modern playing surface and a team store.
- Veterans Memorial Stadium: Veterans Memorial Stadium is home to the Cedar Rapids Kernels and is located in Cedar Rapids. It has a capacity of 6,000 and features a natural grass playing surface, two video boards, and a team store.
- Modern Woodmen Park: Modern Woodmen Park is home to the Quad Cities River Bandits and is located in Davenport. It has a capacity of 5,500 and features a natural grass playing surface and a team store.
- Ashford University Field: Ashford University Field is home to the Clinton Lumberkings and is located in Clinton. It has a capacity of 5,000 and features a modern playing surface, two video boards, and a team store.
- Lewis and Clark Park: Lewis and Clark Park is home to the Sioux City Explorers and is located in Sioux City. It has a capacity of 4,000 and features a modern playing surface and a team store.
Iowa Minor League Baseball Teams’ Affiliations
The Minor League teams in Iowa are affiliated with Major League Baseball teams. The following is a list of the Major League teams and their affiliates:
- Chicago Cubs: Iowa Cubs
- Los Angeles Angels: Burlington Bees
- Minnesota Twins: Cedar Rapids Kernels
- Houston Astros: Quad Cities River Bandits
- Seattle Mariners: Clinton Lumberkings
- Kansas City Royals: Sioux City Explorers
Iowa Minor League Baseball Teams in the News
The Minor League teams in Iowa are often in the news for their successes on the field. The Iowa Cubs, for example, won the Pacific Coast League Championship in 2015 and the Quad Cities River Bandits won the Midwest League Championship in 2018.
The teams are also in the news for their off-field activities. The Burlington Bees, for example, host several community events throughout the year and the Cedar Rapids Kernels have a special program in which they provide tickets to underserved children in the community.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there are six Minor League Baseball teams in Iowa. These teams are all affiliated with Major League Baseball teams and play in the Midwest League. Each team has its own stadium and is active in the community. The teams are often in the news for their successes on and off the field.