Baseball's schedule expands to yearlong operations
The Arizona Fall League (AFL) is more than just a seasonal event; it's a bustling hub of baseball activity all year round. Located at the Cactus League spring training sites, the AFL provides a unique opportunity for promising minor league players, those rehabbing from injuries, and those working on new skills, such as switching hit, learning a new position, or a new pitch.
The AFL is an extension of the major league system, with several other extensions including the Arizona Summer Rookie League, the Florida Instructional League, and various minor leagues of A, AA, and AAA. This extensive network ensures that the best and brightest of baseball's future are given every opportunity to shine.
The AFL is a delight for fans, particularly diehard baseball lovers, and generates revenue for the teams. Even Arizona parks that might go unused between April and February get some business during the AFL. The game attended was a Major League Baseball game in Cubs Park, Mesa, AZ, on a sunny late October afternoon.
The teams in the AFL are divided into two divisions: East and West. The 2025 AFL will feature six teams: the Glendale Desert Dogs, Mesa Solar Sox, Peoria Javelinas, Salt River Rafters, Scottsdale Scorpions, and Surprise Saguaros. Each team represents a group of MLB organizations, ensuring a diverse and talented roster.
The game was not involving a big-league team, but rather, two teams in the Arizona Fall League. However, the atmosphere was electric, with the game being televised on MLB.com and attended by a flock of scouts.
Fans have a chance for contact with players in the Arizona Fall League, even more easily than at spring training. Players were polite and obliging, even returning after an initial round of signing to chat again. The Fall Star Game, held last Saturday night at Salt River Fields in Scottsdale, was attended by a few thousand fans.
Bernie Pleskoff, a former major league scout for the Houston Astros and Seattle Mariners, had this to say about the players in the Arizona Fall League: "They are here to learn, to grow, and to prove themselves. It's a unique environment that allows these players to thrive."
The Arizona Fall League is just the tip of an iceberg of year-round activity in the area. Cubs officials claim that there is year-round activity at Cubs Park and other spring training complexes in the Phoenix area. For daily updates about the Arizona Fall League, follow Bernie Pleskoff on Twitter @BerniePleskoff.
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