The Williston Oilers were a minor league baseball team based in Williston, North Dakota . The "Oilers" played as members of the Independent level Manitoba-Dakota League from 1954 to 1957, winning the 1956 league championship. The league folded following the 1957 season.
84-672: The Minot Mallards were a minor league baseball team based in Minot, North Dakota . Earlier Minot teams preceded the Mallards and played as members of the 1917 Northern League and 1923 North Dakota League . Beginning play in 1950, the Mallards played as members of the Manitoba-Dakota League (1950–1957), Northern League (1958–1960, 1962) and Prairie League (1995–1997), winning seven league championships in their history. The Mallards hosted minor league home games at Corbett Field and were
168-678: A bus accident, the Minot catcher had a discussion with the starting pitcher Satchel Paige, "When the National Anthem ended, I asked Paige if he would like to warm up. He replied that he been warmed up since 1936 when he pitched for the Bismarck, North Dakota team." The Minot Mallards of the Manitoba–Dakota League ended the 1951 season with a record of 32–32. The Mallards placed third in the Manitoba–Dakota League regular season standings. Otto Huber
252-659: A championship pennant. The first true minor league is traditionally considered to be the Northwestern League of 1883 to 1884. Unlike the earlier minor associations, it was conceived as a permanent organization. It also, along with the NL and the American Association (AA), was a party to the National Agreement of 1883 . Included in this was the agreement to respect the reserve lists of clubs in each league. Teams in
336-482: A flat-fee purchase amount of $ 5,000 for the contract of any player from an NA member league team. This measure was leveled primarily at the Baltimore Orioles , then a Triple-A team that had dominated the minors by keeping players longer than many competitors, allowing the players to more fully develop, driving up their sale value to major-league teams and giving Baltimore a talent advantage. Deprived of this option by
420-647: A higher level of play. These leagues are intended almost exclusively to allow players to hone their skills; no admission is charged and no concessions are sold. As of the 2024 season, the Arizona Complex League and Florida Complex League seasons commence in early May and conclude in late July in order to provide players with previous experience in the Dominican Summer League with a full season in stateside professional baseball without having to compete for playing time with newly drafted players selected in
504-568: A limited membership which excluded less competitive and financially weaker teams. Professional clubs outside the NL responded by forming regional associations of their own. There was a series of ad hoc groupings, such as the New England Association of 1877 and the Eastern Championship Association of 1881. These were loose groups of independent clubs which agreed to play a series of games over the course of one season for
588-524: A minor league affiliate of the Cleveland Indians from 1958 to 1960 and Kansas City Athletics in 1962. Baseball Hall of Fame member Satchel Paige played for the 1950 Minot Mallards. Minor league baseball in Minot, North Dakota began with a partial season in 1917. The 1917 Minot Why Nots joined the Class D level Northern League . The Northern League folded on July 4, 1917. The Minot Why Nots finished
672-736: A prisoner in the German POW camp Stalag IX C(b) in Meiningen . On August 31, 1945, Shepard received the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal for his service in World War II in between games of a doubleheader for his Washington Senators . General Omar Bradley presented his medals in the ceremony at Griffith Stadium . In the 1955 season, the Mandak League continued play, with
756-477: A second or third promotion for a minor league player, although some high first-round draftees, particularly those with experience playing college baseball , begin at this level. Below the High-A level is Single-A, named "Class A" before 2021, when it was also known as Single-A or Full-Season A, and "Low-A" for the 2021 season. This classification has three leagues: the 8-team California League , known as Low-A West for
840-516: A statement, asserting that it is "unnecessary and unacceptable to wipe out one-quarter of minor league teams" and characterized the proposal as a way "to improve the profitability of MLB". Manfred rebuked Minor League Baseball for releasing the negotiations to the public and threatened to cut ties with MiLB altogether. The following changes, which represent the first significant overhaul of minor league classifications since 1963, have since been implemented: When MLB teams announced their affiliates for
924-514: A steady supply of players, as many NA and independent teams could not afford to keep their doors open without the patronage of Major League Baseball. The leagues of the NA became subordinate to the major leagues, creating the first minor leagues in the current sense of the term. Other than the Pacific Coast League (PCL), which under its president Pants Rowland tried to become a third major league in
SECTION 10
#17328693438241008-506: A temporary replacement. There are currently three leagues in this classification: the 12-team Eastern League , known as Double-A Northeast for the 2021 season, with teams in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions of the U.S., the eight-team Southern League (known as Double-A South for the 2021 season) with teams in the Deep South, and the 10-team Texas League (known as Double-A Central for
1092-486: Is a professional baseball organization below Major League Baseball (MLB), including teams affiliated with MLB clubs. Entering the 2021 season, the number of full-season MLB-affiliated minor leagues with teams in the United States and Canada was reduced to 11, with a total of 120 teams (four per each of the 30 MLB franchises). There are also two affiliated rookie leagues based in the United States, with teams based at
1176-567: Is still in use today. Minor league baseball began in Williston, North Dakota in 1954, when the Williston "Oilers" began play as members of the four-team, independent level Manitoba-Dakota League, known as the " Mandak League ." The Brandon Greys, Carman Cardinals and Minot Mallards teams joined the Oilers in beginning play in the league. The new Williston franchise replaced the Winnipeg Royals in
1260-481: Is usually that these veteran players will be in the majors by the end of the season, as their salaries tend to be higher than those of most prospects. One level below Double-A is the High-A level, named "Class A-Advanced" before 2021. This classification has three leagues: the 12-team Midwest League , known as High-A Central for the 2021 season, covering the Midwest, the six-team Northwest League , known as High-A West for
1344-645: The Arizona Complex League and Florida Complex League , known as the Arizona League and Gulf Coast League, respectively, before 2021, and one Caribbean-based league, the Dominican Summer League . The U.S.-based Rookie leagues play a schedule of approximately 60 games and are named "complex leagues" because games are played at their parent clubs' spring training complexes. Rosters consist primarily of newly drafted players who are not yet ready for
1428-563: The Arizona Complex League or Florida Complex League , and international summer baseball teams in the Dominican Summer League . While major league teams play a 162-game schedule, minor league seasons are shorter. As of 2022 , a complete season in Triple-A is 150 games, Double-A is 138 games, and High-A and Single-A are each 132 games. In addition to the below organized leagues, the off-season Arizona Fall League has six teams that play approximately 30 games apiece in autumn, with rosters comprising
1512-523: The Bismarck Barons and Dickinson Packers , teams joining the league, replacing the Brandon and Carman, as the returning Minot Mallards and Williston Oilers remained in the league. In 1955, the Oilers finished the regular season in second place in the four-team Mandak League and lost in the first round of the four-team playoffs. Williston ended the regular season with a record of 41–37, to place second in
1596-585: The National Association of Professional Base Ball Players of 1871 to 1875, commonly referred to as the National Association, comprised all fully professional teams. This system proved unworkable, however, as there was no way to ensure competitive balance, and financially unsound clubs often failed in midseason. This problem was solved in 1876 with the formation of the National League (NL), with
1680-684: The Northwest League and Midwest League promoted with 75% of their teams. The Carolina League dropped to Low-A with seven of its ten teams and added five from the old South Atlantic League in trade; the SAL in turn moved to High-A with half of its previous 12-team roster, filling it out with two Carolina League High-A holdovers, one Midwest League returnee, and three formerly short-season New York-Penn League promotees. On February 12, 2021, Major League Baseball announced new league alignments for all 120 affiliated Minor League Baseball clubs effective as of
1764-557: The United States Congress signed a letter sent to Commissioner of Baseball Rob Manfred opposing the proposal, noting that it "is not in the best interest of the overall game of baseball" and that it would "devastate our communities, their bond purchasers and other stakeholders affected by the potential loss of these clubs." A response from MLB highlighted that the proposal aims to improve player travel and working conditions. On November 21, 2019, Minor League Baseball released
SECTION 20
#17328693438241848-654: The Williston Oilers 4 games to 2. In the Finals, Minot swept the Dickinson Packers in 4 games. Minot lost in the 1956 Manitoba–Dakota League Finals. The Minot Mallards of the Manitoba–Dakota League ended the 1956 regular season with a record of 43–35, placing third in the league standings. Knowles Piercey and Hal Daugherty served as managers in 1956. In the Playoffs, the Mallards defeated the Bismarck Barons 4 games to 2. In
1932-634: The 1917 season with a record of 19–23, placing third in the Northern League under manager George Brautigam. The 1923 Minot Magicians became charter members of the four–team 1923 Class D level North Dakota League . The Minot Magicians were the North Dakota League Champions in 1923. The Minot Magicians ended the season with a record of 48–21, placing first in the North Dakota State League standings, finishing 15.0 games ahead of
2016-595: The 1950s and early 1960s. In 1949, the peak of the postwar minor league baseball boom, 448 teams in 59 leagues were members of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues, with the number of teams falling to 324 in 1952, and 243 in 1955. By the end of 1963, only 15 leagues above Rookie-level survived in the United States and Canada. After the 1962 season, the Triple-A American Association—which had lost key markets such as Milwaukee , Kansas City , Minneapolis–Saint Paul and Houston to
2100-551: The 1957 season. Minot looked to host a franchise to join the Northern League in 1958, in unison with the Bismarck-Mandan Pards . The Northern League was looking to expand to ten teams and wished to add both franchises. But the eight–team Northern League saw their Wausau franchise fold, leaving them with seven teams. The Northern League wasn't able to successfully create a nine–team schedule after Wausau folded. The league
2184-530: The 1958 season as members of the Western Canada League and the 1959 season as members of the Canadian-American League . The Williston Oilers hosted home minor league games at Ardean Aafedt Stadium. The ballpark is still in use today. The ballpark has undergone numerous upgrades and has hosted three youth baseball Babe Ruth League World Series. Constructed in 1950, Ardean Aafedt Stadium
2268-610: The 1962 season. In 1995, the Minot Mallards moniker was reborn as a tribute to the former teams, as Minot became members of the Independent level Prairie League . The new franchise was owned by Don and Sharon Ziegler. The 1995 Minot Mallards ended the Prairie League regular season with a record of 24–47, placing eithth in the Prairie League. Mark Hebbeler was the 1995 manager. Returning to play at Corbett Field, season home attendance
2352-515: The 2021 season on December 9, 2020, each of the 30 MLB teams had one affiliate at four levels—Triple-A, Double-A, High-A, and Low-A—for a total of 120 affiliated teams. Approximately 40 teams lost their MLB affiliations; the Fresno Grizzlies were demoted from Triple-A to Low-A; and the majority of surviving clubs at High-A and Low-A swapped levels, with the former Florida State League and California League dropped down nearly as intact units and
2436-461: The 2021 season) with teams in the Southwest and Great Plains. Some players jump to the majors from this level, as many of the top prospects are put here to play against each other rather than against minor and major league veterans in Triple-A. A small handful of players might be placed here to start, usually veterans from foreign leagues with more experience in professional baseball. The expectation
2520-480: The 2021 season, located entirely in California , the 12-team Carolina League , known as Low-A East for the 2021 season, and the 10-team Florida State League , known as Low-A Southeast for the 2021 season. All three leagues were demoted from High-A to Single-A effective with the 2021 season. These leagues are a mix of players moving up from Rookie leagues, as well as the occasional experienced first-year player. Most of
2604-641: The 2021 season, with teams in the Pacific Northwest, and the 12-team South Atlantic League , known as High-A East for the 2021 season, with teams in the eastern states. All three leagues were reclassified prior to the 2021 season, with the Midwest League and the South Atlantic League promoted from Single-A and the Northwest League promoted from Class A Short Season. This level of play is often
Minot Mallards - Misplaced Pages Continue
2688-436: The 2021 season. Contrary to previously published reports indicating that realignment would retain the names of the existing minor leagues, Major League Baseball elected to abandon the names of existing minor leagues in favor of a new, class- and region-based naming system. Triple-A was divided into two leagues: Williston Oilers The Williston Oilers teams hosted home minor league games at Ardean Aafeldt Stadium, which
2772-523: The Brandon Greys by the score of 5–4. Williston's John Chalfont hit a sacrifice fly that drove in teammate Ron Martin with the winning run in the 11th inning. Lloyd Gearhart of the Oilers had four hits and a home run in the contest. On August 20, 1954, Oiler player Dewey Williams was attacked by two men on the Williston's Main Street and was stabbed in his chest and abdomen, nearly losing his life. Williams
2856-482: The Brandon Greys in 4 games. In the 1952 Finals, Minot defeated the Carman Cardinals 4 games to 1. In 1953, the Minot Mallards defended their Manitoba–Dakota League Championship. Minot ended the 1953 regular season with a record of 43–31, placing first in the Manitoba–Dakota League standings under manager Ed Albosta . In the Playoffs, Minot defeated the Brandon Greys 2 games to 0 in a Tiebreaker. Minot then defeated
2940-401: The Carman Cardinals 4 games to 3. In the 1954 Finals, Minot defeated the Brandon Greys 4 games to 2. The 1955 season saw the Minot Mallards capture their fourth consecutive Manitoba–Dakota League championship. The Mallards ended the 1955 regular season with a record of 38–40, placing third in the standings. Clifton McLean served again as manager. In the 1955 Playoffs, the Minot Mallards defeated
3024-522: The Dominican Summer League who have not yet been assigned to a domestic affiliate, as well as players placed on the minor league 60-day and full-season injured lists—during the minor league season, with a limit of 175 domestic players during the offseason. During the minor league season, the following roster limits for each classification are used: Triple-A Double-A High-A Single-A Rookie Off-season leagues Showcase league Partner leagues The earliest professional baseball league,
3108-549: The Finals, the Williston Oilers defeated Minot 4 games to 2. 1957 was the final season of the Manitoba–Dakota League and Minot advanced to the league Finals. With Clifton McLean returning as manager, the Mallards ended the 1957 season with a 36–35 record, placing second in the regular season standings. In the Finals, the Bismarck Barons defeated the Minot Mallards 2 games to 1, when Minot forfeited after rain cancelled two games. The Manitoba–Dakota League permanently folded after
3192-592: The July Major League Baseball draft . This adjusted schedule also allows the top Rookie-level prospects in each organization to be promoted to class Single-A for the final two months of the professional baseball season upon the conclusion of the complex league seasons. As of the 2024 season, each major league club may have no more than 165 players assigned to the rosters of their domestic affiliates (i.e., Triple-A, Double-A, High-A, Single-A, and complex-league Rookie)—excluding international players assigned to
3276-495: The MANDAK league. The Mallards moniker was submitted by Minot native Bonnie Rae Miller, in a fan based team-naming contest. The "Mallards" moniker beat out the "Kernels" and the "Plainsmen" in the naming contest. The integrated Manitoba–Dakota League had many African–American and Latino players on their rosters, with many former Negro leagues players playing in the league. Many of the players had been deemed old to be given roster spots by
3360-541: The Major Leagues since 1953—disbanded. The surviving International and Pacific Coast leagues absorbed the four remaining American Association franchises. Meanwhile, at the Double-A level and below there were even more significant changes: Designations below Class A disappeared because the lower levels could not sustain operation during a large downturn in the financial fortunes of minor league baseball, due to factors including
3444-492: The Mandak League regular season pennant and overall league championship in the 1956 season. The Oilers finished in first place with a 49–29 record, playing the season under managers Dee Moore and Preston Elkins. Williston finished 2.0 games ahead of the second place Bismarck Barons in the regular season standings. In the first round of the four–team playoffs, the Dickinson Packers were defeated by Williston 4 games to 3. In
Minot Mallards - Misplaced Pages Continue
3528-417: The Mandak League. In the era, a player in the lower-level minor leagues earned approximately $ 150 per month, while Mandak League salaries in the era may have started at about $ 275 per month, with some players earning up to $ 900 per month. The league was also an integrated league, with many former negro leagues players on team rosters. With 2,550 fans in attendance at home on May 29, 1954, Williston defeated
3612-543: The Manitoba–Dakota League regular season. Playing under manager Roy Weatherly , the Oilers finished 4.0 games behind the first place Bismarck Barons. In the Playoffs, the Willison Oilers were defeated by Minot 4 games to 3 in the first round, ending their season. In 1956, Madak League teams also played some games against teams from the Western Canadian Baseball League . The Williston Oilers won both
3696-607: The NL and the AA could only reserve players who had been paid at least $ 1,000. Northwestern League teams could reserve players paid $ 750, implicitly establishing the division into major and minor leagues. Over the next two decades, more minor leagues signed various versions of the National Agreement. Eventually, the minor leagues allied to negotiate jointly. In the late 1890s, the Western League run by Ban Johnson decided to challenge
3780-567: The NL's position. In 1900, he changed the name of the league to the American League (AL) and vowed to make deals to sign contracts with players who were dissatisfied with the pay and terms of their deals with the NL. This led to a turf war that heated up in 1901 enough to concern Patrick T. Powers , president of the Eastern League, and many other minor league owners about the conflict potentially affecting their organizations. Representatives of
3864-514: The Northern League after the 1960 season, only to return in 1962. After not fielding a team in 1961, the Minot Mallards returned to play in the 1962 Class C Northern League. As an affiliate of the Kansas City Athletics , Minot placed eighth and last in the league. The Minot Mallards ended the Northern League season with a record of 44–80 under manager Grady Wilson. Season attendance was 41,052 at Corbett Field. The Minot franchise folded after
3948-595: The Northern League. In the Playoffs, the Aberdeen Pheasants defeated Minot. Season Attendance at Corbett Field was 29,337. In the 1960 season, the Mallards placed fourth in the Northern League regular season standings, ending the season with a 62–62 record. Walt Novick was the 1960 manager. In the playoffs, the Duluth-Superior Dukes defeated the Minot Mallards. Corbett Field season attendance was 25,376, an average of 409 per game. The Minot franchise folded from
4032-600: The Southern Minny Stars 2 games to 0. In the Finals, the Mallards defeated the Regina Cyclones 3 games to 0 to win their second consecutive championship. Season attendance at Corbett Field was 24,984, an average of 735 in 34 home dates. The Prairie League folded after the 1997 season due to financial difficulties. Beginning in 1950, the Minot Mallards minor league teams were noted to have played home games at Corbett Field . Also known as Municipal Ball Park (1958–1962),
4116-586: The Texas League, which had last operated in 1942, and the Southern Association) became Class AA. Class A remained the third-highest classification, with lower levels still ranked Class B through Class D in descending order, with Class D being the equivalent of later Rookie leagues. The impact of the Korean War in 1950 caused a player shortage in many cities below Class B. In 1952, the "Open" classification
4200-658: The Triple-A Inter–American League (1979). None lasted more than a full season. In October 2019, Baseball America reported that Major League Baseball had proposed dramatic changes to MiLB that would take effect after expiration of the Professional Baseball Agreement, which governed the MLB–MiLB relationship, at the end of the 2020 season. This included the elimination of many minor league teams. In mid-November 2019, more than 100 members of
4284-474: The Triple-A level. Such players are eligible to be added to a team's active major league roster. For teams in contention for a playoff spot late in a season, it gives them fresh players, while for teams not in contention, it gives them an opportunity to evaluate their second-tier players against major league competition. Some Triple-A players are "career minor leaguers", former prospects whose skill growth has halted and who are not likely to advance to MLB, unless as
SECTION 50
#17328693438244368-672: The Western states, the other leagues maintained autonomy in name only, being totally economically dependent upon the AL and NL. In 1922, the United States Supreme Court decision Federal Baseball Club v. National League (259 U.S. 200), which grants baseball a special immunity from antitrust laws , had a major effect on the minor leagues. The special immunity meant that the AL and NL could dictate terms under which every independent league did business. By 1925, major league baseball established
4452-399: The Winnipeg Royals 4 games to 2. In the 1953 Finals, the Minot Mallards defeated the Brandon Greys 4 games to 2. Minot continued their Championship run in 1954, as the Mallards won their third consecutive Manitoba–Dakota League championship. The Mallards placed first in the regular season with a record of 47–21, playing under manager Clifton McLean. In the Playoffs, the Minot Mallards defeated
4536-531: The ballpark was constructed in 1937. The ballpark had a zig zag outfield wall when the Mallards began play in 1950. The ballpark had a capacity of 3,500; 2,500 (1995) and dimensions of (Left, Center, Right): 315–365–420–360–310. Still in use today, the ballpark is located off Front Street SE, close to Roosevelt Park and the Zoo. The location is 1220 4th Avenue SE, (Burdick Expressway East), Minot, North Dakota. Minor league baseball Minor League Baseball ( MiLB )
4620-424: The championship. Corbett Field season attendance was 28,361, an average of 709. 1997 was the final season for the Prairie League and the Minot Mallards. The Mallards defended their Prairie League championship, playing under managers Mitch Zwolensky, Alan Riffle and Jason Felice. Minot ended the 1997 regular season with a record of 43–28, placing second in the league's Southern Division. In the playoffs, Minot defeated
4704-430: The clinching game. 1957 was the final season of the Mandak League, as the Brandon Greys returned to the league, replacing the Dickinson Packers franchise. The Oilers placed third in the Mandak League standings, playing the season under returning manager Preston Elkins. With a 34–37 record, Williston tied with Brandon for third place, 3.5 games behind the first place Bismarck Barons in a close race. The playoffs were not
4788-600: The different minor leagues met at the Leland Hotel in Chicago on September 5, 1901. In response to the NL–AL battle, they agreed to form the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues (NAPBL), sometimes shortened to National Association (NA), which would later adopt the trade name "Minor League Baseball". The purpose of the NAPBL at the time was to maintain the independence of
4872-471: The first place Minot Mallards. In the four–team playoffs, the Brandon Greys defeated Williston 4 games to 3 in the first round. Oiler manager Bert Shephard was an amputee, and was the first major league amputee player, pitching in one game in 1945. Shephard had his right leg amputated after his fighter plane was shot down during World War II in May 1944. The left–handed pitcher taught himself to walk and eventually to pitch again with an artificial leg while
4956-435: The flat-fee policy, minor league teams had little choice but to sell players as soon as they drew major-league interest. The earliest classifications used in the minor leagues began circa 1890, for teams that were party to the National Agreement of 1883. The different levels represented different levels of protection for player contracts and reserve clauses : After the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues
5040-446: The following assignments entering the 1902 season: Additional classifications added prior to World War II included: In 1946, with the minor leagues poised for unprecedented growth, the higher-level classifications were changed. Class AAA ("Triple-A") was created and the three Double-A circuits (the Pacific Coast League , International League , and the American Association ) were reclassified into Triple-A. Class A1 (comprising
5124-403: The integrating major leagues. In their first season of play, the Minot Mallards ended the 1950 season with a record of 24–24, placing third in the MANDAK standings under manager Bill Lefebvre . In the Playoffs, the Winnipeg Buffaloes defeated Minot 3 games to 0. Baseball Hall of Fame member Satchel Paige pitched two games for the 1950, Minot Mallards. After arriving late to a 1950 game due to
SECTION 60
#17328693438245208-451: The later stages of the negotiations to develop rules for the acquisition of players from their leagues by the NL and the AL. The 1903 agreement ensured that teams would be compensated for the players that they had taken the time and effort to scout and develop, and no NA team was required to sell their players, although most did because the cash was an important source of revenue for most teams. The NA leagues were still fiercely independent, and
5292-513: The league. The Williston use of the "Oilers" nickname corresponds to local history and industry in the era. Williston is home to numerous oil fields, first discovered in 1936 and is the namesake of the Williston Basin . The Mandak League was a professional independent minor league that was not affiliated with the minor league baseball . The Mandak League member teams often paid players better than affiliated minor league teams. Some league players left minor league baseball and played for teams in
5376-405: The leagues involved. Several did not sign the agreement and continued to work independently. Powers was made the first president of the NAPBL, whose offices were established in Auburn, New York . In 1903, the conflict between the AL and NL ended in the National Agreement of 1903 , which created the National Baseball Commission to oversee the major and minor leagues. The NAPBL became involved in
5460-465: The minor leagues, such as Buzz Arlett , Jigger Statz , Ike Boone , Buddy Ryan , Earl Rapp , and Frank Shellenback , as comparable to major league players. Leagues in the NA would not be truly called minor until Branch Rickey developed the first modern farm system in the 1930s. The Commissioner of Baseball , Kenesaw Mountain Landis fought Rickey's scheme, but, ultimately, the Great Depression drove teams to establish systems like Rickey's to ensure
5544-414: The other two leagues, as part of a reorganization of the Triple-A level in 1997. The International League features teams from the Atlantic coast and midwestern U.S., while the Pacific Coast League features teams from the Pacific coast and the southwest. Both young players and veterans play for Triple-A teams. Parent clubs often hold players who are on the 40-man roster , but not on the active MLB roster, at
5628-469: The parent clubs' spring training complexes in Arizona and Florida , an off-season autumn league, and one affiliated rookie league in the Dominican Republic . Additionally, four independent leagues are in association with MiLB. As of the 2022 season, the minor league system is divided into four classes: Triple-A (AAA), Double-A (AA), High-A (A+), and Single-A (A). Major League Baseball franchises may also maintain one or two complex-based rookie teams in
5712-422: The playoff final, the Oilers defeated Minot in six games to claim the league championship. On September 7, 1956, Willison won game six of the finals to win the Mandak League championship series 4 games to 2. Williston pitcher Jack Sanoff was the winner as Williston defeated Minot 7–3 to capture the Mandak League title in six games. Sanoff pitched a three-hitter and hit a homer run, triple and single, with 5 RBI in
5796-403: The remainder of his life in the community. He worked part time for the Williston Parks and Recreation Board umpiring baseball games, before retiring in 1982. In their first season of play, the Williston Oilers placed third in the Manitoba-Dakota League regular season standings. Managed by Bert Shepard , the Oilers ended the 1954 regular season with a record of 28–40, finishing 11.5 games behind
5880-608: The rise of television broadcasts of major league sports across broad regions of the country. As part of the 1963 reorganization, Major League clubs increased their commitments to affiliate with minor league teams through Player Development Contracts, outright ownerships, or shared affiliations and co-op arrangements. The minor league system that evolved following the 1963 reorganization remained in place through 2020, categorizing leagues into one of six classes: Triple-A (AAA), Double-A (AA), Class A-Advanced (High A or A+), Class A (Low A), Class A Short Season, and Rookie. Furthermore, Rookie
5964-455: The second place Jamestown Jimkotas , 17.5 games ahead of the third place New Rockford/Valley City team and 21.5 games ahead of the Bismarck Capitals . The Magicians won both halves of the league season and were declared champions, playing under manager Herb Hester. The North Dakota League permanently folded after the 1923 season. In 1950, the Minot Mallards began play as charter members of the Independent level Manitoba-Dakota League , nicknamed
6048-496: The standings. In the playoffs, the Fargo-Moorhead Twins defeated Minot in a one–game playoff. Ken Landenberger was the 1958 manager. Playing home games at Corbett Field, season attendance was 34,355, an average of 563 per game. The 1959 Minot Mallards continued play as a Cleveland Indians affiliate, playing again under manager Ken Landenberger. Minot finished the 1959 regular season with a record of 63–60, placing fourth in
6132-521: The teams in the Florida State League are owned by major league parent clubs and use their spring training complexes. In 2022, the official name of the class became Single-A. Minor leagues with the Rookie classification play a shortened season that traditionally began in mid-June and ended in late August or early September. This lowest level of minor league baseball consists of two US-based leagues,
6216-404: The term minor was seldom used in reference to them, save by the major-market sportswriters. Sports news, like most news generally, often did not travel far in the days before radio and television, so, while the leagues often bristled at the major market writers' descriptions, they viewed themselves as independent sports businesses. Many baseball writers of that time regarded the greatest players of
6300-505: The time it seemed like the PCL would eventually become a third major league. The PCL would revert to Triple-A in 1958, due to increasing television coverage of major league games and in light of the Dodgers and Giants moving to Los Angeles and San Francisco , respectively. A significant reorganization of the minor leagues took place in 1963, caused by the contraction of clubs and leagues during
6384-439: The top prospects associated with each of the six MLB divisions. This classification currently includes two affiliated leagues: the 20-team International League and the 10-team Pacific Coast League , known as Triple-A East and Triple-A West, respectively, for the 2021 season. For most of the 20th century, Triple-A also included the American Association , based in the Midwest, but that league disbanded with its clubs absorbed by
6468-443: The usual four–team playoffs. Instead, the league president placed Bismarck and Minot, the top two regular season finishers, directly into the finals, which were ended due to poor weather with Minor up 2 games to 1. The Mandak League folded after the 1957 season. Williston continued hosting independent minor league for the next two seasons, with roster, record and league information unknown for both seasons. Willison reportedly played
6552-487: Was 31,666, an average of 892 per game. The 1996 Minot Mallards were Prairie League champions. The Mallards ended the Prairie League regular season with a 54–26 record, placing third in the regular season standings, playing the season under manager Mitch Zwolensky. In the playoffs, the Minot Mallards defeated the Aberdeen Pheasants 2 games to 0. In the Finals, Minot defeated the Grand Forks Varmints 3 games to 1 to win
6636-410: Was created. The Pacific Coast League (PCL), which had been rated Triple-A since 1946, was the only minor league to obtain this classification, which it held through 1957. At this time, the major leagues only extended as far west as St. Louis, Missouri , and as far south as Washington, D.C. This classification severely restricted the rights of the major leagues to draft players out of the PCL, and at
6720-422: Was founded in 1901, classifications were redefined: † Draft fee set an amount for a team in a higher class to select a player; n/a for Class A as it would be up to each team to negotiate with an interested major league club. ‡ Protection fee reserved a player to a team, even after a contract expired, preventing the player for seeking employment with any other team. All minor leagues were classified, and had
6804-467: Was further informally subdivided into Rookie Advanced, complex-based Rookie, and international summer baseball. There have also been some failed start-up leagues. During the 1970s, three official minor leagues (members of NAPBL) attempted unsuccessfully to revive unaffiliated baseball (teams not associated with specific MLB franchises) within the organized baseball structure. These were the Class A Gulf States League (1976) and Lone Star League (1977), and
6888-591: Was hospitalized under 24–hour police guard and was in serious condition before ultimately recovering. One of the attackers, a laborer drifter named Paul Jackson, was arrested, plead guilty to the assault and was sentenced to one year in the state penitentiary. Williams and Jackson had known each other and had a previous altercation in Toledo, Ohio after Williams had played a minor league game there. Williams played in four Mandak League seasons. A native of North Carolina , Williams eventually married and settled in Williston, living
6972-472: Was only able to add one more team and Minot was chosen over a Bismarck-Mandan franchise to be the eighth team. After the folding of the Manitoba-Dakota League, the Minot Mallards continued play, becoming members of the 1958 Class C level Northern League as an affiliate of the Cleveland Indians . The Minot Mallards ended the 1958 Northern League regular season with a record of 67–55, placing fourth in
7056-560: Was the 1951 manager. In the Playoffs, the Winnipeg Buffaloes again defeated Minot 4 games to 3. The 1952 Minot Mallards won the Manitoba–Dakota League Championship, their first of four consecutive championships under manager Clifton McLean. The Minot Mallards ended the 1952 season with a record of 32–22 to finish first in the Manitoba–Dakota League regular season standings. In the Playoffs, the Minot Mallards swept
#823176