Later tonight the Arizona Fall League (AFL from now on) starts its 30th season. For some stupid reason, they no longer start on the second Tuesday in October. They’ve always had marketing and attendance issues and MLB leadership has failed the league.

Immediate Editor’s Note: Unless something miraculous happens, I will not be in Arizona covering the AFL for the second straight year. During this first week, I will be discussing the league and explaining its significance in the bigger picture and how it’s impacted my life and career as a freelance writer.

Every ML team sends 6-8 of their prospects to compete in a 6-week, 6-team league. Later this week, I’ll provide the makeup of the 6 teams, but I won’t mention any current players. Over the course of the 30 years, several fans of Cactus League ball shifted their vacations to take advantage of the lower air fares, hotel rates and smaller crowds. My first visit to the Valley for the AFL was back in 2006 when I completed the trifecta, spring training, the first World Baseball Classic and the AFL.

Anyone that knows me, knows that my life hasn’t been the same since that first season. Circumstances dictate that I’m back home at Casa de Bob, but I hope I can return next season.