It may seem early to start talking about the Arizona Fall League, but last year the Rays released their initial roster of players on August 26th. The Rays organization will be contibuting six players to the Phoenix Desert Dogs, who will be seeking their sixth straight AFL title in 2009. The Desert Dogs coaching staff will include Manager Gary Cathcart (manager of the Toronto Blue Jays AA affiliate the New Hampshire Fisher Cats), batting coach Brian McArn, and pitching coach R.C. Lichtenstein from the Bowling Green Hot Rods.
Here is the breakdown of AFL teams and the MLB organizations contributing players:
AFL American Division:
Mesa Solar Sox: Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs, Florida Marlins, Los Angeles Angels, Minnesota Twins.
Peoria Saguaros: Atlanta Braves, Cleveland Indians, Cincinnati Reds, Houston Astros, San Diego Padres.
Scottsdale Scorpions: Arizona Diamondbacks, Colorado Rockies, Philadelphia Phillies, Pittsburgh Pirates, San Francisco Giants.
AFL National Division:
Phoenix Desert Dogs: Tampa Bay Rays, Oakland A's, Baltimore Orioles, Toronto Blue Jays, Washington Nationals.
Peoria Javelinas: Chicago White Sox, Detroit Tigers, Los Angeles Dodgers, Milwaukee Brewers, Seattle Mariners.
Surprise Rafters: Kansas City Royals, New York Mets, New York Yankees, St. Louis Cardinals, Texas Rangers.
Last year the Rays contributed players to the Peoria Javelinas, including: Ryan Reid, Chris Mason, J.T. Hall, Desmond Jennings, Matt Spring, Rhyne Hughes, Wade Townsend, and Mike Wlodarczyk.
There will be no Hawaii Winter Baseball in 2009. MLB ended it's agreement to supply players following the 2008 season due cost and logistic issues. When the end of the HWB was announced last year there were rumors of a new league in Arizona for lower-level, less-experienced players, the type that used to play in the HWB. This lower-level AFL (basically for single A players) was expected to be run along side the regular AFL, allowing player movement between the two Arizona fall leagues. However, this lower-level AFL will not be ready to begin in 2009 due to economic reasons, but is still expected to debut in 2010.
To accomodate some of the lower-level players who will not be able to participate in HWB, the AFL has made a roster rule change for 2009 (see complete roster rules below). In the past each organization was allowed one exemption to send a single A-level player. In 2009 each organization will have two A-level exemptions, and recently signed 2009 draft picks may fill those slots.
AFL roster rules:
- The roster size is 30 players per team.
- Each Major League organization is required to provide six players.
- All AAA and AA players are eligible if they are on at least a AA-level roster no later than August 1st.
- Two players below the AA level are allowed per major league team. (New rule.)
- One foreign player is allowed, as long as the player does not reside in a country that participates in winter ball in the Caribbean winter leagues or the Australian winter league. (Kyeong Kang perhaps?)
- No players with more than one year of major league service time as of August 31st are eligible, except a team may select one player picked in the most recently concluded Rule 5 draft.
- Players on a minor league disabled list must be activated at least 45 days before the conclusion of their respective seasons.
- Organizations may send Taxi Squad players who are only eligible to play in games on Wednesdays and Saturdays. (Desmond Jennings last year.)
Phoenix Desert Dogs 2009 schedule:
October 13th (Opening Day): Mesa Solar Sox @ Phoenix Desert Dogs, 12:35 p.m.
October 14th: Phoenix Desert Dogs @ Mesa Solar Sox, 6:35 p.m.
October 15th: Phoenix Desert Dogs @ Scottsdale Scorpions, 6:35 p.m.
October 16th: Scottsdale Scorpions @ Phoenix Desert Dogs, 6:35 p.m.
October 17th: Phoenix Desert Dogs @ Surprise Rafters, 12:35 p.m.
October 18th: Off Day
October 19th: Phoenix Desert Dogs @ Peoria Saguaros, 12:35 p.m.
October 20th: Peoria Saguaros @ Phoenix Desert Dogs, 12:35 p.m.
October 21st: Peoria Javelinas @ Phoenix Desert Dogs, 12:35 p.m.
October 22nd: Phoenix Desert Dogs @ Peoria Javelinas, 12:35 p.m.
October 23rd: Surprise Rafters @ Phoenix Desert Dogs, 12:35 p.m.
October 24th: Scottsdale Scorpions @ Phoenix Desert Dogs, 6:35 p.m.
October 25th: Off Day
October 26th: Mesa Solar Sox @ Phoenix Desert Dogs, 12:35 p.m.
October 27th: Surprise Rafters @ Phoenix Desert Dogs, 12:35 p.m.
October 28th: Phoenix Desert Dogs @ Peoria Javelinas, 12:35 p.m.
October 29th: Phoenix Desert Dogs @ Peoria Saguaros, 12:35 p.m.
October 30th: Peoria Javelinas @ Phoenix Desert Dogs, 12:35 p.m.
October 31st: Phoenix Desert Dogs @ Mesa Solar Sox, 12:35 p.m.
November 1st: Off Day
November 2nd: Phoenix Desert Dogs @ Surprise Rafters, 12:35 p.m.
November 3rd: Surprise Rafters @ Phoenix Desert Dogs, 12:35 p.m.
November 4th: Peoria Saguaros @ Phoenix Desert Dogs, 12:35 p.m.
November 5th: Phoenix Desert Dogs @ Peoria Saguaros, 12:35 p.m.
November 6th: Scottsdale Scorpions @ Phoenix Desert Dogs, 12:35 p.m.
November 7th: Rising Stars Game @ Surprise Stadium, 6:15 p.m.
November 8th: Off Day
November 9th: Phoenix Desert Dogs @ Peoria Javelinas, 6:35 p.m.
November 10th: Scottsdale Scorpions @ Phoenix Desert Dogs, 12:35 p.m.
November 11th: Phoenix Desert Dogs @ Scottsdale Scorpions, 6:35 p.m.
November 12th: Phoenix Desert Dogs @ Mesa Solar Sox, 6:35 p.m.
November 13th: Mesa Solar Sox @ Phoenix Desert Dogs, 12:35 p.m.
November 14th: Peoria Saguaros @ Phoenix Desert Dogs, 12:35 p.m.
November 15th: Off Day
November 16th: Phoenix Desert Dogs @ Mesa Solar Sox, 12:35 p.m.
November 17th: Phoenix Desert Dogs @ Scottsdale Scorpions, 12:35 p.m.
November 18th: Peoria Javelinas @ Phoenix Desert Dogs, 12:35 p.m.
November 19th: Phoenix Desert Dogs @ Surprise Rafters, 12:35 p.m.
November 20th: Off Day
November 21st: Arizona Fall League Championship Game @ Scottsdale Stadium, 12:35 p.m.
Just as we did last year with the Peoria Javelinas, we will have updates on the Phoenix Desert Dogs games this season. Also, I'll post previews of the other fall/winter leagues in the future, including: Mexican Pacific League, Dominican Winter League, Venezuelan Winter League, Puerto Rican League, and the Liga Paralela (Venezuela).
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