The Arizona Fall League is an off-season league owned and operated by Major League Baseball which operates during the fall in Arizona, United States at five spring training complexes. The Arizona Fall League attracts many of the top prospects in minor league baseball.
[edit] Structure
Each August, Major League Baseball clubs hold a position draft to determine the players who will go to Arizona. Most are Double-A and Triple-A Minor League players. Each club can opt to send one player considered a Single-A player. Only one foreign player is allowed, but only if that player does not come from a region that participates in winter ball. The league is designed for these prospects to refine their skills and perform in game settings in front of major and minor league baseball scouts and team executives, who are in attendance at almost every game. Play begins shortly after the end of MLB's regular season in early October, and ends in mid-November.
The Arizona Fall League teams are not exclusive affiliates of any one team; instead, each Major League team provides seven players who team up to fill the 35-man roster of each team. Additionally, teams may elect to send Taxi Squad players who are only eligible on Wednesdays and Saturdays. MLB teams also provide managers, coaches, and trainers. The affiliations generally change every year.
[edit] Notable players
A number of famous ballplayers have had stints in the Arizona Fall League. In 1994, the league got worldwide attention as Michael Jordan's first professional baseball league, when he played for the Scottsdale Scorpions. Other notable ballplayers who have played in the Arizona Fall League include David Wright, Nomar Garciaparra, Albert Pujols, and Ryan Braun.
[edit] Current teams
| Division | Team | City | Stadium | Capacity |
| East | Mesa Solar Sox | Mesa, Arizona | HoHoKam Park | 12,632 |
| Phoenix Desert Dogs | Phoenix, Arizona | Phoenix Municipal Stadium | 8,775 |
| Scottsdale Scorpions | Scottsdale, Arizona | Scottsdale Stadium | 11,200 |
| West | Peoria Javelinas | Peoria, Arizona | Peoria Sports Complex | 12,882 |
| Peoria Saguaros | Peoria, Arizona | Peoria Sports Complex | 12,882 |
| Surprise Rafters | Surprise, Arizona | Surprise Stadium | 10,500 |
[edit] Standings
[edit] American
[edit] National
[edit] Championship history
[edit] Hall of Fame
Twenty-three former Arizona Fall League players have been recognized for their achievements in Major League Baseball since the creation of the Hall of Fame in 2001.[1]
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
[edit] References
[edit] External links
| Arizona Fall League | | | East Division | | | | West Division | | |
