Minor leagues, major boom : local professional baseball revitalized / Jon C. Stott.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Stott, Jon C.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Minor league baseball--Economic aspects--United States.

Minor league baseball.

Minor league baseball--Economic aspects.

United States.

Physical Description:

v, 218 pages : illustrations ; 23 cm

Place of Publication:

Jefferson, N.C. : McFarland & Co., [2004]

Summary:

In 1990, 25 million people watched minor league baseball games. In 2001, that number had increased to 39 million. Die-hard fans, families, business associates, and church, social and school groups come to eat crab cakes and sushi and drink lattes, watch contests between innings, see entertainers and enjoy post-game fireworks. This book examines the "new minors." Part One analyzes the changes in the operation of minor league franchises and the shifting relationship between the majors and the members of the National Association. Part Two focuses on the people, places and events of the 2003 season and playoffs, with special attention to the coaches and players, major league player development departments, and the relationships between them. Part Three offers general observations about the future. The Edmonton Trappers (Pacific Coast League), Rancho Cucamonga Quakes (California League), Billings Mustangs (Pioneer League), El Paso Diablos (Texas League), Lansing Lugnuts (Midwest League), and Mahoning Valley Scrappers (New York-Pennsylvania League) are highlighted.

Contents:

Preface. Rediscovering the Minor Leagues 1

Introduction. 1991-2001: The Coming of Age of the "New" Minors 9

1 Minor League Baseball's Winter of Discontent 21

2 The Great White North: The Edmonton Trappers of the Pacific Coast League 25

3 At the Epicenter of Baseball: The Rancho Cucamonga Quakes of the California League 53

4 Cincinnati's Kids Come to Billings: The Mustangs of the Pioneer League 83

5 Down in a West Texas Town: The El Paso Diablos of the Texas League 115

6 Turning Diamonds into Lugnuts: Lansing of the Midwest League 145

7 Scrappers Training to Become Indians: Mahoning Valley of the New York-Pennsylvania League 175

8 Moving Up, Moving On, Moving Out 199.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages 211-213) and index.

ISBN:

0786417595

OCLC:

54407765