View source for Triple-A (baseball)

{{short description|Highest level of competition in Minor League Baseball}}
{{redirect|Class AAA|other classifications|AAA (disambiguation)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2013}}
[[File:Cokepark allentown.jpg|thumb|[[Coca-Cola Park]] in [[Allentown, Pennsylvania]], home of the [[Lehigh Valley IronPigs]], the Triple-A affiliate of the [[Philadelphia Phillies]]]]
'''Triple-A''' (officially '''Class AAA'''<ref>{{cite book |url=https://registration.mlbpa.org/pdf/MajorLeagueRules.pdf |title=The Official Professional Baseball Rules Book |publisher=Office of the Commissioner of Baseball |location=[[New York City]] |date=2021 |via=mlbpa.org |accessdate=May 1, 2021 |page=10}}</ref>) has been the highest level of play in [[Minor League Baseball]] in the [[United States]] since 1946. Currently, two [[sports league|league]]s operate at the Triple-A level, the [[International League]] (IL) and the [[Pacific Coast League]] (PCL). There are 30 teams, one per [[Major League Baseball]] (MLB) franchise, with 20 in the IL and 10 in the PCL. Triple-A teams are generally located in smaller to mid-size cities which do not have sports teams of the “[[Major professional sports leagues in the United States and Canada|Big Four]]” leagues, such as [[Syracuse, New York|Syracuse]], [[Toledo, Ohio|Toledo]], [[Reno, Nevada|Reno]] and [[Omaha, Nebraska|Omaha]], as well as larger metropolitan areas without MLB teams that also have a team in another major professional league, such as [[Austin, Texas|Austin]], [[Jacksonville, Florida|Jacksonville]], [[Columbus, Ohio|Columbus]], [[Buffalo, New York|Buffalo]], and [[Indianapolis]]. Four Triple-A teams play in the same metro areas as their parent clubs.<ref group="notes">The [[Gwinnett Stripers]], [[St. Paul Saints]], [[Sugar Land Space Cowboys]] and [[Tacoma Rainiers]]</ref>

All current Triple-A teams are located in the United States; before 2008, some Triple-A leagues also fielded [[List of defunct baseball teams in Canada#AAA|teams in Canada]],<ref>{{cite web|title=Lynx are outta here: Team sold, will move to U.S.|url=http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/news/story.html?id=1393128f-5ff6-42f3-b37e-8f5a347902c5|website=www.canada.com|publisher=Ottawa Citizen|access-date=September 20, 2014|date=April 13, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141119071948/http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/news/story.html?id=1393128f-5ff6-42f3-b37e-8f5a347902c5|archive-date=November 19, 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> and from 1967 to 2020 the [[Mexican League]] was classified as Triple-A. Reasons for the relocation of these teams were solely because of costs and attendance. Other than the current two Triple-A leagues, only three other leagues have ever held the classification.<!--The three other AAA leagues were the American Association, Mexican League, and Inter-American League (as covered in the main text). Triple-A East and Triple-A West are not added to this count as they were temporary names of the IL and PCL during 2021.-->

==History==
[[File:Baseball. Jack Robinson BAnQ P48S1P12829 (cropped).jpg|thumb|[[Jackie Robinson]], then with the Triple-A [[Montreal Royals]] in July 1946]]
Prior to 1946, the top level of [[Minor League Baseball]] was [[Double-A (baseball)|Double-A]], which had been established in 1912.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/75783068/the-philadelphia-inquirer/ |title=National Commission Grants Minor Leaguers Everything Asked For: Big Moguls of Baseball...Establish Much Wanted Class AA |newspaper=[[The Philadelphia Inquirer]] |page=10 |date=January 5, 1912 |accessdate=April 14, 2021 |via=newspapers.com}}</ref><ref name=encyc/>{{rp|236}} The Triple-A classification was created before the 1946 season, and began with all three leagues then in Double-A moving up to the new level:<ref name=encyc>{{cite book |title=The Encyclopedia of Minor League Baseball |editor1-first=Lloyd |editor1-last=Johnson |editor2-first=Miles |editor2-last=Wolff |edition=Third |publisher=[[Baseball America]] |date=2007 |isbn=978-1932391176}}</ref>{{rp|15}}
* [[American Association (20th century)|American Association]] (AA)
* [[International League]] (IL)
* [[Pacific Coast League]] (PCL)

This structure persisted for the next 75 years with only a few changes:
* 1952–1957: The PCL was classified as "Open" for these six seasons, in anticipation of it potentially becoming a third major league; once the [[Brooklyn Dodgers]] and [[New York Giants (NL)|New York Giants]] relocated from New York City to California, the PCL returned to Triple-A for the 1958 season.<ref name=encyc/>{{rp|16, 497}}
* 1963–1968: The AA did not operate during these six seasons.<ref name=encyc/>{{rp|521, 541}}
* 1967: The [[Mexican League]] received Triple-A classification;<ref name=encyc/>{{rp|537}} it had previously been Double-A since 1955<ref name=encyc/>{{rp|481}}
* 1979: The [[Inter-American League]] debuted with a Triple-A classification; the league disbanded in June<ref name=encyc/>{{rp|587}}
* 1998: Teams from the AA, which disbanded after the 1997 season, were added to the PCL and IL<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.triple-abaseball.com/AATimeline.jsp|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031226150430/http://www.triple-abaseball.com/AATimeline.jsp|url-status=usurped|archive-date=December 26, 2003|title=Notable Events in American Association History|website=Triple-A Baseball|access-date=October 22, 2019}}</ref>

The IL, PCL, and Mexican League continued as Triple-A leagues until Major League Baseball reorganized the minor leagues prior to the 2021 season. At that time, the IL and PCL were temporarily renamed [[Triple-A East]] and [[Triple-A West]], respectively. The Mexican League continues to operate, independently. Following MLB's acquisition of the rights to the names of the historical minor leagues, they announced on March 16, 2022, that the leagues would once again be called the International League and the Pacific Coast League, effective with the 2022 season.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.milb.com/news/minor-league-baseball-historical-league-names-to-return-in-2022 |title=Historical league names to return in 2022 |publisher=Minor League Baseball |website=[[Minor League Baseball]] |date=March 16, 2022 |access-date=March 29, 2022}}</ref>

===Countries===
While all current and the majority of past Triple-A teams have been located in the United States, Triple-A teams have also been based in:<ref name=encyc/>{{rp|104–106}}
* [[Canada]]: teams including the [[Montreal Royals]] and [[Ottawa Lynx]] of the IL and the [[Calgary Cannons]], [[Edmonton Trappers]], and [[Vancouver Mounties]] of the PCL
* [[Cuba]]: the [[Havana Sugar Kings]] were members of the IL from 1954 to 1960
* [[Dominican Republic]]: the short-lived Inter-American League had a team based here in 1979
* [[Mexico]]: all Mexican League teams
* [[Panama]]: one Inter-American League team in 1979
* [[Venezuela]]: two Inter-American League teams in 1979

==Purpose==
{{further|Major League Baseball rosters}}
[[File:Nashville Sounds in Omaha Aug 29, 2019.jpg|thumb|Players of the Triple-A [[Nashville Sounds]] in August 2019]]
The main purpose of Triple-A teams is to prepare players for the major leagues. In 2010, [[ESPN]] wrote:{{r|shelburne20100901}}
{{blockquote|Winning is nice, but secondary. It's much more important for a young prospect like outfielder [[Xavier Paul]] to get regular at-bats against lefties, or work on dropping down sacrifice bunts with a runner on first, than it is to take three of four from the [[Portland Beavers]].<ref name="shelburne20100901">{{cite news|last=Shelburne|first=Ramona|title=John Lindsey waits for his chance|url=https://www.espn.com/los-angeles/columns/story?id=5510887|access-date=September 28, 2010|newspaper=ESPN|date=September 1, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100906110146/http://sports.espn.go.com/los-angeles/columns/story?id=5510887|archive-date=September 6, 2010|url-status=live}}</ref>}}

Both young players and veterans play for Triple-A teams:{{blockquote|There are the young prospects speeding through the organization on the fastest treadmill, the guys who used to be young prospects who are in danger of topping out in Triple-A, the 30-somethings trying to get back to the majors after an injury or a rough patch, and the guys just playing a few more seasons because someone still wants them and they still want to.{{r|shelburne20100901}}}}

Most, if not all, of the players on an MLB team's ''expanded roster'' who are not currently on the team's ''active roster'' are assigned to the team's Triple-A club. Expanded rosters consist of 40 players, while active rosters generally consist of 26 players as of the 2021 season. Most Triple-A teams are located geographically close to their MLB parent club, as activating a Triple-A player as an injury replacement is a common occurrence.

The term "[[Glossary of baseball terms#AAAA player|AAAA player]]," pronounced "four-A" or "quadruple-A," refers to a player who is consistently successful when playing for Triple-A teams, but is not successful at the major league level. The term is usually used derisively and has itself been criticized as flawed.<ref name="bleacherreport-2008-04">{{cite news |last1=Stoltz |first1=Nathaniel |title=Quadruple-A and the Garbage Player Phenomenon: An Exercise in Futility |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/15965-quadruple-a-and-the-garbage-player-phenomenon-an-exercise-in-futility |access-date=April 30, 2022 |work=Bleacher Report |date=April 2, 2008 |language=en}}</ref><ref name="sbnation-2012-01">{{cite news |last1=Yellon |first1=Al |title=The Top Ten Quad-A Hitters |url=https://www.sbnation.com/2012/1/12/2702153/the-top-ten-quad-a-hitters-jerad-head-brandon-moss-wily-mo-pena |access-date=April 30, 2022 |work=SBNation.com |date=January 12, 2012 |language=en}}</ref> Major league team executives and managers disagree whether AAAA players exist.<ref name="baseballprospectus-2012-01">{{cite news |last1=Goldstein |first1=Kevin |title=Future Shock: Do Quad-A Players Exist? |url=https://www.baseballprospectus.com/prospects/article/15674/future-shock-do-quad-a-players-exist/ |access-date=April 30, 2022 |work=Baseball Prospectus |date=January 11, 2012}}</ref>

==Leagues==
Teams at this level are divided into two leagues: the International League and the Pacific Coast League. The International League fields teams primarily in the Eastern United States, while the Pacific Coast League fields teams mostly in the Western United States. Each of the 30 major league teams has an affiliation with one Triple-A team in the United States.

==Current teams==
{{see also|List of Triple-A baseball stadiums}}
{{location map+ |USA |float=left|width=750|alt=Triple-A team locations in the United States|caption='''Current Triple-A team locations:'''{{Legend|#D12A2A|International League}} {{Legend|#3265CB|Pacific Coast League}}
|places=
{{location map~ |USA |lat=39.968619 |long=-83.010743 |mark = Red pog.svg |marksize=6|label=[[Columbus Clippers|Clippers]]|position=right}}
{{location map~ |USA |lat=39.765 |long=-86.168333 |mark = Red pog.svg |marksize=6|label=[[Indianapolis Indians|Indians]]|position=left}}
{{location map~ |USA |lat=41.580278 |long=-93.615833 |mark = Red pog.svg |marksize=6 |label=[[Iowa Cubs|Cubs]]|position=top}}
{{location map~ |USA |lat=38.256186 |long=-85.744653 |mark = Red pog.svg |marksize=6|label=[[Louisville Bats|Bats]]|position=right}}
{{location map~ |USA |lat=41.151 |long=-96.107 |mark = Red pog.svg |marksize=6|label=[[Omaha Storm Chasers|Storm<br />Chasers]]|position=left}}
{{location map~ |USA |lat=44.950172 |long=-93.085099 |mark = Red pog.svg |marksize=6|label=[[St. Paul Saints|Saints]]|position=right}}
{{location map~ |USA |lat=41.648333 |long=-83.538889 |mark = Red pog.svg |marksize=6|label=[[Toledo Mud Hens|Mud Hens]]|position=left}}
{{location map~ |USA |lat=42.883333 |long=-78.866667 |mark = Red pog.svg |marksize=6|label=[[Buffalo Bisons|Bisons]]|position=left}}
{{location map~ |USA |lat=40.626111 |long=-75.4525 |mark = Red pog.svg |marksize=6|label=[[Lehigh Valley IronPigs|IronPigs]]|position=right}}
{{location map~ |USA |lat=43.158267 |long=-77.619794 |mark = Red pog.svg |marksize=6|label=[[Rochester Red Wings|Red<br />Wings]]|position=top}}
{{location map~ |USA |lat=41.360406 |long=-75.683967 |mark = Red pog.svg |marksize=6|label=[[Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders|RailRiders]]|position=left}}
{{location map~ |USA |lat=43.079078 |long=-76.165358 |mark = Red pog.svg |marksize=6|label=[[Syracuse Mets|Mets]]|position=right}}
{{location map~ |USA |lat=42.256944 |long=-71.8 |mark = Red pog.svg |marksize=6|label=[[Worcester Red Sox|Red Sox]]|position=right}}
{{location map~ |USA |lat=35.227988 |long=-80.849011 |mark = Red pog.svg |marksize=6|label=[[Charlotte Knights|Knights]]|position=right}}
{{location map~ |USA |lat=35.991689 |long=-78.904186 |mark = Red pog.svg |marksize=6|label=[[Durham Bulls|Bulls]]|position=right}}
{{location map~ |USA |lat=34.041494 |long=-83.992367 |mark = Red pog.svg |marksize=6|label=[[Gwinnett Stripers|Stripers]]|position=right}}
{{location map~ |USA |lat=30.324968 |long=-81.643069 |mark = Red pog.svg |marksize=6|label=[[Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp|Jumbo Shrimp]]|position=right}}
{{location map~ |USA |lat=35.143056 |long=-90.049167 |mark = Red pog.svg |marksize=6|label=[[Memphis Redbirds|Redbirds]]|position=bottom}}
{{location map~ |USA |lat=36.173031 |long=-86.785033 |mark = Red pog.svg |marksize=6|label=[[Nashville Sounds|Sounds]]|position=right}}
{{location map~ |USA |lat=36.842789 |long=-76.278869 |mark = Red pog.svg |marksize=6|label=[[Norfolk Tides|Tides]]|position=right}}

{{location map~ |USA |lat=35.069722 |long=-106.629167 |mark = Blue pog.svg |marksize=6|label=[[Albuquerque Isotopes|Isotopes]]|position=left}}
{{location map~ |USA |lat=31.790278 |long=-106.423333 |mark = Blue pog.svg |marksize=6|label=[[El Paso Chihuahuas|Chihuahuas]]|position=right}}
{{location map~ |USA |lat=35.464961 |long=-97.50805 |mark = Blue pog.svg |marksize=6|label=[[Oklahoma City Comets|Comets]]|position=left}}
{{location map~ |USA |lat=30.5273 |long=-97.6305 |mark = Blue pog.svg |marksize=6|label=[[Round Rock Express|Express]]|position=left}}
{{location map~ |USA |lat=29.622751 |long=-95.647179 |mark = Blue pog.svg |marksize=6|label=[[Sugar Land Space Cowboys|Space Cowboys]]|position=right}}
{{location map~ |USA |lat=36.152278 |long=-115.329417 |mark = Blue pog.svg |marksize=6|label=[[Las Vegas Aviators|Aviators]]|position=right}}
{{location map~ |USA |lat=39.528131 |long=-119.808633 |mark = Blue pog.svg |marksize=6|label=[[Reno Aces|Aces]]|position=right}}
{{location map~ |USA |lat=38.580372 |long=-121.5138 |mark = Blue pog.svg |marksize=6|label=[[Sacramento River Cats|River<br />Cats]]|position=bottom}}
{{location map~ |USA |lat=40.740556 |long=-111.892778 |mark = Blue pog.svg |marksize=6|label=[[Salt Lake Bees|Bees]]|position=right}}
{{location map~ |USA |lat=47.238033 |long=-122.497544 |mark = Blue pog.svg |marksize=6|label=[[Tacoma Rainiers|Rainiers]]|position=right}}
}}
{{clear}}

===International League===
{{main|International League}}
{{:International League}}

===Pacific Coast League===
{{main|Pacific Coast League}}
{{:Pacific Coast League}}

==Triple-A All-Star Game==
{{main|Triple-A All-Star Game}}
[[File:2015 AAA All-Star Game mound.jpg|thumb|The 2015 [[Pacific Coast League]] Triple-A All-Stars]]
The [[Triple-A All-Star Game]] was a single game held between the two affiliated Triple-A leagues—the International League and the Pacific Coast League. Each league fielded a team composed of the top players in their respective leagues as voted on by fans, the media, and each club's [[manager (baseball)|field manager]] and [[General manager (baseball)|general manager]].<ref>{{Cite web|first=Danny|last=Wild|url=https://www.milb.com/news/gcs-77375898|title=Voting begins for Triple-A All-Star Game|publisher=Minor League Baseball|date=May 30, 2014|access-date=August 19, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140825001814/http://www.milb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20140530&content_id=77375898&vkey=news_milb&fext=.jsp&sid=milb|archive-date=August 25, 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> The event took place every year since 1988 when the first Triple-A All-Star Game was played in [[Buffalo, New York]]. Prior to 1998, a team of [[American League]]-affiliated Triple-A All-Stars faced off against a team of [[National League (baseball)|National League]]-affiliated Triple-A All-Stars.

Traditionally, the game was held on the day after the mid-summer [[Major League Baseball All-Star Game]].<ref name=Omaha2015>{{Cite web|url=https://www.milb.com/news/gcs-68763994|title=Omaha Storm Chasers and Werner Park to Host 2015 Triple-A Baseball All-Star Game|work=Omaha Storm Chasers|publisher=Minor League Baseball|date=March 5, 2014|access-date=August 19, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140315181403/http://www.milb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20140305&content_id=68763994&fext=.jsp&vkey=news_t541&sid=t541|archive-date=March 15, 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> Such games mark a symbolic halfway-point in the season, despite occurring later than the actual halfway-point of most seasons. Both Triple-A leagues shared a common All-Star break, with no regular-season games scheduled for two days before the All-Star Game itself. Some additional events, such as the All-Star Fan Fest and [[Triple-A All-Star Game#Home Run Derby|Triple-A Home Run Derby]], were held each year during this break in the regular season.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.milb.com/news/gcs-41859966|title=Durham Lands 2014 Triple-A ASG|publisher=Minor League Baseball|date=February 20, 2013|access-date=August 19, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140322061537/http://www.milb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130221&content_id=41859966&fext=.jsp&vkey=pr_milb|archive-date=March 22, 2014|url-status=live}}</ref>

While the 2021 schedule originally included a three-day All-Star break of July 12–14,<ref name=2021Buffalo>{{cite web|title=Bisons Unveil 2021 Playing Schedule, Opening Day Set for April 6 at Sahlen Field|url=https://www.milb.com/buffalo/news/bisons-2021-schedule|website=Buffalo Bisons|publisher=Minor League Baseball|date=February 18, 2021|accessdate=February 18, 2021}}</ref> this was removed after [[Opening Day]] was pushed back one month.<ref>{{cite web|last=Harrigan|first=Thomas|title=Triple-A Start Delayed; Alternate Sites to Return|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/start-of-2021-triple-a-season-delayed|website=Major League Baseball|date=March 2, 2021|accessdate=March 3, 2021}}</ref> Team schedules for the 2021 season were subsequently issued without an All-Star break.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.milb.com/worcester/team/schedule |title=Printable Schedule |publisher=Worcester Red Sox |website=[[Minor League Baseball]] |access-date=May 5, 2021}}</ref>

==Triple-A Championship==
{{main|Triple-A National Championship Game}}
Beginning in 2006, the annual [[Triple-A National Championship Game]] was held to serve as a single championship game between the champions of the International League and Pacific Coast League to determine an overall champion of Triple-A baseball. It was originally held annually at [[Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark]] in [[Oklahoma City]], and known as the Bricktown Showdown.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://tripleabaseball.com/releases/btsd01.pdf|title=Bricktown Showdown To Determine Triple-A Baseball Champion|publisher=Triple-A Baseball|date=July 12, 2006|access-date=August 17, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304001040/http://tripleabaseball.com/releases/btsd01.pdf|archive-date=March 4, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> Starting in 2011, the game was held in a different Triple-A city each year.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.milb.com/news/gcs-16594946|title=Isotopes to Host Triple-A Championship|last=Hill|first=Benjamin|publisher=Minor League Baseball|date=February 8, 2011|access-date=August 17, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140819083645/http://pacificcoast.league.milb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110208&content_id=16594946&vkey=news_l112&fext=.jsp&sid=l112|archive-date=August 19, 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> Previous postseason interleague championships include the [[Junior World Series]] (1932–34, 1936–62, 1970–71, 1973–74), [[Triple-A World Series]] (1983, 1998–2000), and [[Triple-A Classic]] (1988–91).

For the 2021 season, in place of the National Championship Game, Minor League Baseball extended the Triple-A regular season to October 3,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.milb.com/milb/news/playoffs-return-to-minor-league-baseball |title=Playoffs return to the Minor Leagues |first=Kelsie |last=Heneghan |website=[[Minor League Baseball]] |date=July 1, 2021 |access-date=July 1, 2021}}</ref> with league champions determined based on regular-season records through the original end date of the season (September 19 for Triple-A East, and September 21 for Triple-A West).<ref name=bpd/> The final 10 games of the season, played after those dates, were deemed the "Final Stretch", with the team posting the best winning percentage during that period (the [[Durham Bulls]], who went 9–1) winning a cash prize.<ref name=bpd>{{cite news |url=https://ballparkdigest.com/2021/07/14/milb-turns-triple-a-extended-season-to-tourney-kinda/ |title=MiLB turns Triple-A extended season to tourney–kinda |first=Kevin |last=Richard |website=ballparkdigest.com |date=July 14, 2021 |accessdate=July 15, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.milb.com/news/durham-bulls-claim-triple-a-final-stretch-championship |title=Durham claims Triple-A Final Stretch championship |website=[[Minor League Baseball]] |date=October 4, 2021 |access-date=October 4, 2021}}</ref> Since the 2022 season, the Triple-A National Championship Game has been played between the champions of the International League and the Pacific Coast League.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.milb.com/news/las-vegas-to-host-inaugural-triple-a-triple-championship-weekend |title=Las Vegas to Host Inaugural Triple-A Triple Championship Weekend |website=Minor League Baseball |date=May 3, 2022 |accessdate=May 3, 2022}}</ref> In 2023, the Triple-A Championship game was played at the Las Vegas Ballpark. The winner of this game were the Norfolk Tides.

==Pace-of-play initiatives==
As a part of professional baseball's [[pace of play]] initiatives implemented in 2015, 20-second [[pitch clock]]s entered use at Triple-A stadiums in 2015.<ref>{{cite web|first=Josh|last=Jackson|title=Triple-A, Double-A to Implement Pitch Clock|url=https://www.milb.com/news/gcs-106476386|work=[[Minor League Baseball]]|date=January 15, 2015|access-date=April 20, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150417011619/http://www.milb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20150115&content_id=106476386&fext=.jsp&vkey=news_milb&sid=milb|archive-date=April 17, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2018, the time was shortened to 15&nbsp;seconds when no runners are on base. Other significant changes implemented in 2018 included beginning extra innings with a runner on second base and limiting teams to six mound visits during a nine-inning game.<ref>{{cite web|title=MiLB announces pace-of-play rules for 2018|url=https://www.milb.com/milb/news/minor-league-baseball-announces-pace-of-play-regulations-for-2018/c-268683294|work=[[Minor League Baseball]]|date=March 14, 2018|access-date=March 15, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180315020038/https://www.milb.com/milb/news/minor-league-baseball-announces-pace-of-play-regulations-for-2018/c-268683294|archive-date=March 15, 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> For the 2019 season, the number of mound visits was reduced to five, and pitchers were required to face a minimum of three consecutive batters unless the side is retired or the pitcher becomes injured and is unable to continue playing.<ref>{{cite web|title=MiLB announces pace-of-play rules for 2019|url=https://www.milb.com/milb/news/milb-announces-pace-of-play-rules-for-2019/c-305774226|work=[[Minor League Baseball]]|date=March 29, 2019|access-date=March 29, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190329154016/https://www.milb.com/milb/news/milb-announces-pace-of-play-rules-for-2019/c-305774226|archive-date=March 29, 2019|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Timeline of AAA baseball leagues==

<timeline>
DateFormat = yyyy
ImageSize = width:1600 height:auto barincrement:35
Period     = from:1900 till:2023
TimeAxis   = orientation:horizontal
PlotArea = left:50 right:50 bottom:20 top:20

Colors = 
 id:barcolor value:rgb(0.99,0.7,0.7)
 id:lineColor     value:gray(0.6)
 id:bg       value:white
 id:different_class value:gray(0.9)
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 id:navy        value:rgb(0   ,0   ,0.30)
 id:darkred     value:rgb(0.50,0   ,0   )

PlotData =
 width:20 textcolor:black shift:(5,-5) anchor:from fontsize:s
 bar:IL from:1908 till:1909 color:different_class text:"(D)" textcolor:navy
 bar:IL from:1912 till:1946 color:different_class text:"(AA)" textcolor:navy
 bar:IL from:1946 till:2020 color:skyblue text:"International League"
 bar:IL from:2022 till:2023 color:skyblue

 bar:AA color:different_class from:1902 till:1903 text:"(Ind.)" textcolor:navy
 bar:AA color:different_class from:1903 till:1912 text:"(A)" textcolor:darkred
 bar:AA color:different_class from:1912 till:1946 text:"(AA)" textcolor:navy
 bar:AA color:skyblue from:1946 till:1963 text:"American Association"
 bar:AA color:skyblue from:1969 till:1998

 bar:PCL color:different_class from:1903 till:1904 text:"(Ind.)" textcolor:navy
 bar:PCL color:different_class from:1904 till:1912 text:"(A)" textcolor:darkred
 bar:PCL color:different_class from:1912 till:1946 text:"(AA)" textcolor:navy
 bar:PCL color:skyblue from:1946 till:1952 text:"Pacific Coast League"
 bar:PCL color:different_class from: 1952 till:1958 text:"           (Open)" textcolor:navy
 bar:PCL color:skyblue from:1958 till:2020
 bar:PCL color:skyblue from:2022 till:2023

 bar:ML color:different_class from:1925 till:1955 text:"(Ind.)" textcolor:navy
 bar:ML color:different_class from:1955 till:1967 text:"(AA)" textcolor:navy
 bar:ML color:skyblue from:1967 till:2020 text:"Mexican League"
 bar:ML color:different_class from:2021 till:2023 text:"(Ind.)" textcolor:navy

 bar:IAL color:skyblue from:1979 till:1980 text:"Inter-American League"

 bar:AAAE color:skyblue from:2021 till:2022 text:"Triple-A East"

 bar:AAAW color:skyblue from:2021 till:2022 text:"Triple-A West

ScaleMajor = gridcolor:majorGridColor unit:year increment:5 start:1900

</timeline>

==Footnotes==
{{Reflist|group=notes}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*{{official website|www.milb.com}}

{{Professional Baseball}}
{{International League}}
{{Pacific Coast League}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Triple-A (Baseball)}}
[[Category:International League]]
[[Category:Minor league baseball]]
[[Category:Pacific Coast League]]