American Baseball Notions

"Every day is a new opportunity. You can build on yesterday's success or put its failures behind and start over again. That's the way life is, with a new game every day, and that's the way baseball is." -Bob Feller

SAINT PAUL, Minn.- Just a note for anyone following the new AA league. I will be following the league as more news is released and as the season begins in 2006 at my latest blog American Baseball Notions. American Baseball Notions will attempt to keep you informed as changes occur in the new league and will be used to post my photo's of old and new faces as I attend games during the 2006 season.

Five More Teams Join AA

"No one wants to hear about the labor pains,
they just want to see the baby." -Lou Brock

SAINT PAUL, Minn.- The birth or rebirth of a new league continues as more news was released today by the American Association of Independent Baseball. Joining the four former Northern League teams to help shape the new American Association League are the Coastal Bend Aviators, Fort Worth Cats, El Paso Diablos, Pensacola Pelicans and Shreveport Sports. More news about the league and other teams to join will be released at a later date. For in depth information please visit the team web sites, the AA league site, or OurSport Central.

Astros Play Sox In 2005 World Series

SAINT PAUL, Minn.- The Houston Astros will play the Chicago White Sox in the 2005 World Series beginning in Chicago, Illinois this weekend. The best of seven series begins Saturday at the U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago for games one and two. Games three and four will be played in Houston, Texas as well as game five if necessary. The rest of the series, if necessary will finish out in Chicago with games six and seven. Check your local television listings for game times and channels.

ALCS Catcher A.J. Pierzynski

Niki Paton / Baseball Notions

Outside the Metrodome in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Catcher A.J. Pierzynski
stops to talk with fans before a game against the Indians while he played
for the Minnesota Twins on September 24, 2003.

SAINT PAUL, Minn.- The White Sox and Catcher A.J. Pierzynski, one of the key players for the team this season, are on their way to the 2005 World Series in sweet home Chicago for the first time in 46 years. The last time the White Sox were in the World Series was September 22, 1959 while Eisenhower was president.

The White Sox won the 2005 ALCS against the Angels in Southern California with a score of 6-3 tonight. The night’s events put Catcher A.J. Pierzynski amid controversy yet again this week. With two outs in the eighth inning Kelvim Escobar missed a crucial play for the Angels on Pierzynski. After a barehanded grab by Escobar he left the ball in his right hand missing the transfer to his glove tagging Pierzynski with an empty glove before throwing to first catching first baseman Darin Erstad off-guard and off-base. The play resulted in an interesting argument from manager Ozzie Guillen, the ultimate call made placed Pierzynski safe at first allowing the Sox to keep their momentum going leading to the 2005 ALCS win. The last time the White Sox had a World Series win was in 1917.

AA For Independent Baseball

SAINT PAUL, Minn. - It was announced in a press conference today that Lincoln, Saint Paul , Sioux City and Sioux Falls will become part of a new league called the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball (AA). More information on this league and other teams joining it will become available in the coming weeks. For current information please visit the respective team websites or stay posted to OurSports Central for news releases and announcements.

Information Wagon-Train Rolling

SAINT PAUL, Minn. - The Lincoln Saltdogs, St. Paul Saints, Sioux Falls Canaries and Sioux City Explorers begin the independent league information wagon-train rolling across the country with the first scheduled press conference to be held this afternoon in Sioux Falls, SD. A second press conference will be held later in the day in Sioux City, Iowa by the Sioux City Explorers. More press conferences will be announced for later dates at other locations of teams set to join the newest independent league. Currently there are four known teams joining the new league.

(This new independent league will be the seventh independent league in minor league baseball. This past 2005 baseball season there was a total six leagues when another league began called the Golden Baseball League. In all there were eight teams participating in Arizona and California for this new league.)

*Correction: It has recently come to my attention that another league is in the process of being created called the United League thus making the number of independent leagues eight.

Times Of Change In The Northern League

"To exist is to change, to change is to mature,
to mature is to go on creating oneself endlessly." -Henri Bergson

SAINT PAUL, Minn.- Changes continue to affect the Independent Northern League, as of today there are eight teams left in the league. The Sioux City Explorers notified the Northern League Tuesday evening to terminate their membership following suit with the three teams who voluntarily terminated their memberships last week. Sioux City will be joining the Saint Paul Saints; Lincoln Salt Dogs and Sioux Falls Canaries in the creation of a new league, yet to be named. They intend to create a, "higher caliber of professional play." The new league rules are rumored to be similar to that of current Independent Northern League rules. For more information please visit the club web pages and watch for news releases at OurSports Central.

The current remaining members of the Northern League are:

North Division:

1. Calgary Vipers
   
2. Edmonton CrackerCats
   
3. Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks
   
4. Winnipeg GoldEyes
   

South Division:

1. Gary SouthShore RailCats
   
2. Joliet JackHammers
   
3. Kansas City T-Bones
   
4. Schaumberg Flyers