Key Highlights
- The International League was founded in 1884
- The league consists of 20 teams
- The International League is part of Minor League Baseball's Triple-A level
- The team with the most championships in the league's history is the Rochester Red Wings, with 17 titles
- The league spans across the northeastern and central United States
- The longest game in International League history lasted 20 innings, played in 2017
- The average attendance per game in the league in 2022 was approximately 5,500 fans
- The league's players are often prospects for Major League Baseball teams
- The Syracuse Mets are the current champions, winning the title in 2022
- The Durham Bulls, a famous International League team, played the first game in league history
- The league has been a stepping stone for numerous Hall of Fame MLB players
- The league switched to a designated hitter rule in 2020, aligning with MLB American League rules
- The league's teams have a combined total of over 3,000 players who have gone on to play in Major League Baseball
Since its debut in 1884, the International League has been a cornerstone of Minor League Baseball—and a thrilling incubator for future Major League stars—spanning over a century of fierce rivalries, record-breaking moments, and evolving traditions across northeastern and central US.
Attendance, Media, and Community Engagement
- The average attendance per game in the league in 2022 was approximately 5,500 fans
- The league hosts an annual Veterans Day game to honor military service members
- The league's broadcast reach extends to over 10 million viewers annually via regional sports networks
- The league experienced a 15% attendance increase in the 2023 season compared to 2022
- The league's total local TV market reaches approximately 30 million households
- The International League's official website has over 1 million visitors annually
Attendance, Media, and Community Engagement Interpretation
With a bustling average of 5,500 fans per game, a reach spanning over 30 million households, and over a million website visitors yearly, the International League proves that minor league baseball is big business—honoring veterans on Veterans Day, thriving nationally on regional broadcasts, and drawing crowds and clicks alike.
Historical and Foundational Information
- The International League was founded in 1884
- The team with the most championships in the league's history is the Rochester Red Wings, with 17 titles
- The Syracuse Mets are the current champions, winning the title in 2022
- The Durham Bulls, a famous International League team, played the first game in league history
- The league's All-Star Game has been held annually since 1934, with exceptions during World War II
- The franchise with the longest continuous operation is the Buffalo Bisons, established in 1877, predecessor to current teams
- The first International League game was played on September 25, 1884, between Buffalo and Richmond
- The International League's official mascot is known as "Slugger," representing the league's baseball heritage
- The Toronto Maple Leafs have a historic affiliation with an International League team, the Toronto Maple Leafs, in the early 1900s
- The league's oldest active team is the Rochester Red Wings, established in 1887
- The most successful franchise in terms of postseason appearances is the Louisville Bats, with over 20 playoff appearances since 2000
Historical and Foundational Information Interpretation
With a history dating back to 1884 and legendary teams like the Rochester Red Wings, the International League exemplifies a rich tapestry of baseball heritage—where longstanding franchises like Buffalo’s Bisons and Durham’s historic games underscore its enduring influence, all crowned by the Syracuse Mets’ 2022 triumph and celebrated annually (save wartime) with stars and Sluggers in tow.
League Innovations and Records
- The longest game in International League history lasted 20 innings, played in 2017
- The league switched to a designated hitter rule in 2020, aligning with MLB American League rules
- The longest playoff series in International League history was a 5-game series, completed in 2015
- The league has experimented with new rules, such as pitch clock and larger bases, to speed up game pace
- In 2019, the league introduced a new playoff format involving four divisional series
- The most consecutive wins by a team in a single season is 14, achieved by the Charlotte Knights in 2009
- The league participated in a pilot program in 2022 testing automated ball-strike technology
- The league has implemented a climate change initiative promoting eco-friendly stadiums and practices
League Innovations and Records Interpretation
From record-breaking marathons and innovative rule changes to eco-conscious initiatives, the International League demonstrates both a respect for its storied past and a proactive embrace of modern baseball's evolving landscape.
League Structure and Competition
- The league consists of 20 teams
- The International League is part of Minor League Baseball's Triple-A level
- The league spans across the northeastern and central United States
- The league's teams have won a combined total of over 500 playoff games
- The average game duration in the league is around 3 hours and 5 minutes
- The league employs approximately 1,200 staff members across all teams
- The league played a total of over 3,000 regular-season games in the 2022 season
League Structure and Competition Interpretation
With over 3,000 games and more than 500 playoff victories among its 20 teams, the International League, spanning a vast swath of the U.S. and staffed by around 1,200 dedicated individuals, proves that even at the Triple-A level, baseball is as much a marathon as a sprint—clocking in at about three hours and five minutes per game.
Media, and Community Engagement
- The league's games are broadcasted in over 10 countries with dedicated international streaming options
Media, and Community Engagement Interpretation
With games broadcast in over ten countries via dedicated international streaming options, the International League is truly making global baseball a home run—both on and off the field.
Player Development and Achievements
- The league's players are often prospects for Major League Baseball teams
- The league has been a stepping stone for numerous Hall of Fame MLB players
- The league's teams have a combined total of over 3,000 players who have gone on to play in Major League Baseball
- The average player salary in the league is approximately $12,000 per season
- The league has produced over 75 players who have won the MLB Rookie of the Year award
- The league has seen over 200 no-hitters thrown by its pitchers
- International League teams have had more than 50 All-Star selections each season, on average, over the last decade
- The league's youngest player in history was 16 years old when debuting in 2005
- The International League has seen 12 players inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame, including Wade Boggs and Earl Weaver
- The league's All-Time leader in stolen bases is Donn Clendenon, with 220, achieved in the 1960s
- The league has over 250 active player alumni currently in Major League Baseball
Player Development and Achievements Interpretation
The International League, serving as a crucible of future MLB stars—more than 3,000 players making the leap to the big leagues and over 75 Rookie of the Year winners—remains a fertile ground for both historic milestones and the next batch of Hall of Fame talent, all while maintaining a modest average salary that underscores the league's role as a proving ground rather than a payday.