- With which teams is the American Association affiliated?
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None.
The American Association is an independent baseball league with no direct affiliations with Major League Baseball.
- What level of minor league baseball is the American Association?
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Roughly "equivalent" to AA.
Since the American Association is independent, it does not fall into the standard classifications of "organized" minor leagues. Teams include major and minor league veterans, as well as "true rookies" so the level of play is often considered as being in the "A" to "AA" range by scouts and others who evaluate talent.
- What makes the American Association different from other leagues?
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For a start each team is run "locally." With no major league "parent," managers and owners are free to run their teams as they want. Teams can sign old players players, such as Minnie Minoso, to play and set records (playing in 6 decades) without first getting MLB approval. Managers usually call "all the shots" on the field playing to win, not putting players into a game for "X pitches," "Y innings" or "Z at bats" to prepare them for the next level.
Roster rules ensure that each team has players of different levels: rookies to seasoned veterans. This leads to an unusual mix of talent on each team and an experience different from organized ball where nearly all players are judged to be at the same level. This is why it's difficult to accurately describe the level of play.
American Association players are here to play the game, not get a paycheck. Many are chasing their dream to make it to the show after being cut from their previous teams and organizations. Some rookies were never scouted. Some players had injuries and dropped. Others may have been cut because the franchise has too many prospects at a position or "not liked" by someone in the organization. Independent ball like the American Association is usually their last and only chance.
- How much are players' salaries?
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American Association players are paid monthly from $800 (for rookies) to $3000 (for veterans). They receive no long term benefits (such as disability or retirement benefits) and, if cut, go straight to unemployment (or their "day jobs"). The are only paid during the season (May - September).
The league also has a salary cap of $25-$30,000 dollars.