I’ve written so many previews in anticipation of upcoming AFL seasons that I’ve almost forgotten that there are hundreds of thousands of baseball fans that have never followed the league.

In a recent post I mentioned that every team sends their top prospects to the league for additional seasoning. Some players are trying to make up for lost innings or at-bats for various reasons, and that the term “prospect” is the league’s and not reality.

For the first twenty years of the league, organizations did try and send their better players-more of whom were actual prospects, but over the last decade or so, the players weren’t as highly regarded. Some of the teams purposely kept their better players out. One uses the term prospect a little more liberally these days and when a player is more highly regarded one of the ranking systems will be attached (MLB pipeline, Baseball America etal). The rules for inclusion have changed over the years and so have the proposals for additional, lower level leagues. While fans watching from afar may not realize the quality has slipped a little, those covering the league and the scouts have noted the change.

Here are the 6 teams for 2023.

Mesa Solar Sox-Sloan Park-home of the Cubs: Cubs, Athletics, Orioles, Yankees and Astros. Peoria Javelinas-Peoria Stadium-home of the Padres and Mariners: Padres, Mariners, Guardians, Marlins, and Rays. Surprise Saguaros-Surprise Stadium-home of the Royals and Rangers: Royals, Rangers, Reds, Brewers and Jays. Salt River Rafters-Talking Stick Field-home of the Rockies and Diamondbacks: Diamondbacks, Rockies, Braves, Tigers and Pirates. Scottsdale Scorpions-Scottsdale Stadium-home of the Giants: Giants, Angels, Phillies, Cardinals and Nationals. Glendale Desert Dogs-Camelback Ranch-home of the White Sox and Dodgers: White Sox, Dodgers, Mets, Red Sox and Twins.

The teams also send coaches, trainers and strength and conditioning pros. They may supplement the staffs with rovers or other coaches as needs arise. Furthermore, front office members and other staff members are constantly checking in. While on the face of it, there appears to be uniformity in how the clubhouses appear, the dynamics are unique and change from season to season. The umpires, media staff and guys and gals running each of the stadium operations are developing as well.

Within each team there are essentially three types of players-those that start 3/4 times a week, others that fill in and a taxi squad that only plays on Saturdays and Wednesdays.

The league has also been used to test out rule changes and new technology and data collection. The league boasts a 60+% success rate of graduating players to the ML. As is the case with minor league success, success in the AFL is not predictive of success at the ML level. Likewise, guys that didn’t have especially successful AFL careers have gone on to have great ML careers. Several AFL alums have returned as coaches or managers in the league.

The league was founded by a group of general managers with scouting backgrounds. Over the years, the length and timing has changed, but the idea remains the same-have as much of the best talent playing in front of as many scouts as possible. Some of the players come straight from the Instructional League whereas others spend some time with the big league club.

The AFL has always been great for the fans that make the effort. Ticket prices are reasonable and fans get a more personal experience. Autograph collectors abound and usually outnumber the fans. Typical crowds total between 300-600 on a weekday afternoon. AFL fans are no more knowledgeable or passionate, they might be smarter or more opportunistic.

There is nothing quite like spending any or all of October and November in Arizona to watch baseball. Professionally, it’s been great for me. I like to think the quality of my feature stories has improved over the years. I know that I have improved upon my interviewing skills and that I’m as prepared as well as anyone covering the league (I’m a staff of one). I truly love the process of screening everyone on an AFL roster-from the moment the first names are released to every addition along the way.