Semi pro baseball is not what most people think it is, and at the same time it is much more than that. It’s obviously not Major League Baseball, or you would’ve heard of the players. And it’s certainly not Minor League Baseball because some of the players look old.
What is Semi Pro Baseball? Semi Pro baseball is a very general term to blanket the entirety of adults playing competitive hardball at the amateur level.
You will hear some people even refer to playing Men’s League, which is still considered a form of Semi Pro baseball.
As a former College and Semi Pro baseball player, when someone asks the highest level I played, I always tell them college. While it may be tempting to puff one’s chest out and say, “I played semi-pro,” most who have played at a highly competitive level regard that statement as laughable.
That’s not to say there’s anything wrong with playing semi pro baseball, or that it’s not competitive. It just leaves too much questionable ground. Some semi pro leagues are very high level, like the Northwoods League in the Midwest, the Alaska Baseball League in Alaska, or the Cape Cod League on the East Coast. These leagues often run a schedule similar to a minor league team, have minor league style stadiums, and even create that atmosphere with a large number of fans.
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Who plays Semi Pro Baseball?
These players are often low professional prospects, and players from prestigious colleges. Semi Pro Leagues are designed to get them use to the pressures and fanfare of professional baseball.
That being said, there are a lot of colleges, and therefore a lot of college players looking to play. Seeing as the college season runs typically from February to May, many players opt for other semi pro summer leagues to stay in playing shape.
By playing these leagues through the summer, players get quality baseball reps at a highly competitive level. It’s a good time and place for players to work on their game without as much pressure. Sometimes even if it means playing on a shabby high school field with no onlookers.
Although you may see players in their late 20’s and early to mid-30’s, most semi pro baseball players are right out of college or possibly out of high school. Most of them are in their early 20’s with some aspirations to reach the next level. While others are simply there because they are good enough to play at the semi pro level and love doing so.
You might be lucky enough to see an ex MLB star, such as Jose Canseco who has played for several Independent League teams. Canseco at age 50+ has played for the Pittsburgh Diamonds and Sonoma Stompers. Two Independent League teams part of the Pacific Association League.
Is Semi Pro and Minor League the same?
A lot of people, even casual fans think that Semi Pro is a low level of Minor League Baseball, or that low-level Minor-League Baseball is Semi Pro. This idea is false.
Minor League Baseball players are professional baseball players and get paid to play. Minor League teams are also owned by Major League Baseball Teams and part of their entire organization. This is true for all Minor Leagues and is not the case in semi professional baseball.
Major League Baseball Teams or Organizations draft players every year and place them on their Minor League teams. Players are drafted mostly from college or high school or international leagues. Semi Pro teams do not have drafts and are not assigned players from Major League Baseball Teams. Semi pro baseball players typically get asked to play for a certain team or try out and make a certain team.
Again, all Minor League baseball players get paid, because they are part of a Major League Baseball teams organization. Semi pro baseball players don’t always get paid. Some leagues, highly competitive ones offer pay.
Very low pay. Other Semi Pro baseball teams do not offer pay. That part all depends on the type of league and who the teams or leagues are owned by. Even players in Independent leagues get some money to play although usually not much at all.
What is Independent League?
Independent leagues are professional baseball leagues that are not affiliated with a Major League team. Major League teams have minor league teams that are classified as AAA, AA, High A, A, A Short Season, and Rookie.
Independent leagues do not fall in any of these categories, and vary in their quality. They are made up primarily of guys who were cut or released from Major League affiliates, or were undrafted by a Major League team, yet still have the skill to be future prospects.
While it’s a place where dreams are realized, and often eventually crushed, some players have been known to claw their way from “Indy Ball” all the way up to the Major Leagues.
What is the difference between Pro and Semi Pro Baseball?
Pro baseball is simply professional baseball. It could mean Major League Baseball, which is baseball at its highest level. Minor League baseball is also professional as minor league teams fall under Major League team but at a lower level.
Pro Baseball basically means the players are paid to play. It’s their job once they are at the professional level. Hence, their profession.
Pro baseball could also be professional leagues, teams, and players in other countries. Japan and Korea have very highly competitive professional baseball leagues where players make really good money, similar to Major League Baseball.
Semi Pro baseball doesn’t always mean the players are paid to play.
They aren’t professional but also not amateur. Even if they are paid, it’s likely at a very low amount. For leagues and teams to have enough money to pay their players, they need to make enough money, like any business. This is why very few semi pro leagues have paid players. Only the highest-level leagues do, such as the Cape Cod League.
Semi pro is above amateur baseball and amateur baseball players are never paid. Men’s Leagues almost always fall under amateur baseball and are extremely voluntary to play. Semi Pro is above amateur but not necessarily always more competitive. It depends on the league.
Final Word
Semi pro is basically the blanket term for adult amateur baseball. Most players are in or just out of college. Some just out of high school or some trying their last chance to make it professionally. Either way, they are adults. You, the reader, having never picked up a bat or ball could go look for a local hardball team to join, and consider yourself a semi professional baseball player. In truth, you’d still fall under amateur.
That being said there are super competitive high level semi pro summer leagues that at first glance might seem like a Double A affiliated minor league game. Yes, some leagues are really that good at the semi pro level.
Again, only the best semi pro leagues pay their players though. Ultimately, the players are all amateur across the board no matter the skill, and do not collect payment for playing.
The best way to think about a professional baseball player versus a semi professional player is one gets paid and one does not. The pro baseball player is working for their team. They are officially an employee of that team and are paid by that team.
Semi Pro players, or amateur baseball players are not paid and are not employees of the baseball team.
That all being said, if there is a semi pro baseball team near you, give it a chance and go watch a game. It’s normally cheap to attend, fun, quality baseball, and very family-friendly!
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