Are you new to indy ball, either as a fan or a player? Here’s your crash course in independent baseball.
What is indy ball?
Independent baseball (or indy ball) is a group of leagues with teams that are not affiliated with any major league baseball (MLB) organization.* Each team is independently owned and operated.
*There are four independent leagues that are considered Partner Leagues to the MLB; However, they still do not have an affiliation with any specific team/organization.
MLB teams have affiliated minor league teams (AAA, AA, High A, Low A and may have 1-2 Rookie teams at their spring training complex as well as one international summer team in the Dominican Republic). These players have contracts with a major league organization.
Independent teams have players that are signed to a contract for only that team. It does not mean that the talent level in indy ball is below affiliated rookie ball. In fact, indy leagues have an equivalent level of play to various affiliated levels (more on that in each league description).
If an MLB organization decides to purchase a contract of a player on an indy ball team, they have to pay that team a buy-out price (as much as $15,000 for the Atlantic, American and Frontier leagues).
How many indy leagues are there?
There are four “core” independent leagues that have been around and established for many years. These are the upper level indy leagues and are now designated as MLB Partner Leagues. These leagues offer the best chance to be seen by scouts and provide a great way to get signed to affiliated ball.
Under that, there are five lower level independent leagues that have been in operation for at least the last few years.
Anything outside of those nine leagues, are usually start-ups, potential scams and generally anything that is not established and has not earned any credibility yet. These pop-up leagues have been occurring every year.
What are the leagues? Can you put them in order from best to worst?
I put the leagues in the order that I thought made the most sense from top to bottom, basically by pay scale (rough figures) and by average talent level. You could easily argue that a few can be moved around depending on what you’re trying to get out of indy ball, but this is the best representation I can give.
Atlantic League – this is the top independent league in the country. The Atlantic has teams full of former MLB and MLB affiliated players. Because of this, the level of play in the Atlantic League is very high, mostly comparable to AAA and AA teams. The players in this league tend to be on the older side as far as indy ball is concerned. A lot of players are working to get back to affiliated ball, or are just there to continue playing their last few years as competitively as possible. The league consists of ten teams in the northeastern part of the United States. The Atlantic League is the highest paying league in indy ball (varies greatly on experience).
American Association – The American Association is a league consisting of 12 teams – 11 in the American Mid-West and one in Winnipeg, Canada.
The league does have some specific roster rules:
The roster limit for an American Association club is 25 players, with a minimum of 20. An additional two players may be on the disabled list during the regular season. Of those 25 players, a maximum of six may be Veterans and minimum of five must be Rookie or LS-1 classification.
Teams carrying 22 players must have a minimum of four Rookies/LS-1 players. Teams carrying 21 or fewer players must have a minimum of three rookie/LS-1 players. The remaining players will be designated as limited service (LS) players.
During the pre-season, a maximum of 30 players may be under contract at any one time without regard to classification. The regular season active player roster limit must be met two days before the start of the regular season at 11:59 p.m. CT.
Year of Service: A year of service for American Association players is 75 official at bats or more in a MLB PBL league or Independent League or Leagues, or 30 innings or more pitched in a MLB PBL league or Independent League or Leagues, in any season prior to the present calendar year. For Independent or Short Season/Rookie league service, the first two years of service equals one MLB PBL league year. For foreign players, the classification and salary level will be determined by the Deputy Commissioner.
Rookie: A player with less than one year of service.
LS-1: A player with less than two years of service.
LS-2: A player with less than three years of service.
LS-3: A player with less than four years of service.
LS-4: A player with less than five years of service. Two of the six LS-4 players may be an LS-5.
LS-5: A player with less than six years of service.
Veteran: A player with six or more years of service. If a player has six or more years of service but has not reached the age of 27 prior to September 1 of that season, he will be considered an LS-4. If he has not reached the age of 25 prior to September 1 of that season, he will be considered an LS-3.
Even with the roster rules, there is no overall age limit. This brings in a lot of players with experience, whether it be from other independent leagues or from affiliated ball. The rookie rule does ensure that players who were passed on in the MLB draft after college can get a chance to play in the American Association. The competition is very good and is often classified as around high A and AA in terms of affiliated playing level. Players are often signed from the American, but most of them have already had affiliated experience.
Frontier League – The Frontier is the longest running independent baseball league. The league acquired the Can-Am League before the pandemic and has expanded their reach to Canada and more of the northeast while still having a strong hold in the mid-west. There are 16 teams spanning from Illinois to New York with three teams in Canada and one travel team.
The Frontier does have an age limit of 29 (except for 4 designated veteran positions on each team).
Frontier League Roster Rules:
Each club must carry a minimum of ten (10) rookies (combination of Rookie-1 and Rookie-2 players) with no professional experience other than specified below and may carry a maximum of fourteen (14) players classified as Experienced or Veteran during the regular season and playoffs on their active roster. For the 2022 season, no more than four of these players may be Veteran classification.
No player or player/coach may have attained twenty-nine (29) years of age prior to October 1 of that playing season with the exception of the four Veteran classification players as described below.
Players without prior affiliated baseball (MiLB) experience must be at least 18 years old to play in the Frontier League.
Rookie Classification: The Rookie classification will be split into two sub-classifications, Rookie-1 and Rookie-2. The Rookie-1 sub-classification will be for players who made their professional debut in the current season and therefore have no prior professional experience, or whose experience does not meet the minimum appearances listed below. The Rookie-2 sub-classification is for players who have one year of professional experience.
Experienced Classification: The Experienced classification is for all players who do not meet the requirements to be classified under the Rookie or Veteran classifications.
Veteran Classification: The Veteran classification is for a player who is over twenty-nine (29) years of age prior to October 1 of that playing season. For the 2023 season, any player born on or before September 30, 1994 will be a Veteran classification regardless of their prior playing experience.
Minimum Appearance Exception: A player must have accrued more than 75 at bats, 15 games pitched, or 30 innings pitched in a season for that season to count toward the classifications.
21-year Old Exemption: Any player who is twenty-one (21) years of age or younger on or after October 1st of any season and is entering his first year in the Frontier League, regardless of any prior professional baseball experience, will be considered no higher than a Rookie-2 by Frontier League Rules. For the 2023 season, a birthdate of October 1, 2001 will be the cutoff to qualify under this provision.
Military Exemption: Players who have served on active military duty will receive an exemption to the age limit to avoid the Veteran classification of one year for each year of active duty that was served.
Position Change Exemption: Starting with the 2016 season, position players who are switching to pitching and pitchers who are switching to playing a position will have their classifications reset to Rookie-2 provided that they do not appear in any games at their previous position (batting/running or pitching, depending on the switch).
They have also signed a deal with the California Winter League naming them as the only official winter league for the Frontier.
Since the league does have younger players, the level of play is a bit lower and not as polished as the American and is more comparable to High/Low A ball.
Pioneer Baseball League – The PBL became an MLB Partner League in 2021. Teams are located in Montana, Idaho, Utah and Colorado.
Over the course of the season, each team will play 96 games in a split schedule. In the playoffs, first-half division winners will play second-half division winners in a one game playoff. The division playoff winners will meet for a final best-of-three series.
The Pioneer Baseball League is intended to serve as a developmental league, with no player on the Active List having more than three years of prior professional baseball service. Each team is limited to a roster of 25 active players.
The players on a Member Club’s Active Roster may have played professional baseball for three (3) or fewer years. For purposes of calculating prior years of professional baseball experience, a year of professional experience is defined as follows:
• POSITION PLAYERS – 45 games played
• STARTING PITCHERS – 10 games started
• PITCHERS – 25 games played
Professional experience includes previous play in all professional leagues, domestic or international, but does not include the leagues in the Caribbean Federation, the Australian Baseball League or any other leagues that might become “winter ball” leagues.
MLB Draft League – the newly formed MLB Draft League is very unique. They have a split season format that includes draft eligible players in the first half, and true independent players in the second.
First half (June 1-July 4): For Amateur/Draft-eligible players from the Divisions I-III, NAIA, junior college and high school (graduating seniors) levels. 30 games per team.
Second half (July 7-Sept. 2): For professional players who have exhausted their amateur eligibility. Players receive housing, meal money, travel and weekly compensation. 50 games per team.
United Shore Pro Baseball League – the USPBL, while not an official MLB Partner league, has established themselves as a league that is able to pay players, honor commitments, and be a place where guys can play professional baseball. The league focuses on developing young players and rookies. They often have players moving up to higher levels of indy ball or even having some signed to affiliated ball. One thing that makes this league unique is that all four teams play in the same stadium, Jimmy Johns Field in Utica, Michigan. For the most part, players here are on a low A/short season equivalent playing level and get paid close to a Frontier League rookie salary.
Pecos League – The Pecos League is one of the lowest levels of independent baseball, and it’s also one of the hardest on players. Teams play 72 games in 70 days while traveling in their own cars to away games. Conditions are rough. Some stadiums are nice, but others are not. With some teams, the players are responsible for taking care of the fields. Some players are placed with host families, but other guys are not and live with multiple teammates.
The league has expanded over recent years and has slightly improved in stadiums and talent with each season they are in operation. Right now, the league is at 12 teams with locations in California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Colorado, and Kansas
The majority of the players in the Pecos League are found when they participate in (and pay for) their fall or spring camp. Players make minimal, if any, money. The pay varies by teams and is given usually based on ways the individual teams raise money themselves (youth camps, auctions, donations, etc). Essentially, if players make any money at all, their best hope is to break even from what they’ve paid for their training camp. The level of play is equivalent to around rookie ball at best. Now that the Frontier League has an exclusive deal with the California Winter League, they have banned Pecos League players. These players cannot be moved up to the Frontier unless they have had previous contact with the Frontier League.
Empire League – this is basically the Pecos League of the northeast. The Empire League mirrors the Pecos in many ways: The level of play is around the same (rookie level at best), pay is minimal, guys sleep in dorm rooms or with host families if available, and the field conditions and travel are rough. The schedule isn’t as brutal as the Pecos and some teams are even playing as an extension to the league in Puerto Rico, but it still isn’t glamorous as far as playing goes. Most players pay to attend spring training and are then placed on a team for the season. B The league consists of six teams playing in the northeastern United States and Puerto Rico. They also run the road/travel team in the Frontier League, the Empire State Greys.
Mavericks League – the newest indy league on this league, the Mavericks league is another opportunity for players to continue playing and put up numbers. However, there is no monetary compensation from the teams.
From their website about future players:
Players Will receive:
· Out of area players may be eligible for housing with a Host Family at no cost to player
· A job in the community (if desired)
· Complimentary gym membership
· Professional Managers and Coaches – Manager’s include former #1 Draft Pick and MLB player
· Team Doctor
· Professional Team Trainer
· Professional Team Clubhouse Manager
· No travel. All games played at 4,300 seat Volcanoes Stadium
· First-Class Stadium. Built to MLB/MiLB specifications in 1997 and won an American Institute of Architects Design Award
· Access to Stadium’s 5,200 sq. ft. indoor training facility with 4 cages
Player must:
· Player is required to carry his own medical insurance and provide proof of insurance to Team prior to playing.
· Player agrees to follow any Covid-19 protocols and testing (if required prior to and during the season).
Advancement:
· As a result of our 32 years in professional baseball, we have existing relationships with numerous MLB scouts. Scouts enjoy and have a long history of covering games played at the Stadium
How to Play:
· The process is as follows – to be considered you Must be a member of the player pool and the $75 registration fee needs to be paid. Once that is done, you can then submit video, photos, resume etc. for our managers to review. Then, they will have the option to reach out to you directly.
Regardless, once you are a member of the player pool you will be eligible for the Open Tryouts at Volcanoes Stadium April 8, 2023. Jerry Howard, Director of Player Personnel, will reach out to you with more details as the date nears.
Here is the link to register and join the Player Pool https://checkout.square.site/merchant/3P2HBN7B6VR35/checkout/YHRORHHDLEOFL6GLKFMPR6D3
Where do players live?
The majority of players in independent baseball live with host families set up by their team. Others find themselves in hotels or dorms paid for by teams if not enough host families are available. Some are living in apartments or other arrangements with teammates that the players pay for out of pocket. Honestly, it depends on the league and even each individual team in regards to housing.
How can I play indy ball?
Each league holds open tryouts throughout the year. This site has a comprehensive list of all tryouts as they are brought to my attention. Bookmark the INDY BALL TRYOUTS page and check back frequently if you are interested.
Other players turn to winter leagues to become noticed. There are multiple pay-to-play winter leagues available for players looking to continue playing during the off season. Each has their own pros and cons.
Another alternative is to join the Black Sox, a traveling team of unsigned players that play spring training games against every independent league. This is a great way to play in live games in front of people who can sign you. You can read more about the Black Sox and what they’re all about here: The Black Sox Road Warriors Are Back At It Again. I also spent two days with the team, and you can check out that experience HERE.
Players can also reach out to teams on their own to establish connections and make contact with the right people within team’s front offices. All it takes is a visit to an individual team’s website for more information. Social media groups and websites also help players network and put their names out there for potential jobs.
What’s the hardest thing about playing independent baseball?
Basically, everything about “the grind” is hard, and you have to be mentally prepared for it all. When I ask players this question, the majority of them said that it was harder on them mentally than physically, especially in the beginning.
Independent baseball is not easy.
You’re away from your family, significant other, and friends for months out of the year for little pay. You’re on long bus rides or drives to away games with few days off. You play in smaller cities where there isn’t always an abundance of things to do. You will have to stretch your meal money just to eat. Some times it won’t be about eating healthy, it’ll be about eating anything because you’re hungry. You may end up with leftover concession stand food as your post game spread night after night. It’s tiring.
Times will get tough, and the pressure will be there for you to perform or get out of a slump because the next guy is right there waiting for his opportunity. You’re constantly trying to move up to a better league, stay afloat in the league that you’re in, and try to help the team you are on win. Players are expendable at this level. You may get released, you may get traded, some times multiple times in one season. You have to be prepared for the emotional roller coaster that is independent baseball.
Just remember, wherever you are, there are hundreds of guys ready and willing to take your place. Stay level headed. Work hard. Make the most of your opportunity.
So, indy ball is just semi-pro right?
We don’t use the term “semi-pro” in independent baseball because it honestly makes no sense. If you get paid to play, you are technically a professional. There have been plenty of arguments about this statement, but by using the actual definition of a professional, independent baseball players are professional athletes over the course of their season.
Is it possible to make it to the MLB from indy ball?
Absolutely! There are hundreds of success stories from all over independent baseball of players moving on to affiliated ball with many of them moving all the way up through the system to the MLB level. There have even been players from as low as the Pecos League that have managed to work hard, re-establish themselves, and get a call to The Show!
How is independent ball different from affiliated ball once you’re playing it?
While it is essentially the same game, there are difference between the two. Besides the variation in rules for extra innings (a few leagues have adopted the “international tie-breaker rule), there are also some differences that have nothing to do with the actual play on the field.
Affiliated teams have a main goal of developing players to improve the organization as a whole. In independent ball, each team’s main goal is to win. Of course teams and leagues want their players to get an opportunity to move up to affiliated ball, but they are more interested in bringing fans into the ballpark and winning championships.
Another difference is status. In affiliated ball, a lot of how you’re perceived by the organization is based on how valuable you are to them. The higher you were drafted or the more money they have invested into you, factors in their decision for playing time, advancement, etc. They are definitely willing to give players more of a chance in affiliated ball. In indy ball, none of that matters. It doesn’t matter what you did in high school, college, or if you were in affiliated ball. It may help you get noticed and signed, but once you’re on an indy team, you’re there to help the team and win. If you don’t produce, there are plenty of other players ready to take your spot, and they will not hesitate to release you.
But even with these main differences I always feel as if indy ball, while still very cutthroat and often times political, is fun and has a more laid back and easy vibe compared to affiliated ball. You’re in it to win it with your teammates. You’re all out to prove something… together.
Indy Ball Island 