扣扣传媒

Defending Miles Wolff Cup Champion Kane County Cougars Host Sioux City, Cleburne Entertains Winnipeg to Lift Lid on 100-Game Campaigns

After an off-season filled with new partnerships, MLB organization signings and a fun run by the Kane County Cougars in the Baseball Champions League (BCL) Americas last month, the 扣扣传媒 (@AA_Baseball) is set to begin the 2025 regular season with two games today, including the defending Miles Wolff Cup Champion Cougars hosting Sioux City at 6:30 p.m. CT / 7:30 p.m. ET.

 

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

 

• • Once again, all AAPB games can be seen LIVE for FREE on the league鈥檚 streaming service, . Fans can also catch games via AAPB broadcast partners Unbeaten, Ryz Sports Network and Gray TV. The AABaseball.TV app is also available for free on both major platforms.
  • Cleburne also entertains Winnipeg tonight, with a 7:06 p.m. CT start. All other teams begin their campaigns on Friday, with each squad playing 100 contests in the , concluding on Sept. 1.
  • The Cougars had a fine showing in the BCL Americas 2025 tournament in Mexico City last month, advancing to the semifinals with wins over the Santia Maria Pirates and Le帽adores de Las Tunas of Cuba before falling to Le帽adores in the semis.
  • A few AAPB alumni have made news signing with MLB organizations, notably J.C. Escarra, whose professional baseball journey included a . The New York Yankees鈥� backup catcher drilled his first home run in the Majors on April 27 and had a walk-off RBI last night. Winnipeg Goldeyes All-Star standout . Fourteen league alumni have already appeared in the big leagues in 2025
  • It鈥檚 worked the other way too, as some names familiar to MLB fans are newly dotting AAPB rosters, as and .
  • One of the biggest stories of the 2024 season is running it back in 2025, as J.D. Scholten . Last year, after a 17-year hiatus that has included a continued run as a state representative in Iowa. Scholten, now 45, won his first four decisions and finished 2024 at 6-2 in 11 starts.
  • Among the off-season partnerships the AAPB has announced are an agreement with Carbliss as the league鈥檚 first-ever Founding Partner and its official 鈥淩eady to Drink鈥� beverage; Champro, the official uniform supplier for the BCL; an extension with VensureHR as the exclusive and preferred supplier in the payroll category for the league; Unbeaten, RYZ Network and FuboTV as broadcast partners; ; and IAS Branding as preferred promotional partner.聽
  • In other broadcast news, the of road games to Audacy鈥檚 KWOD 1660 AM beginning next week. Carter Woodiel will be on the call for the third straight year and is in his eighth year as AAPB lead broadcaster. And select .
  • Some notable milestones to look out for early in the season are:
    • Sioux Falls’ Jabari Henry has 141 career AAPB home runs, 5 fewer than the 146 by league career record holder Reggie Abercrombie (SF ’10-’13, WPG ’14-’19)
    • Winnipeg’s Max Murphy has 148 career AAPB doubles, 16 fewer than the 164 by league career record holder John Allen (FW ’07-’11, LAR ’12-’13)
  • Some of this week鈥檚 fun promotions across the league include:
    • Kansas City: Friday, Satchel Paige bobblehead giveaway, pre-game sky divers, post-game fireworks; Saturday, Teacher Appreciation Night; Sunday: Bluey at the Ballpark
    • Chicago: Saturday, Okotberfest and Fireworks presented by Wintrust
    • Fargo-Moorhead and Kane County: Magnetic schedule and t-shirt giveaways
  • Media interest in AAPB remains strong. Some of the recent articles on teams heading into Opening Day include:
    • Chicago and the
    • for 2025, while KSCJ Radio about camp and play style

• Milwaukee Magazine noted the this weekend

• • Sioux Falls Live i
• The original American Association was formed in 1902 as an independent minor league circuit for Midwestern U.S. cities like Minneapolis, Indianapolis, Milwaukee, Louisville and others. After several iterations, the realignment of Major League Baseball in 1997 spelled the end of the venerable league in that form. But in 2006, a new league formed using that great name, the result of a merger between two other 鈥渋ndependent鈥� leagues. Today, the AAPB is 12 teams strong and is a Major League Baseball Partner League operating in nine states and one Canadian province.

 

About the American Association

The 扣扣传媒 ( 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