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Five More Teams to Hold Home Openers this Weekend

 

MOORHEAD, Minn., May 15, 2025 – A big first week across ¿Û¿Û´«Ã½ (@AA_Baseball) gave the MLB Partner League plenty of momentum heading into this weekend’s action, which will see five teams hold their home openers. Record-setting attendance, tight games and Opening Day celebrations ruled in week one, and a variety of promotions, partnerships and new faces dotting AAPB rosters promise another exciting week on and off the field.

 

Here are 10 (or so) Things to Know about the AAPB this week:

 

• The Opening weekend for the 20th season of American Association baseball (each of the six home teams hosting three games), breaking the Opening Weekend record of 61,382, set in 2022. The defending champion Kane County Cougars led the way with the largest crowd of the weekend, 7,032 Saturday against Sioux City.
• The latest AAPB team to ink a local broadcast deal is the Lincoln Saltdogs, who . The first of seven scheduled MeTV broadcasts was Saturday’s contest at Kansas City.
• Kansas City Monarchs outfielder Isiah Gilliam and Sioux City Explorers starter Kyle Marman won the AAPB’s opening Carbliss batter and pitcher of the week of the 2025 season.
• The Gary SouthShore Railcats were part of the Methodist Hospitals Foundation’s annual gala at the Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana in Gary. The team .
• The AAPB also announced a strategic partnership with JDP, a leader in comprehensive background screening and services, that will enhance the safety and integrity of the league by providing advanced, modern screening solutions, and continuous monitoring services. 
• Cleburne alum Beau Burrows (2-1 in 16 relief appearances with the Railroaders last year), on Tuesday.
• The bloodlines are strong, though at a different position, for former Major Leaguer and new Kane County Cougar Chris Mazza, who is the — Joe, Vince and Dom. Mazza and fanning six in a win over Sioux City on Saturday. Mazza has played parts of four seasons with the Mets, Red Sox and Rays.
• Another former Major Leaguer making his mark in the AAPB in a different way is Christian Colón, who . Colón was a Royal from 2014-2017, driving in the World Series-clinching run vs. the Mets in 2015, and also played with the Marlins and Reds.
• Some of this week’s notable promotions across the league include:
  • Kane County: Sunday, Stroke Awareness Day, presented by naming rights partner, Northwestern Medicine
  • Cleburne: Tuesday & Wednesday, STEM Day, with interactive STEM learning stations for kids
  • Fargo-Moorhead: Tuesday, Moorhead Spuds State Hockey Championship Night, T-Shirt giveaway
  • Lincoln: Triple Play Tuesday, Free GA ticket with donation of three non-perishable items to benefit Food Bank of Lincoln
  • Sioux Falls: Friday, Back to the 80’s Night; Saturday, Pajama Party
  • Chicago Dogs: Tonight, Bark at the Ballpark/Dogs Tennis Ball Giveaway (Paw-some!)
• Media interest in AAPB remains strong. Some of the recent articles on teams include:
  • 58 News Milwaukee previewed the Milkmen’s opener with the headline
  • The on local hero Westin Muir and his return from injury for Kane County
  • NBC Chicago got into the Opening Day spirit with
  • its local team’s opener as the Canaries aim at their third straight playoff berth

 

About the American Association

The ¿Û¿Û´«Ã½ ( and ) is a Major League Baseball Partner League that operates in nine states and one Canadian province. Formed in 2006, the league consists of twelve member clubs with many beginning play in 1993. By the end of 2024, over 57 players with American Association experience had made their debut with MLB clubs after having first played in the American Association.

 

– AAPB –

 

Contact:

Joe Favorito, joefavorito2@gmail.com, 917-566-8345

Jerry Milani, jerry@jerrymilani.com, 917-797-5663