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What is the Frontier League?
The Frontier League is a professional, independent baseball league. Founded in 1993, it is the oldest existing independent professional league. Currently, the Frontier League has 12 teams, located in the Midwest and East Coast of the United States.
The Frontier League is not affiliated with Major League Baseball or Minor League Baseball. As an independent league, teams in the Frontier League are not part of any larger organization, such as a Major League Baseball farm system. This allows teams to play in smaller markets that would otherwise not be able to support a bigger league.
The Frontier League is classified as a low-level minor league, with a few teams reaching the level of short-season A-ball. The league is composed of teams ranging in talent level, from rookie-level teams to veteran-level teams. The Frontier League is divided into two divisions, the East and the West.
How the Frontier League is Structured
The Frontier League is divided into two divisions, the East and the West. Each division is made up of six teams. The East Division consists of the River City Rascals, Gateway Grizzlies, Florence Freedom, Lake Erie Crushers, Traverse City Beach Bums, and Washington Wild Things. The West Division consists of the Southern Illinois Miners, Evansville Otters, Joliet Slammers, Schaumburg Boomers, Normal CornBelters, and Windy City ThunderBolts.
The regular season runs from the beginning of May until the end of August. The teams play a total of 96 games during the regular season, with each team playing 48 games in their respective divisions. At the end of the regular season, the teams with the best record in each division qualify for the playoffs. The playoffs consist of two rounds, and the winner of the championship series is crowned the Frontier League champion.
Frontier League Rules
The Frontier League has some unique rules that set it apart from other professional baseball leagues. The most notable is the “Designated Hitter” rule. In the Frontier League, teams must use a designated hitter in place of the pitcher in the batting order. This allows teams to get more offense from the bottom of their order.
The Frontier League also has a unique salary cap system. This system is used to ensure that teams do not spend too much on players’ salaries. The salary cap is set at $90,000 for a team’s entire roster. This is significantly lower than the salary cap for Major League Baseball teams, which can be as high as $210 million.
What Level of Baseball is the Frontier League?
The Frontier League is considered to be a low-level minor league. Most of the teams in the league are at the rookie or short-season A-ball level. The teams in the Frontier League are not affiliated with Major League Baseball or Minor League Baseball, so they are not part of any larger organization. As an independent league, teams in the Frontier League are free to sign players from any other professional or amateur league.
The Frontier League also does not have a formal farm system like Major League Baseball does. Instead, teams rely on scouting and player development to build their rosters. While most of the teams in the league are at the rookie or short-season A-ball level, some teams have reached the level of advanced A-ball.
Frontier League Teams
The teams in the Frontier League are located in small cities and towns throughout the Midwest and East Coast of the United States. Most teams are located in cities with populations of 50,000 or less. Here is a list of the teams in the Frontier League:
- East Division:
- River City Rascals
- Gateway Grizzlies
- Florence Freedom
- Lake Erie Crushers
- Traverse City Beach Bums
- Washington Wild Things
- West Division:
- Southern Illinois Miners
- Evansville Otters
- Joliet Slammers
- Schaumburg Boomers
- Normal CornBelters
- Windy City ThunderBolts
Frontier League Players
The players in the Frontier League are mostly young and inexperienced. Many are undrafted college players or former Minor League players looking to get another chance at professional baseball. Some teams also sign players from international leagues, such as Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball.
The Frontier League is not a big-money league, and most players earn a salary of less than $2,000 a month. However, the league does offer players the chance to gain valuable experience and the opportunity to show what they can do in a professional setting.
Frontier League Fans
The Frontier League has a loyal and passionate fan base. Fans of the league come from all walks of life and many have been following the league for years. Fans of the Frontier League have a strong connection to their local teams and show up in droves to support them.
The Frontier League also has a strong online presence. Fans can follow the league on social media and interact with each other via forums and message boards. The league also has an official website that provides up-to-date news and information about the league and its teams.
Attending a Frontier League Game
Attending a Frontier League game is a great way to experience professional baseball in a small-town setting. Most Frontier League teams play in stadiums that seat fewer than 5,000 people, giving fans an intimate and up-close experience.
The tickets for Frontier League games are also typically very affordable. Most tickets cost less than $10, making it easy for families and friends to attend a game together.
What the Future Holds for the Frontier League
The Frontier League has been around for more than 25 years and has become an important part of the professional baseball landscape. The league has seen some teams come and go, but the core of the league has remained the same.
The league is continuing to grow and expand, with new teams joining the league each year. The future looks bright for the Frontier League, with more teams and more fans joining the league every year.
Conclusion
The Frontier League is a low-level minor league composed of 12 teams located throughout the Midwest and East Coast of the United States. The league is a great place for players to gain valuable experience and for fans to experience professional baseball in a small-town setting.
The Frontier League is continuing to grow and expand, and the future looks bright for the league. With teams and fans joining the league each year, the Frontier League is sure to be a mainstay in the professional baseball landscape for many years to come.